Jonathan Taylor versus Edgerrin James who do you think was better

[TimetobringDfence!]

4 hours ago, MPStack said:

Edge always fell forward which resulted in extra yards after contact and very few negative plays. 

JT almost always wins the extra battle for extra yards he fights for inches, I love it...

[Nickster]

13 minutes ago, TimetobringDfence! said:

JT almost always wins the extra battle for extra yards he fights for inches, I love it...

In the open field JT is a pile mover but isn't very good at it at all at the LOS.  He doesn't excel at fighting for inches IMO.  He's not a very good short yardage back.  

 

 

Just now, Nickster said:

In the open field JT is a pile mover but isn't very good at it at all at the LOS.  He doesn't excel at fighting for inches IMO.  He's not a very good short yardage back.  People complain about Hines taking short yardage carries, but one of the reasons he does it is because JT isn't great at it.  Indecisive and needs momentum to get downhill. 

 

 

 

[masterlock]

5 hours ago, John Hammonds said:

I'm going to say Edgerrin James -- for now.  Since he's in the HOF, and Taylor isn't (yet).

But I will say with confidence that Taylor is better than Joseph Addai.

BUT....is he better than Trent Richardson? ;-)

[Nickster]

2 minutes ago, masterlock said:

BUT....is he better than Trent Richardson? ;-)

The rolling ball of knives.

[masterlock]

2 minutes ago, Nickster said:

The rolling ball of knives.

Yeah, and not just any old knives, BUTCHER knives.

[CR91]

2 hours ago, IrsaysArmy said:

Who are the top 2? 

 

Q and Leonard of course.

[John Hammonds]

14 minutes ago, masterlock said:

BUT....is he better than Trent Richardson? ;-)

Is he a "Rollin' ball of butcher knives?"

[TaylorStillTruckedYou]

6 hours ago, John Hammonds said:

I'm going to say Edgerrin James -- for now.  Since he's in the HOF, and Taylor isn't (yet).

But I will say with confidence that Taylor is better than Joseph Addai.

Being that Joseph Addai is my favorite Colts runningback, I stand by your statement

[Smoke317]

JT doesn’t get the usage to truly compare to Edge as of now.  I noticed upthread that some said Edge had the advantage of “playing with the MVP” and playing in a system where we “passed to set up the run”.  Maybe later in his career but it was the exact opposite early in his career.  
 

The first 2 years, Edge was our offensive MVP not Peyton.  Edge took the pressure off of a super talented but turnover prone young Peyton and allowed the game to slow down for him by giving him a running game that he could lean on most weeks.  Not to mention pass protection and receiving.  Edge was the complete package and undeniably a top 3 back in the NFL from day one until his knee injury.

 

Taylor has the “potential” to be that and more because of his size and home run speed but as of now it’s mostly still potential.  If he’d have been given the workload that Edge was given in his first 2 years, I think this debate/race would be much closer.  Taylor has the advantage of playing with a supposed top 5 O Line and in an era where the running game is mostly set up by the passing game.
 

The passing to set up the run may have been a disadvantage for Taylor with Rivers at QB last year because Rivers seemed much more willing to replace pounding the rock with the quick passing game and I think Taylor left potentially hundreds of yards out on the field because of it.  
 

Sure using Taylor in a timeshare may help him have a longer career but it’s also limiting the level of early success he could potentially be achieving like Edge was able to attain.  Time will tell if JT can catch Edge when it’s all said and done but as of now Edge was the better back their first 2 respective seasons in the league. 
 

JT can make up some ground though if he can deliver a Dickerson like performance vs the Titans on Halloween.  Let Henry, the biggest baddest back in the league, know that he’s got serious competition for the top spot right here in the AFC South.  Snatch the King’s Crown.

[a06cc]

EJ is in the HOF. Joseph help us get a Super Bowl. JT is just getting his feet wet. 

[indyagent17]

JT has a long way to go to be anything like Edge

[Fluke_33]

4 minutes ago, a06cc said:

Joseph help us get a Super Bowl. 

And is any rb better than zack Crockett in San Diego circa 1995?  Lol

[LiveAndLetAddai]

  They are different types of runners.  Edge excelled in "the stretch", which he ran out of in College.  Too soon to say now, though, hopefully Taylor continues to improve, though, they need to feed him the ball.

[Smoke317]

3 hours ago, DougDew said:

As others have said, I think EJ was more elusive and had better balance, making him a bit tougher to tackle, IMO.  He could gain yards with more defenders around him.  He was sort of a poor man's Barry Sanders.

 

Taylor definitely has home run speed, and seems to move the pile better, but more of a straight line runner.  He is a bigger and better Donald Brown.

 

I like RBs with EJs talents more than a RB with JT's talents.

 

EJs rookie year highlights:

 

 

 

Edge’s vision and balance in that video is all time great stuff.  And he was only a rookie…. Talk about being a natural.  My goodness.  No offense to JT, but Edge was just different…. To be fair though, JT is a different breed too because of his speed and power. But those are the only things he’s got over Edge.  
 

Balance, Vision, Elusiveness, Receiving, Pass Pro all go to Edge.  Too bad Luck didn’t have an Edge or JT to take some pressure off like Peyton & Carson had/have as Colts.  Because it’s looking like Carson & JT are gonna be a problem for the league or the next few years. 

[CanuckColt]

The Edge....no contest.....yet.

[Pat Curtis]

Threads like this make me wonder if some of you guys were even alive to watch Edge.

 

Pure running talent....Edge.  His first 2 years and 6 games into his 3rd year he dominated the league in almost every category except for Faulk in St. Louis during their crazy offensive shows.

 

Pass catching.....Edge without blinking.  Dude was like having a slot WR on those wheel routes.

 

Pass blocking....Edge by a mile.  The guy stoned LB's and Safety's running full speed at him.

 

 

I'm blown away how people can think to compare the 2 at this point.  Edge only came off the field when the game was a blow out...just to give the other guys some good stats.  I think the only category at this point that JT can win over Edge easily is straight line speed for a long duration.

[Mr.NotSoCreative]

I will say Edge....until his career marks get beaten by Taylor.

[jvan1973]

2 hours ago, a06cc said:

EJ is in the HOF. Joseph help us get a Super Bowl. JT is just getting his feet wet. 

Addai was pretty good,   JT is a far better talent.   

[GoColts8818]

Edge is a Hall of Famer so I’d go Edge right now.  Taylor still has a lot of his career to go though.

[EastStreet]

Edge was far more of a bell cow earlier in his career, and didn't have the OL we do. 

 

Since we can only compare rook years, Edge had 1550+ yards rushing, and 550+ receiving.

Taylor 1150 and 300ish.

[Stephen]

5 hours ago, jvan1973 said:

Addai was pretty good,   JT is a far better talent.   

I loved addai but after his first two years he fell off quick

[runthepost]

Derrick Henry oh wait Edge

[Stephen]

9 hours ago, masterlock said:

BUT....is he better than Trent Richardson? ;-)

Honestly he is the back I thought we were getting with Trent Richardson

[krunk]

On 10/18/2021 at 8:49 AM, Stephen said:

Do you think Jonathan Taylor is as good as Ed James  or would you rank him below him

Too early sir

[rock8591]

Taylor, no question.

 

1.5 seasons into his career = 5.2 yards per carry

 

EJ's BEST season = 4.6 yards per carry.

[Scott Pennock]

Pre Horse Collar tackle at Kansas City when he blew out his knee. 

 

No.

 

Post-surgery.

 

Yes.

[James]

I like the J-Train’s home run speed better.

 

But Edge edges him out - for now.

 

Of Taylor performs like this for 10+ years he’s a likely hall of famer.

[superrep1967]

To say he's better would say he's already a hall of famer and he's not there yet after a season and half. But at this rate he's on his way. 

[2006Coltsbestever]

Taylor has more burst but he has to play like this for around 5 years before I say he is better than Edge. Edge is a Hall of Famer so Edge gets the Edge  . Like with Mahomes, everyone was saying he was even in the GOAT discussion after his first 3 seasons but now he is struggling, longevity is key in these type of discussions. Mahomes for example has a long way to go before he is better than Brady or Peyton or Montana.

[CoachLite]

I've been around long enough to have seen Edge, Addai, and Taylor. Taylor is the best.

[Unitasrules]

I will go with Tom Matte the everything back for 12 years.

[Chucklez]

59 minutes ago, CoachLite said:

I've been around long enough to have seen Edge, Addai, and Taylor. Taylor is the best.

Dude, I love Taylor and what he is shaping up to be.... but no. This is only his 2nd year and he has ripped off a few LONG runs this year which are inflating his numbers and YPC. That is generally not sustainable.

If he continues to do this for another 3 years, and continues to every other game rip off 60 or 70 + yard runs consistently, then lets talk. 

But Edge was just different pre-injury - and not just in his running. His receiving and his pass pro were all pro level for a RB, from day 1.

[CoachLite]

1 hour ago, Chucklez said:

Dude, I love Taylor and what he is shaping up to be.... but no. This is only his 2nd year and he has ripped off a few LONG runs this year which are inflating his numbers and YPC. That is generally not sustainable.

If he continues to do this for another 3 years, and continues to every other game rip off 60 or 70 + yard runs consistently, then lets talk. 

But Edge was just different pre-injury - and not just in his running. His receiving and his pass pro were all pro level for a RB, from day 1.

I tried to compare each player at the same time in their career experience. It's hard because each had different front o-lines and quarterbacks. Then again, it's just my opinion. 

[ShuteAt168]

The impressive thing about Edge is that he succeeded as two different players: He began his career with burst and elusiveness and breakaway speed, and post-injury he was slower but still effective as more of a power, plowing straight-ahead runner who always seemed to get positive yards. Most guys can’t make that switch. 

[2006Coltsbestever]

12 hours ago, CoachLite said:

I've been around long enough to have seen Edge, Addai, and Taylor. Taylor is the best.

Taylor is the most talented, there is a difference between being the best or more talented. Bo Jackson was the most talented RB in the history of the NFL but on nobody's top 10 all-time list. Longevity is huge. Dan Marino is more talented than Tom Brady but Tom is better because of intangibles. Edge for now gets the nod. I want to see Taylor play like this for 5 years at least than I may agree with you.

[jvan1973]

13 hours ago, CoachLite said:

I've been around long enough to have seen Edge, Addai, and Taylor. Taylor is the best.

The fact you brought up Addai and not Marshall makes me question you.   I think Taylor has the makings of being great.   He just has to keep don't it.   But until further notice,  EDGE is the best

[ColtsLegacy]

On 10/18/2021 at 1:26 PM, Nickster said:

 

If you watch some of this vid and don't see JT, I'd be surprised.  Sproles was a one cut straight down hill attacker with elite speed.  Built just like JT too only a little shorter. 

 

Maybe, the worst comparison anyone has ever made, in the history of ever. It's like you looked for the most dissimilar back ever and compared him to JT.

 

BTW, Sproles was 5'6 180 on a good day. JT is 5'10 230. That's just build. Their play is different in every way too.

 

I'm just going to stop here because this is ridiculous.

 

... Mind blowing

 

[Stephen]

7 minutes ago, jvan1973 said:

The fact you brought up Addai and not Marshall makes me question you.   I think Taylor has the makings of being great.   He just has to keep don't it.   But until further notice,  EDGE is the best

He doesn't compare to Marshall because Marshall had about as many yards receiving as rushing

[Stephen]

On 10/18/2021 at 4:53 PM, Smoke317 said:

JT doesn’t get the usage to truly compare to Edge as of now.  I noticed upthread that some said Edge had the advantage of “playing with the MVP” and playing in a system where we “passed to set up the run”.  Maybe later in his career but it was the exact opposite early in his career.  
 

The first 2 years, Edge was our offensive MVP not Peyton.  Edge took the pressure off of a super talented but turnover prone young Peyton and allowed the game to slow down for him by giving him a running game that he could lean on most weeks.  Not to mention pass protection and receiving.  Edge was the complete package and undeniably a top 3 back in the NFL from day one until his knee injury.

 

Taylor has the “potential” to be that and more because of his size and home run speed but as of now it’s mostly still potential.  If he’d have been given the workload that Edge was given in his first 2 years, I think this debate/race would be much closer.  Taylor has the advantage of playing with a supposed top 5 O Line and in an era where the running game is mostly set up by the passing game.
 

The passing to set up the run may have been a disadvantage for Taylor with Rivers at QB last year because Rivers seemed much more willing to replace pounding the rock with the quick passing game and I think Taylor left potentially hundreds of yards out on the field because of it.  
 

Sure using Taylor in a timeshare may help him have a longer career but it’s also limiting the level of early success he could potentially be achieving like Edge was able to attain.  Time will tell if JT can catch Edge when it’s all said and done but as of now Edge was the better back their first 2 respective seasons in the league. 
 

JT can make up some ground though if he can deliver a Dickerson like performance vs the Titans on Halloween.  Let Henry, the biggest baddest back in the league, know that he’s got serious competition for the top spot right here in the AFC South.  Snatch the King’s Crown.

Honestly with two game versus jags and 1 versus Texans wouldn't be surprised if Taylor gets over 500 yards rushing from those three. Would love to run all over Patriots as payback for what they did to us with Blount. Tampa may be the toughest to run against. Raiders and bills can be run on

[CoachLite]

1 hour ago, jvan1973 said:

The fact you brought up Addai and not Marshall makes me question you.   I think Taylor has the makings of being great.   He just has to keep don't it.   But until further notice,  EDGE is the best

Marshall was great ... for St. Louis.