Top Searches & News - Search result http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-11-27-grieving-focus_N.htm

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd"><html><head><script type="text/javascript">OAS_listpos = "InvCount,PageCount,AdOps1,Top728x90,Zaplet1,FloatBottom,Bottom728x90,VerticalBanner,Poster3,PosterBig,Links1,Links2";</script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://js.usatoday.com/_common/_scripts/_oas/mjx-base.js"></script><title>Amid tragedy, NFL players must play on while grieving - USATODAY.com</title><link rel="SHORTCUT ICON" href="http://i.usatoday.net/_common/_images/favicon.ico"><meta name="ROBOTS" content="NOODP, NOYDIR"><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="http://i.usatoday.net/_common/_styles/_inside/styles.css"><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="http://i.usatoday.net/_common/_styles/_inside/structure.css"><link rel="icon" href="/_common/_images/usat16x16.png" type="image/png"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://i.usatoday.net/_common/_scripts/usat.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://i.usatoday.net/_common/_scripts/sniffer.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://i.usatoday.net/_common/_scripts/zagAll.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://i.usatoday.net/_common/_scripts/cookietouch.js"></script><link rel="stylesheet" href="http://i.usatoday.net/_common/_styles/_navs/sectionnav-general.css" type="text/css"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://i.usatoday.net/_common/_scripts/_navs/sectionnav.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" name="cleanprintloader" src="http://cache-01.cleanprint.net/cp/ccg?divId=2625"></script><script type="text/javascript">usat.contentID='30334350.story'; var tagID='30334350';usat.contentType='sports';</script><meta name="pubdate" content="Nov 28, 2007"><meta name="pubtime" content="02:40 AM"><meta name="description" content="In the NFL, there is ample precedent that the games must go on through personal sadness. Grieving the shooting death of teammate Sean Taylor, the Washington Redskins begin preparation Wednesday for two games in a span of five days."><meta name="keywords" content="Sean Taylor, Washington Redskins, nfl, SPORTS, team, players, games, Coach, widget, Coach Joe Gibbs, Chicago Bears, url, Buffalo Bills, football, funeral, prayers, fronts, teammate, id, blank"><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="http://i.usatoday.net/_common/_styles/_inside/sports.css"><link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Top Headlines" href="http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/usatoday-NewsTopStories"><link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Sports Headlines" href="http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/UsatodaycomSports-TopStories"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://i.usatoday.net/_common/_scripts/clickability-sports.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" name="cleanprintloader" src="http://cache-01.cleanprint.net/cp/ccg?divId=2625"></script><meta name="ROBOTS" 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xmlns:fo="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Format"><tr><td height="20" colspan="2"><img width="1" height="20" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="12"><img width="12" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td valign="top" colspan="2"><span class="va_main_header"><img width="10" height="10" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif" class="sectionBullet"> OTHER NFL DEATHS</span></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" colspan="2"><img width="1" height="15" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td class="vaText" colspan="2">Notable NFL players who died during their playing careers, since 2001: <P></P><IMG height=9 src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/bullet.gif" width=9> <B>Korey Stringer, 27</B> - Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman died of heatstroke on Aug. 1, 2001.<BR><IMG height=9 src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/bullet.gif" width=9> <B>Pat Tillman, 27</B> - Former Arizona Cardinals safety died as a result of friendly fire in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004.<BR><IMG height=9 src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/bullet.gif" width=9> <B>Thomas Herrion, 23</B> - San Francisco 49ers offensive guard collapsed after an exhibition game and died on Aug. 20, 2005. It was later determined to be heart disease. <BR><IMG height=9 src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/bullet.gif" width=9> <B>Darrent Williams, 24</B> - Denver Broncos cornerback died after being shot in a drive-by on Jan. 1, 2007. <BR><IMG height=9 src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/bullet.gif" width=9> <B>Damien Nash, 24</B> - Denver Broncos running back collapsed during a charity basketball game on Feb. 23, 2007.<BR><IMG height=9 src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/bullet.gif" width=9> <B>Marquise Hill, 24</B> - New England Patriots defensive end drowned after an accident while jet skiing on May 28, 2007. <BR><IMG height=9 src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/bullet.gif" width=9> <B>Sean Taylor, 24</B> - Washington Redskins safety died Nov. 27, 2007 after being shot in an apparent burglary. <P></P><P></P><STRONG>Others</STRONG> - In 1979, St. Louis Cardinals tight end J.V. Cain died of a heart attack during training camp. Chuck Hughes, a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, died of a heart attack Oct. 24, 1972, during a game in Detroit against the Chicago Bears. <P></P><EM>Compiled from USA TODAY research </EM></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td height="20" colspan="2"><img width="1" height="20" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr></table><div class="VASpacer" xmlns:fo="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Format"></div> <table width="245" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="vaOuter" xmlns:fo="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Format"><tr><td height="20" colspan="2"><img width="1" height="20" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="12"><img width="12" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td valign="top" colspan="2"><span class="va_main_header"><img width="10" height="10" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif" class="sectionBullet"> SEAN TAYLOR 1983-2007</span></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" colspan="2"><img width="1" height="15" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" colspan="2"><LINK REL="stylesheet" TYPE="text/css" HREF="http://css.usatoday.com/_common/_styles/_inside/va-styles.css"></LINK><SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript" src="http://js.usatoday.com/_common/_scripts/va-expansion.js"></SCRIPT><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td width="5" valign="top"><img width="5" height="5" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif" class="vaBullet" vspace="2"></td><td width="228" valign="top" class="vaLink"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-12-03-taylor-funeral_N.htm"><img align="right" class="vaPhoto" src="http://images.usatoday.com/sports/_photos/2007/12/03/thumb-taylor.jpg"></a><b>Thousands mourn:</b> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-12-03-taylor-funeral_N.htm">Redskins, others pay tribute to Sean Taylor at funeral</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#cccccc"><img width="1" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="5" valign="top"><img width="5" height="5" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif" class="vaBullet" vspace="2"></td><td width="228" valign="top" class="vaLink"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-12-02-taylor-case_N.htm"><img align="right" class="vaPhoto" src="http://images.usatoday.com/sports/_photos/2007/12/02/thumb-taylor.jpg"></a><b>Mourning continues:</b> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-12-02-taylor-case_N.htm">Fans visit viewing hours as suspects remain jailed</a> | <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-12-02-bills-redskins_N.htm">Taylor honored during Redskins' loss to Bills</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#cccccc"><img width="1" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="5" valign="top"><img width="5" height="5" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif" class="vaBullet" vspace="2"></td><td width="228" valign="top" class="vaLink"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/saraceno/2007-12-02-Taylor_N.htm"><img align="right" class="vaPhoto" src="http://images.usatoday.com/graphics/sports/nj_icons/comment/saraceno-str.jpg"></a><b>Jon Saraceno:</b> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/saraceno/2007-12-02-Taylor_N.htm">Town, mourners try to fathom the insanity of Taylor's death</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#cccccc"><img width="1" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="5" valign="top"><img width="5" height="5" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif" class="vaBullet" vspace="2"></td><td width="228" valign="top" class="vaLink"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/lopresti/2007-12-01-taylor-society_N.htm"><img align="right" class="vaPhoto" src="http://images.usatoday.com/graphics/sports/nj_icons/comment/lopresti-new-60x58.jpg"></a><b>Mike Lopresti:</b> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/lopresti/2007-12-01-taylor-society_N.htm">Taylor's death leaves us all -- sports fans and non-fans -- asking 'why?' (Dec. 1)</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#cccccc"><img width="1" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="5" valign="top"><img width="5" height="5" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif" class="vaBullet" vspace="2"></td><td width="228" valign="top" class="vaLink"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/brennan/2007-11-29-brennan-taylor_N.htm"><img align="right" class="vaPhoto" src="http://images.usatoday.com/graphics/sports/nj_icons/comment/brennan3.jpg"></a><b>Christine Brennan:</b> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/brennan/2007-11-29-brennan-taylor_N.htm">Death keeps ever-present spotlight on University of Miami (Nov. 30)</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#cccccc"><img width="1" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="5" valign="top"><img width="5" height="5" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif" class="vaBullet" vspace="2"></td><td width="228" valign="top" class="vaLink"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/redskins/2007-11-27-focus-sidebar-taylor_N.htm"><img align="right" class="vaPhoto" src="http://images.usatoday.com/sports/_photos/2007/11/27/artery-thumb.jpg"></a><b>Severe wound:</b> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/redskins/2007-11-27-focus-sidebar-taylor_N.htm">As minutes passed, chances for survival diminished (Nov. 28)</a></td></tr><tr><td height="15" colspan="2"><img width="1" height="15" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="right" valign="bottom"><span class="grey-sans">More </span><a href="javascript:showVExpanBlock();window.status='';void(0);" onmouseover="self.status='';return true" onmouseout="window.status='';return true" title="" class="small-copy-sans"><img src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/down_arrow.gif" width="14" height="12" border="0" ALIGN="ABSBOTTOM" vspace="0"></a></td></tr><SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript">fullCoverage='<table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td align="right" valign="top" colspan="3"><span class="va_chatter_link"><span class="grey-sans">Close</span> <a href="javascript:hideVExpanBlock();" class="small-copy-sans" title="close"><span class="fcLink"> X </span></a></span></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><img width="1" height="20" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="12"><img width="12" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td><td width="5" valign="top"><img width="5" height="5" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif" class="vaBullet" vspace="2"></td><td width="228" valign="top" class="vaLink"><b>Stunned team, league:</b> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/redskins/2007-11-27-taylor-death_N.htm">Redskins' Taylor is fourth NFL player to die in 2007 (Nov. 28)</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="12"><img width="12" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td><td height="1" colspan="2" bgcolor="#cccccc"><img width="1" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="12"><img width="12" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td><td width="5" valign="top"><img width="5" height="5" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif" class="vaBullet" vspace="2"></td><td width="228" valign="top" class="vaLink"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/gallery/s071127_taylor/flash.htm" onClick="window.open('','popup171','width=1015,height=700,left=0,top=0,resizable,scrollbars=no')" target="popup171"><img align="right" class="vaPhoto" src="http://images.usatoday.com/sports/_photos/2007/11/27/thumb-taylor.jpg"></a><b>Photo gallery:</b> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/gallery/s071127_taylor/flash.htm" onClick="window.open('','popup171','width=1015,height=700,left=0,top=0,resizable,scrollbars=no')" target="popup171">Retrospective on the career of Sean Taylor</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="12"><img width="12" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td><td height="1" colspan="2" bgcolor="#cccccc"><img width="1" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="12"><img width="12" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td><td width="5" valign="top"><img width="5" height="5" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif" class="vaBullet" vspace="2"></td><td width="228" valign="top" class="vaLink"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-11-27-grieving-focus_N.htm"><img align="right" class="vaPhoto" src="http://images.usatoday.com/sports/_photos/2007/11/27/stringer-thumb.jpg"></a><b>Games go on:</b> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-11-27-grieving-focus_N.htm">Amid tragedy, NFL players compete while grieving (Nov. 28)</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="12"><img width="12" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td><td height="1" colspan="2" bgcolor="#cccccc"><img width="1" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="12"><img width="12" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td><td width="5" valign="top"><img width="5" height="5" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif" class="vaBullet" vspace="2"></td><td width="228" valign="top" class="vaLink"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/redskins/2007-11-28-taylors-father_N.htm"><img align="right" class="vaPhoto" src="http://images.usatoday.com/sports/_photos/2007/11/29/thumb-gibbs.jpg"></a><b>Redskins move on:</b> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/redskins/2007-11-28-taylors-father_N.htm">Visit from Taylor's father bolsters team's spirits (Nov. 28)</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="12"><img width="12" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td><td height="1" colspan="2" bgcolor="#cccccc"><img width="1" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="12"><img width="12" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td><td width="5" valign="top"><img width="5" height="5" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif" class="vaBullet" vspace="2"></td><td width="228" valign="top" class="vaLink"><b>Taylor's death:</b> <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-11-27-taylor-obit_N.htm">Details were few as Redskins mourned Pro Bowl safety (Nov. 27)</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="12"><img width="12" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td><td height="1" colspan="2" bgcolor="#cccccc"><img width="1" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><img width="1" height="8" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="12"><img width="12" height="1" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td><td width="5" valign="top"><img width="5" height="5" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif" class="vaBullet" vspace="2"></td><td width="228" valign="top" class="vaLink"><b>Also on the Web:</b> <a href="http://www.wusa9.com/" target="_blank">Coverage from Gannett TV station WUSA in Washington, D.C.</a> | <a href="http://karenlevinepresents.com/listings/listingdetail2.aspx?LID=13874874" target="_blank">Realtor listing of Taylor's house</a></td></tr><tr><td height="20" colspan="3"><img width="1" height="20" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr></table>'</SCRIPT></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table><div id="fcHolder" class="fcHolder" xmlns:fo="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Format"><div id="fcContent" class="fcContent"></div></div><div class="VASpacer" xmlns:fo="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Format"></div> <table width="245" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="vaOuter" xmlns:fo="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Format"><tr><td height="20" colspan="2"><img width="1" height="20" src="http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif"></td></tr><tr><td width="12"><img width="12" 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class="inside-head">Amid tragedy, NFL players must play on while grieving</span></td></tr></table><table width="100%" height="25" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td class="datestamp"><span id="datestamp">Updated <script type="text/javascript">document.write(niceDate('11/28/2007 2:40 AM'));</script></span> | <span id="uslCountControl"><span class="uslDisabledCommentsLink">Comment <span class="uslDisabledCommentsCount"></span></span></span> | <span id="uslRecommendControl"><span class="uslDisabledRecommendLink">Recommend <span class="uslDisabledRecommendCount"></span></span></span></td><td align="right"><span class="pageTools" style="vertical-align:middle"><a href="#" ONCLICK="return(ET());" onMouseOver="return(ETMouseOver());" onMouseOut="return(ETMouseOut());" title="EMAIL THIS">E-mail</a> | <a href="#" ONCLICK="return(ST());" onMouseOver="return(STMouseOver());" onMouseOut="return(STMouseOut());" title="SAVE THIS">Save</a> | <a href="#" ONCLICK="return(PT());" 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class="socialFoot"><a href="#open-share-help" onClick="document.getElementById('sclBtnInfo').style.visibility='visible';document.getElementById('Adv6').style.display='none';usatAj.ahah('sclBtnInfo', null, 'http://www.usatoday.com/marketing/socialhelp-v1.htm', null);" title="What's this">What's this?</a></li></ul></ul><div id="sclBtnInfo"></div></div><div class="byLine" id="byLineTag">By Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY</div><div class="inside-copy">ASHBURN, Va.  Grieving the shooting death of teammate <a href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2771" onclick="" target="_blank">Sean Taylor</a>, the Washington Redskins begin preparation Wednesday for two games in a span of five days. Coach Joe Gibbs and his players make no claim to having an emotional game plan for returning to work while awaiting a funeral.</div><p class="inside-copy">"How we deal with this, I don't know. This will be something nobody can be prepared for," Gibbs said Tuesday at the team complex, where black bunting was draped over the "Washington Redskins" sign at the front entrance.</p><p class="inside-copy">"We'll just take it one hour at a time. We go forward and see what we can do."</p><p class="inside-copy">Taylor, 24, died early Tuesday at a Miami hospital, a day after being shot at his home in what police are investigating as a possible robbery attempt.</p><p class="inside-copy">"I think it is just an incredibly difficult time. … It is just a terrible tragedy," team owner Daniel Snyder said.</p><div id="tagCrumbs"></div><p class="inside-copy">In the NFL, there is ample precedent that the games must go on through personal sadness.</p><p class="inside-copy">This season, San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan was on the sideline for a Nov. 12 game the day after his father, Dick, a former 49ers coach, died at 75.</p><p class="inside-copy">In 2003, Green Bay Packers quarterback <a href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=1744" onclick="" target="_blank">Brett Favre</a> played the day after his father, Irvin, died at 58 of a heart attack.</p><p class="inside-copy"><b>Game not even on radar </b></p><p class="inside-copy">The Redskins are a team in mourning. They have posted signs around their complex saying team chaplains will be available for "personal prayers."</p><p class="inside-copy">Redskins players had Tuesday off. Those who stopped by Redskins Park acknowledged the emotional uncertainties of trying to get back to business.</p><p class="inside-copy">"Obviously, we do have a game this weekend," said <a href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3974" onclick="" target="_blank">Reed Doughty</a>, Taylor's replacement at safety. "But that's the farthest thing from my mind, and anybody else's mind, at this point. I guess we'll just take that as it comes."</p><p class="inside-copy">The Redskins host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The following Thursday night, they play at home against the Chicago Bears on the NFL Network.</p><p class="inside-copy">"Obviously, it's going to be very difficult," guard <a href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=2044" onclick="" target="_blank">Pete Kendall</a> said of returning to football.</p><p class="inside-copy">Just hours after learning Taylor had died, Kendall was asked if he felt like playing.</p><p class="inside-copy">"I'm going to wait and see. At this point, I'm just trying to process everything that's going on," he said.</p><p class="inside-copy">"There are guys on this team that know Sean much better than I do. My thoughts are first and foremost with Sean and his family, but I'm most concerned after that about my teammates who really are going to be struggling with this thing."</p><p class="inside-copy">Gibbs said he planned to have his team take the practice field Wednesday, conditional on meeting with the players when they reassemble. </p><p class="inside-copy">"That is our plan unless I talk to the players and there is something they feel strongly about," Gibbs said.</p><p class="inside-copy">On the opening weekend of this season, Bills tight end <a href="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/player.asp?sport=NFL&id=3211" onclick="" target="_blank">Kevin Everett</a> was temporarily paralyzed by a spinal injury sustained while covering a kickoff.</p><p class="inside-copy">Amid grim early reports from doctors, the Bills had to prepare for a game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.</p><p class="inside-copy">"We honor ourselves by our work," Bills coach Dick Jauron said that week. "And we honor Kevin by moving forward and working while never forgetting Kevin and never getting him out of our thoughts and prayers."</p><p class="inside-copy"><b>Grieving together </b></p><p class="inside-copy">Gibbs said it will be up to each player to find his way through the weeks ahead.</p><p class="inside-copy">"For me to answer what the players are going to do individually or how they feel about it, I don't think I can guess," Gibbs said. "We are all going to try to get through this together."</p><p class="inside-copy">Though the Redskins will have a short work week in advance of the Dec. 6 game against the Bears, Gibbs said Snyder was arranging for the team to attend Taylor's funeral in South Florida. Snyder, who met with Taylor's family, said the service likely will be early next week.</p><p class="inside-copy">"He (Snyder) is also going to make it possible for everybody here at the complex to attend the funeral," Gibbs said. "That is the plan right now." </p><p class="inside-copy">The Redskins' overall approach remains a plan in progress.</p><p class="inside-copy">"I have had one call from a coach who had gone through something similar … and I'm going to call him," Gibbs said. "I think we're all going through something like this for the first time. We will probably deal with it. We have a great group here. I feel great about that."</p><p class="inside-copy">The Redskins will wear a patch on their uniforms remembering Taylor and a No. 21 sticker on their helmets.</p><div class="inside-copy" style="margin-bottom:10px;"><i></i></div><div id="social2"><div id="sclBtnInfoBottom"></div><div class="socialHead2">Share this story:</div><div class="mixx2"><a href="http://mixx.com/submit/story?page_url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-11-27-grieving-focus_N.htm" onClick="uoTrack('mixx')" target="mixx"><img src="http://i.usatoday.net/_common/_images/_bugs/mixx.gif" width="91" height="24" border="0"></a></div><div class="socialdigg"><ul id="spritemenu2"><ul class="socialList2"><span id="sprite1"><span class="spriteImage sprite1"> </span><span><a href="http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-11-27-grieving-focus_N.htm&title=Amid tragedy, NFL players must play on while grieving&topic=" onClick="uoTrack('digg')" target="digg">Digg</a></span></span><span id="sprite2"><span class="spriteImage sprite2"> </span><span><a href="http://del.icio.us/post?v=4&partner=usatoday&noui&jump=close&url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-11-27-grieving-focus_N.htm&title=Amid tragedy, NFL players must play on while grieving" onClick="uoTrack('delicious')" target="del">del.icio.us</a></span></span><span id="sprite3"><span class="spriteImage sprite3"> </span><span><a href="http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?aff=usatoday&u=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-11-27-grieving-focus_N.htm&h=Amid tragedy, NFL players must play on while grieving&t=" onClick="uoTrack('newsvine')" target="newsvine">Newsvine</a></span></span><span id="sprite4"><span class="spriteImage sprite4"> </span><span><a href="http://reddit.com/submit?url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-11-27-grieving-focus_N.htm&title=Amid tragedy, NFL players must play on while grieving" onClick="uoTrack('reddit')" target="reddit">Reddit</a></span></span><span id="sprite5"><span class="spriteImage sprite5"> </span><span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-11-27-grieving-focus_N.htm&title=Amid tragedy, NFL players must play on while grieving" onClick="window.open('','facebook','width=642,height=436,left=0,top=0,resizable,scrollbars=yes');uoTrack('facebook')" target="facebook">Facebook</a></span></span><span class="socialFoot2"><a href="#open-share-help" onClick="document.getElementById('sclBtnInfoBottom').style.visibility='visible';usatAj.ahah('sclBtnInfoBottom', null, 'http://www.usatoday.com/marketing/socialhelp-v1.htm', null);" title="What's this">What's this?</a></span></ul></ul></div><div style="clear:both"></div></div><table width="100%" height="25" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td height="40" colspan="2"><span class="posteddate">Posted <script type="text/javascript">document.write(niceDate('11/27/2007 10:24 PM'));</script></span></td></tr><tr><td width="27%" height="30"><span class="datestamp">Updated <script type="text/javascript">document.write(niceDate('11/28/2007 2:40 AM'));</script></span></td><td align="right"><div id="articleInfo"></div></td><td width="73%" height="30" align="right"><span class="pageTools" style="vertical-align:middle"><a href="#" ONCLICK="return(ET());" onMouseOver="return(ETMouseOver());" onMouseOut="return(ETMouseOut());" title="EMAIL THIS">E-mail</a> | <a href="#" ONCLICK="return(ST());" onMouseOver="return(STMouseOver());" onMouseOut="return(STMouseOut());" title="SAVE THIS">Save</a> | <a href="#" ONCLICK="return(PT());" onMouseOver="return(PTMouseOver());" onMouseOut="return(PTMouseOut());" title="PRINT THIS">Print</a> | <script type="text/javascript"> </script></SPAN> </td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" class="story-contact-text">To report corrections and clarifications, contact Reader Editor <a href="mailto:accuracy@usatoday.com?subject=Amid tragedy, NFL players must play on while grieving&body=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-11-27-grieving-focus_N.htm"><b>Brent Jones</b></a>. 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