The official Jason Taylor discussion thread (mega-merge)

[GTripp0012]

He's more of an elder statesman for the team than a key cog of their defense at this point. This is probably going to kill his playing time, and I don't blame the Dolphins. You've got a bunch of great young defensive players. Play Jason Taylor as a third down rusher only. You'll be better for it.

[LMsexyAO]

I don't think it's any worse than what Strahan did last year to the Giants so I wouldn't get too worked up about it. If they do let him go I think it's a huge step in the wrong direction seeing as how he's the best player on that team at this point and very popular with the fans.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

I think at best Jason Taylor is worth a third rounder. I would give up a fourth for him right now. I doubt this will happen because the Redskins love Phillip Daniels. Much to my chagrin, the Redskins have extended Daniels contract, for another three years.

you sure about that? don't recall hime even being mentioned as a restructure this year

[Mattyk72]

Daniels is signed through 2010 but he wouldn't be that much of a hit to part ways with.

[Paintrain]

From the Redskins Blog in the Washington Times
The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

Don't be stunned if Dolphins ace defensive end Jason Taylor, on the outs with the new regime in Miami, winds up with the Redskins. Taylor will be 34 in September, but he had 11 sacks last season. His 46 sacks the past four years lead the league.


Taylor is still very much in shape as he showed on "Dancing With The Stars." He has played his entire 11-year career in Miami, but the Dolphins haven't made the playoffs since 2002 and Bill Parcells and Co. are clearly rebuilding a team that was the NFL's worst last season. The Redskins, while not a powerhouse by any means, did reach the playoffs two of the past three years.


What's more, Taylor's agent is Gary Wichard, who is very tight with Redskins front office boss Vinny Cerrato. A Redskins source said that acquiring Taylor to boost the laggard pass rush wasn't out of the question but that there have been no talks so far either internally or with the Dolphins.


Taylor has two years left on his contract, which is worth $16.5 million. Miami could absorb the cap hit incurred by trading Taylor and Redskins owner Dan Snyder's trademark has been to shower newly-acquired players with bonuses.

[JankySpanky80]

I think Taylor fits an area of need. If we could get 2 or 3 years out of him then next year we could draft a DE(highly unlikely but you never know). I think he is a huge upgrade right now. He would make the rest of the line better.

[prinzeofmoval]

i like Taylor always have always will. He's a class act in a league full of idiots who don't get it. As long as it doesn't cost too much i would look into picking him up. He is one of the better pass rushers in this tenure. The question does remain can he stay healthy? Thats the key but you don't lose anything picking this guy up.

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by prinzeofmoval

i like Taylor always have always will. He's a class act in a league full of idiots who don't get it. As long as it doesn't cost too much i would look into picking him up. He is one of the better pass rushers in this tenure. The question does remain can he stay healthy? Thats the key but you don't lose anything picking this guy up.

I dont think health is an issue with him...he is in incredible shape...that dancing thing makes you lean however...I wouldn't be suprised if he lost 15 lbs neccessary to take on OT's

However, his speed and flexibility is potentially very good right now.
He would be an ideal situational pass rusher for 3 years....8 mil a year for that?
I dont think so...that is probably why Miami wants out.
If we can restructure to bring the average down to 5 mil a year...for 3-4 years, I say do it.

[Mattyk72]

From JLC:

As those of you who check in regularly already know, the Redskins rejected the Dolphins quickly and decisively when Miami called shopping DE Jason Taylor before the draft. He's the kind of player defensive coordinator Greg Blache has avoided - an aging big-name who has one eye (if not both eyes) on Hollywood and his next incarnation as The Rock/Brian Bosworth in front of the cameras. Based on everything I have heard from both inside and outside the organization this is not in the cards.

Yes, the Skins have a need an end, but unless the Dolphins decide to give the guy away, then it's no. And, according to league sources, the Fins have already denied an overture for a fourth round pick for Taylor from one NFL team and may in fact holdout for at least a pick in the first three rounds. Again, the Skins are not and have not been players here, and at that price it's a no-go.

The Redskins have already passed on a bevy of linemen in free agency and on the trade market, and, again, there are reservations among many in the organization about how focused and dedicated Taylor is to football given his turn as a ballroom dancer and his obvious flirtation with the lure of La-La Land. Taylor's overt rejection of reporting for Miami's mini camp and training camp runs counter to everything Blache stands for.

Washington has preached building through the draft above all else - that offer of two first round picks for Chad Johnson not withstanding - and by dealing a pick in the first three rounds you are trading an asset that should translate into a longtime starter for the right to rent a player like Taylor for a year or two. The Redskins have had no recent discussions with the Dolphins since rejecting Miami's initial approach about Taylor, sources said, and he is not someone they are planning to pursue.

As one NFL executive put it:

"Blache is not a guy who is infatuated with stats and sacks. There's a lot of other things you need to be able to do to play for him, and at this stage of his career can Jason Taylor give you those things for 65-70 snaps a game for 16 games? No, he can't, and he's a guy making $8 million a year.

"That's a team that says now that they are building through the draft and you have to take them at their word there, and after over-spending for so long that now they may be taking a different approach. You can't just build a team one way; there has to be a balance between the pro side and the college side and you can't be balanced if you're always giving away first-day picks. In the first three rounds, you've got to think of those guys as starters. I can't see too many teams offering those picks for Taylor. If I'm the Redskins I'm not making a move for the guy."

[81forHOF]

As much as disagree with trading draft picks for aging veterans I have to say that I would have to make this deal. He would fill a major need, I do not think Taylor is the kind of player to just show up and not put his heart into the game.

I cannot begin to explain how this would make our entire defense so much better. Having a player that offenses would consistantly have to dedicate two blockers to would really open things up for us. Plus Carter could just tee off on the other side.

I know it is hard to call the Skin's this year because no one knows anything about Zorn as a head coach, but I see this move as one that would put us over the hump and make us solid contenders for the next 2 years.

If it would end up resulting in a Superbowl don't you think a 2nd or 3rd round pick would be worth it? At the very least I fill it would put us in the playoffs the next 2 years. With the upgrades we made on offense in the draft and the impact a premier pass rusher would have on our entire D, I think we would be a force to contend with.

[freddyg12]

Jason Taylor has everything going for him except his age & the fact that he seemed to act like he doesn't have to communicate w/his new boss if he doesn't want to.

I agree w/all that's said in JLC's blog & hope that's the case. One caveat however, is if he is released. Then it becomes a matter of how much they're willing to pay for him. His current salary is way too much.

Overall, I like Taylor but given the Bruce Smith parallels that exist, I definitely hope we don't trade for him, but I could live w/him as a reasonably priced (not vet min.!) free agent.

[diehardskin2982]

taylor for 2 years would be good. he hasn't been getting beat by olineman.

[mrreddman]

Some of you guys are crazy man. You have to be retarted to not think Jason Taylor would drastically improve our defense. He is in awesome shape and is not injury prone. The only negative to possibly picking him up would be his 8 million dollar salary. But of course Danny boy and the crew are experts at giving signing bonuses and extending contracts to players and adjusting the hit to the cap! Im sure we could give him a 3 year contract or something and make his cap number simi-reasonable. He would be our best pass rusher by far and would allow Marcus Washington to remain as a pass rusher from the LB spot instead of trying to rush from the end spot where he is average at best. Furthermore with our LB depth questionable as is, we need Marcus to play as many snaps there as possible. I do like Chris Wilson alot but the Giants have shown what you can do by rotating your D-lineman and keeping everyone fresh! Our line with Taylor, Griffin, Montgomery/Daniels, and Carter is a more than solid group. I would jump all over it for a 4th round pick but would even do it for a third rounder. A third round pick is no guarantee by any means and Jason Taylor is still very close to Pro bowl level caliber evenat his age. Now if he is somehow released and the skins arent one of the first teams trying to sign him Id be extremely pissed!! I truely believe he could be the missing link to a deep playoff run and well worth the pick or money to sign him. Go get em Danny boy!

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by mrreddman

Some of you guys are crazy man. You have to be retarted to not think Jason Taylor would drastically improve our defense. He is in awesome shape and is not injury prone. The only negative to possibly picking him up would be his 8 million dollar salary. But of course Danny boy and the crew are experts at giving signing bonuses and extending contracts to players and adjusting the hit to the cap! Im sure we could give him a 3 year contract or something and make his cap number simi-reasonable. He would be our best pass rusher by far and would allow Marcus Washington to remain as a pass rusher from the LB spot instead of trying to rush from the end spot where he is average at best. Furthermore with our LB depth questionable as is, we need Marcus to play as many snaps there as possible. I do like Chris Wilson alot but the Giants have shown what you can do by rotating your D-lineman and keeping everyone fresh! Our line with Taylor, Griffin, Montgomery/Daniels, and Carter is a more than solid group. I would jump all over it for a 4th round pick but would even do it for a third rounder. A third round pick is no guarantee by any means and Jason Taylor is still very close to Pro bowl level caliber evenat his age. Now if he is somehow released and the skins arent one of the first teams trying to sign him Id be extremely pissed!! I truely believe he could be the missing link to a deep playoff run and well worth the pick or money to sign him. Go get em Danny boy!

It's spelled retarded...

Good points though, although for one-two years of ANYONES career for a third round pick is a high price. At that price, you'd better be getting a probowler.

[mrreddman]

oops, yeah ya right on the spelling.. my bad, guess i need a refund on my college ed..lol.. but i think Jayson has more than 1 year left. Id say a strong 2 and probably 3 years left, and he still damn close to probowl level if he isnt in the probowl. i feel what your saying though, but at least we would know what we would be gettin as opposed to some unknown hopefully late 3rd rounder. and with our past draft history i dont think that price is really too high. what do you think....say about 50% of third rounders become starters, much less pro bowl caliber players? I dont want to pay a third rounder but would if they wont bite on a 4th. i think everything considered a 4th seems fair to everyone.