Matt Greene

[dagies]

As far as I noticed, I'm the only one who doesn't like Taylor.

No. Me too. Same reasons.

[roper1313]

As far as I noticed, I'm the only one who doesn't like Taylor.

The reason?  Well, if it was only about hitting people and taking them out of the play, I'd say he's a physical player.  Taylor hits alright, but then clutches and grabs and holds.  Does anyone remember how he seemed to think that in order to show how cool he was and how strong and physical he was that he had to take down one of the smallest players on the Sioux?

Hell, you want to impress me, take out guys your own size.  Wow!  You took down Brady Murray or Robbie Bina, all 5'8-5'10 of them.  Good for you! 

Taylor runs into Porter, Greene, or Jones and I guarantee you he is flat on his ass.

Clutch and Grab, dude.  It is what Taylor excels in.  He is a goon, plain and simple with nothing more to add to the Gophers than a simple rub out play. 

As for Ballard, I don't question is on ice ability.  He's VERY talented and a great offensive force.  I don't think he's as good as Frank Mazzocco claims he is (which, if you recall, was much higher praise than Parise or Potulny or anyone else and yet, gee, if he's so great how come his rights have been possessed by, what, three teams now?), but he is talented.

I'd rather have a player who can hit and be a good defensive force like Jones, Ballard, Tallackson, and Greene than just a guy who knows how to get away with interference and holding calls (Taylor).

Redwing- I think its all relative. Taylor is really the Gophers only physical presence at the blueline. We see him just as other teams saw Greene as a freshman.

Now I'll put my green and white glasses back on and agree that he's a cheap no talent goon that needs his a$$ kicked.