Bill Parcells and Jason Taylor meet . . . finally

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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-jasonnew08a,0,6103379.story

Bill Parcells and Jason Taylor meet . . . finally

By Ethan J. Skolnick
Sun-Sentinel.com

12:45 PM EDT, June 6, 2008

Bill Parcells and Jason Taylor have finally had their meeting.

The Dolphins vice president of football operations and the six-time Pro Bowl defensive end spoke at length at Grande Oaks Golf Club on Thursday, according to two sources. Details of their conversation are not known.

The meeting came after Parcells spoke to local print reporters individually during a promotional appearance for Gatorade at Bayfront Park in Miami. In breaking a two-month media silence, Parcells told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that reports of a rift between himself and Taylor were "overblown."

He said Thursday that he simply didn't have his hearing aids the day that Taylor -- back in South Florida on a break from Dancing with the Stars -- entered a crowded room during a film session. So he didn't know Taylor was there.

"J.T. hasn't been here, that's all," Parcells said. "I'll get to know him."

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Parcells and Taylor meet and find no resolution

Bill Parcells and Jason Taylor met on Thursday but the first extended contact between the two men has born no fruit as the defensive end was absent from a mandatory minicamp today.

Parcells requested the meeting with Taylor to explain that he holds no ill feelings toward the player and to try to convince him to rejoin the team. Parcells, one source said, told Taylor that calls from other teams interested in trading for him have dried up.

It is unclear how Taylor reacted, but sources close to him say he rejects the idea there is no trade market for him. Taylor, through his agent, has asked permission to shop himself but the Dolphins have refused.

Parcells also encouraged Taylor to show up for the remainder of offseason workouts and training camp because the team expects him to be a Dolphin this year. Taylor, a Dolphins source said, told Parcells he would rather play for a contending team than for the Dolphins.

Parcells, the same Dolphins source said, told Taylor he will play for the Dolphins or have to retire.

The meeting near the Dolphins training facility was described as otherwise amicable but but neither party emerged feeling any better about the situation.

It now seems that while Parcells bears no grudge against Taylor for missing much of the offseason while appearing on Dancing with the Stars, Taylor does have issues with the team -- chief among them, the manner in which middle linebacker and brother-in-law Zach Thomas was unceremoniously released.

Taylor was one of two players not to attend mandatory minicamp practices today. Randy Starks also missed the first practice this morning, but coach Tony Sparano said that was excused.

Asked if Taylor's absence was excused, Sparano said, "No."

Parcells, through Miami's media relations department, gave a "No comment."