Former Texas safety Michael Taaffe is wasting no time making his presence felt in the NFL.
After opening his pro career with an interception in Week 1, Taaffe backed it up Sunday with a busy, workmanlike showing for the Miami Dolphins, piling up nine tackles in a 35-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
The stat line wasn’t flashy in the way a pick is flashy, but it told a different kind of story. Taaffe finished with five solo tackles and four assists as Miami spent much of the day chasing a San Francisco offense that kept putting the Dolphins’ secondary in tough spots.
That sort of involvement is exactly what stands out for a rookie defensive back trying to carve out a role. It also says plenty about how quickly Miami has trusted him.
For Texas fans, the early return probably feels familiar. Taaffe made his name in Austin by being around the football, turning a path that began as a walk-on into a starting job and eventually All-Conference-caliber recognition. His game was built on instincts, preparation and a willingness to tackle, and those traits are already showing up on Sundays.
In his first two NFL games, Taaffe has already delivered the kind of plays coaches notice. First came the interception against the Las Vegas Raiders. Then came the tackle-heavy follow-up against San Francisco.
That second performance matters for a different reason. Nine tackles from a safety can mean he’s doing work near the line of scrimmage, chasing plays after the catch and helping against the run.
It can also mean the defense is on its heels more than it wants to be. In this case, the 35 points allowed make it clear Miami had bigger issues than one rookie.
Even so, Taaffe’s start is hard to miss. Two games in, he has already shown the playmaking and physicality that got him to this point, and he’s making it easier to imagine a real defensive role taking shape fast.
Miami dropped to 0-2, but Taaffe is emerging as one of the more intriguing young pieces on the roster.
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