Injuries might place spotlight on Toefield
With Taylor questionable, fourth-year RB could play key role vs. Patriots.
By VITO STELLINO, The Times-Union
LaBrandon Toefield, the forgotten runner in the Jaguars' backfield, might wind up playing an important role in Sunday's key game against the New England Patriots.
Toefield, who had six carries for 25 yards last Sunday in his first appearance since the Houston game Oct. 22, was told he'll be active for this Sunday's game.
That's because Fred Taylor, who had two carries in the past six quarters because of a hamstring injury, is listed as questionable, didn't practice Wednesday and might not play.
Maurice Drew practiced Wednesday and is expected to start, but he's probable with a knee injury, so the Jaguars will likely spell him.
Toefield, who in four seasons has rushed for 543 yards, is looking forward to the opportunity.
"I can play," he said. "I'm the type of guy if you tell me I can't do something, I'm going to try to bust my butt. I'm going to keep trying. The league is all about opportunities, and the more you get, the better chance you have to succeed."
The emergence of rookie Drew left Toefield as the odd man out in the backfield, especially because he usually doesn't play special teams and running back Alvin Pearman is a punt returner.
"That's the NFL,'' Toefield said. "If I was a coach and a good player like that [Drew] was there, why not draft him. That's the whole thing about the NFL. Everything is competitive. The thing about me, it doesn't matter who they bring in. I will always be competing.''
Toefield, who had three carries this season before the Tennessee game, kept himself ready to play each week even though he was often made inactive.
"I just try my best to stay in shape and make practice like a game situation so I can be ready when they do call on me,'' he said. "There's nothing they can ask me about a team we're playing that I don't know. I always prepare like I'm playing.''
Toefield has the confidence of Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio.
"He's a good player,'' Del Rio said. "He's just in a numbers situation where we can't get him on the field as often as we'd like. He's productive when we play him. He played well when he got in there."
Toefield might be showcasing himself for another team because he's an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year.
He'll wait until after the season to dwell on it, but he said, "I'll play anywhere as long as I can get on the field. It only takes one team to like you. That's all it takes. I don't know what's going to happen. I'll just wait it out and see."
Taylor will be busy rehabilitating his hamstring this week and doesn't want a replay of last week's game, when he pulled up lame on his second carry.
"I guess we'll play it by ear and see what happens,'' Taylor said. "Last week, I didn't explode when I went out Thursday and Friday to try to get some work. Then I got into the game and I tried to open up, and it caught me. I don't want that to happen again."
Taylor is in a difficult situation. He wants the injury to heal so he's full speed if the Jaguars make the playoffs.
"If we're going to be successful in the playoffs, I think I need to be a big part of the offense," he said.
The Jaguars need to beat the Patriots and Chiefs to make the playoffs. If the Jaguars split, they'll need a lot of help to make it.
"These games are single elimination," Taylor said.
But Taylor doesn't want to take up a spot on the active roster Sunday if he's not full speed.
"I don't think they would want me to go [if he's not completely ready]," Taylor said. "It hurts because you're taking a spot on the roster on game day. I don't want to waste it. I was only in the game five plays last week, and we probably could have had another receiver or something."
Taylor said the good news is that an MRI exam showed there are no tears in the hamstring.
"The fibers are strained, which is a grade one hamstring injury, but there's no significant bleeding," he said.
If Taylor can't go, he thinks his teammates will pick up the slack.
"I'm confident in LaBrandon, Alvin and Maurice," he said.
Taylor said he wasn't upset that he lost the third running-back spot on the AFC Pro Bowl team to Willie Parker of Pittsburgh.
Taylor was named the first alternate, so he might play in the game.
"It's over with, and it's in the history books," Taylor said of the vote. "I'm thankful to be first alternate."
vito.stellino@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4279
MJD has been a top tier start with Fred Taylor. He should be even better without him. He is the #9 RB in my league and he has consistantly put up double digit pts nearly every week.
MJD has been a top tier start with Fred Taylor. He should be even better without him. He is the #9 RB in my league and he has consistantly put up double digit pts nearly every week.
Have MJD. Would be nice if he got all the carries for my final.
good call
