Late October when Taylor starts to run best

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky While some Jaguars fans are antsy about the run game and wonder if, since he did so well with the bulk of the load in Denver, Maurice Jones-Drew should be the lead back, it's important to look at Fred Taylor's history.

Â*Â*Matthew Emmons/US PresswireÂ*Fred Taylor has a history of putting up big numbers in the second half of the season. He's historically a slow starter and a big finisher.

• Twenty-two of his last 24 100-yard rushing games have come on Oct. 24 or later. That's 92 percent.
• Thirty-seven of his 48 career 100-yard rushing games have come on Oct. 24 or later. That's 77 percent.
• His five 100-yard rushing games in 2007 came in consecutive weeks, from Nov. 25 to Dec. 23.

Another good sign for Taylor, who's 32: He's played well against this week's opponent, Cleveland. He's averaged 154 yards in three career games against the Browns, totaling 462 yards on 79 carries (for a 5.8-yard average) with five touchdowns. He needs just 43 rushing yard to get to 11,000 for his career, a milestone he expected to pass in recent games. He ran for only 19 yards against Pittsburgh and 10 in Denver, when he was knocked out of the game for a long stretch by a vicious hit.

"I don't know what's worse, trying to get these 43 yards or trying to approve the bailout," he told local media Tuesday.

He'll be the 18th runner in league history to get to 11,000.

One more touchdown for Taylor will also mark a milestone -- he'll pass Jimmy Smith (69) for the all-time franchise lead.

A final thought with regard to Taylor as the starter. In two-back systems, a start is largely ceremonial and is often more about which back gets the bulk of his work on early downs. Taylor has 72 carries to Jones-Drew's 65. They will be roughly even through the season provided both remain healthy.



More...