The Jason Taylor trade talk

by Matty I on Oct 18, 2007 7:03 PM EDT in News Comment 9 comments

I generally don't like talking about this kind of stuff during the season, but I guess it's gotten to the point where it's a big story now so let's quickly touch on it.

It all started following the trading of Chris Chambers to the Chargers for a second round pick. It was on Wednesday that Jason Taylor made these remarks about the trade and the state of the team:

"It's not good news. It's nothing I like. But we also know what we are. We're not a good team right now."

"You can use whatever word you want, retooling, reloading, whatever the heck you want to call it, but it is what it is. We're rebuilding. I'm man enough to see that and say it."

Clearly, he seemed a little frustrated. But who wouldn't be?

So that was that...until HBO's Inside the NFL aired last night. It was during that show in which SI's Peter King, who I think is a very relaible and credible source, talked a bit about the Dolphins. He also talked about a conversation he had with Taylor following the Chambers trade. Here's what was said on the show by King, courtesy of Ethan Skolnick:

Peter King devoted a lengthy report to the Dolphins on HBO's Inside the NFL tonight. The long-time NFL reporter spoke about how Randy Mueller and Cam Cameron realized after the latest loss that they needed to start accumulating picks for veterans, and looking toward 2008.

King also said that he spoke to Jason Taylor, who reportedly remarked that "everybody in this building is afraid of the R word. We're a rebuilding franchise."

King said that he asked Taylor if he would have liked to have been sent away, rather than Chris Chambers. According to King, Taylor said, "Peter, you're putting me in a tough spot here," alluding to all that he owed this organization and this area.

King, however, closed his report on Taylor by relaying his own conclusion: "Clearly, Jason Taylor thinks not only would it be in the team's best interests, but also in his best interests" to be traded in the offseason.

Alright. So what's important to note here is that Taylor never said anything that could be construed as him looking to be traded. However, King got the feeling that Jason may be interested in being traded during the offseason.

Now with all of these rumblings, Taylor today shot down King's report. Here's what Jason said, courtesy of the Miami Herald:

"I can't talk hypotheticals right now. I'm a Dolphin. It didn't happen that way, and I'm obligated and under contract. I'm proud to be and happy to be a Dolphin. They've taken care of me for years, and after the season, who knows what's going to happen."

So Taylor is implying that King misinterpreted his words and made a false assumption. However, these comments today by Jason lead me to believe the same thing that King assumed after he spoke with Jason: that he'd welcome a trade, likely to a contender. In all honesty, can you blame him?

I'm not one of those that want the Dolphins to trade him. Some people have mentioned trading both him and Zach Thomas to get what you can get in return to speed up the rebuilding process. And that's fine. You're all entitled to your own opinions. And though I don't want him to be traded, I wouldn't be angry if he was. As long as the value in return is fair, it would indeed make sense to trade him. And if they do ever trade him, I'll wish him well and move on without holding any grudges or anything. But man, I would surely miss watching him in a Dolphins uniform on Sundays.

So that brings me to these questions:

Would you be open to trading Taylor? And if so, for what in return?
Would you hold it against Taylor if he requests a trade?

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Comments

Taylor Trade

Who is going to be left to lead this team if they trade Taylor and possibly Thomas?

I would be more confident in trading one in the hand for two in the bush if Beck, Booker, Ginn, and Soliai were making significant contributions.

by Mindtornado on Oct 18, 2007 7:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yup

I've been saying this. Trade JT, ZT, clean house. If your gonna rebuild, then do it. The more picks we get, the more pieces we can acquire, the quicker we can get this done.

See if you can get a 2nd rd for JT, maybe a 3rd for ZT and lets do this. The Fins owe it to JT, ZT, and themselves. After all they have done for this franchise do something for them, give them a chance for a ring, and see what you can get (anywhere except the AFC East). How could you hold anything against them for wanting out at the end of their careers after the front office wasted away their talens with all the bumbling and all they did was stay loyal?

by Neo on Oct 18, 2007 8:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Taylor is a man

Taylor is a man and he and ZT have given nothing but their guts for this team. I hope like heck that they dont leave but if they do I hope that they get into a situationwhere they can succeed. Hopefully we can get good value out of him. But I do NOT want either of them to leave this team

by Rytackle on Oct 18, 2007 9:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Trade terms

I think we should have traded JT during the previous offseason. He could have netted us a first round pick from at least two teams, the Denver Broncos and the Dallas Cowboys. Denver has Jim Bates as its defensive coordinator, and used its first round pick on Jarvis Moss, who was about as close to Jason Taylor as you could find in this draft. Dallas took Anthony Spencer, and Jerry Jones specifically cited the team's desire to improve its pass rush as the primary motivation for drafting him.

Both teams would've traded for Taylor in a heartbeat. It's a lost opportunity.

While we're at it, I think Zach Thomas should either retire at the end of this season, or stay a Dolphin for the rest of his contract. We NEED him at MLB. We have no viable replacement for him, and we have too many defensive needs to justify taking an MLB with our first round pick in 2008. Will there be a franchise MLB available in the 2nd round? Can we package our two 2nd round picks and trade up to acquire an MLB who should be there in the second half of the first round? That's up to the draft gurus, but I don't know the names of any viable MLBs offhand.

Then again, if we can net a 2nd for Zach Thomas, I don't care if we trade him to the Jets.

by desides on Oct 18, 2007 9:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just one...

I'd be OK with them trading one of them, but not both. You still want some leadership on the team, and ZT and JT are the best we've got.

However, the part of the equation that nobody talks about is what are you going to do with the draft pick? I think you need to wait to start evaluating available players in the draft before you make that decision. Who's going to likely be there, and do they fill a need? Once again, the Phins are sucking in a draft year that is not that deep. Most of the best players coming out this year are positions we don't really need (McFadden, Broehme, for example). The one player I see now that would be worth making moves to get would be Glenn Dorsey. And he's going to be a top 5 pick most likely...

So again, I'd put both ZT and JT on the table, with the caveat being you better know exactly who you're trying to get and get him.

by tenaciouslee on Oct 19, 2007 7:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm...

I would love to hang on to JT, but if we do get a great offer for him, did it would be foolish to pass it up because of loyalty. Now, as for ZT, believe it or not, I don't think we can replace him. It's not his speed or power that I'd miss, by his football intelligence. I mean, ZT is one of the smartest defensive players in the game right now. He has that rare ability to see how a play is breaking down, which allows him to be at the right place at the right time. That's really hard to replace. But in the end, he will have to be replaced as well. So as much as I would love to keep both JT and ZT, if we get an exceptional offer for either one, then yes, go ahead and trade. (sigh) One thing for sure: it will be very sad day indeed, especially for yours truly.

by Malachi V on Oct 19, 2007 10:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It almost seems like a no-win situation for...

JT....I mean if he says no, no don't trade me then some people doubt him. If he says trade him, then he'll get treated like villain.

I think he handled it as well as could be given the circumstances.

I'm fine with moving him in the off-season if they can. Although I'd be even happier if they could inoculate that cancer, joey porter, and ship him far, far away, maybe the CFL? :)

by Natalya on Oct 19, 2007 11:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think JT is a class act

But he is clearly in the twilight of his career, and the Dolphins are several years away from being good enough to content for a Superbowl. I say trade him. Win/win for JT and the team. Give him a chance to make a run in his last few years, and lets us really focus on rebuilding through the draft. I think the defense is at a point to where it can no longer be "patched up".
I think a #2 is reasonable.

by LeftCoastFinFan on Oct 19, 2007 12:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Taylor

I wouldn't be open to trading Jason. what can I say I'm a jealous person. I understand both arguments though. Getting value for someone who might not play too much longer is a good thing. What would his value be? I'm guessing a low 1st rounder to a 2nd rounder sounds good. Keep in mind Jason may just retire. If he asks for a trade I would be upset but I'd get over it. With that all said what if Taylor doesn't want to be traded? Would anyone push him out the door? What if Cam traded Taylor and Thomas for 4th or 5th round picks? I would assume everyone goes insane.

Matt

by Matt27 on Oct 19, 2007 1:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs