Former Cleveland Browns nose tackle Phil Taylor is on his way to the Mile High City. The Broncos made a deal and signed the 2011 first-round pick on Monday, adding another big piece to an already stout defense. The move should strengthen a unit that could be losing Malik Jackson, Renaud Notaro and Big Dee White from Mile High Sports AM 1340 observed, so long as Taylor stays healthy.
“I like it,” were the first words from Notaro. “He started 42 of 44 games with the Browns.”
Notaro acknowledged that, yes, Taylor’s starts were with the Browns. Nevertheless, to start 42 games in the NFL is no easy task.
Big Dee likes the move too. In fact, both of them agreed that Taylor could bring a lot to the table for the Broncos, if he can stay healthy.
“He was hurt. He hurt his knee and was out last season, [was released by the Browns on Sept. 1].” Notaro continued, “…basically it’s a training camp body right now and if he stays healthy, then I think he’s somebody who can actually help this team.”
Assuming Taylor can stay healthy and make it through training camp, he’ll have a lot to offer for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Big Dee explains:
“If the Broncos defense were to find themselves on a short yardage or goal-line situation, then Philips could have Taylor line up over the center, allowing Sylvester Williams to, move out a couple of gaps, on the line. Just one of the extra options that Taylor would provide.”
Big Dee went on to state that Taylor, “Is a lot more of a Sylvester Williams than a Malik Jackson. He is a run eater. He stops the run, but he’s not a three down guy. He’s not much of a pass-rush presence.”
Notaro and Big Dee are okay with that.
“It’s all about numbers; it’s all about depth,” Notaro said, then named the big one, “and health. iIs he healthy enough?”
He must be if he passed the physical with the Broncos – which was more than he did when trying to sign with the Steelers last season, Big Dee pointed out.
Moving forward, Big Dee believes that by staying healthy, and getting back into competitive shape, Taylor has potential to, “get some good snaps here.”
Listen to the full conversation between Renaud Notaro and Big Dee on why they like the Broncos move to sign Phil Taylor in the podcast below…
Catch Notaro and Big Dee Monday-Thursday from 6p-8p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 or stream live any time for Denver’s biggest lineup covering what’s new and what’s next in Colorado sports