Darrell Taylor, why he struggled?

[toffee]

Can someone knows the game explain why Darrell Taylor struggled last season? Looked like he struggled against runs, and sort of developing into a situational rusher.

What went wrong?

 

[onanygivensunday]

I'm not an evaluator, but my perspective is he wasn't disciplined in maintaining the edge early in the season. His tendency was to rush up field and then get pushed outside by the tackle on a run play, basically running himself out of the play.

 

[bileever]

I think that Taylor suffered from the switch to the 3-4 defense. We just did not have the personnel to run that scheme effectively. Whether he was playing defensive end or outside linebacker, he had more run responsibility in the 3-4, and did not do well there. According to PFF, where he was 94th among edge defenders, he was particularly bad against the run, with a 39.9 rating. That put him in the bottom 3 or 4 of all players at his position. He was actually okay as a pass rusher, with a 73.4 rating, which puts him at about number 26th in that category.

 

[TwistedHusky]

I think he would do better on a team that does a better job of using a Wide 9.
But it looks like the switch to 3-4 also really hurt his effectiveness.

 

[Jville]

For me, Darrell Taylor's career start is reminiscent of the first two years of Frank Clark's career. This will be Taylor's 3rd year. So it remains to be seen if he will grow beyond that of a wide nine specialist. I'd like to think he could yet develop into a full time player.

 

[Rat]

I remember Schneider saying we would have taken him in the first round if Jordyn Brooks hadnt been there. Thank Jeebus they redeemed themselves for that draft last year.

 

[toffee]

Taylor didn't seem to have height, weight, or athleticism issues, to my untrained eyes, he just didn't look to be at the right place at the right time, could it be it's mostly skill or mindset problem?

 

[bsuhawk]

I think that Taylor suffered from the switch to the 3-4 defense. We just did not have the personnel to run that scheme effectively. Whether he was playing defensive end or outside linebacker, he had more run responsibility in the 3-4, and did not do well there. According to PFF, where he was 94th among edge defenders, he was particularly bad against the run, with a 39.9 rating. That put him in the bottom 3 or 4 of all players at his position. He was actually okay as a pass rusher, with a 73.4 rating, which puts him at about number 26th in that category.

The whole defense suffered from the switch to a 3-4, not just Taylor. I don't know if it was a problem learning the new scheme or if the players were physically unable to play a 3-4 (probably a bit of both). In Taylor's case, I think it was a problem understanding his responsibilities, especially when it comes to setting the edge against the run. For Poona Ford, I'm not sure he can physically do what's required of a 3-4 DE. I think the same is true about Quinton Jefferson.

 

[sutz]

The whole defense suffered from the switch to a 3-4, not just Taylor. I don't know if it was a problem learning the new scheme or if the players were physically unable to play a 3-4 (probably a bit of both). In Taylor's case, I think it was a problem understanding his responsibilities, especially when it comes to setting the edge against the run. For Poona Ford, I'm not sure he can physically do what's required of a 3-4 DE. I think the same is true about Quinton Jefferson.

TBH, Taylor's disappointing performance pre-dates 2022.

 

[Jerhawk]

My armchair analysis:

As previously stated, his inability to set the edge and rush way upfield took himself way out of the play.

He's overall not physically dominant, or even strong, for that matter. He had poor block shedding, and only one effective pass rush move: the speed rush.

He's very poor with his hands. He seems to use them primarily for dipping and getting low to the ground, which makes him an easy target to get pancaked and taken to the ground. He needs to develop either a spin move, bull rush, swim, something. Anything. He literally gets stood up and is unable to disengage when he's being blocked.

The scheme may have something to do with it. But his lack of strength, moves, and an overall low football IQ makes him a liability on 1st and 2nd down. If it's 3rd and long, he can probably make a play. Otherwise, he's better served on the sidelines.

 

[Fade]

Square peg, round hole. What else is new.

The Seahawks, talent wise are mid on defense in the front 7, but the coaches do such a horrible job of fitting things to their players in the front 7, it makes them look way worse than what they are.

Put Darrell Taylor on the Eagles and he would be amongst the league leaders in sacks, while being considered one of the best DEs in football.

On the Seahawks? He's considered a disapointment.

 

[toffee]

Square peg, round hole. What else is new.

The Seahawks, talent wise are mid on defense in the front 7, but the coaches do such a horrible job of fitting things to their players in the front 7, it makes them look way worse than what they are.

Put Darrell Taylor on the Eagles and he would be amongst the league leaders in sacks, while being considered one of the best DEs in football.

On the Seahawks? He's considered a disapointment.

Everytime I read your post, the conclusion is FIRE PETE and JODI or however you spells her name.

 

[Mase]

-- Yeah, let's give up on trying to rebuild a defense because it's too hard, takes too long and it makes Darrell Taylor look bad. Taylor is a one trick pony. He is an edge rusher, and a very good one, with low shoulders and bend. But I believe he prioritizes that upfield push to the detriment of all else. I don't think that it's a coincidence that although he was showing that pass rush early in the year, suddenly he wasn't getting as many snaps.

-- Maybe it was a business decision, as sacks = $$$. Or it was just what he was more comfortable doing. But simply put, learn your job, do your job, or move on.

Mase

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Square peg, round hole. What else is new.

The Seahawks, talent wise are mid on defense in the front 7, but the coaches do such a horrible job of fitting things to their players in the front 7, it makes them look way worse than what they are.

Put Darrell Taylor on the Eagles and he would be amongst the league leaders in sacks, while being considered one of the best DEs in football.

On the Seahawks? He's considered a disapointment.

Death, Taxes and Fade takes.............Pete is Satan. We get it already man.

 

[AROS]

I think he would do better on a team that does a better job of using a Wide 9.
But it looks like the switch to 3-4 also really hurt his effectiveness.

I assume by Wide 9 you guys mean everyone on the line minus two safeties back?

Sincerely,

Not an X's and O's Guy

 

[DarkVictory23]

I assume by Wide 9 you guys mean everyone on the line minus two safeties back?

Sincerely,

Not an X's and O's Guy

It basically means lining up your edge rusher very wide on the LOS to try and get a speed rush into the backfield. Think of it as the technique every beginning Madden player uses to try and get sacks.

 

[onanygivensunday]

Taylor lost snaps to Boye Mafe after the first three or four games because Taylor lost edge contain far too many times. Mafe did better containing the edge.

 

[AgentDib]

Taylor was well above average last year as a situational pass rusher. He started off as a complete liability against the run but did improve as the season went on. Other than week 15 against SF where he got pulled again he was decent over the last two months. His tackling has also improved steadily over time.

I would argue that if anything the "switch to a 3-4" should be favorable for a guy like Taylor who can win on speed but doesn't have enough physicality yet. You still need to tackle in a 4-3. Irvin had more solo tackles (31) in 2013 than any of our other front guys and he only played in 12 of 16 games.

Taylor needs to keep hitting the weight room and he needs more experience. It may never turn around for him and that happens to many, but there are also plenty of guys who have had made that step before. Crosby went from a liability like Taylor in 2020, to a decent run defender in 2021, to an absolute monster in 2022 where he led the entire NFL in solo tackles and was third in forced fumbles.

 

[Jville]

I assume by Wide 9 you guys mean everyone on the line minus two safeties back?

Sincerely,

Not an X's and O's Guy

The wide 9 lines up on the outside shoulder of the tight end or where the tight end would be if he is on the same side. From there the wide 9 rush end has more of a straight shot (less bend) at the quarterback.

 

[JPatera76]

Wasn’t DT Last yr working with Avril a lot? What happened with that??