Sunday column: Taylor can return if he wants

This weekend, my Dolphins column is about Jason Taylor and his current situation as an unrestricted free agent.

That situation is simple: Taylor can go to New England Patriots, chasing the brass ring that comes with a promised championship -- although that promise never really holds, it seems. Or Taylor can do the other thing, the interesting thing, the harder thing.

He can return to the Dolphins.

Why is coming back to Miami the harder thing? Well, it could not happen without a promise from Taylor that he is committed to working hard in the offseason conditioning program, which he didn't do last year.

The Dolphins would not come with the likelihood of competing for a Super Bowl, as the Patriots do. But I think we learned last year one should not underestimate this Dolphins organization under Bill Parcells and the Patriots are one Tom Brady injury away from being out of the playoffs.

The Dolphins, would, however come with the idea of giving Taylor his best opportunity to end his career on a high point. That high point would be tied to him working diligently this offseason on getting ready for the season. That high point would be tied to him being part of a pass rush that includes Joey Porter and the young pass-rushers the Dolphins plan to add in the draft. That high point would be tied to giving an imaginative Miami coaching another weapon.

That high point would also come for Taylor as playing in Miami would give him the opportunity to stay close to his family, which he is said to covet.

We'll soon see what drives Taylor when he decides where to go. The decision will tell you what is important to him.

Is it purely about getting with the team most likely -- on paper at least -- to win? Or is it about working hard during the offseason as well as the regular-season, being close to his family, and playing for the team he says he loves?

We'll see  

Comments

[Most of Us]

Kevin. You're a real tough guy hinding behind a pc or mac. If you don't like it, then don't read it. now take a f'n hike !

[AlA]

if taylor plays for anyone in the afc east he should not have his number retired as a dolphin and he should pack his family and move from miami. Thats is the lowest thing a player like him can do to miami fans. move to boston where it nice and warm loser

[Nathaniel Dodsworth]

I'm all for bringing Jason Taylor back. He doesn't have a typical defensive lineman's build - he is much leaner and more athletic - and for that reason he can prolong his years of effectiveness. In my opinion, he still has a few good years left in his tank. If that means using him primarily as a pass rushing specialist, so be it.

Tomorrow is my 4th wedding anniversary. My wife and I decided to celebrate it early, this weekend, with marital relations and a sumptuous repast at a local eatery. I am very thankful for all my blessings. I couldn't be any happier - even if I were Cuban Menace.

[Gopats]

after a deep thought i like to say the future is here for fins as long as the primery foucs is on the young stars of this team but if the greedy money man dancer comes back the foucs will shift from henne and co from the new spirit of this team had so far but if you bring mr me me me back the foucs will become show biz and uniform colore and media crap stories about mr JT and 1-15 will be back as strong as ever.

[luggi]

Nathaniel....hope you have at least another 100 years of happiness.

[luggi]

is JT 38 years old or older?

[mikeCT]

JT can teach the young players how to end 1-15 in a hurry and also he can proform in half time in home games only and his family can join in the fun.

[GetterDone Phins]

Jason Taylor will go down as one of the great stars of the Miami Dolphins and one day be on the ring of honor!
However, now a new direction is upon this Miami team and I seriously doubt, nor should it, include today's Jason Taylor.

The lone exception should only be a Vet minimum, incentive laden contract, and we all know that JT will feel he is above that.

Soo, I rather see the money and roster spot go to another FA or June 1st cut player who is younger, as well as hungrier!
That will prove to be far wiser in solidifying the new direction of this team, than adding a 1-2yr stop gap at best.

Thanks for all your service and memorable plays JT. Good Luck to you in your future endeavors.

[Robert]

Brian Biggane of the Palmbeach post is reporting on Jason Taylor the interesting thing is that Taylor said he had not heard anything from the Pats and playing for them would be hard. He also said it was great to see their were teams who wanted him and mentioned the Phins. Salguero does this mean Jason Taylor is in talk with Miami.

[hard felt love]

thank you JT for all you have done for us while you were making a lot of money and thank you for the memorble record of 1-15 and good luck with your show BIZ

[Gopats]

Robert....jt will never join the pats,it's all about just messing with tuna ,bob craft said that JT can come but no thing happened ,it's all to annoy tuna and make him pay a lot for JT but tuna will not take the bait

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Thank you Sean and Getterdone. Some Voices of reason and football smarts besides my own. I couldn't have said it any better in regards to J. Taylor. Anyway this is all a moot point. The tuna isn't bringing taylor back. This is just another speculation story on a slow dolphins news day. This wasn't the first and i'm sure it won't be the last time its brought up because taylor won't be signing anytime soon . Probably not until training camps in july. By then he would've missed all of the tuna's Off-season workouts .

[blah blah blah]

If Jason Taylor goes to New England at a discounted price then he is a traitor, plain and simple. I would not want his number retired. His legacy as a dolphin would be destroyed and he would be wise to just move out of south florida. I would spit in his face from a moving car if I saw him.

[Robert]

your just pissed caused JT that after 11 years of playing with Miami he would not like to play for NE. BTW he did say he had heard KRafts remarks.

[Gopats]

fins without JT PLAYIG.........10-6
FINS WITH JT PLAYING............3-13

FINS WITH JT DANCING IN HALF TIME ONY......8-8
FINS WITHOUT JT IN THEGAME IN ANY FORM......11-5

[jed]

I think we should bring back goodman and hill. They have experience and we can win now. I think our 2 2nd rounders should do it. Your Thoughts ?

[mikeVT]

Come on nj phin fan Jed in the house

[mikeVT]

Jed, why don't you like nj phin fan? please tell us why and in details if you have few minutes,thank you.

[Mr Bunglito]

Nj phin fan shouldn't waste his time on this troll . Just like sean said. He's a troll.

[mikeVT]

mr.bunglito, if nj phin fan doesn't answer jed then how we are going to have good time,i think nj phin fan afraid of jed cause he's very strong scary man.

[Mr Bunglito]

I'm sure luggi , monkey and carlito from golfito are going to show up pretty soon. When in doubt , they are always there to show everybody a good time.

[shawnNY]

Mr Bunglito is in the house yeeeeeeeeees

[KOALA]

Mr Bunglito, tell your liseners why you in love with JT?

[Mr Bunglito]

Coach Saban Died ! Nevermind. Wrong Saban

[cuban menace]

The Menace Is on the web,i see it looks like 50 % say yea to letting the big dummie back in a fin uniform, well the cuban says "j.t chase your hollywood dream you tool."...also congrats to mr. dodsworth on # year 4

[Robert]

According to the PBP Taylor is fine with participating in the Conditioning programs and has no problem in returning to Miami. I think he just left in Miami court to sign him. Come on Tuna pull the trigger.

[cuban menace]

Remember Fin fans him and his brother in law zach(barney rubble) thomas wanted to retire with a s.b. ring they left the fins after a 1 and 15 season, dont be loyal to these two, they dont deserve it.

[KOALA]

JT + ZT= 1-15

[cuban menace]

Whats the 1st Q For The Cuban?

[bob]

>we only take you back if you would like to proform in half time of fins games at home only.

Nooo. We only take him back if he DOESN'T.

[SWFlafan]

I say sign JT, then immediately trade him to the Pats for a second rounder.

[bob]

>Jason Taylor haters fxxcking Suck!

Dont get your hopes up, gayblade

[KOALA]

CAN FINS SIGN jt only to make reality TV show for creepy cable channel and split the profit the same as T.O FILMING RIGHT NOW, BY DOING that they make some dumb fans happy while they make money and if does work will get Henne to do it.

[cuban menace]

Hey Zach, how are things going over there in big D ? keep chasing that ring barney rubble.

[still looking for a name]

Q for cuban, would you like to see JT proform and move it in half time during games at home or on the road?

[cuban menace]

They'll need a wide angle lens on all the shots for henne, you know because of his size 96 neck.

[cuban menace]

Good Q, i say let him perform only at home games, now heres a Q, whats bigger chad (neck fat)henne neck or bill(big tunas)parcells waist size?

[cuban menace]

Good Q, i say let him perform only at home games, now heres a Q, whats bigger chad (neck fat)henne neck or bill(big tunas)parcells waist size?

[cuban menace]

Ok The menace is on the web for 20 more minutes, whats the next Q for the cuban.

[still looking for a name]

it's not easy to tell ,but i hear that a few nfl players will come out of the closet this comin season to broad the appeal for wider......is't true cuban?

[cuban menace]

Ok The menace is on the web for 20 more minutes, whats the next Q for the cuban.

[cuban menace]

Found out that the tuna has a size 98 waist, so there you go guys he beat mr. neck fat by 2

[Jed]

We should bring back todd wade and trade long for draft picks. Wade has more experience and we can win the super bowl this year.

[Dulphin]

I would love to have JT back. He's been more loyal than most of the fans here.

[nj phin fan's friend]

yeeeeeeeeeeeees jed in the house ,jed please tell us a story the start of the overall uniform and how it started in your neck of the world?

[carlito from golfito]

small fact for all dolphans:

Dolphins record with JT 1-15
Dolphins record w/o JT 11-5

enough said

[anchovi]

yeeeeeeeeeees carlito in the house,amen carlito ,long time no hear

[jed]

I can't wait for the poster of taylor in nothing but overalls and a straw hat. I think the dolphins pro shop has breaking news about when they come in. Yeah Baaaaaby !

[carlito from golfito]

Small fact for everybody that thinks JT wants to attend training camp this year:

He was cut by the Redskins for not wanting to attend training camp.

One more small fact:

Jason Taylor hasn't spoken with either the Dolphins or the Pats.

Small speculation:

this could be all b.s. to increase his asking price.

[mrmikejohnson]

"We'll soon see what drives Taylor when he decides where to go. The decision will tell you what is important to him."
-------------------------------------
That's exactly it. He had that whole situation where he almost got divorced a few years ago because he was ignoring his family. If he really cares about his family, you have to think he's going to want to stay in Miami. It can't be about money any more with JT. New England is on the decline. Their chances of winning a SB aren't that much greater than the Dolphins. With JT and Joey being utilized in the right way, Brady can be neutralized.

[Bobby]

Bring him back if he is comited to thedolphins,I believe everone deserves a secound chance.Ricky got one and has made the most of it.the thing is is he commited to MIAMI or not.If not see ya.The younger JT would have been comited this one only he knows.

[AceTurbo]

Sign Taylor and quit the non-sense of not winning now!!! We want to win now, not next year or the year after. Last year proved anything is possible with great coaching and team chemistry. Having depth on defense is what you need to win. Everyone knows there is going to be injuries. No team goes the year without them. With Taylor and Thomas, who mind you, have been the backbone of our team for the last decade bring zero negatives to our organization. They are class acts,leaders, unlike the TO's, and would never tear a team apart. We would also get them for the home discount + that 2nd round pick from Washington in this years draft making Snyder look like an idiot once again. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!

[Mike W]

Bring back Jason
1. What can he bring to the team? He can still rush the passer and drop back in coverage, a nightmare for the defensive coordinatores.
2. Mentor and Teach the young hungry OL we have.
3. Teach and Mentor the new young DEs we now have. Imagine Wake with JT's insight.
4. Remember how we ALL hated, and I repeat HATED Ricky when he left, he came back and look at the demension he brought to our team. We accepted him back, we loved him and he produced.
5. We traded Taylor for a year; we get him back this year AND A PICK....hello....
6. This is football, it's a business.
7. Now emotions set in time....wish we had Welker, back? Isszo back? Seaua back? Who else? Let's don't say the same for Taylor, SIGN HIM NOW, it's a FOOTBALL descision. 1 year contract, to wit: Workout and incentive laden, 'nuf said. FINS SB CHAMPS 2010.

[Mike W]

Bring back Jason
1. What can he bring to the team? He can still rush the passer and drop back in coverage, a nightmare for the defensive coordinatores.
2. Mentor and Teach the young hungry OL we have.
3. Teach and Mentor the new young DEs we now have. Imagine Wake with JT's insight.
4. Remember how we ALL hated, and I repeat HATED Ricky when he left, he came back and look at the demension he brought to our team. We accepted him back, we loved him and he produced.
5. We traded Taylor for a year; we get him back this year AND A PICK....hello....
6. This is football, it's a business.
7. Now emotions set in time....wish we had Welker, back? Isszo back? Seaua back? Who else? Let's don't say the same for Taylor, SIGN HIM NOW, it's a FOOTBALL descision. 1 year contract, to wit: Workout and incentive laden, 'nuf said. FINS SB CHAMPS 2010.