fischerwood
Wake me when we fix this mess
- Sep 5, 2014
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Yep, and can he have his picture showing him smiling with all the Gold Caps?
Does Fred Taylor belong in the NFL Hall of Fame?
- Thread starter oxrageous
- Start date
- Jul 29, 2014
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Probably why I was such a big fan of his....I had to watch that game surrounded by Clowns in a sportsbar here in Orlando....Ruining their season the way we did down the stretch made sitting through the entire game surrounded by *******s well worth it....
- Jun 19, 2014
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Founding Member
Fred came to UF with a bunch of fast running backs. I remember being excited by the reports out of camp that these guys were a threat to go all the way every time they touched the ball. E. Rhett was awesome (and one of my favorite Gators) but he wasn't a burner.
Fred's nickname was "Shake". Presumably this was for his moves on the field rather than any affinity for the crumbs at the bottom of a weed bag but I'll never know for sure.
The point is, he came in as a burner with moves. His strength came later as he added muscle and power and still kept his speed and moves.
Fred platooned with other guys (Elijah Williams, Terry Jackson, etc.). We knew he was good, but he didn't look like a star in 1994, 1995, or even 1996.
In 1997, the offense was struggling with Doug Johnson at the helm (at least by Spurrier's standards). By then, Fred was a complete RB. Strong, explosive, balanced, fast, shifty, secured the ball and could catch the ball--total package for a RB. It wasn't until a few games into the 1997 season that Spurrier realized the offense was going to work a lot better running through Fred than Doug. Once Spurrier figured that out, Fred had a Heisman-esque end to that season, including demolishing the best rushing defense in the NCAA. I believe Spurrier once said that if he had figured it out earlier, we might have repeated as National Champs in 1997.
Fred was drafted by a Jacksonville team that was pretty good with him, Mark Brunell, Jimmy Smith and Kennan McCardell, Tony Boselli, and a good defense. They went to the AFC title game in 1999 and lost a close one to the Titans.
Fred had 2 injury-plagued seasons in his first few years with the Jags. This earned him the unfortunate moniker "Fragile Fred" among fantasy football geeks. He was a durable back most of the rest of his career and didn't deserve the "injury-prone" reputation but unfairly or not, it stuck with him.
Also, the Jags went downhill after that late 90's/early 00's peak. Not only did the Jags have some lean seasons, but nobody watched the Jags play. Fred was great, but nobody was there to see it. Then, at the end of his career in Jacksonville, Fred would carry the ball right up to the goal line, but they'd give it to Maurice Jones-Drew for the TD. Fantasy owners hated Fred even more and you didn't even see his great play on Sports Center because they only showed M J-D scoring from the 1, not Fred doing the heavy lifting for the previous 79 yards.
I remember a play, I think it was against Pittsburgh but it might have been against Baltimore, Fred broke through the defense. A DB had a chance but Fred was able to run away from the DB. That DB wasn't some scrub...it was Rod Woodson. That's how fast Fred was.
He didn't have a long career like Frank Gore, but Fred was either the best or top 3 at his position for much of his career.
Yes, he deserves to be in the Pro Football HOF. Not sure about the do-rag or the gold tooth though. His visor was cool.
-
Alex.
Fred's nickname was "Shake". Presumably this was for his moves on the field rather than any affinity for the crumbs at the bottom of a weed bag but I'll never know for sure.
The point is, he came in as a burner with moves. His strength came later as he added muscle and power and still kept his speed and moves.
Fred platooned with other guys (Elijah Williams, Terry Jackson, etc.). We knew he was good, but he didn't look like a star in 1994, 1995, or even 1996.
In 1997, the offense was struggling with Doug Johnson at the helm (at least by Spurrier's standards). By then, Fred was a complete RB. Strong, explosive, balanced, fast, shifty, secured the ball and could catch the ball--total package for a RB. It wasn't until a few games into the 1997 season that Spurrier realized the offense was going to work a lot better running through Fred than Doug. Once Spurrier figured that out, Fred had a Heisman-esque end to that season, including demolishing the best rushing defense in the NCAA. I believe Spurrier once said that if he had figured it out earlier, we might have repeated as National Champs in 1997.
Fred was drafted by a Jacksonville team that was pretty good with him, Mark Brunell, Jimmy Smith and Kennan McCardell, Tony Boselli, and a good defense. They went to the AFC title game in 1999 and lost a close one to the Titans.
Fred had 2 injury-plagued seasons in his first few years with the Jags. This earned him the unfortunate moniker "Fragile Fred" among fantasy football geeks. He was a durable back most of the rest of his career and didn't deserve the "injury-prone" reputation but unfairly or not, it stuck with him.
Also, the Jags went downhill after that late 90's/early 00's peak. Not only did the Jags have some lean seasons, but nobody watched the Jags play. Fred was great, but nobody was there to see it. Then, at the end of his career in Jacksonville, Fred would carry the ball right up to the goal line, but they'd give it to Maurice Jones-Drew for the TD. Fantasy owners hated Fred even more and you didn't even see his great play on Sports Center because they only showed M J-D scoring from the 1, not Fred doing the heavy lifting for the previous 79 yards.
I remember a play, I think it was against Pittsburgh but it might have been against Baltimore, Fred broke through the defense. A DB had a chance but Fred was able to run away from the DB. That DB wasn't some scrub...it was Rod Woodson. That's how fast Fred was.
He didn't have a long career like Frank Gore, but Fred was either the best or top 3 at his position for much of his career.
Yes, he deserves to be in the Pro Football HOF. Not sure about the do-rag or the gold tooth though. His visor was cool.
-
Alex.
Last edited:
- Jun 12, 2014
- 5,042
- 8,491
Founding Member
- Jun 12, 2014
- 5,042
- 8,491
Founding Member
I got to see John L play a few games in high school and he was amazing to watch.
We all hear the “man playing among boys” line all the time but it truly applied.
He honestly looked like someone had put an NFL running back in a high school uniform. The defense had no chance.
Last edited:
- Jun 12, 2014
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- Aug 18, 2018
- 3,634
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Damn....I remember that game like it was last Saturday. Yet, It seems like 30 years since we were relevant.
Will we ever get back to that?
Will the Swamp ever rock like that again????
- Sep 4, 2014
- 21,475
- 80,307
15 years is still a king time.
Possibly.
Probably not. We’ll see. Different breed today and we focus on dancing in cargo shorts to music and then leaving the flashlight on our phone on when we put it back in our pockets. Still a maybe though.
- Nov 16, 2017
- 5,554
- 13,098
Should Fred Taylor be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Former players say yes; voters aren't so sure
Does the former Jacksonville running back have the numbers and awards to warrant a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?www.espn.com
Discuss.
Yup.
His yards per carry is stupidly better than both Smith and James.
People knock him for his health while letting Davis slide when Taylor has slightly better YPC.
He's got more TDs than OJ - but was arguably less lethal off the field.
- Aug 11, 2015
- 8,378
- 16,123
Fred belongs given his stats vs. those already in.
Other Gators who belong include Wilber
Marshall and Lomas Brown.
”Shake” came from his uncanny ability to shake off tacklers at the LOS, momentarily stopped then breaking away for a bigger run.
Other Gators who belong include Wilber
Marshall and Lomas Brown.
Great summary.Fred came to UF with a bunch of fast running backs. I remember being excited by the reports out of camp that these guys were a threat to go all the way every time they touched the ball. E. Rhett was awesome (and one of my favorite Gators) but he wasn't a burner.
Fred's nickname was "Shake". Presumably this was for his moves on the field rather than any affinity for the crumbs at the bottom of a weed bag but I'll never know for sure.
The point is, he came in as a burner with moves. His strength came later as he added muscle and power and still kept his speed and moves.
Fred platooned with other guys (Elijah Williams, Terry Jackson, etc.). We knew he was good, but he didn't look like a star in 1994, 1995, or even 1996.
In 1997, the offense was struggling with Doug Johnson at the helm (at least by Spurrier's standards). By then, Fred was a complete RB. Strong, explosive, balanced, fast, shifty, secured the ball and could catch the ball--total package for a RB. It wasn't until a few games into the 1997 season that Spurrier realized the offense was going to work a lot better running through Fred than Doug. Once Spurrier figured that out, Fred had a Heisman-esque end to that season, including demolishing the best rushing defense in the NCAA. I believe Spurrier once said that if he had figured it out earlier, we might have repeated as National Champs in 1997.
Fred was drafted by a Jacksonville team that was pretty good with him, Mark Brunell, Jimmy Smith and Kennan McCardell, Tony Boselli, and a good defense. They went to the AFC title game in 1999 and lost a close one to the Titans.
Fred had 2 injury-plagued seasons in his first few years with the Jags. This earned him the unfortunate moniker "Fragile Fred" among fantasy football geeks. He was a durable back most of the rest of his career and didn't deserve the "injury-prone" reputation but unfairly or not, it stuck with him.
Also, the Jags went downhill after that late 90's/early 00's peak. Not only did the Jags have some lean seasons, but nobody watched the Jags play. Fred was great, but nobody was there to see it. Then, at the end of his career in Jacksonville, Fred would carry the ball right up to the goal line, but they'd give it to Maurice Jones-Drew for the TD. Fantasy owners hated Fred even more and you didn't even see his great play on Sports Center because they only showed M J-D scoring from the 1, not Fred doing the heavy lifting for the previous 79 yards.
I remember a play, I think it was against Pittsburgh but it might have been against Baltimore, Fred broke through the defense. A DB had a chance but Fred was able to run away from the DB. That DB wasn't some scrub...it was Rod Woodson. That's how fast Fred was.
He didn't have a long career like Frank Gore, but Fred was either the best or top 3 at his position for much of his career.
Yes, he deserves to be in the Pro Football HOF. Not sure about the do-rag or the gold tooth though. His visor was cool.
-
Alex.
”Shake” came from his uncanny ability to shake off tacklers at the LOS, momentarily stopped then breaking away for a bigger run.
- Jun 12, 2014
- 5,042
- 8,491
Founding Member
Lomas Brown should have been inducted years ago but he may never actually get in.
He was employed by BSPN a decade ago and he made the statement that he despised Lions QB Scott Mitchell so much that he once intentionally allowed his defender to get past him in hopes that he would injure his QB.
Needless to say the self righteous members of the NFL and the media were all aghast by this revelation and he was universally condemned.
In review, one can rob, rape, or murder someone and be welcomed with open arms but say something that impugns the integrity of their corrupt business and you are an outcast.
- Sep 4, 2014
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- Sep 9, 2014
- 5,202
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- Sep 4, 2014
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I’m no cane fan, and the STDs they often bring with them, but Gore was one knee injury away from being on a 4 volt scooter going in to the NFL. His making it as long as he did probably deserves some credit. HOF, not sure. But certainly credit.
I wonder if Gatorjoe is still sitting on that bench? It didn’t look terribly comfortable.
- Aug 25, 2014
- 6,367
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He doesn't have the gold caps anymore. Had to remove them and hock them at the local We Buy Gold shop because Tank Black fccvked him good.
- Sep 9, 2014
- 5,202
- 9,123
I hate scUM more than almost anyone but you got to give the guy his due. He was incredibly durable and consistent. 49ers all time rushing leader and number 3 on the NFL all time leading rusher list between Walter Payton and Barry Sanders. I think he’s a shoe in at some point. Hopefully Taylor gets in first though.
- Sep 9, 2014
- 5,202
- 9,123
