Article:Jags Release Veteran Fred Taylor: Where Will he be in '09?

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio is obviously looking for a fresh start after releasing 11-year NFL veteran Fred Taylor earlier today.

Jacksonville finished dead-last in the AFC South division this past season with a dismal 5-11 record. Yes, they were even behind the Houston Texans (8-8), though I believe Houston will make a playoff run next season. Taylor, the RB, has had an injury-ridden career in Jacksonville and a change of scenery will surely benefit not just Jacksonville, but Taylor as well.

When healthy, Taylor was a big threat every time he touched the ball, and he averaged 4.6 yards per carry in his 140 career games (11,271 career rushing yards on 2,428 attempts). Taylor seemed to be quite the underrated back in his NFL days, rushing for 1,000+ yards seven times and only reaching one career Pro Bowl (as a late injury replacement).

To tell you the truth, I think I know just the team he could thrive for. I’m going to go back to the whole Houston Texans talk from above, and say that Gary Kubiak needs to consider Taylor an option this year. They are one big move away from being a playoff team, and if they go for defensive players in the draft, and sign the 33-year old Taylor to a short-term deal, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the South. Obviously, second-year RB Steve Slaton will get a good amount of carries next season, but I’, worried he will struggle as an every-down back.

If Houston throws Taylor in there to mentor Slaton, and get a decent percent of carries..look out Colts and Titans! The moral to this story is, don’t count Fred Taylor out just because the Jaguars are done with him. The only problem with this is whether or not Taylor wants to continue to share carries on a new team next season. Other teams that could possibly take a stab at Taylor include Kansas City (LJ will be gone sometime this offseason), Denver and Detroit.

Prediction: Fred Taylor shares carries on a new team in 2009.