Taylor wants to play in 2008 but 2009 another story

[DolFan619]

http://dolphinsindepth.blogspot.com/

Taylor wants to play in 2008 but 2009 another story

On April 1, website profootballtalk.com celebrated the foolishness of the day by posting a spoof basically saying Jason Taylor was retiring from football because he had been bitten by the show business bug and wanted to devote his life to dance.

Within hours of the post, several Dolphins players, who apparently think everything the site posts is gospel, were either calling Taylor or sending text messages seeking confirmation of the so-called news.

Taylor eventually answered saying the “rumor mill” post was not true – what a shock – and he had every intention of playing in 2008.

BUT…

In those very responses Taylor also told his teammates and friends that he could not and would not guarantee playing in 2009, which is scheduled to be the final year of his current contract.

Taylor, you see, has every intention of going into show business very soon. He has been pleasantly surprised by his ongoing success on Dancing with the Stars. His cha-cha was rewarded with another week of life on the show Tuesday night. He believes he's gotten more attention and will have more business opportunities based on that show's run than he got all these past years as a Dolphin.

Taylor’s intentions to seek Hollywood movie or TV fame are not new. What is new is the shifting of his priorities between football and show business.

After the 2006 season, Taylor turned down a show business opportunity because the Dolphins had a new coach coming in – again – and he decided participating in the team’s voluntary offseason program and pleasing Cam Cameron was more important than pursuing the opportunity.

Taylor and his agent Gary Wichard, who along with Taylor dislikes Cam Cameron, regretted that decision.

So when Dancing was offered this offseason, Wichard worked to convince Taylor to take it even though it meant missing the offseason program instituted by Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano, regardless of how it made the new guys feel.

This is not to suggest football is no longer important to Taylor. But it should clearly show that show business is growing in importance for Taylor.

He has told teammates he will try for and audition, if he must, for every reality television and movie role that seems attainable. He hopes that won’t interfere with football. But if it does as the 2009 season draws close, show business may win out over football.

And that brings us to this weekend.

The Dolphins now have a player who will be 34 years old in September. He is on the roster but not on the field with his teammates during the current offseason program. Coach Tony Sparano has been publicly supportive of Taylor’s dancing.

But Bill Parcells has got to be seething privately.

How else would tough guy Parcells view that one player is skipping Miami’s workout program, lifting absolutely no free weights as Parcells wants his players to do, and is instead dancing six to eight hours a day?

Does that sound like a Parcells player to you?

For that reason and the short shelf life I have outlined above, I believe the Dolphins will not only listen to trade offers for Taylor this weekend, but actively seek them. I agree with NFL Network analyst Adam Schefter who today said he thinks it is better than 50-50 that Miami trades Taylor.

The price will not be cheap. After the Jared Allen trade set the market pretty high for a pass-rusher, I think the Dolphins would trade Taylor for a pick anywhere between No. 26 and No. 45ish. I know Parcells has vowed not to trade Taylor. But things change.

And based on the fact the player would rather play on a contender than the Dolphins -- which was reported by me March 10 -- and based on the fact Taylor is not certain about playing at all in 2009, trading him would certainly be the wise thing to do.

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_seasonticket/2008/04/fins-even-more.html

Fins: Even more JT smoke

Here's the question:

How many of these stories need to be written before some readers finally believe that there's fire behind all this smoke?

This story says that the Dolphins will accept a first-rounder for Taylor. Of course they will. And I think that, ultimately, they'll take a second-rounder if they're smart.

I will repeat what I've been saying for months, as I've been advising you to ignore anything that is said publicly from either side.

Jason Taylor would rather be elsewhere. That's just common sense. He won't say so publicly, and he won't demand it privately, because it's not his style to act like Chad Johnson. And because he knows, like everyone knows, that Bill Parcells (stubborn by nature) won't accommodate him if this becomes a spectacle. He is trying to handle this the right way, while doing the least possible damage to the organization and, yes, his own image. I think he has succeeded on those counts.

Bill Parcells is trying to rebuild this program, and he needs draft picks to do so. He made his ultimatum (play here or retire) because he is trying to maintain as much leverage as possible with trade partners. That was a logical move. The team has listened to offers, even after Parcells' statement. I am also hearing that, no matter what Tony Sparano said at the owners' meetings, the Dolphins' brass remains annoyed that Taylor is dancing off in Los Angeles while his teammates are toiling in offseason workouts. (Even if Taylor is in outstanding cardiovascular shape).

Unfortunately, Parcells' leverage is somewhat damaged -- no matter how Taylor plays along publicly -- because it is known in league circles that Taylor's NFL days are dwindling, even if he can still play at a reasonably high level. Teams aren't stupid. They know that Hollywood is calling, and Taylor (and his agent) are intrigued by the possibilities there.

So the best possible outcome is that the Dolphins find a suitable trade partner for Taylor by the weekend. His value will not grow over time. It will only decrease, because of his age and other aspirations. The Dolphins are better off getting draft picks now, so they can get a one-year jump start on grooming those players.

Parcells and Jeff Ireland shouldn't take just any deal. A third-rounder in 2009? Not worth it. A third-rounder in 2008? Probably not worth it either. But if they get a reasonable offer, even a single 2008 late second-round pick, they shouldn't let stubbornness get in the way.

They acted decisively to get Jake Long signed, so he will be in camp on time. That set the right tone. For the first time in a while, the Dolphins seem to be acting like a disciplined, savvy, professional organization.

Their next test is how they manage the situation with Jason Taylor.

The best way to manage it is to move him for as much as they can -- and then move on.

> Posted by Ethan J. Skolnick at 12:20:59 PM

[JVides]

Yep, I pretty much agree with Skolnick here.  Gotta move him while they can.  A second and a fourth, maybe?

[Sunstroke]

I'll take a second rounder and a "have a nice day" for JT and be happy about it.

[Defense54]

I was allright with losing Taylor becuase I really thought we were gonna take Chris long 1st.   Who is gonna be available at #32 to take that spot?  I don't think Gholston or Campbell will last that long. Maybe with 2 # 2's we move up and grab one?

[Rick]

^^^  Quinton Groves from Auburn might be available at 32.  He would be a great pick for Miami if they could grab him at the top of round 2.  Groves would fill the void of Taylor quite well if they could get him.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Now that Jake Long is the top pick, I'm not so sure that trading JT is a good idea.

[Sunstroke]

I was allright with losing Taylor becuase I really thought we were gonna take Chris long 1st.   Who is gonna be available at #32 to take that spot?  I don't think Gholston or Campbell will last that long. Maybe with 2 # 2's we move up and grab one?

I think there will be plenty of good edge rushers in round two, at both of our slots in that round. I also think round three will have a couple of edge rushers who could end up being pretty good. Bottom line...every moment that JT sits on the Miami roster, his trade value decreases. Get what you can for him now, before you can't get anything for him.

[DolFan619]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-jason042208,0,237119.story

Sources: Dolphins shopping Jason Taylor for 1st-round pick

By Omar Kelly
Sun-Sentinel.com

5:45 PM EDT, April 23, 2008

A day after signing Michigan's Jake Long, the Dolphins have turned their attention to acquiring another first-round pick, according to two NFL executives. And it appears they are shopping star defensive end Jason Taylor to do it.

The goal is to corral another player at the top of their draft board, one the organization fears might not be around when they select again at No. 32, which is the first pick of the second round.

With Long signed and sealed as the draft's No. 1 pick, General Manager Jeff Ireland admitted Tuesday the Dolphins were turning their attention to other draft issues.

"Now we can work on what we're doing at 32, and what we're doing regarding to any trades," Ireland said, possibly referring to Taylor.

One of those executives said the Dolphins have indeed fielded offers for its six-time Pro Bowl selection, but might be asking for too much in return for a 33-year-old expected to earn nearly $17 million in the final two years of his contract.

While the Chiefs received Minnesota's first-round pick, No. 17 overall, and both of the Vikings' third-round selections in exchange for defensive end Jared Allen, the source said Taylor's age, and contract doesn't merit anything close to that type of return.

At best, Taylor is believed to be worth a second-round pick and maybe future considerations. The source said there's also concern he might balk at being traded to any team he deems isn't a championship contender and will likely ask for a new contract, or threaten to retire.

The Dolphins would not comment Wednesday on trade talks regarding Taylor, standing on Bill Parcells' comments last month that the team's captain, and 2007 NFL Man of the Year won't be traded.

"The only way Jason Taylor won't be playing for the Dolphins in 2008 is if he chooses to retire," Parcells said.

It's believed that there are four players the Dolphins have targeted as their ideal second draftee, and the Dolphins might package a combination of draft picks to get in range for on Saturday.

Two of them - Florida's Derrick Harvey and Auburn's Quentin Groves - are defensive ends who will likely be converted to pass rushing outside linebackers, possibly replacing Taylor if he's moved.

The other two are believed to be Michigan's Chad Henne and Delaware's Joe Flacco, two of this draft's elite quarterbacks, who happen to be rated right behind Boston College's Matt Ryan. The Dolphins have done an extensive amount of research on all four players according to sources.

Harvey's projected to go in the top half of the first round. Groves, Henne and Flacco might be available if the Dolphins stay pat, keeping the No. 32 pick. They also might be drafted a few spots earlier, which could be the source of the Dolphins desires to trade up.

The Jets, Ravens, Titans, Chiefs, Packers, Vikings, Bears, Panthers, and Falcons are teams in need of quarterback help, and the Dolphins could be trying to move ahead of Green Bay (No. 30), and teams like Atlanta, Baltimore and Chicago that might be trying to acquire San Diego's first round pick (No. 27) to get Henne or Flacco.

[DolFan619]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/miamidolphins/entries/2008/04/23/del_rio_rejects_idea_of_trade.html

Del Rio playing hardball in possible trade for JT?

By Edgar Thompson | Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 01:38 PM

If the Dolphins really do want to move up into the first round of this weekend’s NFL draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars have been been mentioned by just about everyone as the ideal trading partner.

Everyone but coach Jack Del Rio, whose team owns the No. 26 pick.

When approached at the NFL meetings a few weeks ago, Del Rio wouldn’t discuss anything about Taylor but his dancing. During a pre-draft press conference on Tuesday, Del Rio didn’t put the rumors to rest, but made it sound like a draft-day trade with the Dolphins is unlikely.

“In the history of our league, rarely are talented players that still have a lot to offer, rarely are teams willing to part with those players,” Del Rio said.

Or part with those players for anything less than a first-round draft pick.

It might come down to who blinks first, based on something that appears on the team’s Web site.

In his latest “Ask Vic” installment, senior editor Vic Ketchman is asked by a reader if the Jaguars are considering a trade for Taylor. Ketchman replies, “Yes, I do.”

It’s pretty unlikely that would have made it onto the team’s Web site if it weren’t true.

If the Dolphins are willing to take the Jags’ second-round pick (No. 58), and something else, Del Rio would make the deal. If Miami holds out for the No. 26 pick, maybe Del Rio would also ask flip-flop fourth-round picks, moving up 25 spots from No. 125 to 100.

But would that be too much for the Dolphins to give up?

Jacksonville, a possible Super Bowl contender, sure could use a pass rusher and won’t find someone of JT’s quality this weekend.

The Jags had 37 sacks last season, but it took 15 players to do it, led by DE Paul Spicer, with eight. Two of the six players (DE Bobby McCray and DT Marcus Stroud) with three sacks or more are with new teams.

Jax does have a second third-round pick (No. 89) and a fourth-round pick (No. 125), and could toss one of them in to make a pretty fair package for a player who’s averaged 12 1/2 sacks the past six seasons but also turns 34 in September.

Plus, Del Rio has a pretty good thing going in Jax, which played the unbeaten Patriots tough in the ‘07 playoffs.

Del Rio said team chemistry is a big reason the team backed off ex-Chiefs DE Jared Allen, who landed in Minnesota Tuesday for the Vikings’ first-round pick (No. 17) and a couple of third-rounders.

“You’re talking about making him the highest-paid guy in the history of the franchise. What message are you sending to your locker room in terms of the type of people you’re rewarding?” Del Rio said of Allen, who led the with 15 1/2 sacks in 2007 and just turned 26.

The same would apply to Taylor, who is scheduled to earn a base salary of $7.5 million this season and might want to re-do his contract based on Allen’s haul, including $31 million guaranteed.

In the end, the Dolphins might be able to find a playoff contender in need of a pass rusher other than the Jaguars.

Earlier today, a report surfaced that the Dolphins have approached at least two teams about trading Taylor.

Taylor has been the face of the franchise for some time. But the Bill Parcells-led Dolphins are undergoing a youth movement. Only one of the Dolphins’ 16 free-agent signings is older than 30, and 11 are 28 or younger.

But whatever Parcells and GM Jeff Ireland decide to do with Taylor likely won’t happen for a few more days. There’s no rush now, and both the Dolphins and a possible trading partner will want to see their options as the draft unfolds.

Parcells has said Taylor isn’t going anywhere. Taylor has said publicly he doesn’t want to go anywhere.

We’ll find out soon.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

If Del Rio wants to give up his first rounder and flip flop fourth rounders with us for JT, I'd pull the trigger on that deal in a heartbeat.

[DolFan619]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphins/content/sports/epaper/2008/04/23/0423dolphins.html

Source: Taylor knows a trade is possible

By EDGAR THOMPSON
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The Dolphins are offering Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Taylor for a first-round draft pick - and Taylor knows it.

Taylor plans to return from Los Angeles to South Florida once he completes his performances on the popular Dancing With the Stars. But he also understands that his 11-year career with the Dolphins could end this weekend if the team can make the right deal for him, said a source close to Taylor.

Rumors and media reports regarding a potential trade have circulated for months. It is believed that Taylor has quietly requested a trade so he can finish his career with a playoff contender rather than be mired in the current rebuilding project.

Bill Parcells, the Dolphins' head of football operations, denied Taylor would be traded, but that hasn't dampened speculation.

The buzz increased Wednesday after Minnesota traded its first-round pick (No. 17) and two third-round picks to Kansas City for defensive end Jared Allen.

Allen turned 26 this month and led the league last season with 15 1/2 sacks - 4 1/2 more than Taylor, who is 33. But the Vikings-Chiefs deal, which includes $31 million in guaranteed money for Allen, shows how far a team will go to get a premium pass rusher.

Few have been as consistent as Taylor, who since 2000 has averaged 12 sacks without missing a game. On the other hand, he will turn 34 on Sept. 1, and his earnings potential in show business could tempt him to retire before age or injuries force him to do so.

The Dolphins have been supportive publicly of Taylor's involvement with the Dancing TV show. Yet high-ranking team officials would prefer that Taylor were in Davie, participating in off-season conditioning with the team's new coaching staff, according to the source.

A handful of teams coming off winning seasons could be interested in Taylor, including Jacksonville, which has the No. 26 pick, and Washington (No. 21). ESPN even mentioned Philadelphia (selecting 19th) as a possibility.

The Jaguars, who were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, looked into dealing for Allen and reportedly have offered a third-round pick for Taylor.

Jacksonville decided Allen wasn't the right fit because of his high price tag and off-the-field problems, including multiple drunk-driving convictions.

"You're talking about making him the highest-paid player in the history of the franchise," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said of Allen on Tuesday. "What kind of message are you sending your locker room in terms of the type of people you're rewarding?"

Del Rio, asked whether the Jaguars were interested in Taylor, didn't answer the question directly but hinted that the price would be too high for a player of his caliber.

"In the history of our league ... rarely are teams willing to part with those players," Del Rio said.

[Guru-In-Vegas]

If Del-Rio offers us something we can't refuse, that team will be a serious force.  They ARE one player away from the big one, I don't know why this would even need consideration from Jack.  Not only that but at least JT would stay in FL and not end up in our division.  I think Jt will definetely help out the Jaguars more than a first rounder.

[DolFan619]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-flspskolnickspec24sbapr24,0,7861277.column

New Dolphin regime's dance must end soon

Ethan J. Skolnick
Sports columnist

12:06 AM EDT, April 24, 2008

First, the Dolphins looked like a smart, disciplined, professional organization for the first time in some time, finalizing negotiations with Jake Long so the first overall pick could report to camp on time.

Wednesday brought another positive development:

Despite Bill Parcells' public protestations to the contrary, multiple sources confirmed what has been logically assumed for weeks. They confirmed that the Dolphins are indeed shopping defensive end Jason Taylor, in search of another first-round selection.

Why is this good? Why is it a positive to shop your most accomplished, marketable and charitable football player? Why should the Dolphins accept a second-round choice if that's all the market bears?

For far more reasons than the 2007 Dolphins had wins.

The Dolphins are starting fresh and, to rebuild, they ought to get what they can while they can.

Taylor's value, while diminished somewhat, is unlikely to ever be higher, in light of his increasing age and acting aspirations.

The Dolphins would get an extra year to develop any extra prospects they acquire in this draft, as opposed to the next one.

Taylor has put in admirable service here, his class and character recently embodied by his avoidance of a Chad Johnson crying jag to force his way out of a losing situation. Instead, he has said all the right public things, even when pressed to do otherwise. If the Dolphins can send him to a contender for a decent return, he deserves as much.

The clearest indicator that the Dolphins should, and likely will, make a deal?

It's this:

The organization hasn't really embraced Taylor lately, anyway.

In fact, the signs are everywhere that separation best serves all parties. The situation, while amicable at the moment, could deteriorate if not resolved.

Parcells has spoken with Taylor only once, and briefly at that, since becoming the VP of Football Operations.

The organization bungled the departure of Zach Thomas, failing to send Taylor's brother-in-law off with a proper news conference — just a short statement from GM Jeff Ireland, who had no association to one of the franchise's most beloved. The newspaper ads, while nice, didn't suffice.

Then the organization virtually ignored Taylor's stint on Dancing with the Stars, when other organizations reeling from 1-15 would have welcomed any positive publicity, especially since Taylor is commonly introduced not only as a "Miami Dolphin" but as an " NFL Man of the Year." While other NFL players are making negative headlines around the nation — and Reagan Mauia right here in Weston — the most questionable thing has Taylor done in Hollywood is get labeled "Sir Dance-A-Lot."

When Taylor returned from Los Angeles a little over two weeks ago, to visit children at a hospital and his learning center, coach Tony Sparano pointed out that while he was dancing out West, his teammates had been working hard in the facility. It isn't known whether Sparano was trying to warn him that teammates were upset, or whether he was just expressing the front office's frustrations.

This might provide a clue, however:

According to sources inside the Davie building, teammates greeted Taylor much more warmly there than front-office executives did when he unexpectedly popped in to visit. His teammates' positive reaction shouldn't surprise, since several have regularly appeared at Dancing with the Stars watch parties.

The front office's reaction shouldn't surprise, either. Parcells, Ireland and Sparano inherited this dicey situation. They didn't draft or groom Taylor, nor did they create the conditions that led to Taylor's playoff drought and killed his shot at late-career glory. This isn't their fault. That's on their predecessors.

Still, this is their charge:

Make a deal. Not just any deal, like a late third-rounder. But the best deal they can, under difficult circumstances. A second-rounder? That should be there. That should suffice.

This regime is off to a good start. It must get this deal done by Saturday, for the good of everyone.

[bsfins]

I find this latest article a very interesting Read....It seems Parcellls isn't trying to play near as many headgames (for now)....Which makes me believe Taylor did ask for a trade,to the front office through his agent....