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Jason Taylor to miss this weekend's mini-camp

Well we already knew that Jason Taylor likely wouldn't be in Miami until Thursday at the earliest because he has commitments to Good Morning America and Live with Regis and Kelly.  Well, after those, he'll be flying back to Los Angeles to handle some things there, whatever that means.  What it means to the Dolphins is that Taylor will not be at this weekend's first veteran mini-camp.  Yes, it is voluntary and all, but I'll all but guarantee you he'll be the only veteran not at this camp.  Here's what he writes for his ESPN.com blog:

And a lot people are wondering if I'm then going to fly to Miami for Friday's voluntary minicamp. Well, I won't be there. I'm going to be in L.A. on Friday. Got some things to do there.

I know what the reaction's going to be: Oh, he's the leader of that team, and he needs to be there. But, see, there're different types of leadership in sports. There're guys that can talk all the time, and try to lead by saying: "Oh, this is what we need to do, let's go, rah, rah rah.'' They're rah-rah guys. And then they're guys, like me, who lead by example. And people are saying now, "Your example should be being there working out with the team.'' Well, at the end of the day, I will show up and I will do anything I need to do, and I will be the best football player I can be. And one thing you can always hang your hat on is that on Sunday, you're going to get my best effort, and I'm going to run through hell or high water to make it happen.

Now, I do recommend you go and read the entire thing because Jason does address a lot of things.  He says the players in the locker room are supporting him.  He says that he's not worried about learning a new defense, stating that they will "make it work." 

He also gets into the Bill Parcells crap, basically saying it's a non-issue.  He says Bill is a busy man and that they are both professionals.  And no, he says he isn't mad at Bill.

Honestly, for the first time, Taylor is saying all the right things - at least to Dolphin fans.  Well, except for the fact that he won't be at this weekend's mini-camp.  So that means this coaching staff won't get to see Taylor with the team until the mandatory mini-camp from June 6 to June 8.

I'm not too thrilled about this, to be honest.  But as long as he comes in here in June, works his tail off, and plays like the usual Jason, I guess I'll be able to live with him missing all these workouts, OTAs, and camps.

Thoughts?

1 recs | Comment 26 comments

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Respect

Probably like many of us Dolfans, I’m torn with this whole JT saga.

Part of me hates him for it all. He clearly is putting other things in his life before football, which automatically guarantees less than a full commitment. The Dolphins need every ounce of commitment from their veteran and need to see such effort with such a young group being expected to contribute right away.

The other part of me wants to give him the benefit of the doubt. He has paid his dues and has proven time and again his worth to the franchise. For years he has been a menace on the line, gaining him the respect of players/coaches/owners league-wide. So I kind of want to let this slide until mandatory camp starts and he can get back into it again.

Today, I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Tomorrow might be another story.

The Ace Report – Authentic Sports Journalism

http://theacereport.com
-Authentic Sports Journalism-

by scouted on May 20, 2008 11:55 AM EDT   0 recs

i cant wait

for the mini camp this weekend. we will have much better topics to discuss. MatttyI thanks for keeping us informed i know your getting sick of all this JT Bs also, how you stay motivated day in and day out is impressive…. Oh yeah the cards!!, Marlins are still on top after losing 5 of 6 GO FISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What happend to the Killer BEEs

by FinfanT on May 20, 2008 12:17 PM EDT   0 recs

Ask yourself what you would do.

I understand it is football first, but keep this in perspective. First off, this camp is still technically voluntary. We all understand what it really is, but if we are going to ride someone’s ass for not showing to a voluntary camp then make the darn thing mandatory. Nuff said about that. Secondly, would you leave the competition? I really don’t think so. He committed to this venture before this new staff. Would we give him this same grief if CC was still in charge. No, in fact we would probably be telling Cam to sit in the corner and shut up. My point is, if its not clear, is they are all big boys and will work it out. My bet is he gets to camp June 6th and beats the snot out of everybody just to make a point.

by Thruthickandt on May 20, 2008 12:31 PM EDT   0 recs

True enough on the CC comment...

...but then we’d be lucky to win 3 games. I don’t want to go to this deep, dark place again. I want JT in the trenches leading his men to victory. Its like your best friend, you ma not like everything he does, but at the end of the day, he’s still your best friend. And best friends means being able to ell someone when they’re messing up.

by dab415217 on May 20, 2008 1:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Absolutely agree about the "voluntary" label

It’s silly to call it “voluntary” and then act like it is disrespectful when someone decides not to show up.
There is no “voluntary, wink wink” obligation for veterans. I can see it for a guy trying to make the team, but what are they gonna do to JT…...? Cut him? :)

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on May 20, 2008 7:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

After reading the article

JT is a die hard dolphin bottlom line.. the media twists everything around and spins it… he clearly stated what most of us thought.

Yes, there’s a new defense to learn. But we’ve had a lot of coaches the last five years, and I’ve learned all those defenses. We’ll make it work, trust me. We’re not reinventing the wheel here.
Sometimes people are looking for something different than what is actually said. I saw a couple comments today. People were like, “I can’t believe he’d say he wanted to be known more for acting than for football.’’ Are you kidding me? I mean, I want to be known as the best football player I can be. We all have dreams to win Super Bowls and make the Hall of Fame and all that, absolutely

What happend to the Killer BEEs

by FinfanT on May 20, 2008 12:47 PM EDT   0 recs

Not a big deal

Voluntary is Voluntary. Plus, the guy has earned his stripes. Just like the working world, you put your time in, do a good job…. you get rewarded with more vacation. : ) Being a leader means a lot more than just on-the-field performance, but on-field IS the most important. If he can take care of business on-field, he can do whatever he wants off-field.

by jtuffy10 on May 20, 2008 1:04 PM EDT   0 recs

No Problems

Though it would have been nice if he could have made it.

I agree that he said all the right things.

He isn’t the team leader and has never been. He’s the example setting sack maestro who plays at an incomparable level.

As far as leaders go… It’s simple and the same as always.

We need a quarterback, plain and simple.

www.thephinisher.com

by The Phinisher on May 20, 2008 1:53 PM EDT   0 recs

Uh, never is a long time.

You say,” He isn’t the team leader and has never been. “

If he’s never been the leader, why was he the one handing out the game ball to Cam after the Ravens game? Can anybody just step up and hand out game balls?

Just sayin’.

by Yorke Hunt on May 20, 2008 4:30 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm willing to bet that Jason Taylor...

...is relieved to know that some of you guys are able to live with his current career decisions. Whew! He’s wiping the sweat off his brow right now. Give me a break will ya! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. He will be here in June and he will run all over the guys who are huffin’ and puffin’ in the weight room right now.

We do remember who we are talking about, right?

  • 2x first-team All-MAC (1995-1996)
  • Honorable mention All-American (1996)
  • 6x Pro Bowl selection (2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
  • 4x All-Pro selection (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006)
  • AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2006)
  • Walter Payton Man of the Year Award (2007)

Here is a short list of NFL personalities currently in the news and/or the public eye:
Ocho Cinco, PacMan Jones, Chris Henry, Bill Belichick, Marvin Harrison, Cedric Benson

Now let me get this straight…you have to complain about our eleven year veteran and international fan favorite (with not one blemish on his pro career or his character off the field…ever) for competing in a reality family TV show called “Dancing With the Stars” instead of being at the voluntary mini-camp right after experiencing the worst season in franchise history, mind you during a complete rebuild including the departure of his best friend, teammate and brother-in-law Zach Thomas. C’mon guys! How dare some of you call yourselves Dolphin fans. You should be proud that he’s not demanding a trade or urinating in night clubs or waving guns around or punching people out…he’s dancing!...and getting in great shape while doing it, football or otherwise. Please go away with your complaints, come back in June and eat crow pie then.

GO DOLPHINS!

by hwyatt3 on May 20, 2008 4:28 PM EDT   0 recs

Wow, are you ever way off the point.

But please, if it makes you feel better ranting at your fellow Dolphins fans about wanting their team leader around to help the team, go right ahead.

These guys are paid millions of dollars to play football. Our team is in the dumps. He’s the only part of our team not down here working towards getting better right now.

Wow, just wow. Then again, from all you have written, I can see that you do not value other’s opinions and mock them for anything different than your own.

by dab415217 on May 21, 2008 8:06 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

If you don't think your own opinion is right...

...then you have no business voicing it. If it seems as thought I am being defensive by “mocking” other people opinions, it’s because I am on the defensive. I am defending my opinion and I believe that I am defending my team and it’s players. In this case Jason Taylor. I don’t feel bad about that.

GO DOLPHINS!

by hwyatt3 on May 21, 2008 8:49 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Interesting concept...

...but I always thought one defends their opinions or ideas with reasons to support them , not by mocking others opinions. But hey, what do I know. :)

by dab415217 on May 21, 2008 9:20 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Starting to wonder about this....

Might some people be displaying an unhealthy obsession over this whole soap opera? I realize it’s not as bad as Salguero’s blog (where three of the nine- that’s a third, for you non-math types :OP – most recent posts, and the only one he’s updated, mention JT by name), but isn’t he just one player on a team of 60+? One would think that at least one of those players were doing something that merited a bigger percentage of the attention, but I guess not.

by Deof Movestofca on May 20, 2008 4:44 PM EDT   0 recs

Agreed...

...but right now, this is probably the biggest story in regards to the Dolphins.

by Matty I on May 20, 2008 5:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I have agreed with almost everything...

...your have written and I have really enjoyed putting my 2 cents in on this blog. It’s the first time I ever been on one of these things and maybe I’m not sure of the protocol or whatever but I just wanted to let you and anyone else who thinks I bashing or whatever that I just simply don’t agree with your take on this whole thing. That’s all. Like I said, I have agreed with just about everything else you have written and have really enjoyed reading your stuff and taking part in this whole deal.

by hwyatt3 on May 21, 2008 8:53 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

hey that's the point here

I like disagreements and debates. I think we all do.

We just have to not attack anyone in a personal way. And for the most part, everything usually stays civil.

by Matty I on May 21, 2008 12:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Ya know, the thing is that most people don't blatantly disagree with your opinion...

I think most fans are torn between their desire to see the new program work, and the knowledge that JT has been a good soldier and is not “technically” breaking any rules.

The reality is that it would be better for the team if JT was working with them during the voluntary OTAs. As much as you may try to argue that point, it is simply a fact.
It not only helps JT’s conditioning, but on a team with 50% turnover, it also helps build chemistry. It also helps the players around him develop faster because they have to step it up to play to his talent level. Now I’m sure dancing has helped stamina, but football conditioning would be more appropriate, since it includes strength training, strengthening football muscles that help prevent injury as well as build bulk.

But that being said, I think most fans believe that JT will be ready to play with the season starts, and will play better than last year, given better coaching and supporting cast. And even if they are pissed at him for dissing the team, they still will welcome him back when he finally returns.
It really isn’t fair to say that the people wanting JT back now not true fans. They are true “Miami Dolphin Fans”. Team fans. Maybe just not, so much, individual player fans.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on May 21, 2008 1:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Actually, I don't care about the dancing part...

but I DO care about the mini-camp part.
:)

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on May 20, 2008 7:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

amen to that

http://canemutiny.blogspot.com A fans view of Miami Hurricanes Football and Basketball

by Little Nicky 21 on May 21, 2008 12:12 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Strahan and Taylor

At this point in his career, Taylor can miss time and be effective. Look at Strahan last year. Didn’t he hold out until the 1st game of the season? Taylor has been in the 4-3 and 3-4. He knows how to rush the QB. When JT comes to camp, he’ll be the best player on the field and teach our new LT some tricks.

This may sound optimistic, but I think we’ll be in the playoffs next year. The Tuna has turned around a lot of franchises and gets quicker each time. The whole culture has shifted in Miami. Teams are going to have their hands full with us this year. Our lines are much improved.

by gophish on May 21, 2008 4:08 AM EDT   0 recs

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