FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 10/9/2009 11:11am et

Christopher L. Gasper, of The Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots RB Fred Taylor underwent surgery Thursday, Oct. 8, to repair severe ligament damage in his right ankle and could miss the rest of the season, according to a league source. There is a small chance he could return during the final month of the regular season depending on how his recovery progresses.

The Huddle Take: Just when Taylor appeared to have emerged as a go-to option in New England, he's down for the year. That leaves just 13-14 backs in the Patriots mix, with Sammy Morris likely to see the most significant uptick in touches over Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, and BenJarvis Green-Ellis.

Posted: 10/8/2009 6:23pm et

ESPNBoston.com reports New England Patriots RB Fred Taylor (ankle) needs to undergo surgery on his ankle, according to a source. The surgery is not expected to keep Taylor out for the season.

The Huddle Take: Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk, as well as Sammy Morris will see more action for however long it takes for Taylor to heal. Morris is the only one worth Fantasy consideration because he'll likely see most of the goalline carries.

Posted: 9/27/2009 9:01pm et

The Associated Press reports New England Patriots RB Fred Taylor had 21 carries for 105 yards with a touchdown Week 3.

The Huddle Take: The former Jacksonville Jaguar was impressive on the day in relief of the injured Laurence Maroney and this was just the reason that New England wanted Taylor on the team. Taylor gives the Patriots a solid veteran presence and quality depth just in case they have any injury problems in their running game. Fantasy owners that need running back help could do far worse than putting Fred Taylor on their team for depth and an occasional start.

Posted: 9/2/2009 11:14am et

Karen Guregian, of The Boston Herald, reports New England Patriots RB Fred Taylor has not done anything to kill the thought he will play a key role in the Patriots' ground game in 2009.

The Huddle Take: The Patriots haven't had one back average more than 15 carries per game since 2004—which, coincidentally, is the same year Taylor last averaged that amount. So Bill Belichick's definition of "key" might be significantly different than the typical fantasy owner's definition of "key".

Posted: 5/20/2009 8:02pm et

The Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots RB Fred Taylor said he has been working on learning the playbook so he would not have to hesitate during the offseason practices. 'I want to learn the playbook so I don't have to hesitate,' said Taylor. 'I don't want to feel like a rookie out there. 'I want to learn the playbook so I don't have to hesitate,' said Taylor. 'I don't want to feel like a rookie out there.

The Huddle Take: This certainly shows huge initiative on the part of the newly acquired Taylor. Despite the fact that he has been injury prone throughout his career, the former Jaguar runner should be a huge force for a Patriots team that has been in dire need of a running game for several seasons. With Tom Brady also scheduled to return to action this year, Taylor could be relied on even more heavily early on until Brady settles un under center once again.

Posted: 5/5/2009 11:31pm et

Christopher L. Gasper, of The Boston Globe, reports New England Patriots RB Fred Taylor (wrist) suffered a sprained left wrist while working out in South Florida, according to medical sources. Taylor hurt the wrist when he fell on his outstretched left hand. Taylor was told to put the wrist in a Velcro splint, rest it, and ice it. Doctors told Taylor that he gradually could ramp up his activity over the following two or three weeks. The injury has affected Taylor's ability to lift weights, as that activity, in particular, aggravates the wrist. It is not known whether the injury will prevent Taylor from participating in the start of the Patriots' organized team activities this month.

The Huddle Take: Taylor has long battled the injury bug that has had him labeled as "brittle" for much of his NFL career. The veteran runner has done better of late and could be a huge part of the Patriots offense with quarterback Tom Brady returning from season ending knee surgery. Fantasy owners should view Taylor as a solid No. 2 running back on a team that should post solid offensive stats in all categories.

Posted: 3/6/2009 6:15pm et

Updating a previous report, the Boston Globe reports the New England Patriots have signed unrestricted free-agent RB Fred Taylor to a two-year deal worth $5 million. Taylor received a $1.45 million signing bonus and will receive a $1.55 million base salary in 2009 and $2 million in 2010.

The Huddle Take: That's a pretty reasonable rate for a quality back, though Taylor is on the downslope of his career. He should at least have enough left in the tank to make sure the Patriots backfield remains a committee-based fantasy quagmire.

Posted: 2/27/2009 1:17pm et

NFL.com reports free-agent RB Fred Taylor has agreed to terms with the New England Patriots. Terms of the deal are not available, but Taylor is expected to finish his career in New England.

The Huddle Take: Not that there's a whole lot of Taylor's career left, but he'll join the Patriots' stable of backs that in any given week will get somewhere between five and 20 carries and rush for between 40 and 120 yards. If you thought Taylor was a fantasy frustration in Jacksonville, just wait until Bill Belichick gets ahold of him.

Posted: 2/24/2009 11:30pm et

ESPN.com, reports free-agent RB Fred Taylor (Jaguars) said he was impressed during his visit with the Buffalo Bills.

The Huddle Take: With Taylor making his rounds in a tour of NFL cities it would not be out of the realm of possibilities if he landed with the Bills since running back Marshawn Lynch has been battling off the field problems of late. Regardless, Taylor will likely find a team sometime soon but it will likely be as a primary backup unless an injury occurs that leads to a starting role.

Posted: 2/22/2009 12:01am et

The Providence Journal reports free agent RB Fred Taylor (Jaguars) is expected to visit the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots in the coming week.

The Huddle Take: Taylor would be Marshawn Lynch insurance in Buffalo; in New England, who knows? Maybe he would fill a Corey Dillon-type role that might allow Laurence Maroney to stay around 10-12 carries a game and not exert himself to the point of another injury.