Five destinations for the Vikings free agent running back. Matt Bowen
Recently, Vikings VP of player personnel Rick Spielman talked about the importance of re-signing unrestricted free agent Chester Taylor, calling the running back the “unsung hero” of the Vikings.
But, does Taylor want to be back? Does he want to play second fiddle to starter Adrian Peterson?
Most likely, Taylor is going to be in demand on the open market. He has shown that he can play a complementary role to a feature running back, and earlier in his career he showed that he could carry the load as the No. 1 option in the backfield. He is skilled in pass protection and he is more than capable of catching the ball out of the backfield.
The concern — as with most backs — is his age. Taylor is 30 years old and will turn 31 during the season. But, unlike players such as Edgerrin James and LaDainian Tomlinson, Taylor hasn’t been a back who has been run into the ground. Only once — in 2006 — did Taylor have over 200 touches in a season, when he rushed for 1,216 yards on 303 carries and caught 42 passes. He has accrued just over 1,000 carries total for his career.
He is a back with low miles on the tires and a back that should demand some big coin once free agency kicks off on March 5.
So, who needs him and who could make Taylor an offer he can’t refuse? Let’s look at five teams (outside of the Vikings) who I believe should put together a solid deal to bring Taylor to town…
1. San Diego Chargers
Talking about the Chargers is almost too obvious, but we know they are going to be in the market for a running back either through the draft or through free agency. LT is on his way out, and Darren Sproles — though exciting and a game breaker — isn’t the type of back who can carry the ball 20-plus times a game in Norv Turner’s offense, a scheme predicated on the off-tackle power running game: Power O, Lead Open, Lead Strong.
2. Seattle Seahawks
New head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates need a feature running back. I’m not part of the Julius Jones bandwagon, as I think he has worn out his opportunities in Seattle. The Seahawks need to turn over their roster, so why not start with a proven veteran running back? I would not be surprised if Carroll made this move and it would be a good landing spot for Taylor.
3. Houston Texans
I never got the feeling that head coach Gary Kubiak was pleased with any of his running backs in 2009. Add in the fact that Steve Slaton is coming off of surgery and that the 8-8 seasons are growing old in Houston, and you have a perfect landing spot for Taylor. As much as we like the combo of Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson, getting through the AFC South requires a running back that can produce — and be accountable to Kubiak. I like this move for Houston.
4. Washington Redskins
This is a little premature, as we don’t know what will happen to Clinton Portis, but the draw to play in a Mike Shanahan offensive scheme — along with the money Dan Snyder pays out — could be hard to turn down for Taylor. If Shanahan does get some control of that roster, he would be smart to look at Taylor and bring in that dual-threat back who has more in his legs than Portis, who looks to be on the downside of his career.
5. Cleveland Browns
Yes, the Browns have Jerome Harrison, and they also have to get a deal done with WR/KR Josh Cribbs. But with Mike Holmgren in town, nobody is safe on that roster. Could you see a rotation between Harrison and Taylor? Could be a tough sell for Taylor due to the lackluster QB situation in Cleveland, but it is a move the Browns should take a look at. That offense needs talent.
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As a fan, I couldn't agree more about the Texans, but I fear that they perhaps learned more than just what they should have from the Ahman Green signing. Milage on a back, in the form of touches, is more important with a player like Taylor than age.
Just as important for the Texans, they need someone who really understands what a short yardage back is, and how to find one. No back is going to regularly run over Albert Haynseworth - type lineman, the trick is knowing how to use angles when anticipating & receiving hits, and adjusting your body to not just allow for the hits but to actually use them along with your natural power to help you get where you are trying to go.
Effective short yardage running has far more to do with technique than size or, to a lesser degree, power (at least in the traditional sense). This is why Brandon Jacobs for example is not really an effective short yardage back.
Big D, good comments. LT was pretty effective in short yardage. There are different ways to get the job done.
As for C. Taylor, I can't see him going to the Redskins. The team badly needs to get younger at RB. He would be an upgrade for them, but I think it would make more sense to go for a mid or low round draft pick and try to steal a practice squad guy from somewhere. There are a lot of guys out there who can play RB, no need to pay up in FA for one.
Taylor will be a risk because of the age, carries or not. I wouldn't expect a big $$$ contract, but something in the $4-5 M a year would be good for Taylor.
Matt's comments about who needs RBs are interesting compared to Wes Buntings prediction that Jahvid Best will be picked at #22 by NE as the first RB ahead of CJ Spillar of Clemson. All the teams in Matt's list except for SD pick before #22. I would expect one of them to take Spillar and if not them SF could use a complement to Frank Gore and has picks #14 and 16 available.
Spillar looks to be a game changer ala Percy Harvin. Harvin didn't go until late 1st round, but I expect Spillar to not last beyond 20, which is the Houston Texans right now. Given Taylor vs Spillar, I'd take Spillar for the extra 8 years of youth he gives you.
It seems to me that he may want to look at the Lions. they're going to be a young team with a need for leadership and talent at the running back position - that they haven't had since Barry Sanders retired. Taylor could step in to the starting position and split time with a variety of backs the Lions have on the roster - none of which are suitable starters.
I think that Kansas City is the best fit for Chester- They desperately need his pass protection skills and he would be a great addition to a backfield that only features Jamaal Charles. Chester is an asset in the areas where Charles could use improvement: Pass protection, catching passes out of the backfield, and short yardage situations. KC does not need to get any younger, and they will most likely address their offensive line in the draft.
As a Vikings fan, I've watched every snap Chester has played since he signed, and I think he is wildly underrated.
The Eagles, he can rep into being Westbrook's replacement and split those touches with the Eagles young halfback.
I was hoping the Cleveland Browns was on your list. They need all the help they can get on both sides of the ball.
I'd love to see the Patriots acquire somebody who is a dual threat and who must be respected as both a runner and a receiver (while also being capable of blitz pickup).
Right now, they have to substitute in order to get all of those skill sets into the game at various times and it really paints them into a corner with playcalling predictability. Case in focus: When Laurence Maroney came into the game as part of "11 personnel" (1 rb, 1 te), I knew it was going to be a downhill run with zone blocking. It took them until the Ravens game to really incorporate play action (sporadically) and it took half of the season until they finally ran their first counter and their first reverse. Effin' ridiculous.
(Also, lthough I lack the skills to create a cost/benefit analysis, I think the predictability of the downhill run and the stuffed runs resulting from them outweighed the trick plays that they were able to pull as part of play-action / trick-play package)
I like the San Diego location for C. Taylor, but probably not as much as he does. Of course two things have to fall into place.
His signing in San Diego has to fall within the confines of the l'ast eight' signing a free agent, which I believe it ultimately will.
Secondly, Minnesota must not franchise or tender him, which may happen. Brad Childress may be under the delusion that he has a Super Bowl winning team under his control, and may convince his free spending owner to give him another shot while the "window" is still open.
Any team would be fortunate to have Chester in the backfield in passing situations, age or no. He will create a huge gap for the Vikings should he go to another club. Chester delivers when it is third and five.
I don't see Chester as a feature back for a variety of reasons. But, just as important as a feature back, you need a back like Chester who brings a variety of tools to the offense.
Have to think Detroit should be on this list. He's from there (River Rouge), went to school in the area (Toledo).
Unlike most of the other situations, he would basically be the man and not have to split time with a scat back. (This assumes Kevin Smith is finished, which I believe he is.) If he wants to be the feature back, only Detroit offers that opportunity, though a Redskins team that is willing to cut Portis could also.
He would be a good addition to a young offense and take a significant amount of pressure off of Stafford.
He signed an offer sheet with the Browns when he as an RFA and still in Baltimore, one which the Ravens matched.
Chester Taylor is such a great talent. He can start on most nfl teams. I would not want to play backup so i would be looking for a new team.
I hope chester will play in 2010. I am definitely a big fan. He is so fun to watch.
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Feb 16, 2010
07:40 AM
No chance he goes back to Minny.... Chilly is going to have find someone else to come in for AP where he turns into a fumbling circus.
My bet is on the Skins. Snyder will overpay.