Arizona Cardinals: Jamar Taylor Not THE Solution But a Solution
By Erik Lambert
The Arizona Cardinals made an interesting trade when they sent a future 6th round pick to the Browns in exchange for cornerback Jamar Taylor.
This wasn’t a huge surprise. Taylor had been in the doghouse in Cleveland for some time. It was a big reason why they spent their #4 overall pick on Ohio State corner Denzel Ward. That basically put everyone on notice that Taylor wasn’t long for his time there. A shame too because for a brief instant it looked like he was a solid find for them.
His first season with the Browns in 2016 was a solid one. He collected three interceptions and defended another 13 passes. It looked like he would be a dependable starter moving forward after a frustrating run in Miami. However, last year defensive coordinator Ray Horton was dismissed in favor of Gregg Williams. The 3-4 defense that Taylor had sought out to fit his skill set was replaced by a 4-3, the same scheme he’d tried to escape.
Now he’s in Arizona wondering what’s next.
The #AZCardinals are finalizing a trade for #Browns starting CB Jamar Taylor, sources say. Corner is a big need for Arizona and Taylor fills it. Cleveland had shopped him during the draft and the two sides kept talking. The trade is expected to happen after 4 pm.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 18, 2018
Hell of a rush by Schobert. Puts Melvin Gordon in Rivers' lap. Nice island coverage by Jamar Taylor as well. pic.twitter.com/7xkrFxZ0vm
— Jake Burns (@jake_burns18) December 4, 2017
Cardinals got themselves a good corner IF they let him play his way
The problem presenting Arizona isn’t that they acquired Taylor. He can be an instant help to their thin situation at cornerback. However, the way they implement him is going to prove crucial. Head coach Steve Wilks and defensive coordinator Al Holcomb have spent the majority of their careers running a 4-3 defensive scheme as was the case in Carolina. Cornerbacks in a 4-3 tend to play a more zone style of coverage.
This has never fit what Taylor does best. Coming out of college it was noted by several scouts he was at his best when allowed to play man-to-man press coverage. The type he was allowed to play in 2016 for Cleveland. The moment they asked him to switch it was all but over. Do Wilks and Holcomb have the wherewithal to make this adjustment and accommodate their new addition?
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It shouldn’t be a huge adjustment. They’re obviously going to make it for All-Pro Patrick Peterson who likely will end up in the Hall of Fame having played that sort of coverage for years. Taylor isn’t on his level but he plays the same style of game. The responsibility of coaches is to put their players in the best position to succeed.
This should be a fascinating subplot to follow in the coming months.