Sean Taylor or Ed Reed

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I think Reed has him beat in athleticism, and Reed has certainly put up the stats recently, and earned the All-Pro nod over Dawkins, so I can see where you're coming from.

I just love Dawkins' heart, he is a serious team leader and plays with a TON of passion. I remember after the Eagles beat the Falcons in the NFC Championship game last year, he was interviewed by Terry Bradshaw (I think it was Bradshaw) and he was like "nobody gave our defense any chance at stopping Mike Vick, and we stopped him. GIMME MY RESPECT RIGHT NOW!"

Just the way he said it was so intense. I love that about him, I think he has the ability to make other players better just through his intensity. The other guys seem to step it up a notch.

Ed Reed yields to Ray Lewis as the team leader. Of course, if Brian Dawkins and Ray Lewis were on the same team, Dawkins would probably yield too, because Lewis is larger than life. So who knows if the situation would be different, but all I know is Dawkins has shown the kind of heart and passion that Joe Gibbs would love to have on his team.

Taylor has miles and miles to go in that department, of course.

Good assessment of Dawkins, don't get me wrong I have a ton of respect for the guy and he's definitely still a baller. He's the heart and soul of that Philly defense.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Good assessment of Dawkins, don't get me wrong I have a ton of respect for the guy and he's definitely still a baller. He's the heart and soul of that Philly defense.

Yeah, you really couldn't go wrong with Dawkins or Reed. I'd like to see Sean Taylor take a look around the league at some of the players who have reached this level of greatness, and start to examine what it is they do to become so great. I want to see Sean Taylor start to see some of these guys as a role model for what he'd like to become.

[NYCSkin]

It's very troubling that Taylor appears to have a lack of passion for football this early in this pro career. Passion is not a mental thing that can be just developed. You either have it or your on the field collecting checks. You can develop mentally as a player by reviewing more film but the passion for the game is what gets you into the office to review that film. Without this passion, something that I think can't just be turned on--Taylor will not develop his game, mentally or physically. To even begin to compare Taylor with the likes of Reed/Dawkins/Williams is very premature.

[MTK]

I don't think we can say Taylor doesn't have a passion for the game, on the field he's as intense as anyone I've ever seen. His off the field passion could be questioned though. The guy is an enigma off the field.

[Daseal]

I'd argue Roy Williams could be better than both of them at this point in time, when he's used correctly.

[MTK]

Williams is great in run support but he's not the complete package Reed is and Taylor could become.

[backrow]

Originally Posted by redrock-skins

Reed until further notice. The only reason our pick with Taylor looks good right now is because Winslow has made an even bigger idiot of himself. As soon as Taylor grows up, he will become quite a safety.

The above is LOL funny! Winslow has not only lost two years, but some cash as well!

[skin4Life28]

I love watching Reed, Taylor, Williams, and Dawkins play.These guys are the elite group in the NFL. They all play at 100 mph. Right now though its Reed, Dawkins, then Taylor. Those three guys have it all. Williams is very strong in the run game, but pass defense is so-so. Taylor if he can stay focused could pass Reed, but he has to want it. All these guys though are beasts and will be for years to come.

[offiss]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Right now Reed is the top safety in football hands down.

Taylor has all the physical tools to pass Reed, but the big question mark with Taylor is the mental aspect of his game.

If he can develop the mental part of his game, he will be better than Reed, but that's a big if right now.

Matty, I don't know if Taylor's mental aspect play into his play on the field, it's his off the field mentality that is the big concern. Taylor's instinct's on the field are as good as you will ever see, but regardless as a rookie he had to go threw some growing pains like any other rookie, I have no doubt that Taylor will be much better than Reid, and challenge Lott as the all time greatest safety to play the game, if he can stay on the field.

[skinsguy]

Taylor appears to be a player hovering over a thin line between being the greatest safety football has ever seen and being a player that "could have been" the greatest safety football has ever seen. I believe it all depends on how he conducts himself outside of football. Consider Dexter Manley....I thought this guy could have been a HOF guy, but his off field troubles kept him from being the best he could have been in my opinion.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by offiss

Matty, I don't know if Taylor's mental aspect play into his play on the field, it's his off the field mentality that is the big concern. Taylor's instinct's on the field are as good as you will ever see, but regardless as a rookie he had to go threw some growing pains like any other rookie, I have no doubt that Taylor will be much better than Reid, and challenge Lott as the all time greatest safety to play the game, if he can stay on the field.

I just mean his game prep, studying film, etc. When he first came here he wasn't much of a classroom guy, but supposedly as the year went on he became more of a student of the game so hopefully he'll continue with that.

[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.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Argh. I REALLY DO think it would be a good idea to put the disclaimer that JoeCrisp had in his info about Hall of Famers.

[GoSkins!]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

Let me frame this question differently for a moment.

Who is the better WR, Rod Gardner or Art Monk?

Sonny or Cher?

Popeye or Bluto?

Captain or Taneal?

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Damn, if we only had Bluto as fullback.