Scribbler's Highlight of the Week: Remembering Sean Taylor

Now although I am no longer a fan of Washington's NFL team, I still was when the late, great Sean Taylor was becoming one of the most dynamic defensive players not only on that team, but in the entire NFL.  Other than Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu, his athleticism was unmatched by most safeties in the NFL at the time.  His knack for finding the football was mysterious because he would seemingly appear from nowhere and pick off a pass, deflect a pass or be the first one with the ball in his hands on a fumble recovery.  More than anything, who could forget this dude's hits?!?!  Sports Illustrated named him the hardest-hitting player in the NFL before the start of the 2007 regular season.  I think most people remember the annihilation that he delivered to Brian Moorman in his first Pro Bowl game in 2006--yeah, it was on a punter, but it was still amazing nonetheless.  However, he didn't limit his punishment to punters as he lowered the boom to many wide receivers, tight ends, running backs and whoever got in his path.

Two of Taylor's games stand out in my memory: 1) his game-deciding scoop-and-score fumble recovery in a January 7, 2006 wild-card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which is also Washington's last playoff victory (which is in the above clip); and 2) one of his last games against the Green Bay Packers on October 14, 2007 in a losing effort where he picked off Brett Favre twice and could've had 4-5 INTs (which you can find here).  If it weren't for his senseless murder on November 27, 2007--during a year when he was finally getting his personal life in order--he would've been 30 years old today and possibly the best safety in the entire league.  This dude could've easily been my highlight of the week every week if he were still here.  R.I.P. Sean...we still miss you dearly.