Taylor's Trial Postponed Until April 10

Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor's trial on felony assault charges, which was scheduled to open in Miami on March 20, has been postponed until April 10.

Taylor, who faces three counts of felony assault with a firearm, recently hired two attorneys to join his legal team. His three attorneys met with prosecutor Mike Grieco before a Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge yesterday to request another continuance in the trial, which already has been delayed three times.

One of Taylor's new lawyers, Richard Sharpstein, said the attorneys could meet with Grieco again next week to discuss possible deals that would preclude the need for a trial, but added that Taylor is also prepared to go to court.

"We look forward to trial and we look forward to proving Sean's innocence and getting him back on the football field where he belongs," Sharpstein said in a telephone interview.

Taylor, 22, was arrested in Miami last June on charges of pulling a gun on individuals he said had stolen his all-terrain vehicles. He faces a three-year minimum sentence for each of the three felony assault charges against him.

During yesterday's hearing, Taylor's lawyers submitted the names of Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs and owner Daniel Snyder as potential character witnesses on the player's behalf, but Grieco said he has "no intention" of deposing them.

Taylor, the Redskins' top draft pick in 2004, has indicated to Gibbs that he will participate in the team's offseason workout program this season. Players are expected to report to Redskins Park around March 27, and report three to four days a week through a minicamp in June. A trial could conceivably keep Taylor away for a few days, but the bulk of the on-field work occurs in May and June.

During yesterday's hearing Judge Mary Barzee said she has granted the continuances not because of conflicts with Taylor's football schedule but because of reasons specific to the case, Sharpstein and Grieco said.