The subtle plays signal the arrival of a new player. Or at least an improved one. He’s more patient, waiting in a hole for a ballcarrier, ready to drill him. Just ask Mike Anderson. He’s more knowledgeable, cheating with his steps, ready to con the quarterback.
It’s what the Redskins have been waiting to see.
It’s also why they expect to see even more this season, Taylor’s third in the NFL.
“He’s had an excellent camp,” Redskins assistant coach/defense Gregg Williams said. “Usually, you see a huge jump between years one and two. But the biggest jump in my experience has come right before the third year. … He’s ready for the challenge.”
Maybe, then, Taylor will become the playmaking force the Redskins envisioned when they drafted him fifth overall in 2004. Since then, he’s been more known for off-field problems than on-field success. He’s flashed during games, with big hits here and there and six career interceptions.
“I wasn’t the best player last year,” said Taylor earlier this summer. “I’m not the best until you say I’m the best. Unless I’m at the top of my level as far as safety goes, then I think I still have a way to travel, like the Troy Polamalus and the Edward Reeds. I’m still only getting two or three interceptions a year.”
But there was also little doubt Washington’s defense suffered in his absence. He missed one regular-season game: the 35-36 loss at Tampa, in which the Bucs kept burning Redskins blitzes, something they couldn’t do in the rematch with Taylor in the game. That speed also allows Taylor to play some linebacker against spread defenses.
“His change of direction is excellent,” Williams said. “He’s more comfortable taking liberties with his alignments because he trusts his speed and conditioning.”
The two hits in the Ravens’ scrimmage spoke to his improved state. Both plays required patience to let the play funnel his way.
“Usually, he would have run up and missed,” safeties coach Steve Jackson said. “He’s showing more discipline as opposed to doing it all off athletic ability. He’s relying more on trusting the scheme and his legs. He’s paying attention to where the rest of the guys are and the plays are coming to him.”
It took receiver Brandon Lloyd one scrimmage to gauge Taylor’s potential.
“I told Santana [Moss] that I’m glad Sean is on my team,” Lloyd said. “That guy has a motor.”
Said Jackson, “The third year should be your best year. It all depends on him.”
