Lawrence Taylor is widely considered the NFL's greatest defensive player. Former New York Giants coach Bill Belichick recently shared how Taylor's instincts set him apart.
On 'Hang Out with Sean Hannity,' Belichick revealed Taylor could identify who was blocking him by their nervousness. 'If they weren’t nervous, they weren’t blocking him. If they were nervous, that’s who was going to block him,' Belichick said. Taylor also read the quarterback's demeanor to determine pass or run plays.
Belichick, then a linebackers coach, saw this from Taylor's 1981 rookie season. He noted Taylor could quickly assess offensive game plans and often corrected Belichick's pre-game scouting. 'I trusted him because he really could see where they were looking, how their posture was,' Belichick said.
Taylor's fear factor was legendary. He played every down, including special teams, and never took plays off. Belichick believes Taylor could have excelled on offense.
Taylor was NFL MVP in 1986, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and key to two Giants Super Bowl wins. In 13 seasons, he recorded 142 sacks, 41 forced fumbles, and nine interceptions.