Building for some undefined tomorrow remains the front office's clear priority at the expense of being as good as possible today, and the litmus test for that may be summarized in two words.
Jason Taylor.
The Dolphins are about to let him go to the rival New England Patriots, and there you have it, people. That's Team Tuna waving a surrender flag, at least for now. That's Miami admitting it isn't that good yet, cannot win the division again, and falls well short of even thinking of playing in a hometown Super Bowl this season.
A team that thinks it is good enough or one or two key pieces away signs Taylor. It is why Bill Belichick is about to.
A team that has conceded this season remains fixated on growing its young talent instead passes on Taylor. Even though he fills a pressing need. And even if it means the franchise you are trying to become will get him instead.
Taylor would have loved to re-sign with Miami, his literal and figurative home, after one wayward year with Washington. He isn't about to sign with New England for the better shot at a Super Bowl ring, or because the Pats would pay him exorbitantly more. He will do it because Miami has decided philosophically that it isn't close enough to win to take on a 34-year-old sack specialist for short-term gain.
