Q&A with Herb Taylor
9/7/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 7, 2007
Actually, when I was younger I always felt like I could play in the NFL. I've always had that dream.
Did you have a favorite NFL team -- besides Kansas City, of course?
My favorite teams would probably be the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Oilers -- I had to have an AFC and an NFC team. (Taylor is originally from Houston.)
What was your favorite moment as a Horned Frog?
I had so many memories here at TCU, I really can't just name one. We had a lot of great bowl games. The victory over Oklahoma was pretty special, too. (TCU defeated the Sooners 17-10 to kick off the 2005 season.)
Who is the best player you faced while at TCU?
I would say Tommy Blake, one of our own players, in practice. My sophomore year, there were two defensive ends from Cincinnati. I think they're still in the NFL. Those are incredible defensive ends. They're probably the best defensive ends I've ever played against.
Now that you've been through training camp and the preseason, what do you feel like is your greatest strength and what do you need to improve on?
I would say my greatest strength is probably using my feet and using my quickness to my advantage. I can get to a certain point and cut off guys. In regards to improving, I probably should work on staying on blocks and getting up on run blocks better.
What lineman do you compare yourself most to?
I really don't compare myself other linemen, because most of them are huge, big, bulky guys. I'm almost like the exact opposite, so I try to take the techniques from certain guys and then create a new style of play to help me be successful.
Compare Coach Patterson to Coach Edwards (head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs)
They're way too different styles of coaches. Herm Edwards is more laid back. He lets players do what they do. Coach Patterson is in-your-face kind of coach, which is perfect for TCU. They're just different.
Would you have any desire to coach when you're done playing?
I have my degree in advertising and public relations, and I initially want to go into that. The more I think about it, though, the more I like and enjoy being around football. Coaching? I don't know.
Here are a couple of cliché questions that everyone wants to know the answer to...what is the first thing you bought with your first paycheck?
I haven't got a paycheck yet. Knowing me, I am pretty conservative. I might get a car, but besides that, just keep it simple.
Are there any Kansas City Chiefs "traditions" for rookie players that you can share with us?
Hazing? Nah. Actually it's been pretty good. The only thing we've done so far is singing in front of the team.
Are there any defensive linemen in the NFL you are looking forward to lining up against?
This year, I'm just trying to get in the game and play some snaps and whomever I get a chance to play against that's who I'm looking forward to playing against. (Taylor is currently the No. 2 left guard on the Chiefs' depth chart.)
Some of the TCU players saw you scrapping on the HBO series "Hard Knocks." They got a little tickled by it. Would you like to comment on it?
I had to make my mark. Sometimes you have to show you're not going to be pushed around. There are times where you have to be the enforcer. When you have two guys battling it out, trying to stay on the team, that's just kind of things happened. Me and the guy are great friends. It's never personal.
This is your first opportunity to watch a TCU football game from this perspective (from the press box), are there any players here at TCU that you see developing into a star?
I've always kept an eye on, and paid close attention to, Blake Schlueter and (Matty) Lindner. Those two hogs on the offensive line have done a lot for the team. They've grown up a lot, too, especially Schlueter. On the defensive side, (David) Roach has grown up and made a lot of plays.
-- interview by Ben Sexton
