Sean Taylor Tribute Week: The U

I don't think I remember the first time I saw him play at Miami but I remember why I noticed him. Who is this number 26 that hits harder than a Molotov cocktail? His Name was Sean Taylor and he did everything right on the football field. It was as if Sean was ordained from birth to play safety for some football team.

Taylor had prototype measurements when he was at the "The U" 6'3" 220 pounds. Furthermore, he was not one dimensional as some safety's are, he supported the run with the ferocity of a scorned woman, his pass coverage skills were awesome, he ran with the ball probably the best ever for a safety his size, and he would knock your ever-loving socks off if given the most minute opportunity. This was a man-crush at first sight. It did not help that Taylor adhered to the finest GQ standards with regards to his football wardrobe, rocking the orange visor, black spats, and signature elbow bands and taped fingers. Taylor was simply well put together from the mold which coaches wished their safety whether it be strong or free would come from. All the hoopla aside, what I really liked about Sean Taylor was the pure passion that he displayed when playing the game he loved. He never quit, always played it by his rules, and laid it all on the line time and time again. Moreover, Sean was always at his best in the big games versus FSU, Ohio State, Florida it did not matter Taylor always lit up on the field as much as he lit up fans faces with his awesome play.




Here is a rundown of his prolific college career:

Sean Taylor enrolled at the University of Miami in 2001 and, that year; he was one of just four true freshmen to play for Miami in the 2001 national championship season. He carved a niche for himself in Miami's secondary in nickel and dime defensive schemes. In 2001, Taylor was named "Big East Special Teams Player" of the Week for his performance against the University of Pittsburgh. The 2001 season also proved a hugely successful one for the Hurricanes, with the team winning its fifth national championship since 1983, making them the most successful college football team of the past three decades with more national championships than any other Division I program during this period.

2002 was supposed to be a tough year for Hurricane secondary. Miami lost three starters in the defensive backfield in the 2002 NFL draft, Ed Reed, Phillip Buchannon, and Mike Rumph. Sean stepped up to the challenge and was a second-team All-Big East selection by the league's head coaches in his first season as a starter. He finished third on the team in tackles with 85 (53 solo), broke up 15 passes, intercepted 4 passes, forced 1 fumble, blocked 1 kick, and returned a punt for a touchdown. He led all defensive backs in tackles, interceptions, and passes broken up, and had a career-high 11 tackles (2 solo) and intercepted 2 passes in the Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State University.

2003 was Taylor's final year at Miami; Taylor produced a historic season that culminated with a plethora of honors and awards. He was named a consensus First-Team All-American, the "Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year" and a finalist for the "Jim Thorpe Award" given to the nation's best defensive back. He led the Big East Conference and ranked first nationally in interceptions with 10, tying the record for interceptions in a season with former Hurricane standout Bennie Blades. He finished first in total tackles with 77 (57 solos). He intercepted two passes in Miami's impressive win over the University of Pittsburgh, playing a key role against Pittsburgh star receiver Larry Fitzgerald who was held to two receptions for 13 yards. He returned interceptions for an average of 18.4 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown return at Boston College, a 50-yard scoring return at Florida State University, and a 44-yard scoring return against Rutgers University. His three touchdown returns of interceptions are a Miami single-season record.

Taylor went on to a successful career in the NFL with the Washington Redskins, but I will always remember the college Sean Taylor in that orange visor pumping the crowd up just before he obliterated some tailback, wide receiver or grabbed a pick-six to the zone that helped spur his team to victory. 26 was a man amongst boys and you knew it when you saw him play his game.

RIP SEAN TAYLOR YOU WILL BE MISSED




Sincerely,


ONE OF YOUR TOP FANS