Fine, I'll give in - Let's talk Jason Taylor
by Matty I on Mar 31, 2009 12:15 AM EDT
in 2012 Miami Dolphins News
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Could there be a reunion down in South Florida? You never know.
Alright - I give up. I really tried to stay away from this topic. I really, really tried. But now it's gotten to the point where I just can't. And the main reason why is John Clayton's latest report - one which says that the Dolphins are one of Taylor's two main options. And yes, New England is the other.
Before we get to any of that, though, let me just explain why I wanted to stay away from this. There are many reasons, in fact. But the main one is simply because I do not like soap operas. I hate them. I despise them. And that is exactly what this whole "Jason Taylor vs Bill Parcells" saga turned into last offseason. As it turns out, truth be told, much of it was way over-exaggerated. But that ridiculous media circus last offseason really turned me off of any Taylor-related talk. Hey - can you blame me?
Then there's the whole "JT turned against the Dolphins and forced his way out" idea that was going around upon the trade that sent Taylor to Washington. Unfortunately, we'll never really know what went down behind closed doors; nor should we even care. Here's what I know for sure about Jason Taylor - he's a Miami Dolphin legend. And while I was one of the most vocal "disapprovers" last offseason about Taylor's feelings towards Miami's offseason training program and other "voluntary" workouts, that doesn't mean I wouldn't want Jason back in 2009. But I think he'll have to have a different attitude.
No longer is Jason Taylor a "holier than thou" figure in Miami - especially within the walls of the Dolphins' Davie facility. Is it any coincidence that Jason's worst career season came after an offseason where it's been perceived that he wasn't fully committed to working out and preparing for football activities? Maybe. But I'd bet that one does have something to do with the other.
And all that leads me to this latest report from John Clayton. In his blog, he writes:
Interest in former Dolphin and Redskin Jason Taylor will pick up over the next two weeks, but the Dolphins and Patriots will be his main options. Taylor wanted to take three weeks to sort through his life and spend time with his family. Watch for the Dolphins' interest to grow.
It'll be interesting to see how this whole thing plays out. If the money both teams offered Taylor was similar, would Taylor choose the Dolphins over the Patriots? I know one thing - if he doesn't, his legacy in Miami takes a big hit. Of course, if the Pats offer more money, it's completely understandable if Jason accepts their offer. But if all things are equal, we're going to see if Taylor really does love Miami as much as he claims.
One thing we do know is that Taylor has spoken with Tony Sparano and is open to a return to Miami. Taylor told the Sun-Sentinel:
"I haven't ruled anything out. I have spoken to Tony (Sparano) at length. And I've always loved Tony. I said it when I left. I told Tony when I left and went to D.C. that one of my biggest regrets of not being down here last season was not getting to play for him. Because he was great with the whole Dancing with the Stars and the offseason, he was great. I'd love to play for him, but I'm not in charge of that."
I think that how Taylor will be viewed in 10 years will be shaped, in large part, by how this particular situation plays out. Would Taylor really "love to play" for Sparano?" Or is he just playing up to his long-time fans and supporters in Miami?
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He'd need to show...
real commitment to the offseason conditioning programme and as I understand it his reason for being released by Washington is that he wouldn’t commit to spending time preparing for this coming year.
JT isn’t the player he was, there’s commitment issues (IMHO) and he’d bring that whole ‘soap opera’ baggage back with him. If he wants to go to NE then let him. Let’s look to the future not the past.
C'mon over to Shady's world, MiamiDolphins.co.uk
He's obviously working NE against Miami
and that’s a good “Business” decision I guess. But I agree with you Shady in that if he’s not gonna commit to the Offseason conditioning program then bye bye. At his age if he’s not 100% committed to the game he won’t put up the numbers, and so he’s wouldn’t be worth the money, that’s just the business of it also.
THE BEATINGS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES
by ATS16 on Mar 31, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions
man...I was gonna be pherst
I would love to have the guy back. I’m sure he’s probably eating crow now by saying last year that he didn’t want to be part of another rebuild. Uh…yeah, how ‘bout AFC East Champions chump! Do I think we would be fine without him…yeah. Do I think we could be better with him…yeah. It’s a toss up. I would be nice for him to end his career where he belong though. So I’m a softy for fins players.
If not so be it.
Just one man's opinion.
The defending AFC Champions Miami Dolphins chose Marino with the 27th pick in the NFL draft.....
Founding member of the 2nd round draft of NT Ron Brace, 6'3", 330, benchx225:32 bandwagon
Founding member of the 3rd round draft of OG Herman Johnson, 6'7", 350, 36.5" arms bandwagon
You have to put yourself in his situation...What would you do?
The Patriots we all know would love to get him, I’m sure. And I believe with a certain commitment, the trio would want him as well. First of all, the Pats would have to offer more money because of the tax situation and the factor of his precious time away from his family.
Some of you will say that we don’t need him but we all know that he would fit in great in this defense. It wouldn’t be like previous years. His signing with the Pats would make Dolphin nation hate him, however him re-signing with us will create a nice buzz.
I’d like to see him sign on with us with a nice “incentive” contract and lets see what happens. We don’t have to worry about JT, we know the guy can play, so why not.
"If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good you did it. That's all it takes to get people to win football games for you."
Coach Paul Bear Bryant
I would be sick to my stomach
if he ever went to the patriots. He really despised that team as do i. I wouldn’t mind him coming back. So many taylor jerseys would be happy
Deja Vu All Over Again
JT would be a nice addition if we were a couple players from the AFC Championship Game. We are not;)
TH
1 thing i disagree with Matty...
if he cant decide….then more money from the Pats lands him…he’s even worse off in my book. He has enough money so his kids kids dont have to work….and he will make allot outta football. It’s 1 year…you get to be by ur family…u get to come home to standing crowds with welcome back signs….ALL THAT.
I do understand him wanting a ring….and honestly of course the Pats are 1 of like 3 teams you can always know are in the hunt.
In the end i feel like hell be back….his words are feelers right now. I read Phins players show up tomorrow for the tourney….imagine how great they will recruit..
“Cmon dawg…come back….these guys got their shit straight….lets go baby!”
lol
CMON BACK JT…there is still time to mend fences and make next season that much more cool
Phinsider Hall of Fame Class of 2009
2-Time Matty Award Winner
Money
I’m not sure how much a factor money is going to be. I read that he talked his way out of Washington because he didn’t feel like he was worth the 8.5 they were giving him. So maybe he’d be willing to play for a smaller contract.
I guess what I’m saying is maybe if the Pats tried to win him over with barrels of cash, he’d turn it down, but I generally don’t know shit about anything. I just hate the Patriots.
Also, I’m new here. Been reading since Miami lost that second game last season to New England. You guys are hilarious. Be gentle.
whats the worse that can happen???
Wake outplaying him…..we already know he wont be a everydown OLB so lets give him a shot. We need QB pressure in the worst way
Bring him back
Besides last year has the guy every been a distraction or part of a “Soap Opera”… No. You really can not blame the guy, I believe he was riding his emotions from the Cam Cameron days. Cam was not handling the team well, he traded away Chris Chambers, and openly said he wanted to get younger. So Taylor wanted out of that situation. Granted when the Trifecta came to town Taylor did not make it any better, by dancing instead of lifting, but how quickly do you get over something?
If he comes back, and I hope he does, there will not be much drama, because I think he knows what he needs to do. And the Fins had their best year in a long time with out him, and still got a 2nd rounder for him.
People need to stop being bitter and acting like they were personally hurt by him moving on.
The Patriots Suck
who is acting like they are "personally hurt"?
the point is that last offseason saw Taylor acting ridiculously. As the leader of the team, he should have been involved in the new regime’s offseason training. He wasn’t. Then after DWTS was over, he still didn’t take part in voluntary workouts – which was just ridiculous for the team leader.
agreed
as Nicky said this is very fairweather…but it’s ok because he looks like the tool who is lucky if we take him back…….
and we have a tasty 2nd rd pick that might line up next to him on defense…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA…thannnnnnnnnnnnnnnk uuuuuuuuuuu Skins
Phinsider Hall of Fame Class of 2009
2-Time Matty Award Winner
useless opinion from 790 host
70% JT comes back.
Phinsider Hall of Fame Class of 2009
2-Time Matty Award Winner
He's usually one of the more reliable guys on the Fins
especially on 790….interesting opinion to note
Not based on this post
But there are Fans on Finheaven and other posts on here earlier this offseason stating their disgust in JT. And how they do not want him associated with the Phins ever again, as if he Spit in their faces.
The Patriots Suck
I think that's understandable
JT acted like a child last offseason – and it seemed like he felt he was “above” the team. It pissed me off, too.
But now it looks like he’d be coming back with his tail between his legs….and we got that terrific 2nd round pick for him. So it’s all good now. lol
Ah Matty,
a very business-like mind. I like it haha
by Dave.Phuller on Mar 31, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
yes, agreed.
his behavior last off season lost him some credibility in my eyes for being a straight shooter.
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Mar 31, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I really do think that if all things are equal
between the Pats and Phins in terms of money and contract and all that, JT will pick the Dolphins…why wouldn’t he? he is a freaking legend here, and his popularity did not take a hit after last offseason’s nonsense IMO, and the fans will be INSANE in his return game to Miami, and it will continue all year…he should have a total hatred towards the Pats after being in Miami all those years, and also it gets pretty frigging COLD in NE during the last quarter of the season and into the playoffs, is that an environment he is comfortable in? he def not used to it, but that prob won’t affect his decision…only thing holding him back is his commitment to the offseason workouts, and proving that he is willing to bust his ass to get ready for the season. he may have been able to get away with skipping it before, but BP and Co. will have none of it…so the question is: Is Jason Taylor committed enough for this regime?
-"I'll weather whatever storm, Make it out without a bruise"
-"Even when winning illogical, losing is still far from optional"
-"Even the greatest gotta suffer sometime"
-"No excuses, No explanations"
by MiamihastheDolphins.... on Mar 31, 2009 9:56 AM EDT reply actions
Agreed
Zach Thomas could not play for the Pats because of his time with the Fins, I hope Taylor is the same way. I honestly would love to see him back again, money has to be right because he is 35, but while the team is developing others, he could be that pass rush the Fins need.
The Patriots Suck
I think it would be great to see him back here again!...Zack too!
Come on boys one run for all of us again!
"You are the people you hang out with"
Hey I would love JT back like I said he needs to end his career here hopefully Zac talks him into comming here
But like Matty said and this is what I think the Pat’s will offer the most money and maybe he thinks he has a better shot with the Pats at winning a super bowl before he retires these reasons I could not blame him but I also could not forgive him for going to our biggest rival but then again maybe like I said he want to end his career as a fin and thinks he can be a big part at getting us to the big one.
Ahhhh Ta Ta Ta Ta Bye Bye Foy518
I do think he'd play better here.
Call it karma, intangibles, mojo, or “good vibrations.” JT playing better (than last season) would definitely be a big deal for our D.
(btw, I’m BIG Cal Ripken fan, so the loyalty strikes a chord)
Larry Little and I both wore 66 in our football careers. I think that means something.
I, Tunaflipper, am the creator of the "Draft DJ Moore Bandwagon"
F.Y.I
It does not bother me, but I just wanted to say it is Zach Thomas, not Zack or Zac. But I have seen post on many Fin sites with fans so pissed that Zach name was spelt wrong. So the Fin Fan Fun Police, may say something so better watch your back…. LOL
The Patriots Suck
"was spelled wrong"
….giggles…
Larry Little and I both wore 66 in our football careers. I think that means something.
I, Tunaflipper, am the creator of the "Draft DJ Moore Bandwagon"
by Tunaflipper on Mar 31, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Its "grammar", buddy and "isn't"
;)
"If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes really good you did it. That's all it takes to get people to win football games for you."
Coach Paul Bear Bryant
LOL
yeah, i saw Clayton’s report when I posted the Beck thing. And like you Matty, I didn’t want to discuss it, for many of the same reasons. I didn’t like the circus it turned into last year, and i am not interested in all of the speculation that i can see heating up over the topic between now and the draft.
I, for one, would love to have JT back… as a team player committed to playing limited play time and tutoring the young pass rushers we will have in camp. I would love to see him rededicated to football in general, and the Dolphins specifically. I would love to see him be a locker room leader by example, in work ethic on and off the field. And i would love to see him end his career as a Miami Dolphin and not somewhere else, especially as a Patsie. But if he doesn’t have the interest in running the last mile of the marathon flat out, 110%, then i say pass.
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Mar 31, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions
role
i don’t comment offten but this i will talk about i don’t see this team taking a step back and if he is not going to be 100% commited to being a role player and helping this team move forward then let him go to the patsies and play for second place!
Agreed.
i meant the same thing above.
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Mar 31, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
99
ya i love jt as much as the next guy but not as much as i love the phins so it has to be right for the team and if he goes to another team i will still look back at his time as a phin and love what he did
IIRC, the issue in Washington was him not attending Offseason workouts
because he wanted to be close to his family, who conveinently live down here in SoFla, so I doubt that would be an issue if he was to return to the Dolphins. For sentimental reasons, I’d like to see JT back, but I don’t think it’s a good football decision.
He’s right at the end of his career, I think last year he was really looking towards his “after-football” life, and he seems now to be more focused on being a family man instead of a football player. That’s not a bad thing at all, and I don’t blame him for wanting to be Dad, but I would also rather have a guy fully committed to football suiting up every Sunday. If we’re one pass rusher away from the Super Bowl, I say go for it, bring him in. But we’re not. I think the better move is to bring in a SSLB to compete with Roth, and let Porter and Wake hold down the Rush LB spot. Or draft a guy like Cushing that you can move all over the place, and just fit him in where we need him. I just don’t think signing Jason Taylor for a year helps us move forward and get to the level that we want to be at year in and year out…
by Little Nicky 21 on Mar 31, 2009 12:43 PM EDT reply actions
except JT specifically said that he had a "heart to heart" with Snyder
and the offseason workouts were not an issue.
Nicky, did you see my “if” list above? I think it would be good to have him on the team… IF (big if) he comes as described below:
as a team player committed to playing limited play time and tutoring the young pass rushers we will have in camp. I would love to see him rededicated to football in general, and the Dolphins specifically. I would love to see him be a locker room leader by example, in work ethic on and off the field. And i would love to see him end his career as a Miami Dolphin and not somewhere else, especially as a Patsie. But if he doesn’t have the interest in running the last mile of the marathon flat out, 110%, then i say pass.
Implicit in the description is that fact that he would be playing for a minimal sum. He made it a point to say that money was not his main concern. Fine, play for the team because you believe you can help them get back to the SB, maybe not this year, but soon.
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Mar 31, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
the question is
If we werent as sucessful as we were last year, would he still want to come back?
He didnt want to be on a rebuilding team(which does make sense for a guy his age) and even though we are technically still rebuilding we have managed to win while doing so.
"How can I blame you
When it's me I can't forgive?"
-From the Unforgiven III off of Death Magnetic
No and hell no!
I’m a huge JT fan, but I really don’t want to see him back here!
I want to be able to cherish the memories of him at his peak, not as a broken down wreck in his last season in the league. Getting JT means keeping a young hopeful off the team and takes the focus off the ‘team spirit’ that this team demonstrated throughout last year.
From his perspective it would be better to go to the Pats – they’ve got a better chance of winning the Super Bowl this year than we have, and he would fit it with their Old Guard approach.
Move along guys there’s nothing to see here……………
reports that JT is broken down........
are false.
If you need to know how playing out of position effects you….then check out Porter’s 2007 stats compared to last year.
He had a serious fluke injury….he’s good.
2006 Defensive player of the year…..i dont think you go from that to crap in less tha 3 years
Phinsider Hall of Fame Class of 2009
2-Time Matty Award Winner
out of position?
he played DE… The fluke injury was just that, a fluke, I won’t argue with that..
but going from MVP performance to crap happens often. Talk to Shaun Alexander about that. Hell talk to just about any over-30 player that was in the pro bowl 3 years ago… quite a few guys were on top of their games 3 years ago and are over the hill now..
We can’t expect to get the 06 JT if we sign him… He would be a situational player and a locker room leader, and I really don’t think we need an old situational pass rusher, we already have one of them in Porter.
by Little Nicky 21 on Mar 31, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Shaun Alexander
isn’t a fair comparison if you ask me. He had a non-fluke injury, lost his top lineman, and I believe saw his lead blocker leave. Foot injuries will kill a running back’s career, but I think he would have played well in his early 30s had he retained his blocking men and not suffered that injury.
Of course, there may be a correlation between his age and injury, but I don’t think it’s his decline in skills that necessary turned him to crap. Nor do I believe it to be the case with Jason, even though he’s now in his mid-30s.
by Dave.Phuller on Mar 31, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
one word...
trace armstrong… well technically that’s two words…, but it could be considered one name.
anyway, the guy continued to play very well into his 30s as a situational pass rusher. He was very productive, and I can hardly imagine JT would be less, or that JT has fallen off all that much since 07 when he played well despite the team falling apart. I mean, he was a Pro Bowler two years ago and was basically out last year, so if he gets conditioned properly, I can’t believe he doesn’t still have a Pro Bowl season or two left.
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Mar 31, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
i dont see what all the fuss is about
JT has been one of the most beloved Dolphins of all time. He didnt really leave and burn bridges. Him and the Tuna had a disagreement about how good he was still, and it was decided his best option was to play for a contender. (Although he should have just asked me, and i could have told him not matter how bad of a season we could have had, it wouldnt be as bad as the skins)
If he wants to come back ill welcome him back with open arms. He was a staple to our amazing defense in the 90s and ill be damned if anyone of you has forgotten that. He may be a little over the hill, but then why not just let him do his thing and retire as a Dolphin. We never keep players for their entire career, it would be nice to see one who realized he made a mistake in leaving to come back.
He wont go to the Pats for money, hes got plently, and i have a hard time believing he could play for that Spygate cheater.
You gotta hate to lose more than you want to win
I hated on the guy when he went to Washington
but it would be nice to see him come home and play well.
12-4 in 2009.
I'm feeling allot of
man love in here:>)
" oh I'm sorry did I break your concentration?" -Jules Winfield-
Creator of the(pie in the sky) trade up and "draft B. J. Raji" bandwagon Matty I's Besswagon L Nicky 21s Brandwagon-- Winner of BloodyElbow FunnyBone Contest IV's Andre Arlofski's "how's taste my poo poo?" Award for his fondness for not so tasteful poop jokes..
Working it
If Taylor is working NE and Miami for bigger money, do you blame him? This is probably his last shot at making big money. I’d just like to have another sack threat. Who do you double, Porter or Taylor?
12-4 in 2009.
i betcha JT has two more good years in him
if he really wants to commit himself to football. In theory, he could be on the team when they are challenging for the sb.
-LCFF
by LeftCoastFinFan on Apr 1, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
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