Taylor is here (but he's undoubtedly still upset at his pay)

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Tue May 15, 2007 10:31 pm

Irn-Bru wrote::twisted:

, it's like we're puppet masters.

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Wed May 16, 2007 6:59 am

Taylor at last reports for work
By David Elfin
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
May 16, 2007

Safety Sean Taylor was a surprise participant as the Washington Redskins began their second week of organized team activities yesterday at Redskin Park.

Taylor, who had not been in touch with the coaching staff while absent last week, acted as if his return wasn't a big deal even though he and still-absent cornerback Shawn Springs had been the only players missing.

"I don't think there's a problem," said Taylor, who didn't participate in any voluntary offseason work in 2005 and wasn't a regular in 2006 either as his felony assault case made its way through the legal system. "I should've been here with everybody else, but I'm sure I'll make it up the next couple of weeks."

The 24-year-old Taylor, the fifth pick in the 2004 draft, said that contrary to speculation, he has no issues with his contract.

"I'm definitely happy," Taylor said. "I have a seven-year contract. I've played three years of that contract, and I'm fine. That's never an issue. ... I [just] got a little tied up [last week] and had to go to my little girl's birthday party and stuff like that. I had fun out there at practice today. I had to catch up from last week."

Taylor also is happy that the Redskins used the sixth choice in last month's draft on safety LaRon Landry, who soon should become his seventh partner in four years.

"I like the fact that we drafted a safety," said Taylor, who downplayed assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams' declaration last week that he was now the free safety, with Landry destined to be the strong side starter eventually. "I don't think I'm being a mentor [to Landry]. We're all going to help him along. There will be some things I'll pass on to him, and he might teach me something. We're real deep. We have five, six, seven safeties."

Neither Williams nor coach Joe Gibbs was available for comment on Taylor's return, but his teammates were happy to have him back.

Running back Clinton Portis, who also played with Taylor at the University of Miami, said it was great to see the talented safety make a diving interception on his first day on the field in 2007.

"It would've been one thing if Sean was out there being quiet and not really doing anything, but he was making plays," fullback Mike Sellers said. "You can't say that Sean wasn't working out because it's obvious that he's in great shape. It's good to have him back."

Notes -- As the rookies joined the veterans on the field for the first time, the Redskins announced the addition of eight players who had attended the May 4-6 minicamp on a tryout basis.

Heading that list is defensive back Byron Westbrook (Salisbury University), the brother of Philadelphia running back Brian Westbrook. Washington also signed Byron Westbrook's DeMatha High teammate, tight end Brian Bell, and former Georgetown defensive end Alex Buzbee.

Other new Redskins include receiver Carl Berman (Indiana State), fullback Pete Schmitt (Wisconsin-Whitewater), guard Cornelius Rogers and defensive back Brandon Register (both Alabama-Birmingham) and linebacker Kevin Jones (St. Augustine's). ...

The Redskins cut six players, including former New Orleans tight end Zach Hilton (Good Counsel High) and ex-Denver receiver Adrian Madise, both of whom had signed last week. Receiver Deyon Williams (Suitland High, Va.) and fellow rookie free agent Daniel Francis, a cornerback from LSU, also were let go, as were defensive tackle Vaka Manupuna, who spent time on the practice squad last year, and former San Diego and Chicago safety Jerrell Pippens.

Fullback Nehemiah Broughton, who tore an ACL last Tuesday, was placed on injured reserve.

http://www.washtimes.com/sports/2007051 ... -8321r.htm

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Wed May 16, 2007 8:23 am

I can't imagine a more effective way for Taylor to squash all of the rumors surrounding him. I can't wait to see him in action this year. :rock:

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:40 am

If you have watched the video on redskins.com of him or caught part of it on comcast sports net, its obvious that he has lost some weight. This should help him with his speed. Now its time for him to get out there and get coached up. We need him not to bite on the run fake. Lord I don't want him to get beat on another flea flicker again. Thats just embarrassing.

everydayAskinsday · Post by **everydayAskinsday** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:57 am

seems like were good for one flea flicker a year.. some team always gets it on us.. the bastards :evil:

HanburgerHelper · Post by **HanburgerHelper** » Wed May 16, 2007 12:12 pm

frankcal20 wrote:I think that if he goes to another probowl this year, we should extend his contract. He has been here and done well. Not Great but well. He needs to continue to work and I think in 2-3 years, he may be the top or one of the top safety's in the league.

I agree. I think he needs to go to a Pro Bowl as the first choice, not an alternate before he can gripe about whatever he's getting paid. If salaries weren't made public, you wouldn't hear any of this crap.

everydayAskinsday · Post by **everydayAskinsday** » Wed May 16, 2007 12:21 pm

HanburgerHelper wrote:
frankcal20 wrote:I think that if he goes to another probowl this year, we should extend his contract. He has been here and done well. Not Great but well. He needs to continue to work and I think in 2-3 years, he may be the top or one of the top safety's in the league.

I agree. I think he needs to go to a Pro Bowl as the first choice, not an alternate before he can gripe about whatever he's getting paid. If salaries weren't made public, you wouldn't hear any of this crap.

The Pro Bowl should not decide whether or not he earns a bigger payday or decide if we want to keep him around long term.. the probowl is a popularity contest it means nothing.. be an All Pro is something to be proud of

I want him on this team regardless of the amount of pro bowls he goes too.. hes a difference maker

Wheat · Post by **Wheat** » Wed May 16, 2007 2:53 pm

Exactly, in 2005. the CB who gave up the most "Long" TD's in the league, was the top vote getting at his position I believe. They need to fine tune the Probowl and HOF voting system. I think writers should get a vote for Probowl, not HOF.

HEROHAMO · Post by **HEROHAMO** » Wed May 16, 2007 9:22 pm

Snout wrote:Taylor is not greatness yet and has not earned a huge contract. He is physically gifted but mentally not at the top of the game. He is not a leader on the defense by any stretch, and he still needs a lot of guidance. The Redskins should pay him what he is worth, but should not go out of their way to make him the highest paid safety in the league.

Leading the team in tackles. Hummm....... :roll:

I think that makes you a leader? 100+ tackles as a safety and making the Pro Bowl. I would say that is being a leader by example.

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Wed May 16, 2007 9:53 pm

everydayAskinsday wrote:
The Pro Bowl should not decide whether or not he earns a bigger payday or decide if we want to keep him around long term.. the probowl is a popularity contest it means nothing.. be an All Pro is something to be proud of

Actually making it to the Pro Bowl DOES decide whether or not you get a bigger payday, well it does if you already have a clause in your contract that you'll get more if you're selected to the pro bowl.

Leading the team in tackles and defensive TDs over the last 3 years would get you a bigger payday also IF they are in the contract.

Taylor has those kinds of clauses in his current deal. Why did he say he's not worried about a new deal? Simple answer, he's going to want a new deal based on what he's done for the team while playing under his rookie deal. The better he plays under this deal the more its worth with the escalators that are in it. So until he maxed this deal out he has nothing to add the "rising cost of living", fact that the Cap is bigger now, or the inflation that came a top ten pick that's still playing at that level. The more off-seasons that go by without incident the less likely previous off-season trouble will come ito the negoiations. He's under contract for 3 more years and he's happy knowing he's going to get his when the time comes.

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:35 pm

If he plays his cards right and makes plays on the field, he'll get paid big time. People in DC love Taylor and he has an opportunity to be the face of this defense. (or with his facemask and eye guard, you can't see his face so the body)

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Thu May 17, 2007 9:41 am

frankcal20 wrote:If he plays his cards right and makes plays on the field, he'll get paid big time. People in DC love Taylor and he has an opportunity to be the face of this defense. (or with his facemask and eye guard, you can't see his face so the body)

But I think we have to look at ourselves and ask why is X player not performing up to is potential. I look at the 2006 campaign and don't hold it against Taylor. I think he did pretty good for a guy who had his role stretched to that of two people. He can only be in one place at a time.

Sean isn't without fault but lets not loose a guy because we haven't given up the chances to be as successful as he could be. That call is up to the coaches but there's no denying that Taylor is rare talent and he has his head on straight now and is even trying to become media friendly....

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Thu May 17, 2007 9:51 am

This is the situation summed up -

1niksder wrote:...He's under contract for 3 more years and he's happy knowing he's going to get his when the time comes.

I am sure that the media is trying to stir something up here because he is a star and there are a lot of players who are going to make more than he is currently making - the situation is simple and when it is his turn to reap the rewards, he will be a very happy camper - this is not an issue and Taylor will only help his case by playing better.

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Thu May 17, 2007 10:36 am

SkinsJock wrote:This is the situation summed up -
1niksder wrote:...He's under contract for 3 more years and he's happy knowing he's going to get his when the time comes.

I am sure that the media is trying to stir something up here because he is a star and there are a lot of players who are going to make more than he is currently making - the situation is simple and when it is his turn to reap the rewards, he will be a very happy camper - this is not an issue and Taylor will only help his case by playing better.

Thats what I was trying to say. Why couldn't I put it in such profound words.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Thu May 17, 2007 12:07 pm

frankcal20:

Thats what I was trying to say. Why couldn't I put it in such profound words.

Don't sweat it, frank. Just using the word "profound" qualifies. :wink:

welch · Post by **welch** » Thu May 17, 2007 6:49 pm

Snout said, and I think he's right,

Taylor is not greatness yet and has not earned a huge contract. He is physically gifted but mentally not at the top of the game. He is not a leader on the defense by any stretch, and he still needs a lot of guidance.

By leading a defense, I would mean that a player gets himself in the right position for every play. That he understands where he and the other players should be to make the stop. That he guides the rest of the defense. I've been yacking about Jack Pardee and Richie Petibon on several (too many?) threads for the last week or so, and, therefore, I'll mention them again.

Pardee and Petibon understood George Allen's defense so well that it was like having Allen's mind right on the field. Both were hard-nosed players, but what made them valuable was that they got themselves and the rest of the defense in the right place. That's why Allen traded draft-picks to bring them to Washington, even knowing that they had only a few seasons left.

It looks like Antonio Pierce is that sort of leader. The Giants defense seems to slip whenever Pierce is out. OK, too bad he's no longer with the Redskins. Taylor can make a lot of tackles, but Pierce was more valuable than either Taylor or Arrington. Who replaces Pierce? Maybe Marshall, some say. Maybe the new-hire.

We'll see. I'll say, though, that leading the team only in hard hits is not enough.

andyjens89 · Post by **andyjens89** » Thu May 17, 2007 6:57 pm

I guess Joe Gibbs is wrong then....

Gibbs called Taylor a "leader by example on the field and the way he plays."

http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=26307

welch · Post by **welch** » Thu May 17, 2007 11:29 pm

Gibbs has almost never had a negative thing to say about a player. He will always find something positive.

Consider: a Gibbs player shows up when the coach hints that it's time. A Gibbs player returns the coach's phone calls.

Taylor has talent, but I have some suspicions.

Wheat · Post by **Wheat** » Fri May 18, 2007 9:46 am

That's one thing I wish Joe would do more of....tough love.

I don't think you should call sombody out by name. But, if the LB's don't perform. He needs to say "We need to get more out of our LB's....this isn't acceptable".

Its not a rip, its a statement without calling out one guy.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Fri May 18, 2007 10:22 am

To take the Gibbs' statement one step further in that he feels Taylor is a "leader by example on the field and by the way he plays" - he is stating the obvious - this kid is a leader. The point that Welch is making that I agree with is, at this time, Taylor's strengths do not include the "on the field coaching" abilities/leadership that we both saw in Pardee and Pettibon.

This team has some great talent but unfortunately very few "on the field coaches" - I think that form of "leadership" is going to be evidenced this year on the defensive side and hopefully Campbell will develop this on the offensive side because we are going to need this when Jansen steps aside.

At the QB position this will come ONLY if Campbell shows that he is both a very good QB and a capable leader over time. After a decent start, Roethlisberger had an opportunity to be a "leader" and then made some very stupid decisions that bring those qualities into question.