ESPN Inside: Taylor becomes the Redskins' Savior

[MattFancy]

Hadn't seen this posted on here. Gives another take on the Taylor trade.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=kidd_keith&id=3498228

The fact that the Washington Redskins were able to bring in Jason Taylor now is a huge advantage. Leadership and camaraderie are built in the first weeks of training camp before preseason games begin and some semblance of a game-week routine develops. Taylor can move out of a bad situation in Miami and start adapting to a new system and building chemistry with his new teammates, giving him a chance to maximize his impact both on and off the field. This is not how things usually work on the personnel side, and both teams got lucky with the timing.

Jason Taylor Defensive End

Washington Redskins

Profile 2007 SEASON STATISTICS Tot Solo Ast FF Sack Int 55 46 9 4 11 1 Taylor will be a three-down player, will have to be accounted for on every snap, and will make the entire defense better. Offensive coordinators will be forced to slide protection toward Taylor, which will give DEs Andre Carter, Demetric Evans and Chris Wilson and DT Cornelius Griffin plenty of one-on-one matchups in third-down, sub-passing situations. Defensive coordinator Greg Blache also will be allowed a lot more versatility within his pressure packages. The Redskins ranked 16th in the league with 33 sacks last season and were 27th in third-down defense at just 36 percent, but Taylor's ability to penetrate the line of scrimmage and pressure the quarterback will help in both of those areas. He is a tall, lean player with excellent athleticism who shows great range in pursuit as well as edge speed to close on the passer. Taylor registered 11 sacks and four forced fumbles last season despite being the focal point on a subpar Miami defense.

Washington does face an interesting dilemma, though. Taylor played last season on the right side and sometimes was used as a stand-up outside linebacker in Miami's 3-4 system. But Carter is an undersized end who is best suited to play on the right side as well, and it would be difficult to move him to the left side because his lack of size would make him vulnerable against the run, especially considering that most teams run to their offense's right side. The Redskins no doubt would like Taylor to play with his hand in the dirt and simply rush the passer from the right side, but he could end up playing on the left side on rushing downs and moving to the right side in passing situations. Regardless, Taylor's experience and versatility should allow Blache to resolve the issue early in camp.

Taylor also makes middle linebacker London Fletcher and the secondary better because Blache will be able to use more coverage schemes and designs on the back end. And the Redskins won't have to take as many chances with blitzes because the front four should be able to create pressure by itself, which will allow CBs Shawn Springs and Carlos Rogers to be more physical on the outside.

For the Dolphins, giving up one of the premier pass-rushers in the NFL is not as bad a move as one might think. They receive a second-round pick (2009) and a sixth-round pick (2010) in return for a player who could have been a tremendous distraction in camp and during the regular season, and Bill Parcells is spared the chore of addressing Taylor's situation with the media. It now becomes easier for first-time head coach Tony Sparano to move forward with the difficult task of rebuilding the Dolphins, a plan that Taylor didn't really factor into, and rookie DE Phillip Merling can play an expanded role. The Dolphins would struggle whether or not Taylor was on the roster, so moving on makes sense for everyone.

In the end, Taylor should be more productive in Washington than he was in Miami because he will have better players around him. The Redskins are bringing back the bulk of their starters on both sides of the ball, and this addition puts them right in the mix in the NFC East, the best division in football. New head coach Jim Zorn has never called plays in the NFL, and it remains to be seen how his offense will perform, but he has the players on that side of the ball to be successful. But there are no such questions about Washington's experienced, explosive defense, and the Redskins are squarely in the hunt after this move.

Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.

[ThePreciating]

squarely in the hunt! hot diggity dog!

[flexxskins]

It's not often that I totally agree with an article and it get me all hyped up for the season to start also. :applause: