Joe Taylor is a youthful looking 29-year old who seems to possess the quintessential “leadership” tag football fans like Mind Pinball like to grapple with. He’s been rumored as being the next Ed Reed. He laughs it off. “Oh yeah, that’s me.” He is a professed student of the game and a confessed ball-hawk, “You know if it’s in the air, it’s mine.” He is assured without being cocky. And his two interceptions this season help back it up. Plus, he has one fumble return for a touchdown.
But to define his leadership role, well that might be a bit tricky. His style is this: “Overall, I’m just laid back and calm, but I have my moments of intensity.”
Watching Taylor practice is like watching a kid fly a kite on a windy day for the first time. He is focused and laughing, having a good old time. 
Taylor was born in Atlanta and grew up in Tallahasse, Florida. He started playing organized football in his junior year of high-school. Out of high-school, Taylor went into the Navy for four years. He spent two plus years in Japan and played semi-pro football there, he loved it!
And loves it still. In fact, his love for the game has rubbed off on his 5-year old daughter, Jeniya. “She loves doing the cheerleading thing but then everytime I talk to her she’s like ‘Dad, I want to get out there with you. Like the next game, can I get out in the field with you and play with you?’ And I’m like, well, you are a little bit too young yet. She just loves it!” Taylor giggles while talking about her. For now, Jeniya likes to come to her Daddy’s games and cheer. 
Taylor has his hands full with his schedule. When asked what he likes to do with his free time he looks confused, like- what is that? He lives in the Fort Meade/Laurel area, works as a government contractor as a Maritime Analyst. He also attends Morgan State University and will get his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice this summer. So yeah, spare time is a commodity. He goes from work to football practice to school to home.
“That’s why I enjoy my free time- it is so hard to come by. When I have it I like spending time with my daughter or playing video games with the fellas.” Video game of choice: Madden of course. But the list doesn’t stop there. He likes Call of Duty and basically any sports games.
This defensive back for the Mariners and safety for the Maryland Sting likes talking about the game. Even though his NFL team hails from Tampa Bay he’ll talk Ravens. “The Ravens did really well this year with their rookie quarter back. I love their defense. I love Ed Reed, I love him. He’s a ball-hawk and since Sean [Taylor, the former Redskins player who was slain] is out of the game now, Ed Reed is my favorite. I just love the way Reed plays the game with that passion he has.”
Although the Baltimore Mariners do get paid, I’m guessing it’s a pittance compared to some of the big-league contracts. Taylor says it’s not about money for him at all. And on that note, he was asked what his take was on the Ray Lewis signing. “I think it was all a money thing. He [Ray] was saying I might go here and I might go there. It was all a ploy to get the money. Nobody can picture Ray in a different uniform, I don’t even think he can see himself in another one.”
This Mariner/Maryland Sting player has a taste for competition, for sure. But he seems to keep it in check. Another thing he enjoys is playing golf. But, “I think I lose more balls than I put in the holes. But hey- I have fun. I just like it because I get outside and it’s relaxing. It’s a lot of fun.”
When it comes to getting his game face on for competitive play, Taylor doesn’t necessarily rely on music. What gets him torqued up? “Once I hear the national anthem, I get chills and it’s time to go.”
At this particular practice, the Mariners just had it handed to them, losing 82-19 to the Columbus Lions. But Taylor remains a positive force and it showed during the practice. ” We all know the mistakes we made. We have to work them out during practice. The good thing is we pulled together as a family and we have to get back on track to work them out. [We] just have to get back to work with this week off, get some injuries healed up and get ready to go up to Reading.”
On Saturday, the Mariners travel to Reading and according to Taylor, they are going to take “back over the number one spot of the division.” Again, his tone is not cocky, it’s more of a matter of a fact. There’s just something about this guy that makes you want to cheer for the Mariners, isn’t there?
To learn more about the Baltimore Mariners visit their website. Their next home game is Friday, April 24 at the 1st Mariner Arena at 7:30 p.m. against the Florence Phantoms.
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