Jason Taylor is scheduled to meet with the Jets today and although sources on that side claim it is highly unlikely that he will leave New York without signing a contract, I personally believe that he will do just that. Taylor has been nothing but vocal when it comes to his disdain for the Jets organization, but more so the Jets fans. Not long ago, in a radio interview he said that Giants fans and Jets fans are different kinds of fans, and that Jets fans take the “cl” out of “class”. In another opportunity he claimed that he would sooner retire than suit up for the Jets. With such strong feelings having evolved over the years, and given the situation he has found himself in with Miami, is it possible for Taylor to “swallow his pride” and play for the gang green? I think not!
I am with that group that believes that Taylor is using that leverage to get the attention of both the Dolphins and the Patriots, and I still believe that the Dolphins’ made him an offer he would take it regardless of what the Jets or even the Patriots offered as long as it was fair, because he loves playing for this team and he has demonstrated it time and time again.
Dolphins’ fans love JT, we love how he performs on the field and we love his natural ability to lead even when the times get rough, but more importantly we love his passion for being a Dolphin.
Taylor started his NFL career in a Dolphins’ uniform after being drafted by the team in the third round of the 1997 NFL draft, and became a starter his rookie year. He has played twelve seasons as a pro, eleven of them in a Dolphins uniform, even taking a huge pay cut last season to come back and play closer to home; and although his original position is not that of linebacker, her still managed to perform and was even one of the team’s captains. Taylor is a six time Pro Bowler, was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 and is the NFL’s all time leader in fumble return touchdowns, a record which he beat last season on November 1st in the game against the Jets.
Jason Taylor is and will always be a Dolphins player in his heart and all the fans, so I think it’s only fair for him to retire as a Dolphins fan, doing so in a Jets uniform would be not only a disgrace but an insult to a player that has left his heart on the field year after year for our team. I hope this visit does serve to nudge our front office in the direction of working out a new deal with Taylor, because the only thing worse than seeing him go play for that awful New York team will be knowing that we have to face him two times a year.