Taylor wants some playing time

[ANT7088]

During a rare and impromptu media briefing in the middle of a mostly empty locker room Wednesday, rookie free safety Sean Taylor said he hopes to play more Sunday when the Redskins play at the New York Giants.

"If everything goes all right and the right plays are called and the right personnel is put in, I'll be in there," he said.

Taylor, the team's first- round draft pick, enjoyed a stellar preseason with three interceptions. He started the final three preseason games, but Andre Lott was the starter in the Redskins' 16-10 win over Tampa Bay.

After the game, coach Joe Gibbs and assistant head coach Gregg Williams said Taylor saw limited action because of an illness that forced him to miss practice time and because the personnel packages he was in weren't used much. Gibbs denied the staff is unhappy with Taylor's study habits.

"That's not it at all," Gibbs said. "He's been a very good student. There is a lot to do when you're in your first year. We're super-happy with Sean. He made a ton of great plays in the preseason, and he's going to make a ton of great plays in the regular season."

Said Taylor: "I've never not been a starter, but it's all right. We had a team effort on defense, and I just tried to come off the bench to help as much as I could."

Taylor played sparingly in the first half and was beaten by Tampa Bay's Joey Galloway, but Galloway dropped a sure touchdown pass. Taylor finished with one assisted tackle.

Asked if he got anything out of the game, Taylor initially said, "I'm not going to answer that," but quickly added, "of course, you get experience with the plays, but it wasn't too much. (Starting) is never up to me."

ARRINGTON, HALL SIT

Linebacker LaVar Arrington (sprained knee) and kicker John Hall (strained hamstring) did not practice Wednesday.

Arrington said his injury is not related to his preseason knee problem. "I just took a bad step in the first quarter and it tightened up on me, but I was able to keep going," he said.

Hall injured his kicking leg on the opening kickoff, but Gibbs said the team will not sign another kicker.

H-back Brian Kozlowski (calf) is probable after missing the Tampa Bay game, and linebacker Mike Barrow (knee) saw some time with the scout team during practice.

HIXON TO MISS GAME

Gibbs said receivers coach Stan Hixon, whose son Drew was seriously injured playing for Tennessee Tech against South Florida last weekend, will remain with his family and miss the Redskins-Giants game.

"I told him he needed to be somewhere else now," Gibbs said. "It's an awful thing that happened, but (Wednesday) they said was a better day and I think Stan felt encouraged."

Drew Hixon remains in a Tampa, Fla., hospital after the head-on-head hit.

In Stan Hixon's absence, the Redskins receivers have joined the quarterbacks during meetings.

http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-799 ... orts-local

[air_hog]

Even if Sean Taylor does not have the NFL experience like Lott has ( if Lott even has any) Sean should play the whole game with every package because every time Sean is in their, he can make a big time play out of anything. Plus, a Bowen/ Taylor Saftey combo would be sweet.

[1niksder]

Taylor is still learning something are better learned on the sidelines. Once he has absorbed what he needs to learn then most of the receivers in the league will wish he were on the sideline, but then it'll be to late and GW can turn him lose

[ii7-V7]

There is no doubt that Taylor is a much better physical player than Lott. But, a free safety in this system is expected to play with leadership and smarts. Since Taylor was ill and missed time this week he probably wasn't as up on the gameplan as Lott. Or perhaps its that Lott has displayed better generalship on the field. Thats why he is playing. I'm sure that Taylor will see a lot of time on the field this season. I don't have a problem with them bringing him along slowly. They don't call the Free Safety the QB of the Defense for nothing! I'd rather have Lott back there calling the plays if he is the one who has a better grasp of the gameplan. The whole team will play better when the free safety has the necessary leadership skills.

Chad

[BringThePain!]

I guarantee... that if he's not starting this week against the Giants.... he will be against the boys..... The guy's to talented to sit on the bench for too long.... I'm sure last week was because of his illness and we'll see him in there alot more this week.... he'll make a big play....and then he'll be starting against the boys....Williams is just making him hungry.... Hungry players are more likely to clean their plate..

[NikiH]

So I may be reading too much into it but what does it mean that Barrow is doing drills with the practice squad? Has he lost his starting job to Pierce, even if he heals completely and is ready to go??

[Scottskins]

I hope so, cause Pierce sure looked good from my estimation, and if that's true, the coaches think so too =)

[rick301]

With the Giants as bad as they were last week, what do you think of a 3-4 defense with both Pierce and Barrow? The Giants would never know from where the blitz was coming from

[redskincity]

Taylor is a Rookie. He needs to learn his place in this world. He will suck it up and drive on. I hope this motivates him to play harder and become feared around the league. He already has a few believers. Just you ask that boy who plays for Miami

[lostmdboy]

I guess I have to agree with coaches. I have read a few things that I think make them worry about his maturity. He did have those three picks in the presean though which surely impressed me.