ASHBURN--Redskins fans last parked in this field during the sweltering days of training camp. They wore jerseys and played catch with footballs.

Yesterday evening they returned, wearing hats and wrapped in scarves. They still wore jerseys, except this time they held candles and wiped away tears.

They were there for Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor, 24, who died yesterday morning, one day after being shot when an intruder entered his Miami-area home.

Outside the Redskins' training facility, a memorial made up of flowers, candles, footballs and teddy bears sat beside a small pine tree. A board covered with hand-written messages rested nearby.

"Home won't be the same without you."

"Washington will always love you."

"You served us well. Rest in peace."

Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, head coach Joe Gibbs and running back Clinton Portis flew to Florida on Monday to support Taylor and his family. But yesterday morning, hope turned to grief.

Snyder said Taylor's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, called him at about 5 a.m. and said Taylor had died. Portis went to Snyder's hotel room and spent two hours calling teammates. Snyder visited Taylor's father, Pedro, as well as Taylor's longtime girlfriend, Jackie Garcia.

The Redskins did not practice yesterday, but several players came to the training facility, where a black banner hung over the entrance.

Safety Reed Doughty choked back tears. Quarterback Jason Campbell made a brief statement before he was overcome by emotion. Snyder's eyes welled and his voice cracked as he spoke in short, quiet sentences.

"This is a terrible tragedy," the team owner said, "and we're going to miss him very, very much."

what if taylor had been with the team Sunday?

On Nov. 17, there was a break-in at Taylor's home in the Miami suburb of Palmetto Bay. Taylor, who had been sidelined with a sprained knee, received permission from Gibbs to check his house. Two days later, Taylor was back in Ashburn to receive treatment on his knee.

Taylor did not travel to Tampa for the Redskins' game against the Buccaneers last Sunday. Instead, he returned to Miami to be with his girlfriend and the couple's 18-month-old daughter, Jackie.