Mike Taylor looks to get NFL dream back on track in Seattle

Schneider followed him through his career as a four-year starting linebacker for the Badgers and was impressed by how Taylor gritted through the core muscle injury. He knew that decision to play through the injury cost Taylor once the season was over.

“He played against my nephews, so I’d known about him for a long time,” Schneider said at last month’s scouting combine. “I felt really bad for him in college. He tore his ACL and everything. He’s a heck of a college football player. Very productive. Unfortunately what happened to him last year he wasn’t able to participate in the event here at the combine. I just always liked him. Fast. Tough guy.”

The Seahawks tried out Taylor in mid-October before bringing him back Dec. 11. His week in Seattle allowed him to start diving into the playbook and get a taste of an NFL practice.

Taylor isn’t sure where he’ll play in Seattle, but an NFL source indicated earlier this offseason that the Seahawks’ plan is to try him at weak-side linebacker. They even gave him a $5,000 signing bonus, which typically are reserved more for undrafted rookies than street free agents.

“It gave me some confidence to just go in there and just play football,” Taylor said. “At that point, it was over a year since I put a helmet on or played football. When I was there playing football, you find out that even though it’s been over a year, you still know what to do. You still rely on your instincts and mostly just gain that confidence to realize you can do this. You’re there for a reason.”

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mikeak":1gl3my5a said:

Good stuff but one thing on the $5,000. Considering the minimal impact that will have I am not above this FO just giving him that because they want to be nice to the kid. Don't get me wrong - they think he can compete but $5,000 / $0 doesn't really matter to the team

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Pandion Haliaetus":1gg46sxk said:

He was also the only futures contract player to get a 3 year deal. They obviously believe in him and his potential.

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