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Lions have their eye on drafting Sean Taylor with #6 pick


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Lions eye Miami safety with sixth overall pick

Millen: Taylor has 'really good, nasty, rat-like attitude'

February 23, 2004

BY CURT SYLVESTER

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Lions have at least one good reason to keep the No. 6 pick in the NFL draft -- Miami (Fla.) safety Sean Taylor.

There are other players they will consider -- a wide receiver, a running back or even a tight end -- assuming they don't trade their first-round pick for Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey.

But, in terms of athletic ability and filling a need, Taylor might be the most appealing draft candidate president Matt Millen and coach Steve Mariucci will consider.

"He's everything they say about him," Millen said Sunday. "He's a big, fast and strong kid. What I love about him is he's got a mean streak. He plays with a really good, nasty, rat-like attitude."

Millen's pet project since being hired three years ago has been to acquire players he refers to in admiring terms as "rats" -- players who are rough, tough and nasty.

Most NFL observers don't put Taylor in the same class as Roy Williams of Dallas or Ed Reed of Baltimore as a pure hitter, but he has other qualities that some think make him the best all-around athlete in the draft.

Taylor runs extremely well and has coverage ability, which means he can play either strong or free safety. He also does well in the mental side of the game. He started studying film when he was in high school and his preparation paid off with 10 interceptions during the past season.

"Just studying film, reading the quarterback and reading the receivers' routes helps you get that extra edge to the ball," Taylor said. "You kind of beat the receiver to his route."

The mental preparation is only one factor in Taylor's success. And he does not underestimate the importance of his physical play in becoming a top defensive back.

"If you catch it or come across the middle -- or if I get a chance to get a hit on you -- I'm going to hit you," he said.

"If you hit a guy in the first quarter and there's another pass coming in the third quarter, and he sees you in the middle, he's going to think about it a lot differently. He might shorten his arms a little bit and there's your pick. It's like a chess match."

Taylor was measured at a fraction taller than 6-2 and weighed 230 pounds at the NFL scouting combine. He was scheduled for interviews with a number of teams, including the Lions, Sunday night.

Like most top draft prospects, he feels he's good enough to be the No. 1 pick overall, but he understands that team needs frequently dictate how players are drafted. And he says he will be happy regardless of which team drafts him and when.

"I have no choice in the picking," he said. "I can do my best to make an impression on teams. I'm going to try my best; like I said, I'd like to be No. 1. I don't settle for second, but that's not settling for second. That's the hand your dealt, that's fine."

It's doubtful Taylor would have to worry about falling very far in the draft. If he's there when the Lions make their first pick, there's a good chance he would be drafted.

"He can change a lot of things," Millen said. "He gives you a lot of flexibility in your schemes."

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Originally posted by SkinsNorth

Perfect, so any team that wants him can trade into the no. 5 spot with us (Hello Houston) & snag Taylor befire the Lions do. Although with his lacklustre workout, I doubt he goes top 5.

Sean Taylor didn't have a lackluster workout. He ran a 4.51 forty which is damn fast for a guy who is 6-2+ and weighed in at 228 lbs. He only did 11 reps which isn't something to write home about, but thats not the most important thing for a DB. :)

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Originally posted by inmate running the asylum

Sean Taylor didn't have a lackluster workout. He ran a 4.51 forty which is damn fast for a guy who is 6-2+ and weighed in at 228 lbs. He only did 11 reps which isn't something to write home about, but thats not the most important thing for a DB. :)

considering the hype surounding the kid, 4.51 is lacklustre. I don't put much stock into the 40, but NFL scouts & GMs sure do.

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Originally posted by Mad Mike

Uh... That's a 4.5 WITH A PULLED HAMMY. :doh:

Seroiusly. Where does this stuff come from? Find me one scout who is not impressed with him. Just one. :gus:

I think he is using the pulled hamstring as an excuse, if the injury was so bad, why run, he could have set up a private workout before the draft. He also was slightly shorter & lighter than advertised. His bench press numbers were subpar as well.

Taylor is impressive, no doubt, he is likely the top defensive player in the draft. But he is not as good as the hype surrounding him. IMO, the expectations put on him are just too much.

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Originally posted by Grinder

We could trade down with the Texans, although it would be nice to squeeze a 3rd out of Detroit to move up one spot.

Lots of possibilities.

And this will be our secondary next season:

Smoot

Winfeild

Iffy

and BOWEN

Notice anything about this? BOWEN SUCKS!!! THE HARDEST HIT HE LAID ON ANYONE WAS IN PRACTICE, TAKES HORRIBLE ANGLES, AND ON HAD 3 INTS CUZ THEY WE ALL POPPED INTO THE AIR. I COULD CATCH A BALL LIKE THAT! GOOD LORD!!!

I'm not blasting u grinder, don't get me wrong. But if we lose an all-pro like champ in the secondary we have to replace him with one. Screw the lions and the texans. This is OUR headhunter, so they can go find there own. possers. Good thing we play the wutti-blue-puttie cats this year too. I hope Taylor knocks the mess out Charles Rogers, Arrington and Kearse smack Harrington around they was his daddy, and we win 52-0. I'm not mean, i'm a reasonable, die-hard redskins fan. Letting Taylor fall out of our laps is unreasonable and above all, stupid.

HTTR, baby

woosa

woosa

woooooosa.

sorry i got carried away. i'll go take my medicine now. chio.:laugh:

-----------------------------

0-16, 19-0, skins fan till i die!!!

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Renegade,

It doesnt matter WHO is in the secondary (we could have all-pros across the board) if we cant rush the passer!

Trade down to the 10th, get an extra second round pick, draft Udeze and go from there.

Of course, we all think we know whats best for the team but it wont matter. They are going to do what they want anyway! Guess we just have to wait and see who's right...

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We obviously can't take the Lions' expressed interest as true: they'd be idiots if they revealed whom they'd prefer to take at #6 (b/c, e.g., it would lead some other team who wants Taylor to trade w/ us at #5). It's at least as likely that they're blowing smoke and hope someone else slips to them.

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Gentlemen, we can improve the stregnth and the speed of a player in the NFL.

What we can't do is improve his natural ability at the position. The man has a head like few others at the safety spot.

If he is chosen, he will be a major impact here in our defense.

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This will be the Skins Defense next year:

DE: Kearse, Wynn

DT: C. Eaton, Haley

LB: Arrington, Trotter, M. Washignton

CB:Smoot, Springs, W.Harris

S: Iffy, Taylor

Chad Eaton would be a nice guy to have on the line. Marcus Washington has tremendous speed just like Arrington. Shaun Springs I think would fill in for Bailey, although Winfield would be nice too. Walt Harris is no longer a #2 corner, but I think we will go after him. And Matt Bowen is out. He's not a playmaker at all, he's too slow.

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Originally posted by kingchris626

4.5??? Thats it? I thought he was faster than that. I think I can still run a 4.6. Seriously....he needs to be at least a 4.4 with all the hype on him. I will say the guy can hit though. but who knows whats going to happen

Once again. 4.51 is just .02 secs of off a 4.4.(4.49). Its not a big deal. Jesus.

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