National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
A year after Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor’s death, NFL players are still living scared. And with good reason. There’s an interesting article in the 11.24 Dec 01 2008 ESPN Magazine that features seven current NFL players discussing their own concerns and experiences with crime and the issue of safety in their own lives — Clinton Portis, Ben Roethlisberger, Dunta Robinson, Kevin Mawae, Derrick Brooks, Branden Albert and Fred Taylor. In the “special report,” ESPN senior writer David Fleming writes:
“When asked about their fears, players cite the same frightening flashpoints: New Year’s Day 2007, when …read more

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Joe Gibbs retired (for the second time) as head coach of the Washington Redskins today. As he leaves the sidelines once again, I can’t think of a classier man who has served as head coach in the National Football League. He was everything that is good about the NFL.
I can’t say that I am surprised with this announcement, though, even with one year left on his five-year deal. Coach Gibbs is 67-years-old. He’s been through a very difficult season with the death of Sean Taylor. And his grandson is suffering from leukemia. He …read more

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The NFC’s hottest team almost found a way to pull this one out. Then reality hit. As quickly as the Washington Redskins had rallied to earn a one-point lead after being shut out in the first half, they let it slip away. Actually, the Seattle Seahawks took it away. Literally. Two late INT returns for touchdowns made the score look a bit lopsided, but most of this game was close. Still, the inspirational play of the ‘Skins for their fallen teammate, Sean Taylor, was over. And the Seahawks advanced in the NFC Playoffs …read more

Photo by Greg Trott/Getty Images
Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
The Dallas Cowboys placed a league-high 12 players on the NFC All-Star team. Among the players selected to the NFC squad was Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, who died last month. Sean received the most votes at his position and was chosen as the starting free safety for the NFC team. A replacement will be announced at a later date. Eleven NFC players will participate in their first Pro Bowl, including Minnesota Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson, who leads the NFC in rushing yards with 1,278.

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The Washington Redskins attended Sean Taylor’s funeral service at PharmEd Arena on the Florida International University campus today in west Miami-Dade County, FL. Here is a report from our friends at ESPN Video.

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I didn’t know what to expect from the Washington Redskins today. After a tumultuous week in which they lost one of their own (safety Sean Taylor was tragically killed earlier this week), it was anyone’s guess what the team’s performance would be like today against the Buffalo Bills.
The Redskins honored Sean before the game (as did every NFL stadium this weekend) and even left his starting safety spot vacant on the first defensive play. But at the end of a hard fought contest, the Skins would lose 17-16 after a double-time out …read more

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The Miami-Dade Police Department arrested four people today and charged them with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor. Police spokeswoman Linda O’Brien identified the men as: Venjah K. Hunte, 20; Eric Rivera Jr., 17; Jason Scott Mitchell, 17; and Charles Kendrick Lee Wardlow, 18. Apparently, the suspects weren’t expecting Sean to be home. Investigators believe the men learned of Sean’s house through someone who unwittingly set up the burglary by bragging about his wealth.
First off, these are kids. Well, kids in the sense they’re extremely young. …read more

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As the Washington Redskins try to come to terms with the shooting death of one of their own, safety Sean Taylor, Miami-Dade County police are saying there are no indications that Sean was specifically targeted or even knew his assailant. Apparently, one or more intruders entered the house and fired a shot at Sean after a confrontation inside the house. Arizona Cardinals cornerback Antrel Rolle, a former teammate of Sean’s at the University of Miami, feels diferently:
“This was not the first incident. They’ve been targeting him for three years now. He really didn’t …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
I am deeply saddened to report that Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor has died after being shot yesterday. He was 24-years-old. I can’t tell you how horrible I felt when I heard the news upon waking up this morning. My heart sank. Richard Sharpstein, Sean’s former lawyer and a friend of his family, said:
“His father called and said he was with Christ and he cried and thanked me. It’s a tremendously sad and unnecessary event. He was a wonderful, humble, talented young man, and had a huge life in front of him. Obviously …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor is in critical condition after he was shot during what police are investigating as a possible armed robbery at his home in suburban Miami, Florida earlier this morning. Sean had been inactive for the past two Redskins games with a sprained right knee and was at home recuperating. According to his former lawyer (and family friend) Richard Sharpstein, Sean is in the intensive care unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital following nearly six hours of surgery and “is clinging to life and we’re all praying he makes it.” He …read more