Eric Allen: Sean Taylor a Top 5 Blitzer

by Skin Patrol on Apr 10, 2007 12:12 PM EDT

ESPN's Eric Allen names his top five blitzers, a list that includes Shawne Merriman, Jason Taylor, Ray Lewis, Troy Polamalu, and...

Sean Taylor: I'd love to see him used more in this regard because he's a heat-seeking missile. He has a load of aggression, and once he gets going, the hit he delivers will be ferocious.

While certainly not backed up by Taylor's two career sacks, Eric Allen might as well have just said that Taylor is a ferocious hitter. Heading into 2007, I hope the Redskins bolstered secondary (which now has the added benefit of playing without Mike Rumph on the field) allows Gregg Williams to focus more on blitzing, a tactic lacking to devastating effect last year. If Taylor hits a QB, that ball just won't stay in hand. And remember that Taylor is productive after the turnover as well. It was his 51 yard fumble recovery that gave us the W against Tampa Bay in the 2005 postseason. Just as it was his 30 yard penalized blocked FG return that put us in FG range to beat the Cowboys last November.

I've said it before I'll say it again. Sean Taylor = Meast.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Just for kicks

Great, we can draft Landry! Then we'll have the most devastating blitzing safety combo ever known to man...lol.

Ok, I just wanted to say something. The thought of blitzing both safeties with anything less than a pair of pro bowlers at corner scares me half to death...at least on this here team.

by JustinU804 on Apr 10, 2007 12:53 PM EDT reply actions

You're on to something though

When Springs is healthy (and I don't mean kind of sort of healthy, or coming off surgery, but healthy) there's no reason we can't blitz one safety.

Go Register. Or else.

by Skin Patrol on Apr 10, 2007 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Eric Allen

What's with this guy? He's not a homer, so why is he suggesting this nonsense?

by Burgundy and Gold on Apr 11, 2007 1:05 AM EDT reply actions

I can't get down with this list at all

It is extremely likely Eric Allen doesn't know what blitzing is.

Ray Lewis had a career-high 5 sacks last season, while Polamalu has 7 in his career (you already mention Taylor's 2).

And any list of this nature that doesn't mention Julius Peppers is just silly. Terrell Suggs would have been a better choice of Baltimore players, anyways.

by Burgundy and Gold on Apr 11, 2007 1:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Peppers and Suggs

are both Defensive Ends, so they don't actually ever blitz. But that doesn't explain why he has Jason Taylor (DE) on the list, although maybe the Dolphins line him up in coverage and then send him forward.

I would think that the top 5 blitzers would be Linebackers, since that's the position that typically gets sent to blitz the most. Again, I don't know why Sean Taylor and 2 sacks gets on.

Go Register. Or else.

by Skin Patrol on Apr 11, 2007 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

pie in face

I always think of blitzing as a scheme rather than an individual action, so while my picks are not accurate, my criticism of their picks has gotta' stand - none of those guys have done it nearly enough to get on this list.

by Burgundy and Gold on Apr 12, 2007 4:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Landry, but ...

I would love to have Landry, imagine the pain created in that secondary. Unfortunately, the front office has ignored the defensive end position for so long, it simply needs addressed.

As for Taylor, I wanna see Taylor perform better in pass coverage. He really go burned alot last year and some can be accredited to Springs injury and changes in assignment, but overall, Taylor's pass defense needs improved.

Home of the Largest Mock Draft Database http://www.hailredskins.com/MockDraft.htm

by PennSkinsFan on Apr 11, 2007 12:18 PM EDT reply actions