bubba9497 Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071017/SPORTS01/110170097/1023 click link for full article Big plays finally Taylor-made October 17, 2007 David Elfin - Joe Gibbs used to refer to Sean Taylor as the "most-researched draft pick in NFL history." That description was subjected to frequent mockery as the Washington Redskins safety became embroiled in one controversy after another. The coach's infelicitous phrase just as well could have been derided because Taylor wasn't the playmaker the Redskins envisioned when they drafted him fifth overall in 2004. Taylor intercepted just seven passes in his first three NFL seasons, three fewer than he picked off in his final season at the University of Miami. He scored one touchdown, two fewer than he scored in that last season for the Hurricanes. "When you watched Sean in college, he covered the field," Gibbs said. Taylor made plenty of jarring hits, quickly earning a reputation as a player to be feared on patterns over the middle. But he often got beat on deep balls. He seemed more like a collision-seeking force than a ball-hawking safety. Taylor participated in just 14 big plays — interceptions, sacks, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries — during his first two seasons with Redskins. Ravens safety Ed Reed, who preceded Taylor with the Hurricanes, made 25 in his first two seasons in Baltimore. The Redskins' decision to let reliable strong safety Ryan Clark walk in March 2006 and replace him with Adam Archuleta misfired. Playing next to three partners last season, Taylor made only four big plays, including one interception. That's all history now. Playing next to rookie LaRon Landry, a similarly athletic hitter chosen with the sixth pick, Taylor has been freed up to be a latter-day Willie Mays. He has picked off four passes in the past three games, tying him for the NFL lead. "It has been great to watch them together," Gibbs said. "Last year, we got forced into playing a lot of two-deep, which we don't really want to play. Drafting LaRon, what it [has] allowed us to do is ... be a little more standard and let Sean do some of the things he's capable of doing." Taylor intercepted two passes by the Packers' Brett Favre on Sunday and had his hands on three more he couldn't pull in. "There were times there when the ball was thrown where you said, 'They have a chance [for a big play],' and Sean covers the field all the way from the inside to the outside," Gibbs said. The two interceptions put Taylor on pace to tie the 59-year-old franchise record for picks in a season of 13, set by defensive back Dan Sandifer. The last Redskins player to intercept more than five passes in a season was — believe it or not — backup safety Matt Stevens with six in 1999. "In my nine years in the NFL, Sean's probably the most-gifted athlete I've played with," backup safety Pierson Prioleau said. "And you can't overlook the work he's put in in the classroom this year, which has allowed his abilities to take over a game. It's going to be hard for anybody to get anything down the field on us." Indeed, the Redskins were beaten for 20 catches of at least 30 yards last season but have allowed just two this season. A year after surrendering an NFL-high 12.1 yards a pass, the Redskins are giving up a league-low 8.3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosmopolitianbloodloss Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I enjoyed this: "In my nine years in the NFL, Sean's probably the most-gifted athlete I've played with," backup safety Pierson Prioleau said. "And you can't overlook the work he's put in in the classroom this year, which has allowed his abilities to take over a game. It's going to be hard for anybody to get anything down the field on us." Feels good seeing Sean do what we all knew he could. I hope he never leaves us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenegadeTK Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 wow.... great read Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FanboyOf91 Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 good read, feel great knowing that he's a part of our defense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jofizz Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 :applause: Excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumbo Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Most around the league knew it was there in him...great to really see it start to blossom.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurf85 Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Most around the league knew it was there in him...great to really see it start to blossom.. I say get that long term deal done. So he can keep blossoming as a Redskins uniform.:2cents: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ST is my boy Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I thank god every night before bed that we took him instead of winslow......seriously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewCliche21 Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 "Taylor intercepted just seven passes in his first three NFL seasons, three fewer than he picked off in his final season at the University of Miami. He scored one touchdown, two fewer than he scored in that last season for the Hurricanes." Uh, no. I can think of two touchdowns he scored in back to back weeks. Can't even get respect in an article praising him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ST is my boy Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 "Taylor intercepted just seven passes in his first three NFL seasons, three fewer than he picked off in his final season at the University of Miami. He scored one touchdown, two fewer than he scored in that last season for the Hurricanes."Uh, no. I can think of two touchdowns he scored in back to back weeks. Can't even get respect in an article praising him. They werent counting his touchdown in the playoffs. I guess because the stat doesnt count for this total season stats.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 No doubt playing next to those different players last year was a burden for Taylor. Can't understate the importance of that Landry pick where Sean's play on the field is concerned. Good read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.A.C.O.L.B. Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I have a raging mancrush on ST. I happily admit it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasRoane Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I agree. Now lock this guy up for the next 5 years please!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaMuller7 Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I would have to say that Sean is probably one of the better safeties I've seen in awhile and glad we can have him with LaRon.... :applause: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek1973 Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 No doubt playing next to those different players last year was a burden for Taylor. Can't understate the importance of that Landry pick where Sean's play on the field is concerned. Good read. In a couple of years with these two we will simply be scary. Seriously our D could endup being as good if not better than the 85 Bears and 2000 Ravens especially as Rocky also grows. Now lets get Rogers to play a little better and pickup a solid CB to replace Shawn Springs in a couple of years and we are set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E33Green Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Now, if he can only get those other 2 knuckleheads from the U to quit getting high and start making plays again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsfan1523 Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Oldfan.... Oldfan where are you? I thought Taylor was overrated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TODD Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Sean definitely did not live up to his potential last season and I'm not sure he should have been a Pro Bowler. This year, he is utilizing his super-human closing speed and getting in proper position; probably because he has another stud playing along side of him. He's the defense's MVP so far this season and a lot of fun to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingGibbs Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I've been one of Sean's critics, but there is no denying that he's picked it up a notch this year. However, he still needs to do this on a consistent basis to be mentioned in the same breath as the Ed Reed's of the league. He's on his way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Adama Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 No doubt playing next to those different players last year was a burden for Taylor. Can't understate the importance of that Landry pick where Sean's play on the field is concerned. Good read.Exactly, which is why they drafted Landry, and they said all along. So, not only did we get the best Defensive Player in the draft, they were able to unleash Sean Taylor by that one draft pick. Pretty impressive, in my opinion. Go Sean Taylor, Go Laron Landry! Go Redskins! HTTR! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldfan Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Oldfan.... Oldfan where are you? I thought Taylor was overrated. Did you read the entire article or just pick out the parts you liked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingGibbs Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Oldfan.... Oldfan where are you? I thought Taylor was overrated. In Oldfan's defense Taylor didn't match the hype up to this point. So yes, he was over-rated. Like I said before he needs to stay consistent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRobi21 Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Sweet pic above article, my new wallpaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DGreenistheBest Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Taylor's impact thus far is undeniable. Watching him cross the field to make a pick or blow someone up makes it fun to see a skins game even if they lose! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldfan Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 In Oldfan's defense Taylor didn't match the hype up to this point. So yes, he was over-rated. Like I said before he needs to stay consistent. Thank you. You are obviously a keen student-observer of the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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