The Patriots weren’t expected to make much of a splash when free agency started at midnight, but they were very quick and efficient in the moves they needed to make.
According to multiple sources, the Patriots have signed former Jaguars running back Fred Taylor to a one-year contract worth around $6 million, once incentives kick in. The 33 year-old Taylor, who has spent his entire career in Jacksonville, visited Foxboro earlier this week, and apparently liked what he saw. In his eleven seasons with the Jags, Taylor rushed for 11,271 yards and 62 touchdowns. He was oft-injured and lost his role as the Jaguars’ primary running threat to Maurice Jones-Drew, but you cannot deny how proficient and effective he was in over a decade in Jacksonville.
In his final season with the Jaguars, Taylor started all thirteen games he played in, rushing for 556 yards and one touchdown. Taylor is also a solid option as a receiver with 286 receptions and 2,361 receiving yards. While he is no Kevin Faulk, he is still a fine choice to throw a quick screen or swing pass to out of the backfield.
In other free agent news, NFL.com is reporting that the Patriots have made a deal with former Jets tight end Chris Baker. Baker, who was released by the Jets in a salary dump, had 21 receptions for 194 yards and no touchdowns in 2008. Baker, who held out through much of last summer, lost his role as the Jets’ primary tight end to rookie Dustin Keller, who became a favorite target of Brett Favre as the season progressed.
Baker had career-highs in receptions and receiving yards in 2007, when he caught 41 balls for 409 yards. Baker, a seven-year veteran, is a big target, standing 6’3” and weighing 258 lbs. He is most effective in the red zone, and he is also a stout run-blocker, as he paved the way for Thomas Jones and Leon Washington for most of the 2008 season.
Baker’s arrival would likely mean the departure of Benjamin Watson, whose contract expires following the 2008 season. Watson, who has struggled throughout his career with dropped balls, had only 22 catches for 209 yards, his lowest totals since his rookie season.
Last but not least, the Patriots are hosting free agent corner back Leigh Bodden today. Bodden, who played for the 0-16 Detroit Lions last season, was arguably Detroit’s most proficient defensive back, with 73 tackles, three forced fumbles and one interception. Bodden, 27, has six years of service under his belt, five of which came with the Cleveland Browns. Bodden’s best season came in 2007, when he recorded 88 tackles and six interceptions. Bodden played for former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel in Cleveland, and Crennel reportedly gave rave reviews about Bodden to the Patriots Brain Trust earlier this week.
More on free agency and developing news later in the day.
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