One game it’s the big hit, a take down on fourth down just before the marker. Or it’s the game-saving interception, when Sean Taylor roams the middle and snags a poorly-thrown pass near the goal line.
A game like that reveals the talent that caused scouts to drool over Taylor; they still do.
“You got to see every facet of his game,” Redskins safety Vernon Fox said. “When he’s clicking, you’ll see those types of performances.”
Other games, though, what stands out are the times where he gets twisted in coverage or misses tackles or commits killer penalties.
And games like that reveal how much further Taylor, who declined comment for this article, must go to join the Ed Reeds of the safety fraternity. Redskins safety Troy Vincent said Taylor still falls short of former Eagles teammate Brian Dawkins.
“Not today,” Vincent said when asked if Taylor was at that level, “but he has the potential to get better. It’s just time; we’re talking about a guy in his third year. He’s still developing, still learning.”
Taylor, who was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week, is not playing consistently enough to be mentioned alongside the elite. One NFL evaluator said Taylor does a poor job of turning with receivers, a drawback in coverage. But this same person said Taylor was playing the run well. And a recent Pro Football Weekly column rated him among the top five safeties, based on interviews with general managers and coaches.
But Taylor only has one interception this season and seven for his career. By comparison, Reed, a former teammate at the University of Miami, intercepted 21 passes in his first three years. However, Taylor already has 89 tackles, matching his career-best.
“I’ve seen him do things this year that he didn’t do last year,” injured safety Pierson Prioleau said. “He’s gotten better with adjustments and knowing where everyone else should be on defense. I’ve seen him mature as a player. But sometimes you have to make a play on your own; Sean can make plays just because of who he is.”
The coaches have praised Taylor all season, even after games in which he’s been criticized by others.
“He’s come in with a completely different attitude,” safeties coach Steve Jackson said. “He’s more in tune with the system. He’s not the guy who isgoing to be in the meeting room raising his hand. He’ll sit back and you think he’s not paying attention and he’ll spit out verbatim what you said.”
Week 13 Notes
» Running back T.J. Duckett’s increased opportunities are coming at the right time, just as he’s facing his former team. The Falcons traded Duckett to Washington this summer as part of a three-team deal.
‘’It was difficult because I have great respect for T.J.,’’ Falcons coach Jim Mora said. ‘’He always had a great attitude and was positive and upbeat.” Duckett still talks to Falcons back Warrick Dunn often, but said this game doesn’t carry much extra meaning. Duckett, a free agent after the season, has not complained about his role, nor has he ever looked upset. He’s carried 19 times for 90 yards this season. He said losing his mother to cancer in November 2005 helps him keep things in perspective.
‘’After seeing everything she went through, as much as I want to play, I’d want her to live,’’ he said. ‘’[Playing] is not in my control so I keep continuing to do what I do and it’s not moping or being depressed about the situation.’’
» Right tackle Jon Jansen was limited in practice thanks to a sore calf that has bothered him for a couple weeks. Jansen is still limping, but all he would say about the injury is, ‘’It’s sore.’’
Line coach Joe Bugel said, ‘’The injury he has, most people would miss four to five weeks. The guy is playing on one leg.’’
Meanwhile, corner Troy Vincent (hamstring) remains limited and is questionable.
