Jags part ways with veteran RB
If you had to to start a Jaguar running back during any of the last three seasons, you wanted it to be Maurice Jones-Drew... and now the folks in Jacksonville feel the same way; The Jags announced Monday that they are releasing RB Fred Taylor, who had spent each of his 11 seasons in Jacksonville.
Taylor, who is the Jags' all-time leading rusher and ranks 16th in NFL history, had worked his way into a timeshare with Jones-Drew starting back in 2006, when the rookie rushed for 941 yards and 13 TDs. Ever since, MJD has been the Jacksonville back of choice for fantasy owners.
During his best years, Taylor was a prolific runner, netting over 1,000 yards seven times on his way to 11,271 career rushing yards. The 33-year-old Taylor has already commented that he'll search for employment elsewhere, but there's no doubt -- no matter where he signs -- that he'll enter 2009 as a back-up.
Come August, MJD will make a swift climb up fantasy draft boards, especially when the Jaguars' depth chart lists his back-up as Montell Owens, a second-year back with two career carries. We'll still have to wait and see if Jacksonville secures another option either via free agency or draft (though most have them pegged to snag offensive linemen), but you'll no longer have to worry about "Fragile Fred" clogging up your bench.
