Patriots Interested In Jason Taylor?

BasX · Mar 8, 2009

With the notable exception of Eagles loudmouth Freddie Mitchell, Bill Belichick and the Patriots [team stats] have made a habit of killing opponents with kindness.

Occasionally, however, the Patriots face a player Belichick couldn’t overhype if he tried, someone so good the coach sounds as if he actually believes every word leaving his mouth.

One of those players just became a free agent after being released by the Redskins on Monday, and don’t be surprised if the Patriots make a play for his services.

Because when it comes to favorite foes, Jason Taylor ranks at the very top of the Patriots’ list.

A look through the archives of Taylor plaudits shows a coach clearly enamored with the former Miami Dolphins [team stats] star, as Belichick has proven repeatedly over the years, but he is not alone. Quarterback Tom Brady [stats] has had effusive praise for his close friend, too.

Consider Belichick’s remarks Oct. 6, 2004 -- days before a 24-10 Patriots victory over the Dolphins.

“Jason is a terrific football player,” Belichick said. “He has a big motor. He comes hard every play. He has a lot of upfield speed that has a good counter move inside. He can bring some power, even though he is primarily a speed guy, but if you start playing him soft for his speed, he can bring the power. He is relentless. He has long arms. He does a good job of reaching the blockers and grabbing them from behind and jerking them and throwing them off balance. He is a guy that, obviously, you have to identify.”

Then there was Dec. 8, 2006, two days before Taylor ran roughshod over the Pats in a 21-0 Dolphins victory that saw him record six tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a pass defensed for good measure -- all en route to winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors.

“I really can’t think of a player that Jason Taylor hasn’t given problems to,” Belichick said. “I think he’s one of the hardest guys to block in the league. Speed is one of Taylor’s assets, but it’s certainly not the only one.

“If you take one thing away, he has other things that he can complement that with. That’s what makes Taylor, to me, as good a player on defense as I’ve seen this year.”

There’s more, but you get the idea. Taylor is relentless. Taylor is a leader. Taylor is versatile. Belichick could talk all day.

Now Taylor is also a free agent. Just a few months shy of his 35th birthday, he’s unlikely to command a megabucks contract or a long-term one. He’s coming off a down year with the Redskins (just 3 1/2 sacks after averaging slightly more than 12 1/2 per season during his heydays with Miami from 2000-07) and would undoubtedly like to prove he has something left.

He’d fill an obvious need for the Pats, who lacked a consistent pass rush last season and are now even thinner in that department with Mike Vrabel shipped to Kansas City. Though Taylor has spent the bulk of his career as a 4-3 defensive end, he has experience as a 3-4 hybrid and has returned three interceptions for touchdowns, including one against the Patriots in 2007.

He is extremely tight with Brady, who still blames him for casting the lone Brady vote in Sports Illustrated’s “Dirtiest Player” poll a couple of years ago. When Taylor landed in Washington last year, Brady was about the happiest guy in America.

“I think (Matt) Light and I popped a cold beer when I saw that transaction,” Brady said last summer. “We were the two most excited players in the NFL. We were hugging each other. It was awesome.”

Given all of the praise, Taylor coming to the Pats makes a lot of sense, particularly since he’d cost a lot less than someone like Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers, who would not only command a top salary but trade compensation as well.
Click to expand...

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...s_could_lead_former_Dolphins_star_to_Foxboro/

Lost One · Mar 8, 2009

Freddie Mitchell

Log in or Sign up

Patriots Interested In Jason Taylor?

BasX I Win

Lost One ...

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Patriots Interested In Jason Taylor?

BasX I Win

Lost One ...

Share This Page

Useful Searches