OT: Jason Taylor to the Skins

[DrunkBomber]

Redskins get DE Taylor from Dolphins after Daniels goes down

 

ASHBURN, Va. -- Jason Taylor wanted out of Miami, and Bill Parcells seemed only too happy to trade the "Dancing with the Stars" defensive end.

 

So when the Washington Redskins lost a starting lineman to a season-ending injury Sunday, a significant swap quickly got done.

 

The Redskins gave the Dolphins a second-round pick in 2009 and a sixth-round choice in 2010 for Taylor, who is leaving the only NFL team he's known.

 

The six-time Pro Bowl defensive end -- who was the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year -- fell out of favor in Miami after spending his offseason on a TV show rather than working out with teammates.

 

The deal came about nine hours after starting defensive end Phillip Daniels was carted away from the practice field at Redskins Park with a season-ending left knee injury on Day 1 of training camp.

Painful camp opener

 

What a way to open training camp: Redskins defensive end Phillip Daniels tore a left knee ligament Sunday during the very first practice and will miss the season. Full story ...

It also came only about 1½ hours after Washington executive vice president Vinny Cerrato told reporters: "We haven't talked to anybody about anything."

 

When he later announced the deal with the Dolphins, Cerrato said Taylor was expected to report to the Redskins on Monday -- something the player's agent confirmed.

 

"We're fortunate there was a guy that caliber on the market when somebody got hurt," Cerrato said. "Normally, in most years, there's not a guy of that caliber on the market."

 

The 33-year-old Taylor has played 11 NFL seasons and he's started every game each of the past eight years.

 

He had 11 sacks during the 2007 season, giving him 117 over his career.

 

"His play speaks for itself. I think it's easy to talk about Jason Taylor. He's got statistics and everything else to back up everything that he's done," Cerrato said. "So we had to act after losing our starting defensive end Phillip Daniels, and talked to Parcells after practice today and we were able to work something out."

 

Taylor said last month that his intention is to play one more season, and it seems clear that he wants to pursue a Hollywood acting career. That said, Taylor privately has told confidants that he isn't certain that he'll retire after 2008.

 

Cerrato noted Taylor has two years left on his contract and added: "I'm 100 percent positive he'll play longer than one year."

 

Taylor's agent, Gary Wichard, said it's possible Taylor will play beyond the coming season.

 

"The Dolphins got real good value for Jason," Wichard said. "And he's excited about going to Washington -- he wanted an opportunity to compete in the playoffs in 2008. At the same time, this is the end of his years with the Dolphins, so it's kind of bittersweet."

 

The Dolphins declined comment even after the Redskins announced the deal.

How do they measure up?

 

 

 

"Right now we're not prepared to confirm that," Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene said.

 

The new Dolphins regime led by Parcells, the executive vice president of football operations, fumed this offseason as Taylor focused on non-football interests rather than working out in South Florida.

 

Taylor finished second to Kristi Yamaguchi in this year's "Dancing With the Stars" competition in Los Angeles, and as he became a TV celebrity, his feud with Parcells escalated. At one point Taylor said he was unhappy he had spoken "probably less than a minute each" with Parcells and new general manager Jeff Ireland -- something the player perceived as a sort of silent treatment.

 

In mid-May, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano made a cryptic announcement that Taylor wasn't expected to take part in any team activities through training camp. That signaled the Dolphins were intent on making a trade - especially because in April, they had drafted two potential replacements for him: Clemson's Phillip Merling in the second round, and Hampton's Kendall Langford in the third round.

 

Last season, Taylor was chosen NFL Man of the Year and was the lone Pro Bowl player for a Dolphins team that went 1-15. His departure is the latest move in a major roster shakeup.

 

Zach Thomas, the other anchor of the Dolphins' defense over the past decade, was released in February and signed with the Dallas Cowboys - meaning he and Taylor, who are brothers-in-law, go from being teammates to being members of NFC East rivals.

 

In Miami, Taylor played primarily at right end, but Cerrato said Washington will move him to the left side, where Daniels was the starter. Andre Carter plays right defensive end for the Redskins.

 

Daniels tore a left knee ligament on the initial play of 7-on-7 offense vs. defense drills Sunday. He stayed down on the turf for several minutes before being taken away on a cart, a towel draped over his head. He's expected to have surgery Friday.

 

"Not a good way to start, at all," middle linebacker London Fletcher said. "It's a big blow to our defense. Phil was a tremendous leader, excellent at playing the run, and was going to be our third-down attack guy. With him going down, it's like we're replacing two guys."

 

Daniels has played 12 seasons in the NFL with Washington, Chicago and Seattle, accumulating 59 sacks.

 

The Redskins also lost another defensive end, reserve Alex Buzbee, to a season-ending injury during their afternoon practice. Buzbee ruptured his Achilles' tendon.

 

"With Phillip gone, and now Buzbee gone, there's a hole there," Washington's Jim Zorn said after running his first training camp practices as an NFL head coach. "And Phillip has created a big hole."

 

One quickly filled with the trade for Taylor.

[Pixote]

Washington keeps picking up awesome players, especially on defense, over the years and yet they never seem to do squat once signed with them. I bet Taylor is a wash out. He has already said he only wants to play one more year. Doesn't sound too motivated to me.

[KiLoc69]

Washington keeps picking up awesome players, especially on defense, over the years and yet they never seem to do squat once signed with them. I bet Taylor is a wash out. He has already said he only wants to play one more year. Doesn't sound too motivated to me.

 

 

Gonna have to disagree big time here Pix. Jason Taylor is not like alot of these other players, he and Zach Thomas were 2 true class acts on the Dolphins. They are true professionals. Even the Miami fans are happy to see Jason and Zach get a chance at a ring, that's how much good will they've built up. Not many players can say that. I hope we don't have to play against Jason Taylor ever again personally.

[bradjock]

Gonna have to disagree big time here Pix. Jason Taylor is not like alot of these other players, he and Zach Thomas were 2 true class acts on the Dolphins. They are true professionals. Even the Miami fans are happy to see Jason and Zach get a chance at a ring, that's how much good will they've built up. Not many players can say that. I hope we don't have to play against Jason Taylor ever again personally.

 

Taylor might have a good year, but these moves ALWAYS seem to bite Washington in the arse. Maybe it hurts team chemistry somehow or angers other players when they do this. But these moves never seem to work out.

 

Either way, pft repoted that Taylor's cap hit will be 7.5 million this year. That's a HUGE chunk for a guy who might retire at the end of the season. AND they had to give up a 2nd & 6th round pick for him. It's a huge gamble for the future to try and win immediately.

[nfoligno]

A lot of the players Wash brought in were considered class act players, but that didn't matter much. Take Archuleta. He was considered a very high character player, but simply failed once joining Wash.

 

Personally, I think Taylor should do well. There is quite a bit of talent on the defense, and they are run be a solid coach. Very solid IMHO.

 

Often, Wash would add big names w/o thinking twice whether that player fit their scheme or not. I think the addition of Taylor is different. He sort of transcends scheme. He is a pass rushing demon who is also effective against the run, and can even drop into coverage (as Rex knows too well).

[balta1701-A]

A lot of the players Wash brought in were considered class act players, but that didn't matter much. Take Archuleta. He was considered a very high character player, but simply failed once joining Wash.

 

Personally, I think Taylor should do well. There is quite a bit of talent on the defense, and they are run be a solid coach. Very solid IMHO.

 

Often, Wash would add big names w/o thinking twice whether that player fit their scheme or not. I think the addition of Taylor is different. He sort of transcends scheme. He is a pass rushing demon who is also effective against the run, and can even drop into coverage (as Rex knows too well).

Can't speak specifically to scheme...but I can speak to need, and Washington has been known as a team in need of an improved pass rush for several years now...they just haven't had the chance to target it in the draft because they keep having other needs appear thanks to their other issues. Taylor has managed to pull off 3 10+ sack years in a row on what has frankly been a disappointing team...while they still had other people on their defense, he's been putting up decent numbers while even facing double teams, and that's exactly what the Skins need.

[CrackerDog]

I think the addition of Taylor is different. He sort of transcends scheme. He is a pass rushing demon who is also effective against the run, and can even drop into coverage (as Rex knows too well).

 

Argh! Someone had to bring that play up, I suppose. As expected, it's you.

 

I think Taylor in his prime transcended scheme. I doubt Parcells is giving away someone he feels is anywhere near his prime. The Skins are meeting an immediate need, I can't trash them for that. On the other hand, they do seem to have a knack for turning gold in the stacks of hay. We'll see...

[DABEARSDABOMB]

Washington keeps picking up awesome players, especially on defense, over the years and yet they never seem to do squat once signed with them. I bet Taylor is a wash out. He has already said he only wants to play one more year. Doesn't sound too motivated to me.

I think I read where of all of the players Washington has signed since Snyder took over none of them have made the pro-bowl as a RedSkin. I think Portis has made it (traded for) but considering all of the major signings they have had in the Snyder area, that is pretty telling. It also tells you how a good franchise is successful (and its not by getting its best players in FA, its by drafting well and using FA to fill any minor holes or a final piece).

 

However, given the circumstances (losing 2 DE's in one day) I can't knock the Skins. Taylor is an absolute monster (even though he's older) and the only real question is whether he stays healthy and how long he'll stay. Assuming he holds true to his word and is around for 2 seasons this isn't a terrible deal, however, if he demands more money or walks at the end of this year than a 2nd rounder is far too much (especially considering that Taylor isn't the piece to put the Skins over the top, hell, I don't think the Skins make the playoffs with Taylor).

[Ed Hochuli 3:16]

Parcells hates the "R" word, but I have to say it. R..re...rebui...rebuild.