The Dolphins Make Me Cry.com - Forums

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2010/04/report-jason-taylor-visiting-the-jets.html

I understand it, but I hate it!

F the Jets.

Mercy...

i have to hope its just a ploy to get the dolphins to commit to a contract for him.

otherwise i am setting fire to my taylor jerseys

Wow.  I'm really surprised.  Of all people, I thought JT wouldn't ever go there.  I bet he still won't.

Or maybe a ploy to even get the Dolphins to CALL him (or his agent). That they haven't reached out in any way so far this off season is downright shameful. That's just not the way you treat a player, regardless of his history with the team. With someone like Taylor, it's unfathomable.

The Dolphins at least could have given Taylor a courtesy call to tell him that they wouldn't resign him. Sparano talked about Taylor in past tense a few weeks ago. Why couldn't Sparano just come out and say, Jason, we're going younger and we won't be extending you an offer.

And who else is tired of Bill Parcells not talking to the press or fans?

Taylor gets to play in the media capital of the world. If he has a good season and the Jets get to the Super Bowl, he's an automatic lock for the HOF. I don't feel like Jason is an every down player but he's better than 2/3 of the hybrid linebacker/defensive ends in the NFL.

I have to keep remembering...it's a business.

salguero posted this on his blog early this morning before the jets visit broke news:

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2010/04/dolphins-reach-out-to-taylor-to-smooth-things-over.html (http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2010/04/dolphins-reach-out-to-taylor-to-smooth-things-over.html)

JT had a solid year last year

This may be a mistake by the Parcells regime to let him go.

Even if the Jets sign him, we should still applaud him when he comes back to Miami. 

Let's not be like the Pats fans that booed Adam when he came back as Colts to NE. 

They have treated Taylor like crap since the new regime came here. Maybe not Sparano, but the higher ups certainly have. I wish Taylor the best wherever he lands.

I agree.  Taylor isn't doing this to the Dolphins, the Dolphins are doing this to Taylor.

Personally, I think we should go ahead and make an honest effort to resign him.  The thing I found to be most impressive about his play last year was that you hardly ever saw the other team throw his direction.  Sometimes when you aren't on the TV making a tackle it is because you are doing things right.  He also still has that nack for making a big play, at least enough so that he is worth a solid middle of the road veteran contract.   

i know, yet another millionaire many times over playing a game as a profession getting treated so poorly.

Did go to the Jets, or has Ryan come after him? It is a big difference. It would be hard for a player in the twilight of their career to turn down an offer from a team that has a legitimate shot to win the division and go even further.

They went one better- they told Taylor they wanted to wait until after the draft before deciding if they wanted to re-sign him.

What difference does it matter? He isn't the GM. He's the GM's boss. He said he wasn't going to be the voice of the organization.

If you believe that then i have a bridge in the keys to sell you. Bill Parcells fingerprints are on every move the dolphins make. If this regime fails ALL the blame will go on Parcells. He picked the GM and the coach.

I can also tell you this if Dez Bryant is one the board at 12 and the dolphins pass the fans will tell your it's because parcells dosen't like diva WR's or one's with character issues. The fans are starting to become more and more impatient with this regime, especially with the jets trying to improve at any cost.

I know that Parcell's fingerprints are all over the organization, but its not the image he wants to give. My point was that he said from the beginning he wouldn't be the voice. He's running it all behind the scenes, but in the public eye, he doesn't want to talk to the media, etc (in order to give the illusion that he's not making the decisions).

Thanks for clarifying Philly's point that Parcells is not the GM, he is the GM's boss.

Whether he's GM or not, my point is if this regime fails the blame will fall on parcells.

1st of all....JT WAS contacted by miami....saying miami would make a decision about taylor, depending on how the draft goes


second of all....regardless of how great a player is, and how long they've been with the team...it's still a business....miami is NOT "one player away" from a super bowl....JT wants a  shot at a ring....so they'll probably part ways.....sucks dude, don't bash the decision making about this one

Yes, JT was contacted by the front office... A COUPLE MONTHS late. I'm not saying they should re-sign him at any cost (or even at all) -- that's simply not the point -- but they should have reached out to him IMMEDIATELY and let him know what the deal was. Taylor hasn't earned a life-long big-money contract with the Dolphins, and I don't think anyone is saying he has, but he HAS earned the right to be treated fairly by the team and not left dangling for months without word.

Why is the team getting shit on here?  If JT was so thrilled about wanting to come back to the Dolphins and retire with the team, he'd sit patiently and wait until after the draft.  Visiting other team, especially the Jets, is a slap in the face to the team, and likely an attempt to force the team's hand.  There are 30 other teams in the league he could have visited - you think the Jets are the only ones that wanted to talk to him?

It goes both ways.  JT is more interested in winning than being a Dolphin.  I say, if that's what's more important to you, then you, sir, can suck it.

He has to weigh his options. They didn't speak to him or return calls until after a column was written about it. Now that they told him they will talk to him after the draft he has chosen to go out and find a team. It's obvious he wants to be here but if he can't he wants to be on a contender.

The team has treated him poorly at best. Business or not, it shouldn't have taken an embarrasing article for you to tell one of your greatest players in the history of your club that he may or may not be in your future plans. They don't have to overvalue him but they certainly owe it to him to not treqat him like he was Joey Porter or something.

^^He's an unrestricted free agent,why do they owe him anything? I don't get that at all....

He's meant a lot to this franchise and should be treated better than the average player. I would also like to think Don Shula would be treated better than Wanny if he were to be a part of the team or Dan Marino vs. Pennington.   

^^^ That doesn't make any sense to me..It's 2010 in the NFL, not 1980..He's a player that they really aren't that interested in bringing back,(Either is about 30 other teams right now)Their job is to evaluate the 60 players that are under contract,and make the team better.. ..So the Dolphins are supposed to string him along? Tell him what? We want to get faster and younger,and you're past your prime. I feel the Dolphins don't owe Jason Taylor, anything as a player....It's not like they are saying,Sorry Jason, We're not gonna let you retire a Dolphin,He's free to sign with any other club in the NFL....

the jets are trying to sell all those psl's in the new stadium that folks weren't buying.

what a joke this jason taylor is man. multi-million dollar athlete crying that "no one loves me". maybe that's why this team never won shit when he was their leader in his prime. funny how this team played together better the minute he left his crying ass to the redskins.

u know what man, here is another former fan of yours who says you can freaking suck it too.

I haven't heard JT complain. Have you?

I am really hoping Taylor signs with the Jets.  The animosity towards this signing from Dolphin fans doesn't come close to the absolute disgust Jets fans have with the idea of having a player they consider an absolute douche on their team. 

Now if there was just some way this could rile up the folks in Buffalo...life would be totally grand. 

2 years/ $3.45 million for JT.....nice to know you, goodbye

We don't want to see Jason Taylor in a Jets Uniform, we NEED to resign him or it will come back to kick us in the BUTT!! He is an essential part of this team and truly is a Dolphin at heart!
He is a leader in sacks, getting the ball back and team leadership, Dolphin fans can't handle knowing him as a Jet player!
Not resigning him would be the biggest mistake in the Dolphins coaching history.
Joyce Mercurio pompano beach
Dolphin fan since 1970

I read on espn last night that he pretty much has a deal done with the Jets.

^ If that is true, it is indeed sad, but it is a part of the game.

The Dolphins can't make decisions they wouldn't normally make, because of some kind of loyalty.
At the same time, this is a job for Taylor, and he has to go to the place that gives him the best career path.

I fault neither side, but wish it could've gone down some other way.

The thing that I don't get is this: Why doesn't Taylor take a pay cut to play his career out in Miami?  I mean, just from a financial standpoint, wouldn't you think that the Jason Taylor "brand" will be stronger if he stayed in Miami?  He's only got a year or two left, I think, so it seems short-sided.  I think that if he finished it here and kept the local hero persona that he'd make the money back and then some in endorsements.

Perhaps he's going the other route -- trying to get on the national stage more -- the New York media, Dancing With the Stars, etc.  He's good looking and is personable, so I imagine he'll end up as an analyst at some point.

From what I can tell the main issue is that the Dolphins didn't want to even look at Taylor until after the draft.  When you have a team that obviously wants you there and they are offering a contract now, I would imagine it would be hard to pass up on that opportunity and hope that the other works out.  If Taylor doesn't sign with the one team that obviously wants him he is taking a chance that they may go after another option in order to fill their need.

Beyond that, Taylor is at a point where he shouldn't have any interest in a rebuilding team.  Unfortunately, there are lots of teams that are going through a youth movement including us which limits his options.  In this case everything just aligns in a way in which his best option to play without being on a losing team is to go with our hated rivals.

I personally feel a little bad for him that his options are so limited.  I don't think it is the money that is the issue but rather that he doesn't want to retire and the team he loves doesn't seem to want him. 

Yeah, but he wants to come back.  It's the Dolphins that are saying to him "we'll get back to you after the draft".  Well, what if after the draft they say "nope, we're good", and the Jets and Pats have moved on?  If he's only commanding 2 years at $4 Million total, isn't that essentially kicker money the 'Phins would be forking over to their BEST linebacker from the 2009-2010 year?  Seriously now, even with the new MLB in the fold, Taylor's the second-best linebacker on the team, and all he wants is $4 million.  Sign his ass up!  Worst case, cut him pre-season if the young guys impress. 

The deal is the maximum they could pay Taylor,The Jets are restricted on what they can spend because they were one of the top 8 teams in the league last year (one of those funky little rules in an uncapped year) For the Jets It's killer (as in great) he's better,and cheaper than Gholston,and Bryan Thomas.

If he wants to come back so badly, he'd wait 2 weeks.  This draft is one of the most important drafts in team history, and the people are busy trying to evaluate future talent.  Sorry, Jason, that we don't have time to talk to you right now.

Wait 2 weeks.  It won't kill you.

Taylor's being a greedy a-hole.  The Dolphins' world doesn't revolve around him.  If he wanted to sign with the Jets, he'd have done it by now.

Way, way to much animosity towards a player trying to capitalize on his money making assests, when the owners do the very same thing.
I would love to see JT stick around, but the days of loyalty are long gone due in larger part to the greed of the owners.
If people cannot handle the truth, perhaps they should stick to high school and college football and stay away from the business that is the NFL.

^^ sure, i agree, but call a spade a spade.

Most people in this thread are saying "oh poor Jason Taylor, he wants to come back and they won't let him.  blah blah blah..."

If he wanted to come back, he'd wait.  Its not as if they're saying "wait until September, then we'll think about it."

Its not "poor Jason" and my loyalty lies with the Miami Dolphins, not individual players.  I'd love to see JT back in aqua and orange next year and retire with the team to preserve his legacy, but let's face it, this team is trying to get younger and develop tomorrow's leaders and JT's play doesn't hang with the young whipper-snappers anymore.

And that's fine.

But don't get all pissy at the team for the way they're handling the Jason Taylor situation.  They made it very clear that they are focusing on the draft, as they should be right now.  If he wanted to come back so badly, he'd be patient and the DAY after the draft march into Ireland's office and force them to talk.

In the end, I still think he's using the Jets to force the Dolphins to talk to him, and its a selfish asshole move on his part, IMO.  Good of the team, JT....  The draft is more important than you right now.

^^^ Word....

I think this is part of the issue also (between the front office and Jason).....from the Jason Taylor rumored to be a done deal article in the sunsentinal...
One Taylor associate said Friday the deal is "close to done" and all that's left to discuss are smaller issues, such as how much of the voluntary offseason program the 35-year-old free-agent linebacker will be allowed to skip as he comes off minor shoulder surgery.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/sfl-jason-taylor-jets-040910,0,3288544.story (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/sfl-jason-taylor-jets-040910,0,3288544.story)

Doc makes a good point about the not wanting to take a chance.   I guess a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush, in that respect.  What if he waits until the draft, the Dolphins don't want him, and neither do the Jets?  Unlikely that he won't be able to find work, but still...  I think that the decision to sign Taylor shouldn't depend so much on the draft.  Even if you draft guys to fill his spot in the long-term, are they going to start right away?  Would it hurt to have Taylor mentor them?

And I also agree with Brian's post.  The Dolphins are trying to get younger, and the draft is their primary objective right now.  Sadly, the loyalty towards the draft is more than that towards Taylor, but it's how it has to be.

Perhaps they would sign Taylor regardless, but the draft will dictate how much money they're willing to allocate towards the position...

...or maybe it's just an internal team rule -- they don't negotiate until the draft.  That would also make sense.

Should be all of it.   It is called voluntary for a reason. 

^^It's part of the NFL, don't like it don't sign the contract....It's all in the CBA....Well the old one...

People on this board are pissed at JT for even considering it, like he is betraying the team.  Also the front office could have been in better communication with JT leading up to the draft, as it is obvious he has at least some ability left.
It seems as if the front office also wanted the ability to have their cake and eat it too by keeping JT stringing along until after the draft to see how things go. They could have very easily said "we are going younger" and allowed JT to test the market with the knowledge that he could still come back.

It's business on both sides.  The Dolphins are not sure if they want to re-sign him.  He is looking at his options.  I am sure he wants to try to win a ring before he retires.  It should not be taken personally from either side.


With all the trash JT has talked about the Jets, I would be curious to see what kind of reception he would get should he sign with them.

The contract says you can skip ALL of the voluntary workouts.  Yet you have many teams (and fans) that make a big stink if you miss any of them. 

Voluntary workouts are not voluntary.  They're not contractually obligated, but missing them means bad things for you -- getting benched, cut, etc.

It's like when your wife says "I don't care if you go out."  Sometimes it's a trick.

That doesn't make them involuntary though. It just mean you may face being ostracized.

This would all be great if he were 29 and asking for 6 years and $80 Mil.  He's not.  His market is $1.5 to $2.5 M per year.  That is nothing in the salary cap era.  Why should the Dolphins be yanking him around if all he wants is $2 M per year?  It doesn't cost them almost anything to sign him up right now and keep him away from the Jets who, if nobody's noticed, are stockpiling assets right and left.  WHY let a guy who will automatically be the NYJ's best pass rusher get away when all you need to do is offer a paltry 2 year, $4 M deal to keep him?

This doesn't take brain power away from the draft, mind you.  You don't need cap guys helping the scouts figure out whom to draft.  The signing of Jason Taylor could be handled independently of draft preparations.  They ARE yanking him around, and I AM pissy about it.  You will be, too, if he signs up there for cheap and gets 10 sacks.  Believe me, you'll be howling.

I agree - i don't understand why they don't just sign him.  What do they have to lose?  But I am addressing the people saying "poor Jason, he wants to come back and Parcells won't let him"

salguero is pretty funny...

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2010/04/tony-sparano-to-meet-with-jason-taylor.html (http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2010/04/tony-sparano-to-meet-with-jason-taylor.html)

got to think that really both parties boxed themselves into a tight space without much wiggle room. looks like the dolphins have finally come to their senses and are going to try and work something out so they both can save face.

taylor will be playing for the dolphins next year...

Lets see, it cost 1 million dollars for the hideous Orange and Aqua carpet.

250,000 dollars in song residuals for Jimmy Buffett.

Another 250,000 for celebrity perks and up close shots of JLo's ass in Panavision.

Yes, I would say that Taylor is not asking for much.

An orange carpet and the other stuff you mention doesn't go against the cap.

What cap?

Keep your pimp hand strong!  ;D

It's just this year, no?

JT isn't looking for an 8 year $60 million dollar deal.  He is looking for a 2 year deal.  And if they cut him during this year's league year (like was attempted with Porter) 100% of his cap hit would be during a non-cap year. 

Cap issues are non-existent.  The question is he worth one of the 53 roster spots.  Dolphins seem to be saying no, or we won't decide until after the draft.  Jets might take him before that. 

with the signing of marshall, they have to now get jt signed asap, no?

its just so freaking strange... go all in with your chips on marshall, then you pass on a player you can most certainly use at a glaring hole you need to fill. i don't get it...

they now have two less very high draft picks to use to fill a whole bunch of defensive holes. freaking sign jt so at least you don't have to worry about finding a pass rusher immediately.

I actually thought about this and in my mind there is actually something to be taken from the situation.  If they don't go after JT soon, I think we can deduct that they are eyeballing an OLB for our first rounder. 

Here is why...  It is hard to expect that anything below a 2nd rounder could contribute immediately (it happens but it isn't common).  Now we have lost our 2nd rounder so that means we have one shot (with confidence) that we will get a first year contributor from the draft.  Therefore, it would be unwise to wait on JT if they think they will take anything other than an OLB in the 1st round.  If they don't go get JT and don't draft an OLB 1st round, then that tells me they don't think highly of JT at that position in which case it wouldn't make much sense to string the face of a franchise along.

Maybe they wanted to work out the Marshall deal and then use the leftover to deal with Taylor.  ...deal with the bigger issue first.

Marshall makes this Dolphin team a different team.  Taylor doesn't.  He's an asset, yes, but he doesn't fundamentally change the landscape.