Without training camp to fill headlines, I thought I would take the time to remember the days when our secondary was ruled by a man who could arguably have been the best safety ever to play for the Redskins, had it not been for his premature death at the hands of thieves.
I am of course talking about Sean Taylor, my favorite player ever to put on number 21 (and 36) for the Burgundy and Gold. The Miami product was everything anyone could ever ask for out of a free-safety.
I will never forget his time in DC, and neither will Buffalo Bills punter Brian Moorman.
Coming out of The U, Taylor was highly touted as one of the best athletes in the draft with his unusual ability to physically intimidate opposing players, but also to be able to run with some of the fastest receivers in the league.
If your defense is going to be effective, I’m of the opinion that you need not only great players, but also players who can intimidate the offense.
Ray Lewis, among others in Baltimore, has that effect for the Ravens; James Harrison has that effect in Pittsburgh; Brian Urlacher (when on the field) intimidates for the Bears.
These players not only are some of the best-gifted athletes on the field at any given time, these players inflict pain and suffering on the opposition, which translates to intimidation.
Sean Taylor was that intimidation factor for the three and half seasons he was in Washington. Receivers would cut routes short, get a case of the alligator-arms, or if they dared, end up writhing on the ground in pain, trying to collect their thoughts.
Marcus Washington, a linebacker during Taylor’s career with the Redskins dubbed Taylor: “Meast.” Meaning half-man, half-beast, Washington would often be seen jumping on top of Taylor after one of Meast’s signature hits.
Taylor’s swagger was contagious and his confidence spread like wildfire.
A young Carlos Rogers would blitz the line without pause, knowing that the receiver he was told to let loose would be taken care of.
Fans knew when there was a deep ball thrown, Taylor would be there to break it up (or break Randy Moss, no matter if he was wearing a Vikings or Raiders jersey).
Taylor made the team better and gave the Redskins a chance to win every week.
Which brings me to a question my roommates from college and I often wondered: what would the Redskins secondary be like if Taylor was still alive and lined up next to LaRon Landry?
I’ll just say this: that one-two combo would be fun to watch.
(Jonathan Wigginton is the Chat Sports Senior Writer for the Washington Redskins)
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