5 years later...
 

It's crazy to think its been 5 years since ST was taken away from us as fans and more importantly from his family as a son, father, and potential husband. I don't think we'll ever see a player with his combination of talents and his give everything possible on the field mentality. We will always wonder what could have been, but at least we were treated first hand to his talents for 3 & 1/2 years. We will always remember you Sean.

[url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/sean-taylor-five-years-after-his-death-so-many-questions-unanswered/2012/11/26/47b83002-3820-11e2-8a97-363b0f9a0ab3_story.html]Sean Taylor: Five years after his death, so many questions unanswered - The Washington Post[/url]

Re: 5 years later...
 

5 years already... such a shame.

Re: 5 years later...
 

Great interview here with his father

[url=http://www.thehogs.net/content/index.php?id=1405]Washington Redskins News - Remembering Sean Taylor - A Father's Retrospective - 2012-11-27[/url]

RIP21

Also, just a quick note here. I know there are many of you who like to point out that he's already been dead five years, he didn't even play that long for us, can we just get over it and move on already, etc....just for today at least, keep those thoughts to yourself.

Re: 5 years later...
 

It doesn't seem that long. Hopefully his family has found some peace with the passage of time. When I attended games between 2004-2006, my end zone seats were the perfect vantage point to see Sean's reign over the middle of the field. Gregg Williams usually positioned him about 20 yards off the line of scrimmage, so when he flew up to apply a hit on a short pass or a run, #21 was something to behold. Watching games on TV didn't give viewers a perspective of how much ground he could cover. I'm glad to have seen it firsthand at the 9-10 games that I saw Sean play at FedEx.

Re: 5 years later...
 

I remember that day as if it was a few months ago..Felt like I had lost a relative. Still very sad. Hell of a player. We could use him right now. Love reading that his father is doing good and staying in touch with the redskins organization.

Re: 5 years later...
 

It sucks for fans because we missed out on seeing someone who was in line to change the game. He was that good. I don't know how the last five years would have played out but remember this...how we all feel watching RGIII play right now...that's what we felt when ST was out there ballin'. At least for me it is.

Re: 5 years later...
 

[quote=FRPLG;968122]It sucks for fans because we missed out on seeing someone who was in line to change the game. He was that good. I don't know how the last five years would have played out but remember this...how we all feel watching RGIII play right now...that's what we felt when ST was out there ballin'. At least for me it is.[/quote]

This. Exactly.

Re: 5 years later...
 

[url=http://news.fredericksburg.com/redskinsjournal/2012/11/27/five-years-after-his-death-sean-taylor-remains-in-santana-moss-thoughts/]Five Years After His Death, Sean Taylor Remains In Santana Moss’ Thoughts - Redskins Journal[/url]

Re: 5 years later...
 

Still miss that guy, and this franchise really does too. Was such a presence on the field, and sucks to think what could have been. RIP 21.

Still remember when I got to meet Sean before the Bucs/Skins in 2005 (he was hurt) and we had sideline passes... my buddy had his rookie jersey on and he came up to us (I was afraid to go up to him) and just said "hey whats up, I'm Sean", talked to us for 2-3 minutes and just such an awesome experience and made the whole thing so much sadder.

Re: 5 years later...
 

Yeah, it's kind of hard to "just get over it", because Sean Taylor was THAT special of a player. I know he didn't play very long for the Redskins, but it didn't take THAT long to realize he would have been one of the greats of the game.

Re: 5 years later...
 

[quote=SmootSmack;968110]Great interview here with his father

[URL="http://www.thehogs.net/content/index.php?id=1405"]Washington Redskins News - Remembering Sean Taylor - A Father's Retrospective - 2012-11-27[/URL]

RIP21

Also, just a quick note here. I know there are many of you who like to point out that he's already been dead five years, he didn't even play that long for us, can we just get over it and move on already, etc....just for today at least, keep those thoughts to yourself.[/quote]

well said.

Re: 5 years later...
 

[quote=CultBrennan59;968118]I remember that day as if it was a few months ago..Felt like I had lost a relative. Still very sad. Hell of a player. We could use him right now. Love reading that his father is doing good and staying in touch with the redskins organization.[/quote]

Me too, I remember going to sleep hopping he would be ok, not even play again, just to be ok, then waking up (on my birthday) to a note that my roomate slid under my door that said...

"We lost Taylor, he didn't make it."

It was a very sad birthday that year let me tell you.

I hat to do it to you Warpath.... but just think of all our secondary woes, and how they would be if he were still in the game, assuming we didn't trade him anywhere and he didn't leave as a FA. Oh well to the what if's, now we need to find a guy who's just half as good and we will be set.

Re: 5 years later...
 

[url=http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8677693&categoryid=2459789]Remembering Sean Taylor - ESPN Video - ESPN[/url]

Re: 5 years later...
 

I really think that Taylor would have been the next Ronnie Lott. It's stragne that he was so loved by so many yet never talked to the media. It's like he had this cult following. Anyhow he's missed, on and off the field. Such a shame his daughter will never get to know her father.

Re: 5 years later...
 

sad indeed, i remember after hearing what happened, thinking "i wonder if he'll ever play again? who cares, just survive."

my all time favorite sean taylor moment was when he sealed the deal in dallas on mnf. he popped that receiver so hard. man, he was absolutely awesome

30+ minutes right here

[YT]Ko1iFkz11xg[/YT]

Re: 5 years later...
 

I just remember the shock of waking up that morning and seeing the headline here that he had died. It just didn't seem real.

Re: 5 years later...
 

Insanely classy tweet:

@RGIII: Never got the chance to meet Sean Taylor, but his legacy is embedded in our franchise. Because of that...We play with him every game

Re: 5 years later...
 

Sean Taylor was the best ever. Better than Ronnie Lott and certainly better than Jack Tatum and all of the legendary safeties that has played this game. He will always be missed by me. When Victor Cruz caught that 77 yard TD pass from Manning in week 7, Sean Taylor was the first thing I thought about. Because if Sean Taylor was back there then that play doesn't happen.

RIP #21

Re: 5 years later...
 

Rip 21 st "beast".

Re: 5 years later...
 

I can't say he was the best ever. But I am pretty damn sure he would have been.

Re: 5 years later...
 

Man ESPN just showed the Sean Taylor video interviewing Santana moss crying. Man I almost lost it. So sad.

Re: 5 years later...
 

[quote=FRPLG;968269]I can't say he was the best ever. But I am pretty damn sure he would have been.[/quote]

A free safety with 12 career interceptions in 4 seasons. If Taylor plays 12 or 13 years, that's an average of 36 INTs which is unprecedented for a free safety and without a doubt a exclamation point on a HOF career.

Re: 5 years later...
 

[quote=REDSKINS4ever;968288]A free safety with 12 career interceptions in 4 seasons. If Taylor plays 12 or 13 years, that's an average of 36 INTs which is unprecedented for a free safety and without a doubt a exclamation point on a HOF career.[/quote]...ed reed

...darren sharper

i think those guys only played fs

Re: 5 years later...
 

Still get choked up to this day. While it is hard not to think of what may have been on the football field, in the grand scheme of things a family and especially a young daughter lost her father. That is the ultimate tragedy.

Re: 5 years later...
 

Sean Taylor was the best safety in football period. It is tragic what happened to him and how it effected those close to him. I used to love watching him.... RIP Sean. We love and miss you..

Re: 5 years later...
 

[quote=SmootSmack;968110]Great interview here with his father

[URL="http://www.thehogs.net/content/index.php?id=1405"]Washington Redskins News - Remembering Sean Taylor - A Father's Retrospective - 2012-11-27[/URL]

RIP21

Also, just a quick note here. I know there are many of you who like to point out that he's already been dead five years, he didn't even play that long for us, can we just get over it and move on already, etc[B]....just for today at least, keep those thoughts to yourself[/B].[/quote]

Done.

What's even worse though is the trial has not even taken place yet for the actual shooter. All the others pled guilty I think and this idiot can't even get his trial over with and sent to prison.

Re: 5 years later...
 

[quote=Mattyk;968218]I just remember the shock of waking up that morning and seeing the headline here that he had died. It just didn't seem real.[/quote]

Same here. It's very hard to remember particular moments but I think I have a pretty good recollection of where I was and how I found out about Sean Taylor getting shot. ESPN.com followed by soon after tuning into NFL Network and logging on here to see any links to new developments. Now that I think about it I don't really remember much about when I first heard he officially passed away, just more the news about him being in critical condition and hoping he would pull through.

What I remember even more vividly is the Bears game, or rather not being able to watch the Bears game and being quite pissed about it. You can see my constructive criticism of NFL Networks blackout policy here:
[url]http://www.thewarpath.net/redskins-locker-room/21271-official-redskins-vs-bears-game-thread.html[/url]

Also while I was searching for that thread I found this one:
[url]http://www.thewarpath.net/redskins-locker-room/15473-feelings-adam-archuleta-can-he-cover.html[/url]

Nothing in particular just laughed when I saw the thread title.

Re: 5 years later...
 

5 years later and the case won't even go to trial until 5 1/2 years minimum? I want to see these guys punished so we can finally have some closure.

I still miss him. Especially when you see Madieu Williams/Reed Doughty/Kareem Moore/Laron Landry/etc. whiff on a tackle, or just give up a big play, or even drop an interception. The first half of the 2007 season I felt things had come together completely for him. He had 5 picks in 7 games, was all over the field making plays, and never gave up a big play for a touchdown in any of those games. It was just like everything clicked, and we were witnessing his transformation into something great.

Hands down my favorite player from those Gibbs teams. And it's not just his loss on the field that's hurt. When he became a dad I really felt his mentality changed in a great way. I can't imagine we're hurting as bad as his daughter and Jackie Garcia are right now. I can only hope that the trial will eventually bring some closure to this. One thing's for sure though, heaven doesn't need a free safety. R.I.P.

Re: 5 years later...
 

[quote=REDSKINS4ever;968223]Sean Taylor was the best ever. Better than Ronnie Lott and certainly better than Jack Tatum and all of the legendary safeties that has played this game. He will always be missed by me. When Victor Cruz caught that 77 yard TD pass from Manning in week 7, Sean Taylor was the first thing I thought about. Because if Sean Taylor was back there then that play doesn't happen.

RIP #21[/quote]

I don't know about that. What I remember about Taylor is he was just as good as advertised during his rookie year and though he was a little inconsistent in 2005 he still played a major role in getting that team to the playoffs (Eagles game anybody?).

2006 he was getting very similar criticism to that of Landry in recent years (ie trouble covering, more concerned with going for the big hit, mental mistakes, etc) then again his partner in crime was Archuleta so on second thought maybe not so much his fault.

2007 I'm tempted to say that people might look back on it with rose colored glasses but through 9 games he had a new career high in INT's and was one deflection away from tying a career high in that category.

The thing I feel confident in saying about Taylor is there has never been a better physical specimen to play safety in league history.

Re: 5 years later...
 

I think about the interview Sean gave not long before the break-in, and he talked about not fearing death. I believed/believe it. Sean always lived in/for the moment, which I admire. Some say it can get you into trouble, and maybe so but we all heard when his little girl was born Sean became the (good) man he was meant to be. He was well on his way to becoming arguably the greatest safety in football, but that seems to matter less with time.

Re: 5 years later...
 

ESPN did a nice piece...about 10 minutes worth this afternoon on the life and death of ST. Good int's with #47, Santana, some players from the U.....Definitely cool stuff. Made me a little misty eyed for sure.....
They said the trial is tentatively scheduled to begin this April....maybe.
Wow....long time to wait.

[QUOTE=Hog1;968356]ESPN did a nice piece...about 10 minutes worth this afternoon on the life and death of ST. Good int's with #47, Santana, some players from the U.....Definitely cool stuff. Made me a little misty eyed for sure.....
They said the trial is tentatively scheduled to begin this April....maybe.
Wow....long time to wait.[/QUOTE]

Very good

Re: 5 years later...
 

It really doesn't seem like five years. Whenever I buy a new years Madden the first thing I do is make a one year older Sean Taylor and put him on the Skin's roster.

It amazes me that the trial for the gunman isn't until April 5th 2013. How long does his family have to wait for justice?

Re: 5 years later...
 

[quote=Dirtbag59;968326]Same here. It's very hard to remember particular moments but I think I have a pretty good recollection of where I was and how I found out about Sean Taylor getting shot. ESPN.com followed by soon after tuning into NFL Network and logging on here to see any links to new developments. Now that I think about it I don't really remember much about when I first heard he officially passed away, just more the news about him being in critical condition and hoping he would pull through.

What I remember even more vividly is the Bears game, or rather not being able to watch the Bears game and being quite pissed about it. You can see my constructive criticism of NFL Networks blackout policy here:
[URL]http://www.thewarpath.net/redskins-locker-room/21271-official-redskins-vs-bears-game-thread.html[/URL]

Also while I was searching for that thread I found this one:
[URL]http://www.thewarpath.net/redskins-locker-room/15473-feelings-adam-archuleta-can-he-cover.html[/URL]

Nothing in particular just laughed when I saw the thread title.[/quote]

remember those highway 57 jokes (talking about crappy defensive players).
or who was a better linebacker, warrick holdman or a trash can? (and the trash can was honestly much better... seriously, ESPN (or somebody) did a segment on it i think).

Re: 5 years later...
 

[quote=Dirtbag59;968326]Same here. It's very hard to remember particular moments but I think I have a pretty good recollection of where I was and how I found out about Sean Taylor getting shot. ESPN.com followed by soon after tuning into NFL Network and logging on here to see any links to new developments. Now that I think about it I don't really remember much about when I first heard he officially passed away, just more the news about him being in critical condition and hoping he would pull through.

What I remember even more vividly is the Bears game, or rather not being able to watch the Bears game and being quite pissed about it. You can see my constructive criticism of NFL Networks blackout policy here:
[url]http://www.thewarpath.net/redskins-locker-room/21271-official-redskins-vs-bears-game-thread.html[/url]

Also while I was searching for that thread I found this one:
[url]http://www.thewarpath.net/redskins-locker-room/15473-feelings-adam-archuleta-can-he-cover.html[/url]

Nothing in particular just laughed when I saw the thread title.[/quote]

Well, ESPN found out because of the Warpath. Specifically I think jdlea who I believe started the thread saying he'd been shot. I had come in to work early that morning. When I saw the thread I quickly emailed my NFL counterpart in my department and together we started reaching out to the news team (some of whom had separately just heard about it) and getting more details. I remember telling the mods mid day that he was basically dead but not all family knew yet so it was being kept secret. For a brief second it looked hopeful that evening but it wasn't meant to be

Re: 5 years later...
 

crazy that its been so long. they were talking about story's of sean yesterday and the dude was just an athletic freak. lavar was saying how sean would run to and from practice from his house, which was around 3 miles or so. i tend to think thats few and far between in the nfl.

most importantly like others have said it seemed as thought the birth of his daughter had really takin him to another level mentally. from the stories you hear it sounds like sean always got a bit of a bad rap from the media becuase he didnt talk that much. but when you hear stories of people who have met him he was super humble and an all around great dude. it's a real shame he is gone, and for such a senseless reason.

miss you bro, rip.

Re: 5 years later...
 

I didn't want to say this yesterday out of respect to the ST fans, but, I do want to mention/point out that we all agree that this team was clearly a game to 3 games better in wins with Sean on it right? Let me just say this, if Sean were alive, and we were winning a few more games, I don't think we'd have this amazing player right now in RG3..

Re: 5 years later...
 

[quote=CultBrennan59;968548]I didn't want to say this yesterday out of respect to the ST fans, but, I do want to mention/point out that we all agree that this team was clearly a game to 3 games better in wins with Sean on it right? Let me just say this, if Sean were alive, and we were winning a few more games, I don't think we'd have this amazing player right now in RG3..[/quote]

Who knows. We'll never know how anything would have played out. Hell maybe Gibbs doesn't retire and Shanny isn't even coach now. Maybe we're worse maybe we're better...al we know is it would be different.

Re: 5 years later...
 

... It's like Looper. Ha.

In all seriousness though- Sean Taylor was a phenomenal player that most football fans really couldn't or didn't want to fully appreciate. Darren Sharper paid tribute to him on nfl network last night by saying some good things - especially saying that even though Taylor was younger - he looked up to him and his playing style.

Re: 5 years later...
 

um, i think most football fans had no problems appreciating ST. he played on special teams his entire career and made a habit of getting in extra hits after the whistle. It REALLY got under TO's skin to. I don't think he ever had more than 60 yards in a game with ST in there.