From The Podium | What the Bolts Learned From Sunday’s Joint Practice Against the Rams

Taylor improving in the slot

The secondary has been as impactful as they could be at this point of camp.

It was on full display against the Rams in joint practice as the back end forced multiple turnovers, including two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

And while he didn’t haul in one of the interceptions Sunday afternoon, Ja’Sir Taylor continues to be one of the players that have impressed thus far.

The third-year defensive back has taken almost all of his snaps from the slot cornerback position, meaning he had to take on the matchup of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua at times during the joint practice.

Taylor more than held his own.

“Just a really good sense of how to play the slot, which is not always easy,” Minter said about Taylor. “Guys think you just take your smallest corner and put him at nickel. But it’s really its own position now and he has a really good sense in there of seeing run and pass, reading his keys and understanding route concepts that work over the middle of the field.

“Smart, tough, disruptive. Runs well, good feet,” Minter added. “Happy with how he’s played so far.”

James echoed Minter’s praise of Taylor, describing why his attributes make him as effective as he is.

“I feel like he’s fast. He can run with anybody and he’s a great tackler,” James said. “In zone, he does a great job setting up on the quarterback. I feel like all those intangibles, he’s able to be a great player.”

Taylor has seen action on the defense in his first two years but entered this camp with an opportunity to fight for one of the starting spots in the slot.

He’ll have more opportunities to continue his level of play, but even up to this point James has been able to tell Taylor has grown in a lot of different areas in Year 3.

“Confidence. He’s very confident,” James said. “He’s moving around, he’s confident, he’s telling me plays sometimes and it’s been amazing.

“Just seeing him take that next step. Ja was more [in] a shell guy coming in, but now he’s energy, energetic, he’s making calls,” James added. “It’s very exciting to see.”