Dolphins, Taylor to part ways?
Jason Taylor and the Dolphins have agreed to amicably part ways between now and the NFL Draft, according to a report by Yahoo! Sports.
Posted on Sun, Mar. 02, 2008
BY JEFF DARLINGTON
[email protected]
Within the past two weeks, since being named a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor has already left Miami to move into a home in Los Angeles where he plans to stay until his time on the show ends.
Now, however, it appears he might not be returning at all -- at least not to play football.
Taylor and the Dolphins reportedly have agreed to amicably part ways at some point between now and the NFL Draft on April 26, Yahoo! Sports reported Saturday night on its website. There is no animosity between the two sides, according to the report.
Three individuals close to Taylor said Saturday they were not aware of such an agreement, but the notion certainly isn't far-fetched. It also isn't much of a surprise. Taylor has privately expressed his frustration with the constant rebuilding projects in Miami, and he isn't interested in being part of another one.
He also has placed emphasis on his post-career plans recently, which was reinforced by his decision to participate on Dancing with the Stars. Taylor's preparations for the show already have begun (it begins March 17), and his responsibilities might not be fulfilled until mid-May.
If that were the case, Taylor would miss much of the Dolphins' offseason training program -- something that hasn't thrilled Miami's new staff, considering Taylor is supposed to be the team captain and leader.
But that doesn't mean Taylor and his current bosses aren't getting along, which is emphasized in the Yahoo! report. Instead, both sides have different plans for their futures that have led to a possible -- and seemingly inevitable -- split.
That said, Miami isn't likely to simply cut Taylor loose, the same way the team waived Taylor's brother-in-law, former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas. Vice president of football operations Bill Parcells has not been able to justify letting his best player leave without getting something in return, which is why the team could soon enter into trade talks with potential suitors for Taylor.
That shouldn't be overly difficult, given that Taylor seemingly has several more productive years left in his career. But finding a suitor that fits Taylor's desires might also be a requirement, since Taylor also could opt for retirement without the right fit.
Taylor has toyed with thoughts of retiring for the past two years, and it remains an option if indeed he felt his post-career plans in Hollywood were promising enough to leave the game.
So while the Dolphins and Taylor have reportedly decided to part ways, such a notion doesn't necessarily mean either side knows exactly how that's going to occur -- whether via trade or retirement.
Whatever the scenario, it continues to appear more and more likely as if the Dolphins will soon also be without another longtime face of the organization. First, Thomas. Now, likely Taylor.
...
Pace also visited the Jets on Saturday, and he is expected to decide between the two teams by Sunday. While he seemed to be leaning toward the Dolphins, he said Friday he was excited about the potential of playing opposite Taylor.
Word of Taylor's looming departure could cause Pace to either lean away from the Dolphins because he won't be playing with Taylor -- or it could cause him to believe he'll have more opportunity to succeed.
Either way, the end of an era in Dolphins football appears to be nearing close as Taylor's future with a team he spent 11 years playing for appears bleak.
