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Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon
Let me frame this question differently for a moment.
Who is the better WR, Rod Gardner or Art Monk?
Gardner is bigger and faster and probably stronger than Monk ever was or ever hoped to be. So, if I look at the physical skills and imagine in my mind's eye what MIGHT happen if all of those skills were put to use in a 100% efficient and effective manner, then Rod Gardner is clearly the better WR - - and it would not even be close.
Damn! There's that pesky thing about the mental aspects of the game and the concentration and the work and the study and the fire in the gut to beat the guy wearing that other colored jersey. But that's not important because Gardner is bigger and stronger and faster, right?
Now change the names here to Sean Taylor and Ed Reed (or Brian Dawkins for that matter) and you will have your answer.
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SC,
I'm not sure why you so strongly dislike Taylor. I know he's acted like a bonehead, but I could name about 10 other stellar NFL players who acted like immature, irresponsible, and irreverent kids when they were......kids. I also know a few great former Redskins who I won't name (uh Diesel or unleaded regular?), who showed up drunk with beer in hand to his first meeting with Joe Gibbs, who regularly fell asleep and snored through team meetings, who got drunk and told Supreme Court Justice Sandra D. O'Connor to "loosen up Sandy baby," and who went out drinking the day before games.
Whatever you think of Taylor's off-the-field antics, his on-field presence is amazing. Last season, Taylor started 3 fewer games than our number one cornerback Shawn Springs and he still managed to have two more passes defensed (with 9). In 13 starts he had 6 turnovers (which projects into roughly 8 turnovers a season). If he starts all 16 games this season, with one season of experience under his belt, don't be surprised if he gets 10+ turnovers and 110+ tackles - that's a game-changer. Gregg Williams, who knows a thing or two about defensive players, has publicly said Taylor is the most gifted athelete he's ever coached - and that's praise coming from a guy who should've been livid that Taylor skipped OTAs.
And let me pre-empt your "he choked on 3 plays last season." Again, the guy was a rookie! Rookie DBs are supposed to choke on far more plays than that. I saw Taylor make five great plays for every one bad play.
Saying that Taylor is to Reed what Gardner is to Monk is crazy-speak. I don't there's a single defensive coordinator on the league who wouldn't give their left leg for Taylor. Do you really think Taylor will be cut from this team in two seasons? If so, I'd love to take a hit from your bong because mine must be broken. J/K SC.