Going into training camp, it's time to take a look at the defensive side of the team. I'll start with the safety position - one that had literally felt a void since 2007. The Redskins have plenty of talent in their secondary and in 2010, it will be important that the defense stays strong as the offense tries to improve. For the past decade the Redskins' offense has never been able to catch up to it's defense. For a few years, Washington had one of the top 5 defenses in the league while their offense has always been in the bottom half of the standings. This was due in much part to the Redskins' defensive coaches who had been with the team for many years including the glory days. The defense however is making the transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 this year and this always leads to growing pains. Also the Redskins' defense had one of the worst tackling secondaries in the game last year meaning there is much room for improvement. The Safety position was not always so weak....
On November 26, 2007, midway through the 2007 season, Sean Taylor, the Redskins' Pro-Bowl Free Safety, was tragically murdered in his Palmetto Bay home in Florida. The murder was not aimed at Taylor, but was an attempted burglary, making his death that much more devastating. He was defending his long-time girlfriend Jackie Moffet and his 18-month old daughter Jackie. The intruders did not expect anyone to be home, and upon sighting Taylor, shot him in the upper leg. Taylor spent the night in the hospital suffering from his wounds with the Redskins' nation watching closely. Sean Taylor passed away Novemeber 27, 2007 at 3:30 A.M. He was 24 years old. Sean Taylor was the cornerstone to the Redskins' defense and secondary. It was the biggest loss in Redskins' history and possibly sports history. The Redskins dedicated the remainder of the 2007 campaign in his memory, one that at the time looked hopeless. Inspired by the loss of their teammate, they finished the year on a miracle run winning 4 must-win games securing the final playoff spot. Although they lost to Seattle, the year was a good memorial to the fallen Redskin who had done so much for the franchise. He was the Redskins' and Joe Gibbs' first draft choice in 2004 and really became the team's favorite son. The memories he left on the field have never been forgotten. Sean Taylor is still missed today and his position on the team has never recovered. RIP
We all remember Sean in different ways, but the pain is still the same for all of us. Joe Gibbs claimed that he was making changes in his life to become a better person and father. Sean brought our emotions up and down in both his life and in his death, and three years later his legacy lives on. Going into 2010, LaRon Landry, who replaced Sean Taylor, still lives in the shadow of his predecessor. The team Sean left is slowly evolving and changing with new players and new coaches, but there is one thing that always remains the same. The fans. We are always there after every win and every loss going through the year along side the team. We remember Sean Taylor. We will never forget Sean Taylor.
Going into training camp, it's time to take a look at the defensive side of the team. I'll start with the safety position - one that had literally felt a void since 2007. The Redskins have plenty of talent in their secondary and in 2010, it will be important that the defense stays strong as the offense tries to improve. For the past decade the Redskins' offense has never been able to catch up to it's defense. For a few years, Washington had one of the top 5 defenses in the league while their offense has always been in the bottom half of the standings. This was due in much part to the Redskins' defensive coaches who had been with the team for many years including the glory days. The defense however is making the transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 this year and this always leads to growing pains. Also the Redskins' defense had one of the worst tackling secondaries in the game last year meaning there is much room for improvement. The Safety position was not always so weak....
On November 26, 2007, midway through the 2007 season, Sean Taylor, the Redskins' Pro-Bowl Free Safety, was tragically murdered in his Palmetto Bay home in Florida. The murder was not aimed at Taylor, but was an attempted burglary, making his death that much more devastating. He was defending his long-time girlfriend Jackie Moffet and his 18-month old daughter Jackie. The intruders did not expect anyone to be home, and upon sighting Taylor, shot him in the upper leg. Taylor spent the night in the hospital suffering from his wounds with the Redskins' nation watching closely. Sean Taylor passed away Novemeber 27, 2007 at 3:30 A.M. He was 24 years old. Sean Taylor was the cornerstone to the Redskins' defense and secondary. It was the biggest loss in Redskins' history and possibly sports history. The Redskins dedicated the remainder of the 2007 campaign in his memory, one that at the time looked hopeless. Inspired by the loss of their teammate, they finished the year on a miracle run winning 4 must-win games securing the final playoff spot. Although they lost to Seattle, the year was a good memorial to the fallen Redskin who had done so much for the franchise. He was the Redskins' and Joe Gibbs' first draft choice in 2004 and really became the team's favorite son. The memories he left on the field have never been forgotten. Sean Taylor is still missed today and his position on the team has never recovered. RIP
We all remember Sean in different ways, but the pain is still the same for all of us. Joe Gibbs claimed that he was making changes in his life to become a better person and father. Sean brought our emotions up and down in both his life and in his death, and three years later his legacy lives on. Going into 2010, LaRon Landry, who replaced Sean Taylor, still lives in the shadow of his predecessor. The team Sean left is slowly evolving and changing with new players and new coaches, but there is one thing that always remains the same. The fans. We are always there after every win and every loss going through the year along side the team. We remember Sean Taylor. We will never forget Sean Taylor.
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