Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;268790]Someone said there weren't three safeties he would take over Sean Taylor even with his shortcomings being exposed this year. Consider please:

Ed Reed
Brian Dawkins
Troy Polamalu Can you say "Dan Morgan"
Roy Williams (???) He has the same coverage deficiencies as ST. He is the worst cover safety in football and he has a good front 7.
Bob Sanders - Why because Trent Green threw two balls to him? Sanders was hurt all year.
Yeremiah Bell - Who?
Michael Boulware (???) Um, no.
Mike Brown - Isn't his career in jeopardy?
Donovan Darius - Isn't he out for the year?

There are seven I'd take over Taylor right now in 2007 and two others who I'd have to think about for a while. And if I went team-by-team to look at rosters, I might come up with a couple of others...


Here's my idea for the Redskins defense next year:

1. Tell Sean Taylor to add 20 pounds of muscle in the off-season because he's going to be an outside linebacker next year.

2. Find a safety somewhere who can COVER people and then let Archuletta be the safety who does run support and handles the slower tight-end/fullback coverage assignments.

3. While Taylor has prodigious physical skills, I suspect that he does not have the instincts/mental acumen to be a safety because when you get suckered in at safety the result is a LONG game or a TD. If you get suckered in at LB, there's still help behind you.[/quote]

I would only consider Reed and Dawkins over Taylor but they are considerably older.

I do like the idea of letting Taylor play some linebacker (didn't he do this some against the Giants?) and moving our safeties around.

Feel free to dismiss but what if they actually gave Archuleta some playing time by letting him line up at FS if Taylor lines up at LB. That would also be predicated on Springs, Fox, Vincent and or Prieleau bieng able to handle the coverage duties back there. Seems like a logical package in run situations.

Re: sean taylor???
 

When's the last time anyone has seen a player who has played safety at a satisfactory level in the NFL convert to LB? I can think of some college lb's who converted to safety in the NFL (boulware) but not the other way around... This is similar to those who call for Michael Vick to be turned into a running back. It's just not going to happen. Taylor's performance level regressed this year, along with every other member of the defensive squad. That is a sign of a deficiency in coaching, not a reduction in his or their abilities to play their respective positions.

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=BleedBurgundy;268844]When's the last time anyone has seen a player who has played safety at a satisfactory level in the NFL convert to LB? I can think of some college lb's who converted to safety in the NFL (boulware) but not the other way around... This is similar to those who call for Michael Vick to be turned into a running back. It's just not going to happen. Taylor's performance level regressed this year, along with every other member of the defensive squad. That is a sign of a deficiency in coaching, not a reduction in his or their abilities to play their respective positions.[/quote]

When is the last time a safety had the physical abilities of Taylor? I am not suggesting a permanent shift, but it seems that the ability to move players around gives the offense something else to think about. (The Ravens do it pretty well).

I am also thinking that if Archuleta stays, he has to do more than protect the punter. He would be better at FS than SS.

Thomas Davis played LB this year for the Panthers (not very well but he did do it).

Re: sean taylor???
 

[QUOTE=Grim21Reaper;268848]When is the last time a safety had the physical abilities of Taylor? I am not suggesting a permanent shift, but it seems that the ability to move players around gives the offense something else to think about. (The Ravens do it pretty well).

I am also thinking that if Archuleta stays, he has to do more than protect the punter. He would be better at FS than SS.

Thomas Davis played LB this year for the Panthers (not very well but he did do it).[/QUOTE]

With his myriad abilities, playing safety should better allow him to create problems for the opposing team both in pass coverage and through situational blitzing. Being a linebacker takes some of the advantage of his athleticism away, because he would be required to fight off of and through blocks. That is not his body style, he's more of a striker that roams and picks his shots, usually at top speed. His advantage is his ability to cover a large swath of the field and close quickly. His ball skills should vastly improve were he in a situation where he didn't have to keep one eye in the backfield at all times. That comes with better coaching and better teammates. I just don't think he is the problem, which switching his position would suggest. If anything, moving him to linebacker would simply highlight the fact that we don't have legitimate starting talent at the position currently on the roster.

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;268790]Someone said there weren't three safeties he would take over Sean Taylor even with his shortcomings being exposed this year. Consider please:

Ed Reed
Brian Dawkins
Troy Polamalu
Roy Williams (???) He has the same coverage deficiencies as ST.
Bob Sanders
Yeremiah Bell
Michael Boulware (???)
Mike Brown
Donovan Darius

There are seven I'd take over Taylor right now in 2007 and two others who I'd have to think about for a while. And if I went team-by-team to look at rosters, I might come up with a couple of others...


Here's my idea for the Redskins defense next year:

1. Tell Sean Taylor to add 20 pounds of muscle in the off-season because he's going to be an outside linebacker next year.

2. Find a safety somewhere who can COVER people and then let Archuletta be the safety who does run support and handles the slower tight-end/fullback coverage assignments.

3. While Taylor has prodigious physical skills, I suspect that he does not have the instincts/mental acumen to be a safety because when you get suckered in at safety the result is a LONG game or a TD. If you get suckered in at LB, there's still help behind you.[/quote]

Dawkins is just a monster at safety. What a great leader that guy is. I love his game. Same with Reed. Donavan D. and Saunders are solid too. Saunders is a little guy but man he really can hit. But give Taylor a pass on this year. He had a up and down year. He will play better and he has the ability to play better. I also tend to think he needs better coaching. Someone that can bring the best out in him.

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=dmek25;265365]is this really the same guy we drafted? last night was a microcosm of #21's season. out of position, bad tackling, poor pass coverage, and borderline cheap shots. how did he turn into Andre waters over night? i thought Taylor was well on his way to becoming a perennial pro bowler, but now he looks like a marginal NFL player, at best. any ideas on why? and lets keep focused on Taylors play, and not make excuses for a horrible overall defense. when in position to make plays, he just isn't getting it done[/quote]

He's trying to hard to pick up slack for other bad players....

Re: sean taylor???
 

I agree Hess, he and some others are playing out of position to try and reinforce other weak area's. It's hard to pick out exactly what is wrong with our D this year. It's ALL wrong
ST is a rare player! he is genuinely feared by those that travel his area. We have all seen it time and again. Fix some of the MANY D problems,and we will see it again
#1310

Re: sean taylor???
 

Guys,

We almost drafted Winslow at # 5. Thank god we got Taylor!! Sean needs better coaching. It seems like he's thinking too much out there. He also got smoked by double moves way too much for a third year player. With that being said, I wouldn't trade him for anyone out there today but maybe Ed Reed. Ed Reed has created so many more turnovers in his years in the NFL. Look up how many turnovers that guy creates, its simply amazing. Dawkins is a beast but too old. Sean is extremely young and such a raw talent. He needs to ball hawk more! Dude, with the way that guy can run why not get him the ball on Special Teams or Offense more???? Maybe that's a little crazy!!

The guy is the heart and soul of our Defense. He's hardnosed and nobody can hit like he can. Coach him up and next year he's gonna dominate like we all wanted this year.

GO ST!!!!!!

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=BleedBurgundy;268862]With his myriad abilities, playing safety should better allow him to create problems for the opposing team both in pass coverage and through situational blitzing. Being a linebacker takes some of the advantage of his athleticism away, because he would be required to fight off of and through blocks. That is not his body style, he's more of a striker that roams and picks his shots, usually at top speed. His advantage is his ability to cover a large swath of the field and close quickly. His ball skills should vastly improve were he in a situation where he didn't have to keep one eye in the backfield at all times. That comes with better coaching and better teammates. I just don't think he is the problem, which switching his position would suggest. If anything, moving him to linebacker would simply highlight the fact that we don't have legitimate starting talent at the position currently on the roster.[/quote]


This is probably the best post I've read summing up Taylor's season.

While his wasn't a good one overall, I think 111 tackles, which led all NFL safties and many linebackers, should say a lot about our defense as a whole and how it performed. Taylor shouldn't be moved to linebacker, he should stay exactly where he is.

Re: sean taylor???
 

The reason I would try to convert him to linebacker is because Sean Taylor spent a lot of time chasing opponents into the end zone this year. His tackling angles werenot always on target and his open field tackling isn't all that great unless he gets a run at a player and can try to blow the oppenent up. Go back and watch the games against the Eagles; Taylor is out of position on pass plays lots of times. Go back and watch the games against the Giants - particularly the second one; Tiki Barber runs amok because of two or three missed tackles by Taylor.

I'm not saying he's a bad player; he's not. But he's playing a position where the things that he does not do well wind up as long gains or TDs for the opponent. I think he might be much better used as a linebacker. I think that conversion would be easier then trying to teach him how to cover people and not bite on fakes so often. I think that conversion would be easier than trying to teach him to tackle in the open field instead of always trying to knock the other player out.

Re: sean taylor???
 

We can't really afford to move Taylor or Archuleta to outside linebacker because we already have 3 good OLBs (assuming Rocky is good enough to play). Our LB deficiencies are in the middle. Let Arch compete for the 2nd safety job. If he shows that he can improve his cover skills, then you actually might have a player. If not, start Prioleau. Going foward, I think ST will be fine.

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=GTripp0012;269121]We can't really afford to move Taylor or Archuleta to outside linebacker because we already have 3 good OLBs (assuming Rocky is good enough to play). Our LB deficiencies are in the middle. Let Arch compete for the 2nd safety job. If he shows that he can improve his cover skills, then you actually might have a player. If not, start Prioleau. Going foward, I think ST will be fine.[/quote]


Who are the three good outside LB's? Washington, yes. Rocky? He barely played. I know you aren't talking about Holdman and I haven't seen enough of Marshall on the outside to say that he is good there.

Pick a position on the defense and you have a hole. You are correct that MLB is a huge liability as well.

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=GTripp0012;269121]We can't really afford to move Taylor or Archuleta to outside linebacker because we already have 3 good OLBs (assuming Rocky is good enough to play). Our LB deficiencies are in the middle. Let Arch compete for the 2nd safety job. If he shows that he can improve his cover skills, then you actually might have a player. If not, start Prioleau. Going foward, I think ST will be fine.[/quote]


How about not moving them at all? Start Taylor and AA together to begin the season. Skins had like NO sacks this year. Skins corner play was also pathetic most of the year. I feel AA was made a scapegoat by Greg Williams. Yes, Witten was wide open but that was one play.......Taylor got smoked in coverage all year long. Without a pass rush even Champ Bailey would get burned.........well......maybe not Champ.

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=JDALY27;269451]How about not moving them at all? Start Taylor and AA together to begin the season. Skins had like NO sacks this year. Skins corner play was also pathetic most of the year. I feel AA was made a scapegoat by Greg Williams. Yes, Witten was wide open but that was one play.......Taylor got smoked in coverage all year long. Without a pass rush even Champ Bailey would get burned.........well......maybe not Champ.[/quote]


In no way shape or form should AA be back at SS. Nickel or dime sure or as an LB maybe.

Re: sean taylor???
 

[QUOTE=Grim21Reaper;269527]In no way shape or form should AA be back at SS. Nickel or dime sure or as an LB maybe.[/QUOTE]

He can't cover tight ends and running backs as a safety and you want to move him to the 3rd or 4th corner spot? Are you a masichist? J/k

Re: sean taylor???
 

Many of the previous posts have identified what I see as the overall problem. Our defense as a whole was bad. Although when I say bad, I mean schematically bad, most of the guys out there I thought fought like warriors. If you will let me elaborate for a moment:

Example 1: D Line
It is the fundamental root of football and starts with the O line beating the D line. This happened all year long. Everybody ran on us, and ran big....

Example 2: Linebackers
When the O line breaks thru to the second level our backers were getting blown out of position. I can't remember how many times I saw this.

Example 3: Secondary
When the run works the secondary is forced to come up for run support. The article I saw in the WP when GW said he thought offenses figured out the cover 2 I almost crapped. That is still a good D as long as you play it correctly. It has is weaknesses like everything.

Summary: In my opinion it all starts up front. It's kind of like a house, if the foundation is bad the house will fall in upon itself.

Re: sean taylor???
 

Many of the previous posts have identified what I see as the overall problem. Our defense as a whole was bad. Although when I say bad, I mean schematically bad, most of the guys out there I thought fought like warriors. If you will let me elaborate for a moment:

Example 1: D Line
It is the fundamental root of football and starts with the O line beating the D line. This happened all year long. Everybody ran on us, and ran big....

Example 2: Linebackers
When the O line breaks thru to the second level our backers were getting blown out of position. I can't remember how many times I saw this.

Example 3: Secondary
When the run works the secondary is forced to come up for run support. The article I saw in the WP when GW said he thought offenses figured out the cover 2 I almost crapped. That is still a good D as long as you play it correctly. It has is weaknesses like everything.

Summary: In my opinion it all starts up front. It's kind of like a house, if the foundation is bad the house will fall in upon itself.

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=BleedBurgundy;269545]He can't cover tight ends and running backs as a safety and you want to move him to the 3rd or 4th corner spot? Are you a masichist? J/k[/quote]

No. A nickel or dime package is the only way he can get on the field.

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=IrishSkins Fan;269569]Many of the previous posts have identified what I see as the overall problem. Our defense as a whole was bad. Although when I say bad, I mean schematically bad, most of the guys out there I thought fought like warriors. If you will let me elaborate for a moment:

Example 1: D Line
It is the fundamental root of football and starts with the O line beating the D line. This happened all year long. Everybody ran on us, and ran big....

Example 2: Linebackers
When the O line breaks thru to the second level our backers were getting blown out of position. I can't remember how many times I saw this.

Example 3: Secondary
When the run works the secondary is forced to come up for run support. The article I saw in the WP when GW said he thought offenses figured out the cover 2 I almost crapped. That is still a good D as long as you play it correctly. It has is weaknesses like everything.

Summary: In my opinion it all starts up front. It's kind of like a house, if the foundation is bad the house will fall in upon itself.[/quote]

I too have felt it is more scheme than players. I also think if there was one player, and there isn't, that truly had a mediocre season, it was Cornelius Griffin. He was getting man handled most of the time, and rarely recorded tackles in the backfield.

Re: sean taylor???
 

I was thinking the same thing, which makes me want to take a DT even more.

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;269612]I was thinking the same thing, which makes me want to take a DT even more.[/quote]

I think the only way we pass on the kid Branch or someone better, is if and only if, Calvin Johnson is still there.

Yes, I would take him over a pressing need at defensive tackle.

I watched C.Griff closely the last few games, and he was getting man handled by opposing guards, then they would put a body on either Marshall or Holdman, and like that you had a five yard gain.

No way we can suffer through another season of Taylor running across the field trying to stop a guy running full speed. Unfortunately, he was caught in that position all too often this year.

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;269612]I was thinking the same thing, which makes me want to take a DT even more.[/quote]

Amen brother. Alan Branch, Alan Branch, Alan Branch.

I think there's a reason the LBs looked average this year. The DT play was atrocious and blockers were getting to the LB level. Griffin was mediocre, and Golston was poor. Golston had nice pass rush moves, and he could be quick at times, but he's only 290 pounds. He gets moved out of the way very easily in run situations.

If we can't stop the run on first down, we can't get into the 2nd and 3rd and longs we need in order to blitz the QB. A strong DT is a must.

The other must is strengthening the secondary so you can actually cover on those 2nd and 3rd and longs when you're sending blitzers. Which brings us back to Archuleta: cut his ass. Sign Nate Clements, and rotate Springs around the field as a hybrid safety/nickel CB.

Re: sean taylor???
 

The way this class is starting to shape up, I can't imagine Branch not being there at number six. But is there any other DT that are projected to be as good or better?

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=IrishSkins Fan;269569]Many of the previous posts have identified what I see as the overall problem. Our defense as a whole was bad. Although when I say bad, I mean schematically bad, most of the guys out there I thought fought like warriors. If you will let me elaborate for a moment:

Example 1: D Line
It is the fundamental root of football and starts with the O line beating the D line. This happened all year long. Everybody ran on us, and ran big....

Example 2: Linebackers
When the O line breaks thru to the second level our backers were getting blown out of position. I can't remember how many times I saw this.

Example 3: Secondary
When the run works the secondary is forced to come up for run support. The article I saw in the WP when GW said he thought offenses figured out the cover 2 I almost crapped. That is still a good D as long as you play it correctly. It has is weaknesses like everything.

Summary: In my opinion it all starts up front. It's kind of like a house, if the foundation is bad the house will fall in upon itself.[/quote]

Agreed 100%. Our entire defense seemed to collapse. AA was not the reason we went from 9th to 31st. This was supposed to be about ST so lets get back to him. He should be our defensive team Captin in 2007. The guy is still one of the best in the business at what he does. But our broken "foundation" never enabled him to roam free and make impact plays. He was always chasing a running back or reciever down the field after our defense gave up a huge play.......

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=Schneed10;269621]Amen brother. Alan Branch, Alan Branch, Alan Branch.

I think there's a reason the LBs looked average this year. The DT play was atrocious and blockers were getting to the LB level. Griffin was mediocre, and Golston was poor. Golston had nice pass rush moves, and he could be quick at times, but he's only 290 pounds. He gets moved out of the way very easily in run situations.

If we can't stop the run on first down, we can't get into the 2nd and 3rd and longs we need in order to blitz the QB. A strong DT is a must.

The other must is strengthening the secondary so you can actually cover on those 2nd and 3rd and longs when you're sending blitzers. Which brings us back to Archuleta: cut his ass. Sign Nate Clements, and rotate Springs around the field as a hybrid safety/nickel CB.[/quote]
Another thing which hurt the skins is that our D had too much time on the field and our O did not help them much with long drives through out the game. Yes, we did have some long drives but we need a few each game that takes alot of time off the clock to give the D a rest. Our D also seemed to have good 1st & 2nd downs then would let the other tem convert a 9 yard first down keeping them on the field.

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=JDALY27;269688]Agreed 100%. Our entire defense seemed to collapse. AA was not the reason we went from 9th to 31st. This was supposed to be about ST so lets get back to him. He should be our defensive team Captin in 2007. The guy is still one of the best in the business at what he does. But our broken "foundation" never enabled him to roam free and make impact plays. He was always chasing a running back or reciever down the field after our defense gave up a huge play.......[/quote]
I do not think ST is a team captin type of guy.

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=firstdown;269717]I do not think ST is a team captin type of guy.[/quote]


Why would you say that. He's one of the hardest working Redskins at practice. He can be a leader by example not speaches. Who hits harder than Sean? He's a dynamic play maker that has not been used properly in my opinion. Giving him the C on his chest will only help his career and ultimately help the SKINS!

Re: Sean Taylor struggling???
 

Gaines Adams from Clemson played DE most of the time but also played inside once in a while. I saw him twice this year and he's pretty damned good. He's definitely a DE in the NFL but with all the weaknesses on the DL this year, the Skins cannot afford to ignore him.


If you recall, Sean Taylor was the guy who couldn't find the time to answer Joe Gibbs phone calls for an entire off season. That was two years ago. That's the behavior of a team captain? I don't think so.


If you also recall, the "problem" with Taylor's coverage this year was ascribed to the fact that he didn't have Ryan Clark next to him out there explaining the coverages to him after the calls amd in from the sidelines. Don't know if that's true, but it might explain why he was so out of position so many times. But if so, is that your defensive captain? If not, then do you reward someone with a captaincy after such a poor season?

Re: Sean Taylor struggling???
 

i wish everyone would stop blaming the substandard season that taylor had on everything but his play

Re: Sean Taylor struggling???
 

Dmek, I agree with you...Taylor tends to get a pass for his poor play for some reason. I know I'm guilty as anyone on this site. Can't really tell you why to tell you the truth.

I think my reasoning is Taylor is such an 'on field commodity' that you just feel like he's Gilbert Arenas in his own way; He can go 0 for 10, and then make the one play that changes or wins the game.

Re: Sean Taylor struggling???
 

agreed. he really is a playmaker. but there are times when a good old fashined, solid tackle will due

Re: Sean Taylor struggling???
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;270511]Gaines Adams from Clemson played DE most of the time but also played inside once in a while. I saw him twice this year and he's pretty damned good. He's definitely a DE in the NFL but with all the weaknesses on the DL this year, the Skins cannot afford to ignore him.
[/quote]If we do take Adams, we have 2 great pass rushing ends who suck at defending the run. That makes us the Colts, ferocious with a lead, but we'd just get run on all day.

Of course, the Colts D would be an improvement over this, but I'd much rather have Alan Branch, DT, Michigan.

Re: Sean Taylor struggling???
 

[quote=GTripp0012;270577]If we do take Adams, we have 2 great pass rushing ends who suck at defending the run. That makes us the Colts, ferocious with a lead, but we'd just get run on all day.

Of course, the Colts D would be an improvement over this, but I'd much rather have Alan Branch, DT, Michigan.[/quote]


I think Branch is our guy. It would be nice to trade down and get him and Woodley. Now that would be a coup!

Re: Sean Taylor struggling???
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;270511]Gaines Adams from Clemson played DE most of the time but also played inside once in a while. I saw him twice this year and he's pretty damned good. He's definitely a DE in the NFL but with all the weaknesses on the DL this year, the Skins cannot afford to ignore him.


If you recall, Sean Taylor was the guy who couldn't find the time to answer Joe Gibbs phone calls for an entire off season. That was two years ago. That's the behavior of a team captain? I don't think so.


If you also recall, the "problem" with Taylor's coverage this year was ascribed to the fact that he didn't have Ryan Clark next to him out there explaining the coverages to him after the calls amd in from the sidelines.
Don't know if that's true, but it might explain why he was so out of position so many times. But if so, is that your defensive captain? If not, then do you reward someone with a captaincy after such a poor season?[/quote]

Do you remember the Eagles game last year? How about the Tampa playoff game? What about the run against Dallas this year? Without ST we would not have made the playoffs last year or beaten the hated COWBOYS at home this year (highlight of my year).

I was annoyed he didn't answer Gibbs calls but that was before he was a REDSKIN, still a Miami punk!

I'm amazed by the man b/c I think he has a chance to make a game winning play every game he plays......you can't coach that. What you can coach are coverages and techniques.

Also need a pass rush or some linebackers that can tackle. I guess Gibbs firing Linsey was a signal as to what part of our defense was weakess and underacheived the most????

Re: Sean Taylor struggling???
 

[quote=12thMan;270603]I think Branch is our guy. It would be nice to trade down and get him and Woodley. Now that would be a coup![/quote]

If we got both of those guys our DL would become a strength - too bad Mike Ditka is no longer around making personelle decisions so we could make a trade.

I also believe Branch will make the LB's look a lot better than they were this year injuries aside.

Re: sean taylor???
 

[quote=Grim21Reaper;269241]Who are the three good outside LB's? Washington, yes. Rocky? He barely played. I know you aren't talking about Holdman and I haven't seen enough of Marshall on the outside to say that he is good there.

Pick a position on the defense and you have a hole. You are correct that MLB is a huge liability as well.[/quote]

We saw Marshall at OLB in 2004 when Arrington was injured. He didn't make many big plays but he was solid against the run and in coverage. I believe it would be better if we moved Marshall back to the outside in 2007. He didn't make the right calls that a MLB has to make. That and he sucked in both pass and run coverage this year.