The Redskin Report

Like the Washington Redskins today, its time to get back to work. Here are just a few thoughts going through my head a day after the darkest moment in Redskins history:

• A 24 year old man was killed yesterday leaving behind a young daughter to live her life without her father and some columnists have decided to take the opportunity to bash Taylor’s lifestyle and basically call his murder inevitable. Putting aside the fact that these SPORTS reporters are about as qualified as a brick wall to analyze someone’s life, now is not the time to write this drivel. For all I know Taylor could have been some gang banger in Florida, but the facts that we do have don’t match with this ‘thug’ label Taylor’s been given. His drunk driving charges were DROPPED and as much as everyone wanted to make a big deal about Taylor missing the NFL rookie symposium, I’m pretty sure that skipping a ‘drugs are bad’ conference isn’t a criminal offense. Obviously the ATV incident isn’t indicative of a guy who’s a saint, but he was going after some guys who he thought stole from him. He wasn’t randomly attacking people, arresting for multiple gun offenses or ‘making it rain’ in strip clubs. This super thug was such a bad ass that he didn’t have a gun in his house after being order not to have one by the courts after the ATV incident. It all doesn’t add up to present Taylor as some super thug who got what was coming for him. I know columnists have to put up something about this incident, but have a little class and wait a few days for facts to come in and the wounds to heal a bit before giving your character attacks on a murder victim.
• There is no coach I’d rather have than Joe Gibbs right now. He may not be the same great football mind he was in his 1st tenure, but if anyone can help the players get through this its Gibbs. I’m not saying that the Redskins are going to be able to shake this off and rally to the playoffs, but they should be able to stick together as a unit under Gibbs leadership.
• The Redskins have set up an address for cards to be sent in condolence to Taylor and his family - Sean Taylor c/o Washington Redskins, 21300 Redskin Park Drive, Ashburn, VA 20147. I know people have thought of setting up something to help support Taylor’s young daughter, but I’d lean more toward donating to a charity of your choosing in Sean’s memory if you feel the desire to do something.
• I was surprised to hear that Sean’s father was at Redskin Park today to address the team. Its been reported that he was quite moving and told the team to fight on and play hard. He lost his own son yesterday and he still gives time to console and address the team, Pedro Taylor is obviously quite a guy.

UPDATE: Skin Patrol at Hogs Haven expands on my 1st point regarding Taylor and the media coverage. A very good read.