Decision Day For Jamar Taylor
Decision Day for Jamar Taylor
It’s not every day that you can wake up and say guess what I am a starting cornerback in the NFL. I am blessed to be playing a game that I love. The unfortunate truth is that no matter how much love you have for the game – it can be taken away from you in a matter of 60 minutes.
As the Miami Dolphins arrive in Denver for their match up this Sunday against the Broncos, reports are that it looks like their starting cornerback Cortland Finnegan will not suit up, as he is still bothered by an ankle injury suffered against the Detroit Lions. The Miami Dolphins drafted two prospects in the 2013 NFL draft, Jamar Taylor and Will Davis to step up in a situation just like this, unfortunately for Davis, his season ended this week as the team placed in him on the injured reserve list with a broken leg. Which by process of elimination leaves Jamar Taylor as the next man up.
Taylor is a unique prospect that showcased his skills into a second round draft selection. There were heavy expectations surrounding this prospect, however, his first season in the NFL was one to be forgotten as a hip injury caused battle scares that were physically and emotionally draining. Reports surfaced during the OTA this year that Taylor was contemplating retirement as this former starter at Boise State never dealt with not starting let alone not seeing the football field. By all accounts, it seemed like another wasted Miami Dolphin second round pick was being labelled to this prospect along with the bust stigma.
As the 2014 season has progressed an opportunity has presented itself for Taylor. Last week against the Buffalo Bills, Taylor shinned in his first official start of his career. The biggest stat that jumps out is that he didn’t allow a touchdown. Chris Hogan and Robert Woods were limited to less than 100 yards (89 to be exact) due to the performance of Taylor on the outside. This was definitely a confidence builder and a moral victory for Taylor that showcased that he can play in this league.
Now when the lights come on Sunday afternoon in Denver, Taylor will not be lining up against players like Woods or Hogan nor will he have to deal with the arm of Kyle Orton. If last Thursday game was a stepping stone for Taylor, this Sunday offers him a challenge that he will never forget….enter Peyton Manning and the fifth highest scoring team in the league. One thing that we all know about Peyton is that he loves his homework. Peyton will sit and watch tape and understand what the opposing defence will allow him to obtain.
We can 100% predict that the majority of first read plays will focus in on Jamar Taylor. Taylor counterpart Brent Grimes is arguably the best cornerback in the league right now, which has been demonstrated week after week, which puts the target on number 22.
The Miami Dolphins have to be realistic here. They cannot pretend to think that Taylor can be left on an island without over the top support. Kevin Coyle will have to roll his safeties to make up for weak spot that Manning will definitely try to isolate. By rolling Rashed Jones and Louis Delmas this will allow extra support for Taylor. However, Peyton doesn’t play nice. Peyton will quickly see the roll and attack the middle field where the safeties had to roll off from. What Taylor can do to limit the Safety roll is prove he can handle the task. Show the potential that everyone saw during his tenure at Boise State, prove too himself that can hang in this league, and more importantly against the best competition on the field.
Come Sunday at 4:25pm, it`s Decision Day. Jamar Taylor – are you up for the challenge?