Around the AFC East, Week 2: Miami Dolphins

by Brian Galliford on May 22, 2009 2:00 PM EDT in AFC East Comment 15 comments

In the months leading up to the 2009 NFL Draft, one of the biggest names available on the free agent market was DE Jason Taylor. Rented by the Washington Redskins for the 2008 season, Taylor was released this off-season - and quickly pursued by a dozen or so teams looking to bolster their pass rushes.

Yes - the Buffalo Bills were one of those teams.

Eventually, Taylor shortened his list to two of Buffalo's chief Rivals, the Dolphins and Patriots, prior to the draft. On May 13, reports broke that Taylor had chosen his former team over the three-time Super Bowl champions. Clearly, Matty I and the folks at The Phinsider were elated - but what kind of role will Taylor play in his return trip to South Florida? I asked Matty that very question...

Probably the biggest story in Miami right now is the return of DE/OLB Jason Taylor after the Redskins rented him for a year. This is a two-part question - how nice is it to know that the Dolphins edged out the Patriots for Taylor's services, and how large a role does Taylor figure to play being re-inserted into Miami's 3-4 defense?

Matty I: Well I think the fact that Bill Belichick, Bob Kraft, and the Pats reportedly wanted Taylor so badly and were unable to land him is just the icing on the cake for Dolphin fans. And while it’s always great to steal a player coveted by a rival, most Dolphin fans would agree that the biggest story out of this whole JT situation is that Taylor loves South Florida and clearly was/is always a Dolphin at heart. That’s what thrills most Dolphin fans – the return of a South Florida sports icon, returning not for the money or for a starting spot, but rather just because he loves this team so damn much.

With that said, it’s unknown at this point what his role will be. But I don’t think it will be as a starter in Miami’s base 3-4 defense. Joey Porter had 17.5 sacks last year playing the weakside OLB spot. Matt Roth is Miami’s best run-stopping linebacker and he mans the starting strongside OLB spot. Taylor probably figures to factor in as a pass-rush specialist in nickel and dime packages. And I’d expect him to rotate at times with Porter in the base defense to keep both players fresh. I’d say 20 to 25 snaps per game will probably be what to expect from Taylor in 2009.

***

Shh... nobody tell Matty that the Bills were seriously pursuing Taylor's services pre-draft, too...

I've always admired Taylor as a player - as nauseating as it is for me to say that. Zach Thomas? Couldn't stand Zach Thomas, because he's all anyone talked about during that era of Dolphins football. I considered Taylor the best defender in the league for a period of two to three years. In his heyday, he was awesome. He'll still make plays in his return to Miami. Prepare yourself, Langston Walker.

What admiration I did have for Taylor only grew knowing that he spurned the Pats - as strong a lock for a Super Bowl bid in early 2010 as you'll find - for the still-rebuilding Dolphins. That's rare in pro sports today. Taylor deserves credit for following his heart instead of selling his soul for a ring. Don't worry - I realize I'm still obligated to loathe him on Sundays, and I will hold up my end of the bargain without doubt. But on a team full of players that are fun to hate, Taylor is one veteran that I actually enjoy watching play the game.

That does it for this week's 'Around the AFC East' posts. Be sure to visit The Phinsider, Gang Green Nation and Pats Pulpit for the rest of the massive amount of interviewing going on today - including Bills-centric posts written by yours truly. If you've ever got questions you'd like to submit to one of our AFC East bloggers in this weekly feature, email me and I'll do my best to get it answered.

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I actually watch the ‘Skins quite often and Taylor looked old last year – maybe that was injury – but he definately wasn’t the same player. Hopefully that continues this year

Peeping Tom
If you don't know Mike Patton - FNM, Bungle etc... His new band
About as progressive as it gets

by J2 on May 22, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

age could have been a factor

he’s 34 years old, he was also playing out of position and there was that freak calf injury.
I know it sounds like I’m making excuses for the guy but they’re all pretty valid.

Can't stop to save my soul
I take the leash that's leading me
I'm bleeding me, whoa!

by Patssuck456 on May 22, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m a bit nervous about the potential of Miami’s pass rush.

If Taylor is healthy, he’s only a couple years removed from Defensive Player of the Year. He had 11 sacks in 2007. Teaming him with Porter could make for quite the duo. Cameron Wake is an interesting pickup for them too. I wish we could have signed him, but oh well. If he takes some of his CFL success to the NFL, he’ll be productive as well.

Of course, Taylor and Porter are old, so who knows what they’ll provide.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on May 22, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mark my words, Maeron Wake will be the next Jason Taylor for the Phins. I don’t car if it was only the CFL, 137 tackles, 39 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles for 45 yards and a TD in 2 seasons in PHENOMINAL! And keep in mind that he played DE in the CFL, not OLB, which makes it even more impressing. Watch for this guy to be a starter by next year. Roth’s starting position is in serious jeopardy IMO.

by CanadianBillsFan on May 22, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm intrested to see what his coverage skills are like

Can't stop to save my soul
I take the leash that's leading me
I'm bleeding me, whoa!

by Patssuck456 on May 22, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Average to bad. He’s a pure QB rusher. And even though he’s small (he plays at the same weight as Maybin), I think he’d be better as a 4-3 DE. But I’m sure that if he’s put in the right situations that he’ll developpe decent enough coverage skills to be made up by is terrific pass rushing skills. I honestly think that he gets 6+ sacks this year for the Phins, even with the same limited work as Maybin. He’s that good.

by CanadianBillsFan on May 23, 2009 1:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

With the trouble the Bills had w/ the Dolphins rush at key moments last year, hopefully there are no third down and obvious passing situations against them (just call me "master of the obvious).
A hurry up would keep teams like the Dolphins from subbing. So, either the Porters and the Taylors of the world are tired, or we keep them off the field b/c they can’t subsitute. Let’s hope Trent can execute it.

by bluecollarbuffalo on May 23, 2009 7:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If tayloer is able come back healthy and to his orignal form of a couple years ago the entire league had better look out for the dolphins pass rush..

with porter and taylor rushing the edges in the 34 i can’t think of a better tandom in the NFL right now.. i’m still waiting to see if taylor will be used as a situatoinal pass rusher to limit his snaps and keep him healthy.. which i think would probably be a good idea unless of course he is able to play the run better than anyone else at his position on the depth chart… i am not looking forward to butler/walker having to protect trent against porter/taylor… i’ve always respected taylor and what he brings to the field and think he is a great player, but for the bills sake i hope he’s not back to where he was a couple years ago when he was defensive player of the year.

by Shovel51 on May 22, 2009 2:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

squish the fish

I love that Taylor went back to Miami….I’ve always admired Taylor form a far, although I’m really surprised as well that he did go back to miami….you gotta wonder what his sole motivation was? Just missed it? Who knows, but as long as NE didn’t grab him, it’s OK in my book

MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens

by MARVelous on May 22, 2009 3:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

His home/family is down there.

by thefourwinds on May 22, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not worried about Jason Taylor one bit. If anything about the Dolphins pass rush worries me, it’s the idea of Matt Roth in his second season of playing in a 3-4 and the development of DE Philip Merling.

by kaisertown on May 22, 2009 4:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Selling his soul for a ring?

Now I could be wrong here…….but isnt the goal of every athlete to win?

I can never fault anyone ever for wanting to go to a winner…….sure loyalty is great…..but where was that same loyalty last year when the “new regime” came to town……

so it wouldnt have been a huge deal if he had decided to sign with the Pats. Loyalty works both ways…..

Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009

by norcaliangelsfan on May 22, 2009 8:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs