Dolphins have decision to make on Taylor

[DolFan619]

Dolphins have decision to make on Taylor

By Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports
2 hours, 28 minutes ago
 
It is time for Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga to listen to Jason Taylor.

In October 2007, when the Dolphins were in London for their game against the New York Giants, Huizenga opened the door for Taylor and then-teammate Zach Thomas to leave the team at season’s end, if either so chose.

”That’s really more up to them,” Huizenga said at the time about the possibility of either Pro Bowl player being traded. “When the season is over we’ll see how they feel about that. The trade deadline has passed so there’s no sense discussing something that can’t happen. But those guys aren’t bashful. If they want to talk about it after the season, we’ll talk to them.”

Of course, a lot has happened to the Dolphins since then. Huizenga hired Bill Parcells to be the vice president of football operations. The Dolphins finished the season at 1-15 and Parcells went about gutting the coaching and personnel staffs. In addition, Thomas was released by the team after a concussion-filled season and because of a high salary.

Taylor remains a Dolphin, but that’s not what he wants. Publicly, Taylor is putting a big smile on everything and saying all the right things. However, he has told the team that he’d like to take Huizenga up on the owner’s offer, according to multiple sources close to the player.

The Dolphins declined comment on the situation Friday, but if they refuse to accommodate Taylor’s request prior to the beginning of the NFL draft on April 26, Miami could be looking at a repeat of NFL history come July.

In July 1966, Cleveland running back Jim Brown, easily the greatest player of his generation and maybe the best player in NFL history, received an order from then-Browns owner Art Modell to report to training camp immediately.

Brown, a man who has butted heads with the norms of society plenty of times, was working on the movie “The Dirty Dozen.” After nine seasons, seven years of topping 1,000 yards (in 12-game seasons his first four years, no less), winning three Most Valuable Player awards and a Rookie of the Year award, Brown responded to Modell’s demands by scribbling his retirement letter on a piece of paper.

Fast forward 42 years and here’s what the Dolphins could be looking at: Either they trade Taylor now or he could start his acting career a couple of years early.

Taylor hasn’t made any threats or demands on the Dolphins and he won’t. He has politely told the team he wants out. Taylor, who will be 34 when the Dolphins open next season and has two years left on his contract, knows the Dolphins are more than two years from competing.

The league’s defensive player of the year in 2006 and Man of the Year last season, Taylor also wants to win a Super Bowl. However, he knows it’s an extreme long shot to happen in Miami at this point. Fact is, there’s only so much time left and so little talent on the Miami roster.

There are also other things Taylor wants in his life, which is why he moved his family to Los Angeles at least temporarily this offseason to participate on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” where he stands a great chance to win.

For those who haven’t noticed, Taylor is working extraordinarily hard on this show. Like any great athlete, he’s competing hard and he refuses to be embarrassed. Moreover, Taylor is a showman. He has undeniable presence on television and he’s competing for his next career.

In fact, pick up a copy of the April 14 edition of US Weekly and check out the feature titled “TV’s New Top 10 Dream Men.” In the article, Taylor is referred to as a “humble hunk” and that “his physique rivals a Greek statue.” Of the 10 men featured, Taylor was the only one to pose sans shirt.

Two years ago, Taylor took acting lessons from Marc Durso of the Act True school in South Florida.

"He was excellent as a student,” Durso said. “He took it very seriously and was very open to learning the skills. He basically said to me, ‘teach me this, I want to know how to do it.’”

Apparently, Taylor has his eyes wide open to a Hollywood career. He could ultimately make a lot more money and gain a lot more fame in a hurry by making movies rather than chasing quarterbacks, particularly if chasing quarterbacks is really in vain.

Now, the Dolphins may believe this is all a big bluff by Taylor, who has said in radio interviews that he’ll come back to the team. Parcells, reacting to a Yahoo! Sports report in early March that Taylor and the franchise would part ways before the draft, told the Miami Herald: “The only way Jason Taylor doesn’t play for the Dolphins in 2008 is if he retires.” That faintly sounded like a Modellian dare.

If Taylor is adamant about leaving and Miami refuses to trade him, then the Dolphins face the possibility of an April Fool’s Day prank turning into reality. While Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland was at the NFL owner’s meeting on April 1, Profootballtalk.com, a website that lives to rake the muck, ran a story about Taylor quitting football to become a professional dancer.

Ireland bought it, initially, and hurriedly grabbed his cell phone to check the story. If the Dolphins aren’t careful, they could be checking another such headline come July. This would be in some publication like Variety and will say something to the effect that Taylor has signed to do a movie for as much money as he can make in a year of football.

Or as one of Taylor’s friends put it: “Things are happening fast for Jason out in Los Angeles. The Dolphins don’t understand that world and what’s available if Jason really wants to pursue that.”

That’s why the Dolphins should not rule out the possibility of a trade. There are plenty of teams that could use Taylor, such as the Browns, Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and even the New York Giants (depending on whether Michael Strahan retires).

One team personnel executive, who has already asked the Dolphins about a trade for Taylor, said recently: “They can easily get something for him. Come on, this is Jason Taylor. Really, they really should trade him. That team isn’t going to be any good for at least two years, probably more.”

What is Taylor worth? Some teams like to throw around second- and third-round picks. But the reality is that Taylor, if he’s committed to playing for two more years, is worth as much as a low first-round pick. Would Jacksonville, which has the No. 26 overall pick and is in good position to compete for a title, and Philadelphia, which has the No. 19 pick and competes in the same division with the Super Bowl champion Giants and the Dallas Cowboys, swap their first-round positions for a proven veteran like Taylor? Who knows?

Bottom line: If the Dolphins don’t soften their stance, the only place they might see Taylor soon is in a movie theater.

[bsfins]

Ok, I know I'm out of the loop being out of town...but this kind of goes the same direction as the first pick in the draft...right now,Th Dolphins have no leverage...Julius Peppers,and Jared Allen Both are on the trading Block (Allen leading the league in sacks last year) and both are younger than Taylor.....So Teams looking for a pass rusher Ala the Jags,have the power..Ok we'll give you this pick take it or leave it..We'll go get Allen or Peppers....

[DolFan619]

Fins: Latest on JT

I can't think of much to add to this story on yahoo.com, because it is consistent with everything you have already read here over the past few months, as I've been advising you to ignore whatever is said publicly.

It serves everyone (Taylor, the team) best to handle this behind-the-scenes, for image (Taylor) and leverage (Parcells) reasons. And I've been telling you that I wouldn't be surprised if Taylor walked away entirely, tempted by Hollywood's lucrative call. There was one part of the original Yahoo story a couple of months back that I couldn't confirm -- that there was a firm agreement to work out a trade. But there has been a clear understanding that it would be in everyone's best interests.

I recognize that some fans feel that Taylor is bailing on the franchise. I recognize that some of those same fans want their players to be completely focused on football, and single-mindedly devoted to the franchise that pays them. So you're not big on the dancing thing, even if Taylor is in great shape, and isn't staying out all night on South Beach or (allegedly) clocking customers in the Carolina Ale House parking lot.

But here's the question:

As you watch the way that Chad Johnson and Jeremy Shockey are acting out, to get out of their current situations, don't you feel that Taylor is handling this situation as professionally as possible?

> Posted by Ethan J. Skolnick at 12:09:46 PM

[Kirbyjr]

I have to say that if wants out he is handling it in a very professional way.  I have to give the guy credit for not airing his dirty laundry out for everyone to see and hear, unlike Ocho Cinco.  I would love to keep him in a Miami uniform, but if he wants a chance to win, we really cant give that to him right now.

[Defense54]

No doubt. No one Loves Jason more then me..........but he wants to go to a contender before he quits and becomes the next Dwayne The Rock Johnson. Give him to the highest bidder before the draft and grab Chris Long to take his place.

[Sunstroke]

* Jason will be dealt right before or during the draft. Let's go ahead and revive the "what can we get for #99?" because it's going to happen. I'd settle for a 3rd, but hope we can get a 2nd out of JT.

* Freudian slip, my Kantian ass... The pillar of our defense, Chris Long, will replace Jason at DE, though I think the scheme will change a little and we won't see Long used in exactly the same way that Taylor was.

* Miami is not going to use a 2nd round pick on a QB. I think they'll take a flyer on a late round developmental QB...probably whichever of the midround tier QBs slips. Sparano will use whichever QB shows him more in camp between Beck and McCown, and based on all the publicly noted attention that the new regime is showing to Beck this offseason, I think they (at the very least) want Beck to win the job.

* Since Miami won't go QB in round two, what they WILL do is aggressively address the offensive line. You heard it here first, BOTH of Miami's 2nd round picks will be used on O-linemen. Before you start screaming "other needs!," I think the decision to develop Beck dictates the increased prioritization of the O-line. I think Ireland sees DBs and WRs in the mid-late rounds that he feels can make the squad, and think he'll look to add the best 2 OL that they can get in round two.

 

[fyo]

I think the decision to develop Beck dictates the increased prioritization of the O-line. I think Ireland sees DBs and WRs in the mid-late rounds that he feels can make the squad, and think he'll look to add the best 2 OL that they can get in round two.

I think the biggest mistake one could make was to consider this a one-draft rebuilding project. There are simply WAY too many needs for that. So, if we recognize that more is going to be needed, what do you draft FIRST? I would say the answer is "whatever allows your players to develop the most".

And that is: linemen. On both sides of the ball.

On offense it's simple: If you have a poor line, it pretty much doesn't matter who you have back there playing quarterback. The guy is going to get pummeled. His confidence is going to take a beating, he won't develop nearly as much as he could (since he'll be spending most of his time on his back) and the risk of injury is unreasonably high.

[DolFan619]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/miamidolphins/entries/2008/04/19/jts_fate_tied_to_first_pick.html

JT’s fate tied to first pick

By Edgar Thompson | Saturday, April 19, 2008, 06:51 PM

A week from now, Jason Taylor’s future with the Dolphins should come into focus.

The report that Taylor wants to be traded won’t go away.

But Taylor recently told someone close to him that he plans to return to the Dolphins.

He also knows where he plays next season will hinge on who the Dolphins select with the No. 1 pick in next weekend’s NFL draft.

If Miami picks Michigan left tackle Jake Long, Taylor remains a Dolphin.

If Miami choses Ohio State defensive end/linebacker Vernon Gholston, the Dolphins will be looking to unload Taylor, a source said. (The Dolphins apparently haven’t even reached out to Virginia DE Chris Long, though a lot can change in the coming week.)

The Dolphins would jump on a second-round pick, and hopefully something more, and Taylor would end up on a team built to win now, like Jacksonville, Green Bay or Cleveland, among others.

The Dolphins don’t expect to be able to get a first-rounder from anyone for Taylor, the source said. Taylor turns 34 in September and has two, maybe three, good seasons ahead, coupled with an itch to get to Hollywood.

Speaking of that itch, Taylor’s success on “Dancing with the Stars” isn’t drawing rave reviews around the Dolphins facility, the source said.

Top-level management wishes Taylor had two left feet, so he’d be eliminated from the show and could join his teammates in the off-season conditioning program.

Owner Wayne Huizenga, on the other hand, is enjoying Taylor’s dancing each week and can’t wait to see him do the tango.

Bizarre doesn’t begin to describe this saga. At least it’ll be over soon.

[Sunstroke]

I think the biggest mistake one could make was to consider this a one-draft rebuilding project. There are simply WAY too many needs for that. So, if we recognize that more is going to be needed, what do you draft FIRST? I would say the answer is "whatever allows your players to develop the most".

And that is: linemen. On both sides of the ball.

On offense it's simple: If you have a poor line, it pretty much doesn't matter who you have back there playing quarterback. The guy is going to get pummeled. His confidence is going to take a beating, he won't develop nearly as much as he could (since he'll be spending most of his time on his back) and the risk of injury is unreasonably high.

You quoted me, then warned of a possible mistake one could make, but then agree with me on the O-line priority. Not sure how I came out on that one. For what it's worth, I don't consider this a one year, or even a two year rebuilding job. I'm already looking at what FA's and draftable rooks will be around for next offseason, so trust me...I'm in for however long it takes to right the ship here.

And on tonight's show, I said almost the exact same thing about drafting line players, both offense and defense, early and often. You win from the line out, and our lines need a major talent infusion.

[DZA]

I have to say that if wants out he is handling it in a very professional way.  I have to give the guy credit for not airing his dirty laundry out for everyone to see and hear, unlike Ocho Cinco.  I would love to keep him in a Miami uniform, but if he wants a chance to win, we really cant give that to him right now.

Took the words out of my mouth. Agreed

[Defense54]

Dallas is a contender..........Its closer to LA. His Buddy Zach is there, and they have draft choices.    JJ Lets make a deal!!!!

[YoFuggedaboutit]

We need to get younger.  Jason Taylor has one, maybe two good years left.   We won't be a contender within the next two years.

[fyo]

You quoted me, then warned of a possible mistake one could make, but then agree with me on the O-line priority. Not sure how I came out on that one.

I agreed with you. I warned of a possible mistake one could make (and that the Dolphins have been making for years), not one you had made.

[Sunstroke]

I agreed with you. I warned of a possible mistake one could make (and that the Dolphins have been making for years), not one you had made.

Thanks for clearing that up...I must have been tired when I read it.