Say it ain't so Fred, say it ain't so...

[aaapolito]

Quote from: Times Union, Fred Taylor Q&A: Patriots RB talks about his return, his superstar son, Jacksonville and even the Jaguars' future (12/22/09)

What do you think about all the talk about the Jaguars going to Los Angeles?

I think it would be good for the NFL. I think it would be good for the Weavers, but I think it would be really bad for the city of Jacksonville. There are some die-hard fans there that believe in teal and black. So there are great fans there. At the same time, there are some fair-weather fans, too. A lot of them, as you can see with all the blackouts. I think the players there deserve more than that. But at the same time, the fans deserve just as much. I wouldn't want to spend my hard-earned money on something that's not a good product. I want to see results. I want to see wins. Some fans there just want to see entertainment. But it's a lot better when you see good wins with it.

The Jaguars moving might be good for the NFL, and the other owners who complain about small-market teams. But it would be bad for that city. I wouldn't mind one day in the future working in the Jags organization in L.A. Let me go ahead and throw my pitch in there right now [laughing]. The city would definitely miss the team. But Jacksonville, it's a [Georgia] Bulldogs, [Florida] Gators and [Florida State] Seminoles place. There's not enough room for four teams.

[David]

Yeah, at least lie to us Fred.

I had mixed reactions when reading that interview.

[chipwich]

Fred Taylor has always seemed like a self-righteous prick to me.  He was (when not injured) a great RB for Jacksonville, but Jones Drew is much better anyway.  I am sure Fred doesn't miss Jacksonville and I don't necessarily blame him, but wanting to work to with a Jaguar team in LA?  That is just ridiculous.  This city showed him too much support for him to spout off stupid language like that.

Go back and sit on the New England sidelines (always injured) Fred, that seems to be what you are best at.  Leave Jaguar talk to the people of Jacksonville.

[David]

yeah and the comment that we're not big enough for 4 teams, 3 of which are college. It's mainly the gators that that share a good portion of the same fanbase as the jags, I don't think FSU, UGA or MIA really affect attendance at the stadium.

[copperfiend]

I assumed Fred was smarter than that. I was wrong.

[tufsu1]

notice it says he was laughing...maybe it was somewhat sarcastic

[Johnny]

Though, it would have been nice that he say something else, I've always seen Freddy T as an honest interview. I don't think anything he said is necessarily untrue. I do however think that the blackouts this year is more intense because of the economy. You can't say that we are a small market team and the economy is down and it isn't going to affect ticket sales. If you do, you aren't being honest or you simply don't understand the situation. Other teams are experiencing blackouts as well and they aren't as small as our market.

That being said, I think Fred should have kept his piehole shut on that one.

[NotNow]

That is only a small piece of the interview.  Taylor expressed his fondness for Jax in glowing terms in the same interview.  He is giving a business opinion only.  Don't take too much from this, Taylor has always been a stand up guy who supported the Jags and Jax.  He would like to work with the Jags in Jax as well, I am sure.

[aaapolito]

Taylor explains comments

By Vic Ketchman, jaguars.com senior editor

Referring to himself as a “Jacksonville guy,” Fred Taylor explained his remarks that suggested the Jaguars might be playing in Los Angeles one day.

Taylor, the greatest running back in Jaguars history but now playing for the New England Patriots, the Jaguars’ opponent this week, was interviewed by Jacksonville reporters in a conference call on Wednesday.

“I was asked what I thought. Sometimes the truth hurts,” Taylor said of an interview with “The Florida Times-Union” that appeared in the newspaper’s Tuesday edition. Taylor was asked in that interview if poor attendance at Jaguars games this season might cause the team to leave Jacksonville.

“The fans want the team to stay there. They have to show they want the team to stay. According to the NFL, they’re going to move a team out there (Los Angeles),” said Taylor, who added that he was challenging Jaguars fans to support the team and keep it in Jacksonville.

“Part of me was being a funny guy. I don’t want to offend anyone, but you have to be realistic. It’s hard to play in front of empty stands. You have a job to do but it puts a damper on it,” Taylor said.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Jack Del Rio was asked about comments in the Taylor interview in which Taylor said the Patriots watch more game film than the Jaguars. Del Rio playfully responded: “Evidently, he wasn’t that veteran leader here, having our guys watch the tape.”

Taylor said on Wednesday that his comments about watching game film were misinterpreted.

“He didn’t hear my tone. He didn’t know if I was joking,” Taylor said.

Taylor added that he was attempting to explain Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s demand for watching game tape. “He wants answers when you come in on Wednesday. What have you learned about this team?” Taylor said.

“I thought I was (a veteran leader). Each of the young guys can vouch for the kind of veteran leader I was. I’m going to be a Jaguar the rest of my life. Jack’s cool with me. I’m sure he is,” he added.

Taylor laughed and joked with Jacksonville reporters on Wednesday, reminiscing and clearly enjoying the conversation.

“I hate reality TV. I don’t want to air my dirty laundry,” he said. “Just buy the book when it comes out. I have no problem with Jack.”

Taylor was cut by the Jaguars in a youth-movement decision last winter. He then signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Patriots and was coming off a hundred-yard game when he sustained a foot injury in week four that has kept him out of action ever since. He said he’s questionable to play in this Sunday’s game at Gillette Stadium.

“My goals are still in place. I want to win a championship and catch Jim Brown,” Taylor said.

“I kept one thing as motivation, that letter they send you about why they released you,” he added. “It made it a little harder to swallow. Knowing it’s a business helped ease the pain. It’s definitely a young man’s game.”

How much longer does he plan to play?

“A couple of more years would put an end to a good book,” he said.

[copperfiend]

Maybe Taylor should stop trying to be funny.

[thelakelander]

When I originally read the article I didn't see his comments as mean spirited.  The truth may hurt but Jacksonvillians, Jaxsons or whatever have no one to blame but themselves for the ticket situation and moving talk.

[Sportmotor]

What you people are suprised at this?

[Dog Walker]

Why in the world does anyone care what some muscle brained athlete thinks about this city?  Go, Jags Go!  To Los Angeles, please!  Why give a flip?

[Sportmotor]

Some finer points why you should care if they leave.
1. The city will lose millions more maintaining that damned stadium when less revenue coming in.
2. The Jags have been a main driving force behind downtown becoming bareable again.
3. Alot of businesses are based around the Jags and would likely close. (not all the sport places but alot)
4. Psychologically its good for a major city to have a team where people can go forget about their problems for a few hours and enjoy the comradely that comes with everyone pulling for the same thing.
5. You would have less to bitch about come sunday.

[Johnny]

6. Charitable causes, no way to replace those millions (many, many millions) of dollars in charitable funds.