http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/3599 Recent articles about Sean Taylor en-us Let's get right into it ... Minnesota vs. Tennessee: This will be a battle of strength vs. strength. Both of these teams play fundamental football, running the ball, stopping the run on defense, and generally controlling the line of scrimmage. I want to just give it to the Titans, but this one will be lcose so justification is needed. One, the Titans are at home. Two, they're healthier than the Vikings. I say Titans by four. Green Bay vs. Tampa Bay: This one might be a blowout. The Bucs can't keep up with the Packers wideouts, whereas my grandmother could cover Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway. I think it'll be the Packers by eleven. Arizona vs. New York Jets: Will I get burned picking the Cards again? Their defensive line is banged up, but not much about the Jets impressed me besides their return game on Monday. I have to believe that with limited or no play from Kris Jenkins, Arizona will be able to run the ball as well as pass. Cardinals by five, something like 39-34. San Francisco vs. New Orleans: I'm going with SF, I won't go against my team in an attempt to prove myself. So how can I justify this pick? Well, the Saints are giving up a lot of rushing yards, and they haven't faced a back as talented as Frank Gore. Also, they're starting some guy named Tracy Porter at cornerback. When the Saints have the ball, I like the defense's chances if Patrick Willis covers Reggie Bush and the rest of the team worries about the rest of the Saints. Willis is more dominant at his position than Bush, so consider him neutralized. This one will be high-scoring as well, I'll give it 31-30 49ers victory. Denver vs. Kansas City: If Kansas City has a pulse, they should be able to put up a couple touchdowns after Denver puts this one away. I'm going with the Broncos, 45-17. Houston vs. Jacksonville: Upset special? Shows that I'm still judging by last year's performances if I think Houston beating Jacksonville is an upset. Did you know that Houston has won 3 out of the last 4 games against Jacksonville? Only one of those games was meaningless to the Jags. But their offensive line looks like it gets Meester and Chris Naeole back, which is huge against Houston's undersized DL's. I'm going with Jacksonville in a 13-6 cruncher. Cleveland vs. Cincinnati: This game is back to being one of the ugliest matchups in the league, the way it has been most of my life. Dexter Jackson is out, leaving behind a starting secondary with six combined years of experience. So look for the Browns to get back on track offensively. On the other end, Palmer's numbers have increased each week of the season, a legitimate reason to believe that the Bengals are getting their groove back. Last year the home team won each game, so I'm giving it to the Bengals. These guys played a 51-45 game last year, and look for similar numbers this year in a Bengals 63-58 win. Atlanta vs. Carolina: Another head-scratcher. I think this game will hinge on the matchup between Sam Baker and Julius Peppers on Matt Ryan's blindside. Michael Turner's performance will be a bellwether for this game, and I'm betting he comes up big. I want to give it to Carolina, but they had a better road record (5-3) last year than they did at home (2-6). I blame that super-annoying Panther growl that they play after every first down. Falcons by 5, I'm going out on a limb here ... Buffalo vs. St. Louis: This would be the biggest upset of the year. Emphasis on "would be." Seriously though, Roscoe Parrish's injury is a huge loss for this team. He's their home run hitter. Buffalo by somewhere between 20 and 80. San Diego vs. Oakland: I'm tempted to contemplate this game, but I really shouldn't. no matter how close it is, I can't see Oakland winning this game. San Diego needs it for momentum, and Philip Rivers is playing at such a high level. Plus, how much confidence can you put in the Raiders right now? The franchise is a travesty. Chargers by ten. Washington vs. Dallas: If I go with Washington I know I'll be the only one, and the team is too much of a chronic underperformer to buy stock in them now. I'm looking at their defense and trying to identify one player Dallas will have a problem with, and I can't find him. This team could sure use Sean Taylor, he was about to reach the Polamalu-Sanders level of safety, and they still look lost in the secondary without him. Cowboys by fifteen. Philadelphia vs. Chicago: What does it mean when the injury listed on the report is "rest," and it announces that the player missed practice for a non-injury related reason. So if they aren't injured, why do they need rest? Are the Bears that bushed after three weeks? We're talking major players like Mike Brown and Brian Urlacher. I don't think it speaks much to their conditioning. On the flipside, I'm giving Westbrook and McNabb the benefit of the doubt regarding their injuries. I'll be watching closely to see how effective they are Sunday night. Eagles by ten or less. Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh: I'm torn on this. Pittsburgh's the better team and they're at home, but they're missing players. They lost twice last year at home, and both times were to the Jaguars. Could they be sitting players looking ahead to the Jags next week? That would be foolish, and by the same token I think the Ravens sat Kelly Gregg to make sure he was healthy for this game. I don't think the Steelers will be able to run the ball, and they aren't equipped to withstand a Ravens pass rush. i don't think Baltimore will score much, but they'll win solely because they win the turnover battle. Ravens win, 6-3. I'll gather together the B.W.B. league's picks and post them side by side either tomorrow or Saturday. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:32:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/339033 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/339033 Every time the Giants win the Super Bowl the next years winner is the Redskins!!! Let me show you: Super Bowl XXI = Giants, Super Bowl XXII = Redskins!!! Super Bowl XXV = Giants, Super Bowl XXVI = Redskins!!! Super Bowl XLII = Giants, Super Bowl XLIII = ??? That said possibly the Redskins could continue that streak! who knows? right now they have a 1 in 32 chance of winning the Super Bowl because their are 32 NFL teams and they're 1 of them!!! A few more reasons: Get them here: http://blog.ingamenow.com/2008/09/09/why-the-redskins-will-win-super-bowl-xliii/ Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:58:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/330429 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/330429 Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:45:13 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299815 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299815 Just sit back an watch a talent that was taken from us way to soon. RIP SEAN TAYLOR Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:38:42 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299358 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/299358 Jason Taylor's presence will create some awkward moments in Washington, but it's nothing he can help...lest he change his name. Very curious to see the Yard's opinion on this matter. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:02:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295473 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295473 Just moments after the Washington Redskins announced a deal bringing Justin Taylor to fit into their defensive puzzle left depleted by a surprisingly early barage of injuries, AP Sports writer Howard Fendrich commented on how there is still a missing piece of that puzzle ever present in DC. I propose this to the 'Skins: Sean Taylor's sudden tragedy is impossible to recover from, but perhaps a new Taylor in the house can at least help the team out in more ways than mere defensive improvements? Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:22:40 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292944 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292944 Dan Snyder's baby failed again. Well, depending on what your expectations were. The Washington Redskins finished 2007 with a 9-7 mark, and then quickly forgot to show up in the playoffs, exiting before anyone could notice they were there. Bye bye Joe Gibbs, welcome Jim Zorn. Who? Zorn comes from the Seattle Seahawks, where he resided as quarterbacks' coach for the past several years, and evidently Snyder was impressed enough with the 35 points Seattle dropped on his team to offer Zorn a job. What was there to like in 2007 fantasy wise from this squad? Not a ton, honestly. Clinton Portis was a great value for where he was taken in many drafts, providing a strong season of 1262 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Perhaps more impressive was the... Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:57:36 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/288963 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/288963 The NFC East is of course one of the toughest divisions in football. Along with the AFC South it has to be named the most competitive division in the NFL. This is always a topic of discussion so here is how I see it. 1. Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles finished 4th last year at 8-8. The year prior they finished 10-6 and taking the division. So consistency is really the question here. Can the Eagles reclaim the division? Well I see them doing just that. Many will disagree but you cannot count out that they have been the favorite in this division since the McNabb era started. This year they will go for not only the NFC East, but the Superbowl. Strengths: The Eagles have great lines on both sides of the ball. Trent Cole leading the way on defense and the strong tackles Jon Runyan and William Thomas have been playing with Donovan McNabb his whole career. Not to forget Shawn Andrews who has emerged as one of the best linemen in the NFL. Opponents must consider Brian Westbrook as the most lethal weapon in the NFL out of the backfield or from the slot. The Eagles have made a statement in free agency this year and really had the best offseason in the division. Picking up Cornerback Asante Samuel on the first day and Defensive End Chris Clemons on the second day plus many more, they are hinting they want it all this year. With a healthy McNabb, they should be clicking all year long. Weaknesses: The Eagles have always been known as a pass happy team. Andy Reid and company have been trying to balance out their offense for the past few years but obviously this team operates through the air. So it is like they live by the pass, die by the pass. It makes them one dimensional if they don't make an attempt to establish a run game early. Injuries have hurt this team as well. Brian Dawkins, Lito Sheppard, and Donovan McNabb have all suffered injuries over the past few years. If the leaders on this team cannot stay healthy, it will not be a successful year. Question Marks: Offensive consistency. Can this team score in the red zone? Can this team march down the field when they need to and win games? Can the offensive click and make big plays? Turnovers and field position. Can this team create turnovers? Can the defense score off turnovers? Can the special teams get field position for the offense? 2. Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys have a high powered offense. We all know that. Quarterback Tony Romo has many weapons through the air and on the ground no mercy back Marion Barber runs with heart and power. The flashy superstar Terrell Owens is out to get his ring and after the water works last season in a press conference following the playoff loss against the Giants. He wants to make sure secondaries are the ones crying while he's running past them. Rookies like Felix Jones and Mike Jenkins look to make an impact as do new additions Adam Jones (formerly known as Pacman) and Zach Thomas. Strengths: Offensive firepower is what carries this team. Tony Romo passing to Terrell Owens and Jason Witten is torture to defenses. Romo threw for 35 touchdowns last season and looks to match that this upcoming season and show every doubter he is the real deal. Marion Barber and Felix Jones should be a fun duo to watch out of the backfield. With Jason Garrett calling the plays, Dallas can look forward to a very successful offense in 2008. Terence Newman and Demarcus Ware lead the Cowboys defensive unit which can create big plays. Weaknesses: The Cowboys don't have many weaknesses on offense. I would have to say the biggest weakness on offense is the 2nd and 3rd receivers. Patrick Crayton has showed flashes but not enough to be that solid number two receiver playing across from Owens. Terry Glenn was great next to Owens but has been rattled with injury the last few years. The biggest weakness on the Cowboys is their defense. They have a few good players but overall they are average. The secondary is the biggest weakness on the defense. Roy Williams is not a cover safety and big passes can be completed against this secondary. Newman received star status by many last year but I believe he is a bit overrated. He only had 4 interceptions last year. Not mind boggling, he is just an average corner who was given a huge contract. Newman will have to prove himself to me this season if he wants to earn my respect. Question Marks: Rookie impact. Can Felix Jones be the answer to Julius Jones' departure? Can Mike Jenkins hold his own at cornerback when given the opportunity? Will these two first round picks even get on the field? Offensive chemistry, drama free. Will Terrell Owens open his mouth and say the wrong thing this year? Can celebrity Quarterback Tony Romo keep his love life out of the media? Will disgruntled safety Roy Williams restart talks of a trade? 3. New York Giants: The Giants shocked the football world. No, scratch that. They shocked the entire universe! Beating the odds and the Patriots, they went on to win the Superbowl. The Giants showed everyone that defense wins championships. The Giants are anchored by their defensive line and high motor defensive ends. Eli Manning took a big step on the maturity level and drove the team down the field to score the winning touchdown. Plaxico Burress also has a lot to do with the Giants offensive success, and don't forget about the two headed monster of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. Strengths: The defensive ends of the NY Giants are Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck. Two players who never stop hustling on the football field. These two knocked around Tom Brady all game and really ruined the Patriots offensive gameplan. The Giants defense can really change games and help them win. The offense can be lethal at times with Plaxico Burress, the 6'5 receiver, at full health. Burress played all last year with a nagging ankle injury, never practicing. Jacobs, the big back, can run through defensive lines and score easily in the red zone. Weaknesses: The Giants lost three key defensive starters. Michael Strahan's recent retirement was the biggest loss. Strahan is a Hall of Famer and a legend to the Giants. Safety Gibril Wilson and Linebacker Kawika Mitchell were both signed as free agents by other teams. These players will be missed on the field next season as they all contributed heavily to the Superbowl run and win put together by the team. Eli Manning also still has lots of work to do. He has matured a lot over his career but still struggles at points in the regular season. He threw a league leading 20 interceptions. He has to be more consistent for this team to move up in the division. Question Marks: Overcoming losses on defense. Can the team move on without the leadership of Michael Strahan? Can the linebacking corps remain solid without Kawika Mitchell? How will the secondary react to the loss of Gibril Wilson, a young rising star? Quarterback consistency. Will Eli Manning return with a swagger? Can Manning keep his interception total down? Will Manning be able to live up to the star status he earned from "The Drive"? 4. Washington Redskins: The hard-nosed defense overcame the loss of Sean Taylor. The tragedy which took place midseason, Taylor was attacked in his home and died in the hospital, did not stop the Redskins from marching into the playoffs on the shoulders of backup Quarterback Todd Collins. Much like the Eagles 2006 run to the playoffs powered by Jeff Garcia, Jason Campbell was injured and veteran Todd Collins came in and took the team into the postseason. It should have been very motivating to be in the playoffs but the team fell short to Seattle in the first round. Joe Gibbs retired after the season was over and Jim Zorn was hired to coach the team. Strengths: The Redskins are a hustle team. The defense is made up of players who just play with pride. They want to win more than anything and they show it on the field. The offense has many weapons from Clinton Portis to Santana Moss to Chris Cooley. Many players who can hurt a defense in many different ways. Rookies Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas will try to win starting jobs at wide receiver in 2008. The Redskins offense is built around speed. Guys like Antwaan Randle El, Ladell Betts, Santana Moss, and Clinton Portis fly around the field to make plays. The Redskins have a solid offense and defense looking to improve next year in consistency. Weaknesses: The Redskins took a shot in the dark when they hired new head coach Jim Zorn. He was the quarterback coach of the Seattle Seahawks in 2007 and he has no experience as a head coach. This can make a huge difference on a team, especially a young one. The Redskins have not seen consistent play from their young quarterback, Jason Campbell. He has to improve his consistency and stay healthy to make an impact in the 2008 season. The defensive side of the ball has to all come together and play like they did at the end of 2007. The Redskins have to unite as a defense to win because they really do not have any standout leaders on that side of the ball. If they cannot play as one, the outcome could be brutal. Question Marks: Defensive leadership. Will the young defense be able to overcome the passing of team leader Sean Taylor? Can they play together as one unit and make plays? Can a young player step up and take charge of this defense? Coaching staff. Will Jim Zorn be able to productively coach this young team? With no experience, will Zorn know how to handle the emotions of this football team? We have seen frauds like Nick Saban and Bobby Petrino, will Zorn be one of them? Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:58:27 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283735 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/283735 To all my skins fans, Sean Taylor fans and fans of the players that risk injury, entertain us and help us get through the weekend from Sept. - Jan/Feb - I ask that question: Does Sean Taylor belong in the FedEx field Ring of Honor? Lets not forget about S.Taylor! Your thoughts? Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:27:44 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276292 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/276292 MIAMI -- Prosecutors in Miami say a fifth person has been charged in the slaying of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor. Miami-Dade County State Attorney's Office spokesman Ed Griffith says Wednesday that 16-year-old Timothy Brown is charged with first-degree murder. He is also charged with armed burglary of an occupied dwelling. Griffith says Brown does not yet have an attorney on record with the prosecutor's office. Taylor died of massive blood loss after he was shot at his Miami-area home during a botched robbery in November. The 24-year-old safety had made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and 2007. Brown is being held in Lee County. It's not immediately known when he'll be transferred to Miami-Dade County to face the charge. Wed, 14 May 2008 19:26:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267076 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/267076 From the article: "Prosecutors in the murder case of NFL star Sean Taylor will not seek the death penalty. By virtue of the state waiving the death penalty in the case, the suspects all have escaped the electric chair if convicted. Their attorneys received notification via certified mail late Friday. If convicted of first-degree murder, the suspects' fate is now sealed. They will receive life in prison without parole, according to state law. Mon, 12 May 2008 10:43:57 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266006 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266006 Kenny Phillips never played football with Sean Taylor. And even though they were both safeties at the University of Miami, they'd never met. Yet there was a bond between them. And when Taylor was murdered last November, Phillips felt a loss. "It touched all of us," Phillips said. "We are a big family down there at the University of Miami. He was our brother and when we lost someone we were really sad." That's why when Phillips, the Giants' first-round draft pick, took the field for the Giants' rookie mini-camp this weekend, he was wearing No. 21. That may have been Tiki Barber's old number with the Giants, but it was also the number Taylor wore with the Washington Redskins. The 21-year-old Phillips said he's wearing it "out of respect" to him. "He was a guy who my whole career, even in high school, I had pictures of him in my locker," Phillips said. "I wanted to get a chance to meet him, and I never did. I watch him on film and he was just an exceptional athlete. The plays he made were crazy. I just wanted to pay my respects by having his number and trying to live up to that." Of course, as a Miami safety, Phillips has a lot of expectations to live up to. Taylor was just 24 when he was shot on Nov. 27 and was only just beginning to come into his own as an NFL player. Ed Reed, another Miami safety, became a Pro Bowler in Baltimore. And Brandon Meriweather, yet another Miami safety, was a first-round draft pick last year. Miami has been a pipeline to the NFL for years. When the Giants took Phillips with the last pick of the first round in April, it marked the 14th straight year at least one Hurricane had been taken in Round 1. The safeties have been particularly good in recent years. They've set the bar pretty high for Phillips. "Of course anytime you think of the safeties from Miami you think about the late Sean Taylor, Ed Reed, Benny Blades, and Brandon Meriwether, and of course you want to live up to that tradition," Phillips said. "They all have been doing well and they did well in college and went to the league. I don't want to say there is any pressure because in the end I can only be myself." The Giants expect Phillips to compete for a starting job quickly, especially since they lost Gibril Wilson to free agency in March. One safety spot seems to have been secured by the signing of veteran Sammy Knight. The other is currently held by James Butler, a third-year pro who was up and down last season. And the only other safety in the picture is Michael Johnson, a seventh-round pick from last year. That would seem to leave a door open for Phillips, especially if he's as good as Miami safeties usually are. "With (Wilson) leaving they are definitely looking to fill a void," Phillips said. "There are already a few guys on the team that are capable of doing that so I am just trying to come in and compete and hopefully I can win a starting job." If he did, he'd prove to be a worthy heir to the Hurricane alumni sprinkled throughout the NFL. Those ex-'Canes, though, warned him not to worry too much about that legacy. They all have a healthy respect for their tradition, but they advised Phillips to just go out and do what he does best. "They were just basically telling me that I already know how to play football, so don't worry about it," he said. "It's not going to be much faster or much different. You can play ball so just come in and be yourself and it will work out for you." Mon, 12 May 2008 06:19:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265927 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265927 Even though I'm a HUGE Eagles fan, the passing of Sean Taylor felt as though a part of "me" was gone as well. I felt bad for his family, friends, teamates, and the NFL in general because they had lost a rising star. Another senseless act of violence that has taken one of our "own" far too soon. A sad day indeed. And to Philips: Nice homage to a player that will be missed. RIP Sean Taylor http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/ny-spgiants0510,0,4294640.story?track=rss Fri, 09 May 2008 21:54:46 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265366 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/265366 GOOD!!!!!!!! lets serve up some justice now for him & his familia!!! A Miami judge will not free one of the suspects in the killing of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor. Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy denied the bail request made by 20-year-old Jason Scott Mitchell. Mitchell and three others from Lee County are charged with first-degree murder in the November shooting death of Taylor during a botched burglary at his Miami home. Murphy ruled Friday that Mitchell was likely to flee prosecution and might commit more crimes if released. The ruling came after Mitchell's mother appealed to the judge to let him out pending trial. Trial in the case is set for Aug. 25. Prosecutors have not yet said whether they will seek the death penalty. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:24:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/257406 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/257406 Madden sounds like there making some pretty exciting improvements. -User Controlled Celebrations, sounds fun -OFFENSIVE LINE, that was much needed, i was tired of being sacked every other play online - New improved weather graphics - New announcers finally that raddio guy sucked -better uniforms -field goal nets -new game modes, hopefully the return of situation mode -saving replays which is one thing i missed -fixed glitches -COVER STAR ANNOUNCED 4/25 keep your eye out 4 that Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:53:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/254365 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/254365