Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

[Rob0729]

From Mike Reiss' column today:

Interest in Taylor

The Patriots have reached out once again to free agent defensive end Jason Taylor in an attempt to woo him to New England, according to an NFL source. The club did not draft a pass-rushing outside linebacker last weekend, and Taylor could help fill that void.


Patriots owner Robert Kraft has said if Taylor, 34, wants to play in New England, it could happen.


The team appears to be stepping up its recruiting efforts, as the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported yesterday that the Patriots have "strong interest" in Taylor, who plans to make a final decision within two weeks.

Taylor has also spoken with the Dolphins, although they haven't been aggressive, and the Buccaneers are another option, the Sun-Sentinel reported. Tampa Bay's defensive coordinator, Jim Bates, has ties to Taylor from his tenure as Miami's defensive coordinator.

Smith acquired from Bucs - The Boston Globe

Well, the good news is that the Jason Taylor saga will be over one way or another in 2-3 weeks.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

Thanks. I missed that part of Reiss' article during my daily Globe fix this morning. I've had mixed feelings all along about Taylor's great talents vs. the cap and his age, but after watching how brilliantly he handled this year's Draft, I can only say once again what I have said many times before, "In BB I Trust."

 

[GostkowSKI]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

Man do I hope he ends up in New England. This entire off-season would be a smashing success if he's the final addition.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

Not to mention it would finally and mercifully stick a fork in that other saga...so we can get back to analyzing this franchise without every move it's FO makes having to have the quest for a certain franchise tagged DL at it's core...

Although I'm sure in the interim this will just be seen by some as leverage to get him to sign his tag and demand to be traded here...

Taylor has always make far more sense. This team is getting young fast and in transition at it's core on defense. He makes a fine place holder for another year or two as they do so while navigating in uncharted labor waters. In the end it will come down to whether he wants a ring or a convenient base of operation while continuing to collect an NFL paycheck.

 

[signbabybrady]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

convenient base of operation while continuing to collect an NFL paycheck.

you mean Home???

 

[letekro]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

Although I'm sure in the interim this will just be seen by some as leverage to get him to sign his tag and demand to be traded here...

Bingo! Taylor's not the guy.

 

[JSn]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

Bingo! Taylor's not the guy.

Peppers HAS to be looking at the ever shrinking odds against number. It's all about motivation and you are in need of a helmet and a rope if you believe his motivation is money. Money is not the thing that will keep him away. The Panthers demands are the issue, and he probably won't sign until they lower their demands.

If they don't... soon, Taylor comes and plugs the whole (really well, likely) and we get the rookies some SB experience

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

Not to mention it would finally and mercifully stick a fork in that other saga...

But Adam Seward's already signed elsewhere....

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

If Taylor signs, this will be the best off-season in Patriots history, bar none. It would almost be unfair to the other teams--provided Taylor's recovered from his injury last year. Galloway, Taylor, Taylor. That alone is pretty epic to consider. Add in the other solid FA acquisitions, a pretty darn good draft, TB's return, and this team has the makings of greatness.

 

[JoeShmoe]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

Who else this a fait accompli and he'll just rock up after minicamps

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

If Taylor signs, this will be the best off-season in Patriots history, bar none. It would almost be unfair to the other teams--provided Taylor's recovered from his injury last year. Galloway, Taylor, Taylor. That alone is pretty epic to consider. Add in the other solid FA acquisitions, a pretty darn good draft, TB's return, and this team has the makings of greatness.

No. I would say there are several year this decade alone that you could argue had a better offseason:

In 2003, the Pats added Rodney, Tyrone Poole (outstanding the the 2003 season anyway), Rosie Colvin, and Russ Hochstein. They traded for Big Ted Washington. The draft produced Ty Warren, Eugene Wilson (good for the first two years of his career), Asante Samuel, Dan Koppen, and Tully Banta Cain.

In 2001, the Pats added Je'rod Cherry, Mike Compton, Mark Edwards, Larry Izzo,David Patton, Roman Phifer, Anthony Pleasant, Antwain Smith, Mike Vrabel, Ken Walter, and Bryan Cox through free agency. They also drafted Seymour and Light.

Until this draft class shows they can do anything and the free agent signings show that they aren't washed up and/or more than a one year stopgap, I think it is way premature to label this offseason as the best in Patriots' history.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

But Adam Seward's already signed elsewhere....

I died a little inside when that happened, and there you go drudging it back up again

 

[NE39]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

The Pats would appear to be the favorites for Taylor, as Tampa Bay may not be interested either:

LINK

Again, at this point, there are many more signs pointing to Taylor playing somewhere other than Tampa Bay. In fact, it's more likely the Bucs bring back Taylor's close friend, Kevin Carter.

 

[Bostonian1962]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

Man do I hope he ends up in New England. This entire off-season would be a smashing success if he's the final addition.

I wasn't crazy about the part where they traded a starting CB and one of the best return men in the NFL, essentially for a free agent rated rookie OG from Penn St.

Nor, was I crazy about trading another starter (Vrabel), plus Matt Cassell, for....drum roll....a 2nd round pick.

However, if they get Taylor, you'd have to call the offseason a success.

P.S. - I do realize some of the benefits of clearing Vrabel and Hobbs' salary off the cap.

 

[bagwell368]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

Peppers HAS to be looking at the ever shrinking odds against number. It's all about motivation and you are in need of a helmet and a rope if you believe his motivation is money. Money is not the thing that will keep him away. The Panthers demands are the issue, and he probably won't sign until they lower their demands.

If they don't... soon, Taylor comes and plugs the whole (really well, likely) and we get the rookies some SB experience

I think JP figured out finally that big time sack 4-3 DE's make a lot more then semi unproven OLB's. He will stay where he is.

 

[Sicilian]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

I think JP figured out finally that big time sack 4-3 DE's make a lot more then semi unproven OLB's. He will stay where he is.

Actually, it doesn't sound like he's realized that at all...

 

[Cramden]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

Alex Marvez said on Sirius this morning that Jason Taylor to New England appears imminent. At this point I believe nothing until it actually happens.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

No. I would say there are several year this decade alone that you could argue had a better offseason:

In 2003, the Pats added Rodney, Tyrone Poole (outstanding the the 2003 season anyway), Rosie Colvin, and Russ Hochstein. They traded for Big Ted Washington. The draft produced Ty Warren, Eugene Wilson (good for the first two years of his career), Asante Samuel, Dan Koppen, and Tully Banta Cain.

In 2001, the Pats added Je'rod Cherry, Mike Compton, Mark Edwards, Larry Izzo,David Patton, Roman Phifer, Anthony Pleasant, Antwain Smith, Mike Vrabel, Ken Walter, and Bryan Cox through free agency. They also drafted Seymour and Light.

Until this draft class shows they can do anything and the free agent signings show that they aren't washed up and/or more than a one year stopgap, I think it is way premature to label this offseason as the best in Patriots' history.

Indeed. Rodney's name alone made that offseason the best.

 

[Cramden]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

Alex Marvez said on Sirius this morning that Jason Taylor to New England appears imminent. At this point I believe nothing until it actually happens.

As I just entered this he started talking about Taylor again after a Dolphin fan called and asked about him rejoining Miami. Marvez vehemently stated that the Dolphins have NO interest in bringing back Taylor, that it's all a smokescreen. Everything he hears on the ground in Miami points to Taylor joining New England.

 

[Rob0729]

Re: Mike Reiss: Pats are in contact with Jason Taylor

As I just entered this he started talking about Taylor again after a Dolphin fan called and asked about him rejoining Miami. Marvez vehemently stated that the Dolphins have NO interest in bringing back Taylor, that it's all a smokescreen. Everything he hears on the ground in Miami points to Taylor joining New England.

I agree. Jason Taylor to New England seems almost a lock at this point. The break up between Taylor and Parcells was not friendly and although they supposably have mended their rift, I think there still may be bad blood.