Roaming the Arenas: Thunder linebacker Brandon Taylor

By Tom Williams

The former Albany Firebird has returned to the state of his birth.

With experience at wide receiver and defensive back, Thunder coach Mike Hold has a lot of faith in the abilities of jack linebacker Brandon Taylor.

“Brandon is a leader,” Hold said of the first-year Thunder defender. “He can play any position on the field.

“He can play receiver if we need him,” Hold said. “He can play DB — he played it 16 games last year.”

Taylor, whose 231‚Ñ2 tackles is second-most on the Thunder, said, “Jack linebacker is almost like a fourth DB [defensive back] who can pretty much roam the field.

“He has some restrictions, some limitations but you’re in there to help out with the front four and the back three,” the former University of New Hampshire player said.

Asked if it’s similar to the role played by a popular long-haired Steelers defensive back, Taylor laughed.

“I really wouldn’t compare myself to Troy Polamalu,” Taylor said. “I would say that I would not be able to drop back as far as he can.”

Hold said the af2 Thunder (1-3), who have a rematch with the Tulsa Talons (3-1) on Saturday at the Chevrolet Centre, “are putting a lot of emphasis on the jack position — he’s almost the quarterback out there.

“He’s setting coverages, he’s making sure guys are in the right spot,” Hold said. “He’s basically got the ability to roam free, read the quarterback, read the formation and react.”

Of Taylor, Hold said, “He’s so smart, he knows this game so well. He’s the perfect guy for that position.”

Taylor (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) played for the Albany Firebirds in 2008, leading the team with 80.5 tackles and seven interceptions.

He also recorded 11 pass breakups and recovered a fumble that was returned for a 5-yard touchdown.

When Albany coach Jeff Hoffman decided to take a year off, Taylor decided he was ready for a change.

“Jeff Hoffman and Coach Hold are really good friends,” Taylor said. “Coach Hold knew me from last year when I did a workout and saw me in the three games we played against the Thunder.

“In those games, I had pretty good [stats], so it was a no-brainer that when [Hoffman] left Albany that I knew could [try the Thunder] if I wanted to play again.”

Linebacker Taz Wallace said Taylor, who has two fumble recoveries in the first four games, “is a good guy. He works hard day in and day out. It’s a pleasure playing beside him.”

Taylor, who was born in Akron but grew up in several East Coast communities, is enjoying the Midwest.

I grew up all over — I’m an Army brat,” Taylor said. “I’ve pretty much been all over the East Coast, down South. I finished up my high school career in New Jersey and finished my college career in New Hampshire.

“It’s great here, a lot better organization ... 10 times better,” Taylor said. “I just gel with the team a lot better. Coaches get along. There’s no separation between the team and the organization. The chemistry and cohesiveness are just one.”

One of the first places he visited since returning to Ohio was the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.

“I took my girlfriend,” Taylor said. “I enjoyed it but she probably enjoyed it more than I did which is kind of funny. We had a good time.”

The one bust he was happy to see was Joe Montana’s.

“I wouldn’t say I was a 49ers fan [growing up], but I was a Joe Montana fan,” Taylor said.

williams@vindy.com