ATLANTA -- Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor, who shared a moment with Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn prior to Sunday night's game, praised his former defensive line coach for putting him in position for even better NFL success.

Quinn, 47, coached Taylor, 43, with the Miami Dolphins during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Taylor was in his ninth and 10th NFL seasons. Taylor was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in '06.

"We worked well together, and I loved, loved, loved playing for Dan Quinn," Taylor told ESPN. "I knew right from the beginning he was going to be a head coach. Couldn't understand why he was coaching me as a D-line coach and not being a coordinator. But obviously he was well on his way to becoming a head coach. He was that kind of guy from the beginning.

"I've never been more prepared playing than when playing for people like Nick Saban, Rex Ryan and Dan Quinn. They're amazing."

Quinn, who attended Taylor's Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony in August, said he learned so much about the pass rush just from being around Taylor, who had 139 1/2 sacks, 46 forced fumbles, 29 fumble recoveries and 3 defensive touchdowns during his 15 NFL seasons. Quinn pointed out that the 6-foot-6 Taylor used his length to his advantage and long arms to get to quarterbacks.

"I had to learn that to play at 240 pounds in the NFL," Taylor said. "I had veterans help me learn the game. And I studied a lot. I studied a lot on how to get better angles to be able to play at a smaller size. And Dan happened to be the coach with me at the time. Iron sharpens iron. I tried to help him a lot, and he obviously helped me a hell of a lot."

Taylor said he'll always have the utmost respect for Quinn and isn't surprised with Quinn's immediate success as a head coach, leading the Falcons to the Super Bowl last season.

"I love him to death," Taylor said. "I'd run through a wall for him."