Sean Taylor - What if...

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

It is a very bad mistake to give any player the false impression that any form of behavior is acceptable as long as he turns in a good performance on the field. I am not one who condones pre-madonas, and feel that performance on and off the field are of equal value.

I agree with this, to a point. The whole point of this thread was to determine whether you would BENCH Sean Taylor for missing these VOLUNTARY workouts.

I agree that you can't send the message that all behavior is acceptable as long as you perform well in games. But the question at hand is: exactly how bad has Sean Taylor's behavior been so far?

I say not that bad at all. He has not missed anything mandatory. He has not taken any shots at his QB or coaches, a la TO. All reports suggest he is working his ass off on his own. As long as he comes to mini-camp and training camp in shape, and he works hard there to improve himself, then benching him would be a MAJOR overreaction. It would just be plain stupid.

Now, in contract negotiations, that's where you send the message in my opinion. That's where you sit down and say, "hey, we here at the Washington Redskins reward people who work hard on a voluntary basis. We like players who are with us for all practices, voluntary or not." And you offer a contract accordingly. If Sean Taylor wants to be a part of voluntary sessions, then he'll earn the top dollars in his next contract. If not, then maybe he has a million or two shaved off of what he would have otherwise been offered. And if he walks, fine, he wouldn't have been a good fit for us so long as voluntary practices are that important to team chemistry in Gibbs' eyes.

But you don't bench him (unless he starts skipping mandatory practices). That's just plain moronic. Winning games is still the bottom line.

[PSUSkinsFan21]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

All reports suggest he is working his ass off on his own. As long as he comes to mini-camp and training camp in shape, and he works hard there to improve himself, then benching him would be a MAJOR overreaction. It would just be plain stupid.

I would actually love to see these reports. The only thing I've heard is that he's gone to Miami ONE DAY for a half court basketball game. I haven't heard from one credible source that's actually witnessed him "working his ass off".

And please don't cite Portis......of course he's going to say that about his boy.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by PSUSkinsFan21

I would actually love to see these reports. The only thing I've heard is that he's gone to Miami ONE DAY for a half court basketball game. I haven't heard from one credible source that's actually witnessed him "working his ass off".

And please don't cite Portis......of course he's going to say that about his boy.

OK, want a source? Here's you're daily dose of John Clayton...

From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET on weekdays, Hurricanes strength coach Andreu Swasey trains 17 to 20 players who could fill out a Pro Bowl roster.

Regulars include James, Shockey, Reggie Wayne of the Colts, Ed Reed of the Ravens, Duane Starks of the Patriots, Jonathan Vilma of the Jets, Javon Walker and Bubba Franks of the Packers, Plaxico Burress and William Joseph of the Giants, Jerome McDougle of the Eagles, Willis McGahee and Roscoe Parrish of the Bills, Clinton Portis, Santana Moss and Sean Taylor of the Redskins, and Antrel Rolle of the Cardinals.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...ohn&id=2057818

[PSUSkinsFan21]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

OK, want a source? Here's you're daily dose of John Clayton...

From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET on weekdays, Hurricanes strength coach Andreu Swasey trains 17 to 20 players who could fill out a Pro Bowl roster.

Regulars include James, Shockey, Reggie Wayne of the Colts, Ed Reed of the Ravens, Duane Starks of the Patriots, Jonathan Vilma of the Jets, Javon Walker and Bubba Franks of the Packers, Plaxico Burress and William Joseph of the Giants, Jerome McDougle of the Eagles, Willis McGahee and Roscoe Parrish of the Bills, Clinton Portis, Santana Moss and Sean Taylor of the Redskins, and Antrel Rolle of the Cardinals.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...ohn&id=2057818

Ahh yes, I've seen that article. It speaks in general terms of all the guys that have stopped by the facility, but this article specifically addresses what Swasey has said about Taylor:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7755392/

Please note: "Redskins running back Clinton Portis has shown up now and then, and defensive back Sean Taylor, who has skipped the team's recent workouts, made one appearance -- and only to play a game of half-court basketball, Miami strength coach Andreu Swasey said. Both are former Hurricanes."

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by PSUSkinsFan21

Ahh yes, I've seen that article. It speaks in general terms of all the guys that have stopped by the facility, but this article specifically addresses what Swasey has said about Taylor:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7755392/

Please note: "Redskins running back Clinton Portis has shown up now and then, and defensive back Sean Taylor, who has skipped the team's recent workouts, made one appearance -- and only to play a game of half-court basketball, Miami strength coach Andreu Swasey said. Both are former Hurricanes."

Good article. So imagine this scenario and answer THIS question:

Taylor continues to skip voluntary activities. He doesn't do any physical activity on his own at all. He shows up to minicamp and training camp out of shape. He works hard in those camps, and outplays all the other safeties vying for a starting job.

DO YOU BENCH HIM?

[PSUSkinsFan21]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Good article. So imagine this scenario and answer THIS question:

Taylor continues to skip voluntary activities. He doesn't do any physical activity on his own at all. He shows up to minicamp and training camp out of shape. He works hard in those camps, and outplays all the other safeties vying for a starting job.

DO YOU BENCH HIM?

Well, I don't know if I "bench" him, but I don't make him my starter. If I'm the coach (and obviously, I'm not), I send a message to everyone that starters are team guys who come to OTA's when they have no reason not to. Does he play in game 1? Of course. But he doesn't take the field as a starting safety on my team.