Jason Taylor News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

January 3

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

columnist Dave Hyde

"Jason Taylor knew the whole time Sunday. He knew when he arrived in the locker room, knew when he approached midfield for the coin toss, knew from the first tackle he made, knew when he saw Dan Marino wearing a No. 99 jersey on the scoreboard, knew when Vernon Carey asked for his shoes in the final huddle and knew when his teammates lifted him up and carried him off the field. "I asked them three or four time to put me down," he said after the Dolphins' 19-17 win against the New York Jets. "They wouldn't do it." His eyes went wet and his voice grew thick. "It was great.""

Miami Dolphins great Jason Taylor announces retirement

December 29

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Miami Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor began by saying the moment was unfortunate. He then quickly corrected himself. He considered Wednesday's retirement announcement as a fortunate day in his personal life. After 15 seasons, 13 with the Dolphins, Taylor will play his final game Sunday against the New York Jets at Sun Life Stadium. "This will be my last game as a Miami Dolphin as a professional football player," Taylor said. "I look forward to enjoying this week and soaking it all in for the next few days. We have a game left to play. There will be time for thank yous and goodbyes. This is not the time for that." Taylor will end his career against the team he played for during the 2010"

Jason Taylor to leave games, teammates, locker room behind

December 29

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Jason Taylor gave up on the graceful exit a long time ago. A member of the NFL's All-Decade team for the 2000s, Taylor hung around the NFL 15 years, accepting supporting roles the past few seasons because he could still contribute and because he never wants to leave the locker room. More than the games on Sundays, it's the locker-room atmosphere that keeps the greats hanging around. And on the day he announced his retirement from the NFL, Taylor admitted he was no exception. "For the last 15 years I've been part of a fraternity. There's no place like an NFL locker room," said Taylor, who announced on Wednesday that Sunday's game against the Jets will be his last. "These guys become your"

Miami Dolphins' Jason Taylor calls it a career

December 29

Miami Herald

"Jason Taylor's usual self-deprecating remarks, delivered weekly since 1997, came Wednesday without the usual secure smile or regal bearing that often undercut his words. One of the Dolphins locker room's regular spokesmen didn't look quite as sad as he does after a Sunday loss, but definitely more uncomfortable before the small interview room cramped with media. Then again, in those situations, Taylor, 37, always talked up next week, next year. On Wednesday, the NFL's active sacks leader officially announced he would have no next year after this week."

Miami Dolphins' Jason Taylor will play his final game Sunday against Jets

December 28

Miami Herald

"Jason Taylor, who has collected more sacks than any player in Dolphins history and is sixth all-time among NFL sack leaders, will play the final game of his 15-year career Sunday. Two team sources confirmed late Tuesday that Taylor has decided this weekend's game against the New York Jets will be his final chance to add to his 139?1/2 career sacks — a mark that puts Taylor behind only Bruce Smith, Reggie White, Kevin Greene, Chris Doleman and Michael Strahan. It's unknown if Taylor plans to announce his intentions to walk away from the NFL prior to Sunday."

Taylor: If Odrick keeps making plays, he can 'do whatever dance' he wants

November 18

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Transcript of Miami Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor's press conference on Thursday, as provided by the team: On straightening out Jared Odrick on his sack dance: "No he got his feelings hurt when we said we didn't like it. Some young guys are sensitive and we just left it alone. He's heard about it a little bit this week. Whatever…just keep making plays and you can do whatever dance you want." On what challenges Fred Jackson brings along with this Buffalo team: "He's one of the top running backs in this league right now for sure. He's got it all. He's big enough, he's fast, he's quick, runs strong. The offensive line is doing a good job of getting him holes. They got a pretty darn good"

Jason Taylor: 'A thin line between being 4-3 and where we are now'

November 4

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"On playing at Kansas City: "It's one of those places that from the National Anthem and on it is loud. It's a fun place to play though. As a football…if you're going to be in a hostile environment you rather it would be all hostile. It definitely is. We're fired up to quiet them down. Once the game starts you kind of ignore that. It doesn't become a factor a little bit offensively, but you focus you do what you need to do and what not. Avoid penalties and things that start to feed the crowd's ego a little bit. They start to get part of the game and they are in places like that. When they talk about home-field advantage and that what it is really is." On Kansas City turnaround their season"

Jason Taylor speaks of the Miami Dolphins 'elephant in the room'

November 1

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"We have officially reached the part of this Miami Dolphins season where players and coaches seem to be speaking in code. It's too painful sometimes to come right out with it. Better to talk around the problem or the issue and leave it at that. So it was with Brandon Marshall's inscrutable "positioning" refrain after Sunday's 20-17 loss to the New York Giants. And so, too, it seemed to be with Jason Taylor's "elephant in the room" speech in the losing locker room."

Miami Dolphins' Jason Taylor: 'Suck for Luck' is ridiculous

October 21

Miami Herald

"Jason Taylor on Thursday scoffed at the notion that the Dolphins would be better off losing so they could get the No. 1 pick and draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck. "It's ridiculous," Taylor said. "Acknowledging it is condoning the stupidity. It's illegal for a player to throw a game whether it's for pay or for a pick. People are talking about ruining the integrity of a game for a draft pick…. Nothing amazes me anymore. There is no tanking, no 'Suck for Luck' in this locker room.""

Miami Dolphins LB Jason Taylor on 'Suck for Luck:' Team would revolt

October 21

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Add Jason Taylor to the growing list of Miami Dolphins players who has gone on record to say that 'Suck for Luck' is an asinine, embarrassing concept. Taylor didn't use both those words on Thursday to describe his thoughts on Suck for Luck. But he did use one of them. Asinine. Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby spoke yesterday of the Suck for Luck talk and he strongly criticized the idea. That's putting it lightly. In fact, Dansby became angry at the notion that people would want the Dolphins intentionally lose games in hopes of securing the No. 1 draft pick so that they could select Andrew Luck, the Stanford quarterback whom is viewed as the top NFL prospect."

Taylor in no mood to talk

October 18

New York Post

"This wasn't how Jason Taylor wanted the Jets to see him again. The frustration of the Dolphins' 0-5 start was written all over Taylor's face as he stood in the deathly quiet Miami locker room after a 24-6 loss to his former team that wasn't even really that close. Taylor went to the AFC Championship Game with the Jets last season, but with the Dolphins a mess and going nowhere, the only way the 37-year-old pass rusher will do that this year is through the purchase of a ticket. That obvious realization explained Taylor's testy mood after yet another Miami meltdown in a season already full of them."

Dolphins' Taylor views Jets differently

October 14

New York Post

"Longtime Jets hater Jason Taylor said his feelings toward the organization softened after spending one season with the team. Taylor, who is back with the Dolphins, faces the Jets on Monday night. He told the Sun-Sentinel he can put his feelings aside once the game starts. "The rivalry is still there. I understand who I play for. But do I view the [Jets] organization a little differently? Actually, I do see them in a very different light having been around some of the people," Taylor said. "But again, on Sunday it's the opponent, the enemy, the rival. The fire is still there to beat them.""

Jason Taylor's intensity still boils, even as hatred for J-E-T-S cools

October 13

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Jason Taylor's blood no longer boils every time he hears a New Yorker chant "J-E-T-S: Jets, Jets, Jets." After going behind enemy lines last season, his perspective has been altered. When former team czar Bill Parcells turned his back on Taylor, throwing the NFL's active sacks leader into the arms of his rival by denying him a contract offer, he did more than make the best of a difficult situation. He made friends. The hatred has been numbed, hostility harnessed. The animosity replaced by understanding. That's what happens when a Dolphin gets infected with Gang Green. "For six months of my life [the Jets] were my team, for the other 14 1/2 it wasn't," said Taylor, who was welcomed back to"

Miami Dolphins pass rush faltering in the early season

October 1

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Cam Wake wasn't satisfied when he finished the 2010 season with 14 sacks for the Miami Dolphins. He said he wouldn't have been satisfied if he'd finished with more than that. And he's certainly not satisfied now, with two sacks in the Dolphins' first three games. "I'm always a guy who needs more," Wake said Friday, after the Dolphins practiced for the final time before their game Sunday at the San Diego Chargers. "Hit the quarterback more often than we are. More sacks … there's never enough. So I'm not as easy a guy to please when it comes to that." One of the primary reasons for the Dolphins' defensive success a season ago was the frequency with which Wake and other members of the defense"

Jason Taylor unhappy locker-room meeting went public

September 23

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Veteran linebacker Jason Taylor expressed disappointment on Thursday that knowledge of Miami Dolphins' players-only meeting that he led became public. Taylor led the meeting after the Dolphins' 23-13 defeat against the Houston Texans on Sunday. "It's a little disturbing that what was talked about in the locker room to begin with was talked about outside of the locker room," Taylor said. "That's a little disappointing to me. There was no media in there, so it shouldn't have been public.""

Tom Brady keeps trying to steal Jason Taylor

September 9

Boston Herald

"It has become an annual offseason rite these past few years. Jason Taylor hits the open market — or prepares to — and Tom Brady discreetly tries to lure him to New England. Seeing Taylor in Jets green last year was hard enough, but just imagine him in Patriots blue. Brady, his fellow future Hall of Famer, certainly has. "I've always tried to get Jason to the Patriots," Brady said this week. "I've had a great relationship with him over the years, and we always joke. I'm tired of playing against him.""

Coming back felt right to Miami Dolphins' Taylor

August 7

Miami Herald

columnist Armando Salguero

"Jason Taylor could have gone back to the New York Jets. He could have returned to the bright lights and good friends and the coach he likes. He could have gone to what looks like a better team and chased what seems like a better chance at winning a Super Bowl. The Jets certainly seem to have done their part in trying to lure Taylor back because, to hear him tell it, they called only a few minutes after free agency began and extended to him the opportunity to return. The Dolphins didn't call for several hours later. So why is Jason Taylor back with the Dolphins? Why did the man with actor looks flee Broadway, disappoint new friends in New York's locker room, and seemingly give up perhaps"

Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins set to reunite

August 2

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Jason Taylor is back with the Miami Dolphins. The Miami Dolphins are set to re-sign Taylor, who spent last season with the New York Jets. Taylor's return was announced on his' Foundation's Facebook page: "We are very excited to share with all of you that Jason has made his decision regarding where he is playing for the upcoming 2011 season. Jason is coming home to MIAMI and will once again proudly wear the aqua and orange! He hasn't told anyone yet, so let's just keep this between us! Shhh! This will be Taylor's second return to Miami. In 2008, Taylor was traded to Washington for draft picks. He was cut after a disappointing season with the Redskins and was re-signed by Miami. Taylor spent"

Jason Taylor, Miami Dolphins set to reunite

August 1

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Jason Taylor is back with the Miami Dolphins. The Miami Dolphins are set to re-sign Taylor, who spent last season with the New York Jets. Taylor's return was announced on his' Foundation's Facebook page: "We are very excited to share with all of you that Jason has made his decision regarding where he is playing for the upcoming 2011 season. Jason is coming home to MIAMI and will once again proudly wear the aqua and orange! He hasn't told anyone yet, so let's just keep this between us! Shhh! This will be Taylor's second return to Miami. In 2008, Taylor was traded to Washington for draft picks. He was cut after a disappointing season with the Redskins and was re-signed by Miami. Taylor spent"

Jason Taylor says he wants to play this year, leaves options open

July 23

Newark Star-Ledger

"Jason Taylor, who has played 14 seasons and one for the Jets, said he hopes to play this year and left his options open. The 37-year-old outside linebacker's stance was different than in March, when he told reporters in South Florida that if he did not retire, he wanted to play for the Jets and coach Rex Ryan. Today, in an interview with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, he did not rule out a return to the Dolphins. "I appreciate the interest and the concern if there is any," Taylor told the newspaper today at a charity golf event. "No ships have sailed, no bridges have been burned. There's nothing to do right now. I'm going to play this year, if there's a season, and I think there will be."

Report: Taylor looking for one more year with Jets

June 29

New York Post

"Jason Taylor on Monday repeated he would be interested in returning to the Jets. "I'd love to come back and play one more year in New York," Taylor said on ESPN's "NFL Live," according to Rotoworld.com. Taylor, who turns 37 in September, had five sacks last season, his first with the Jets after spending most of his 14-year career with the Dolphins. It was thought immediately after last season Taylor might retire. However, in March he said he wanted to keep playing, but only for the Jets and head coach Rex Ryan. "If I'm going to play ... it's going to be with the Jets," Taylor said before the NFL lockout started. "... I had a great time; we came up a little short. It's not easy to repeat"

Jason Taylor says he wants to return to Jets

June 28

SportingNews.com

"Former New York Jets defensive end/linebacker Jason Taylor says he would welcome a return to the Jets next season. "I'd love to come back and play one more year in New York," Taylor said on ESPN's NFL Live on Monday."

Has Jason Taylor decided to retire, become a broadcaster?

June 28

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Jason Taylor has repeatedly stated he's undecided about his NFL future. The former Miami Dolphins pass rusher went into this lockout-stretched offseason unsure if he'd play another season, or enter the broadcasting, and possibly the acting world. Remember all that Dancing With the Stars, JT might give up football for acting talk? Well, it appears Taylor, who played a reserve role for the rival New York Jets last season, might be following in Chad Pennington's footsteps, hanging up his cleats and helmet for at least a season to become a talking head."

Jason Taylor loses man who was 'like a father to me'

March 12

Miami Herald

"One year ago, I got a phone call from a California area code. I picked up and agent Gary Wichard, in his unmistakable Brooklyn accent, was on the other end of the line getting ready to go into one of his classic schmooze sessions. "What kind of trouble are you stirring down there, Armando," he told me with no anger in his voice. "You think if that (bleep) Bill Parcells doesn't want Jason Taylor, I'm going to have any trouble finding him a place to play? (Bleep) Bill Parcells! I can have Jason on three teams within a week if he gives me the go-ahead. The thing is he doesn't want to do that. So stop writing stuff that might make the Dolphins uncomfortable. "Even if it's true." That, in a"

Taylor says he will play only for Jets

March 3

New York Post

"From hating the Jets to only willing to play for them in one short year. Yes, Jason Taylor's green-and-white, Rex Ryan inspired transformation is complete. The veteran pass rusher was cut Monday by the Jets, but told ESPN 760 in Miami that he would be willing to return and would only play next year if it's with the Jets. "I want to play in New York, for sure," Taylor told the radio station. "If I'm going to play -- I told Rex this yesterday -- it's going to be with the Jets. I had a fantastic time up there, great team. A good, young quarterback who's continuing to grow up and be more and more of a pro quarterback. And it's great to see. I had a great time; we came up a little short. It's"

Jason Taylor wants to return to Jets, if he plays again

March 2

Newark Star-Ledger

"Jets linebacker Jason Taylor isn't sure about the future of his football career, but if he plays again, the 36-year-old veteran would like it to be with the Jets. Taylor, who was released by the Jets this week, told reporters in South Florida that he spoke to coach Rex Ryan Tuesday. "I want to play in New York," Taylor said before the Honda Classic "Kenny G Pro-Am" at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, via audio from ESPN 760 radio. "For sure. If I'm going to play -- I told Rex this yesterday -- if I'm going to play, I want to play with the Jets. I had a fantastic time up there. Great team, good young quarterback that's continuing to grow up and become more and more of a pro"

Jets release four players to cut fat from salary cap, clear up injury concerns

March 1

Newark Star-Ledger

"Before the league year expires at the end of the day Thursday, the Jets are taking care of the "loose ends" general manager Mike Tannenbaum referred to last week. That includes roster cuts and business plans for a potential lockout. The team plans to release offensive lineman Damien Woody, linebacker Jason Taylor, defensive end/linebacker Vernon Gholston and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, a person with knowledge of the team's personnel plans confirmed. That person requested anonymity because the team has not announced the moves yet. The New York Daily News was first to report the expected cuts. All those players carried significant cap values and/or injury concerns, and their releases had"

Taylor not sure if he'll be invited to return to Gang

January 24

New York Post

"Jason Taylor's eyes were glassy as he spoke wistfully about his season with the Jets. Taylor, 36, was reluctant to talk about whether he'd return next season, saying, "This just ended an hour ago. I've had a fantastic experience playing with these guys and for Rex [Ryan] and [GM] Mike [Tannenbaum]. There are so many emotions going through me right now. We'll cross that bridge later. We'll see if Rex and Mike want me back." Taylor did say he doesn't want this 14-year career to end this way."

Big offseason decisions loom for Jets

January 24

New York Post

"Shaun Ellis doesn't know whether he'll be back wearing a Jets uniform next season. "I want to be here, but it's up in the air," the free-agent-to-be defensive lineman said after last night's season-ending 24-19 loss to the Steelers in the AFC Championship. "If not, I had a great time." Ellis may have plenty of company on the list of those who have played their final game with Gang Green. General manager Mike Tannenbaum has to make critical decisions on a host of free agents -- defensively, they include Ellis (the longest-tenured Jet), David Harris, Antonio Cromartie and Brodney Pool. The names on offense include Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes, Tony Richardson and Brad Smith. Richardson"

Jason Taylor's career began with 'twist of fate' at Pittsburgh high school

January 23

Newark Star-Ledger

"George Novak's conflict this evening was apparent on a side table in his office this week, when the only football coach in Woodland Hills High School history displayed two full-size helmets facing each other: one from his beloved Steelers, another from the Jets. In between the helmets rested a bobblehead doll of Jets linebacker Jason Taylor, the most distinguished of all of Novak's former players. That says as much about Novak as it does about Taylor; Woodland Hills has six players in the NFL, the most of any high school in the country. "Here I am and he's still doing it," said Taylor, 36. Novak takes pride in each player. One of the walls in his office features the helmet of different"

Jets' Taylor back where it began

January 23

New York Post

"Pass rusher Jason Taylor did build a potential Hall of Fame resume by getting a late jump on the snap. But his football career did get a late start. Before he was allowed attack high school quarterbacks, the home-schooled Pittsburgh native had to find a high school team. Woodland Hills H.S. coach George Novak met Taylor in the summer of 1990 and suggested Taylor try out for the team. "I didn't think I was allowed," Taylor said, according to Novak, "because I'm homeschooled." Novak invited Taylor to a practice, and it didn't take long to recognize the talent. Someone threw Taylor a pass and the kid made the catch. And Novak informed Taylor that he was on the football team. Or was he? "The"

First Super Bowl now within reach for ex-Dolphin Jason Taylor

January 21

Miami Herald

"Seated in Jason Taylor's living room nine months ago at his South Florida home, Jets coach Rex Ryan began making an improbable pitch to an improbable target, attempting to convince a Dolphins icon to join his most hated enemy. Not even Ryan could possibly have predicted just how special this ride, which now will include a fairytale homecoming in Pittsburgh, had the potential to be. "I've enjoyed the whole journey all year," said Taylor, now looking as comfortable as ever in a Jets' T-shirt Thursday. "From the moment Rex sat down in my living room [in April], it's been a fantastic journey. We're not done yet." Taylor, who is one game away from making the Super Bowl for the first time in 14"

At last, a Taylor-made shot at the Super Bowl

January 21

New York Post

"Jason Taylor won't need any help getting pumped up for Sunday's AFC Championship Game at Pittsburgh. "Mike Pettine said to me [yesterday] on the practice field to make sure you don't drink any of that [junk] you guys drink before the games and get all fired up," Taylor said, "because I'm sure you'll be hyped up enough -- going back home and playing for a chance to go to the Super Bowl and all that." The Jets' third-oldest player behind 40-year-old backup quarterback Mark Brunell and 39-year-old fullback Tony Richardson, Taylor, 36 and a Pittsburgh native, is trying to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in his 14-season career in what likely will be his final season."

Jason Taylor passes concussion tests, Rex Ryan expects him to be 'full-go' for Friday's practice

January 21

New York Daily News

"Jason Taylor is good to go. The veteran linebacker passed the battery of concussion tests required by the NFL to return to practice and was in pads Thursday. He said he is excited to play in his first AFC Championship Game Sunday in his hometown of Pittsburgh, but was not so enthusiastic about talking about the injury. "I took a hit in he second half (Sunday), but I'm good," Taylor said. "I went through the whole battery of tests, which was very extensive, and they helped me out (Wednesday), when I felt fine. (Thursday) I got a chance to go practice. So everything's good." Taylor began to exhibit symptoms of a concussion Sunday night and was cleared by doctors and the NFL's ImPACT testing,"

Jason Taylor not practicing; Brad Smith, Drew Coleman taking part

January 19

Newark Star-Ledger

"Jets linebacker Jason Taylor was not wearing his No. 99 jersey at practice today and did not take part in position drills during the portion of practice open to the media. Taylor was injured during the third quarter of Sunday's 28-21 win over the Patriots but did come back into the game. There has been no update from coach Rex Ryan on his status or the nature of his injury. WR/KR Brad Smith (groin) and CB Drew Coleman (knee) were on the field today, taking part in position drills. Their statuses will be updated after practice. Coleman, who twisted his knee in practice last week, played the full game Sunday. Smith was not active but said he expects to be ready for this week at Pittsburgh."

Jason Taylor: Jets don't have to be loud to stop Tom Brady

January 13

USA Today

"Jason Taylor tried to add a calmer perspective to the invective coming from some corners of his New York Jets locker roon on Wednesday. While CB Antonio Cromartie refused to back down from a profanity-laced tirade against New England Patriots QB Tom Brady and his perceived taunting, Taylor had a simple solution. "If you keep him out of the end zone, you won't be offended by him," Taylor said. Cromartie and Jets coach Rex Ryan have alleged that Brady went overboard in a 45-3 win against New York last month by pointing at his opponents' sideline after throwing TD passes. Brady didn't deny that he's an "emotional" player but said he didn't remember pointing at the Jets' sideline. Still,"

Taylor gets first playoff win since 2000 season

January 9

New York Post

"Jason Taylor waited a long time for this, but he wasn't ready to bask in it for long. Taylor, the Jets linebacker who was signed in the offseason after a long career with the Dolphins, hadn't played in a playoff game since 2001 before last night and he hadn't won one since 2000. "It feels great, but we're not finished," said Taylor, who had the Jets only sack in last night's 17-16 AFC wild-card victory. "They don't give away a hat or a T-shirt for this. This is just one step toward where we want to go." The 36-year-old Taylor hinted in a pregame interview with ESPN that if the Jets win the Super Bowl this year he will retire, saying he has joked with teammates that if they see him hoisting"

Jets' Tomlinson, Taylor have unfinished business

January 6

Bergen Record

columnist Art Stapleton

"LaDainian Tomlinson has been dreaming about "it" since he was a 6-year-old Pop Warner star in complete adoration of Walter Payton. Jason Taylor called "it" the reason he's still playing football and not in a television or dance studio doing something else for a living. "It" happens to be a Super Bowl ring, the elusive prize that legitimizes résumés and turns talented players into legendary ones. For Taylor and Tomlinson, a pair of 30-somethings still longing for their first championship and the jewelry that comes with it, that pursuit is what brought them here. They came to the Jets with the mind-set of taking the final and toughest step of their decorated careers, ultimately by being"

Jason Taylor is aching for long-awaited shot at title

January 6

Newark Star-Ledger

"At the end of Tuesday's practice, when the Jets gathered for their huddle breakdown, Rex Ryan searched for one 14-year veteran. "Jason Taylor," the Jets coach said, "when's the last time you won a playoff game?" The answer? Ten years ago. Days before the Jets' first-round playoff game, at Indianapolis Saturday night, Ryan resonated this message through the Florham Park fieldhouse. "This guy has had a Hall of Fame career, and yet it's been 10 years since he won a playoff game," Ryan said. "Our players have to understand that this is an unbelievable opportunity; this may be the best opportunity you ever get." The date of that game was Dec. 30, 2000, a 23-17 Dolphins victory against the Colts"

Ex-Dolphins great Taylor cites 'negative vibe' under Sparano

January 6

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"As Tony Sparano maintains his tenuous grip on the Dolphins' coaching job, it is becoming clear he may have to make changes that go beyond staff and player personnel even if he is retained for 2011. A series of critical comments from current and former Dolphins, most notably all-time franchise greats Ricky Williams and Jason Taylor, have raised doubts about Sparano's ability to create a positive and productive workplace. It was Williams, expected to leave as a free agent after six full seasons with the Dolphins, who started the public debate with Monday's radio comments about Sparano's "micromanaging" style. Wednesday, also speaking on WQAM-560, Taylor took a break from playoff preparations"

Jason Taylor to end playoff drought, reminds younger Jets to cherish NFL postseason experience

January 6

New York Daily News

"Jason Taylor knows how easily it can be taken for granted. The first five years of his career, Taylor went to the playoffs with the Dolphins and was focused only on their second-round failures. "I think 2002 was the first year I missed the playoffs and you think 'I'll be right back in '03.' Well, I haven't be back since," Taylor said Wednesday. So Saturday night, when he and the Jets face the Colts in an AFC wild-card game, Taylor will not take any of it for granted. He made sure this week to remind his teammates, particularly the younger players, not to miss this opportunity. "I want to let guys know that though a lot of them were here last year when they played in the AFC championship"

Jason Taylor's happy return

December 20

Bergen Record

"Jason Taylor played only his 14th game as a Jet on Sunday. But he helped them make history. Taylor's tackle of running back Mewelde Moore for a 3-yard loss in the end zone with 2:38 left gave the Jets a safety and a five-point lead, and forced the Steelers to have to go for a touchdown on their final, unsuccessful drive. The tackle happened on an inside handoff to Moore from Ben Roethlisberger out of the shotgun. The win was the Jets' first in franchise history in Pittsburgh, or in the state of Pennsylvania, for that matter. The Jets had been 0-7 in the Steel City, counting a Jan. 2005 playoff loss, and are 0-4 in Philadelphia. Interestingly, Taylor was out of position, but in the right"

Jets turning to Jason Taylor

December 10

Bergen Record

"Jason Taylor has recorded only one sack in the last seven games. Of course, it's hard to get them from the sidelines. So that's one reason why coach Rex Ryan said Thursday, "I'm not happy with how we used him [against New England]. This guy is a great football player and we need to use him more." The veteran linebacker said he was in for 15 plays in the 45-3 loss to New England. The Patriots had 58 offensive snaps. Taylor later spoke to the coaching staff about being more involved, and Ryan agreed. "Everybody wants to play," said Taylor, who has four sacks this season and is the NFL's active career leader with 131 1/2. "If there was anyone in this locker room that didn't want to be on the"

For Jets' Taylor, Sacks Become Study in Success

December 5

New York Times

"At the precise moment Jason Taylor sacks an opposing quarterback, the feeling is indescribable. Taylor said it compares to his wedding day, the births of his three children and sex, in no particular order. Over 14 seasons, Taylor has turned pass rushing into an art form. His signature move, the long arm, is copied across the N.F.L. He ranks 10th on the career list and first among active players with 131 ½ sacks. He counts 68 quarterbacks among the vanquished, none more frequently than New England's Tom Brady, whom Taylor has sacked 10 ½ times and will resume chasing Monday night when the Jets visit the Patriots. "Rushing the passer is the most difficult thing in professional sports,""

Packers are Taylor-made for sacking

October 29

Bergen Record

"Another unseasonably warm October day was the perfect time for a golf reference from Jets linebacker Jason Taylor. The NFL's active career leader in sacks said getting one "is the hardest thing to do in pro sports, besides make a hole in one, maybe." Well, the Jets' defense certainly isn't near the top of the leaderboard in that category, as New York is tied for 14th in the NFL with 13 quarterback takedowns. They will try to improve those numbers Sunday against Green Bay and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has been sacked 14 times in seven games. But Rodgers is the Packers' third-leading rusher, with 127 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries. "He not only is able to throw the ball very"

Two veteran pickups look golden

September 29

Bergen Record

"When the Jets' win over Miami on Sunday night had been assured, coach Rex Ryan helped pour a water bucket over the head of former Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor. He also could have targeted general manager Mike Tannenbaum. Though the returns have been either mixed or incomplete concerning some of the big-name players the Jets have acquired through trades in the past year (Braylon Edwards, Antonio Cromartie, Santonio Holmes), the early returns on the signings of two likely future Hall of Famers have been very good. With two sacks in three games, Taylor has shown he hasn't lost his ability to get around the edge and bedevil quarterbacks. Thrust into an unexpected starting role because of"

Tip of cap to Jets' Taylor

September 27

New York Post

"Rex Ryan always sends out multiple captains for games, usually players representing offense, defense and special teams. Last night, he sent out just one captain: linebacker Jason Taylor, who played 12 years with the Dolphins. Taylor responded quickly with a sack of Miami quarterback Chad Henne for an eight-yard loss in the first quarter. After the takedown, he posed in celebration in the Dolphins' backfield and was lustily booed by the home crowd. "I expected to get booed," Taylor said. "I'm on the visiting team now. At the end of the day, this is my permanent home, but New York is my residence right now.""

Jets' Jason Taylor not bitter

September 26

Bergen Record

"The Jets aren't worried about how Jason Taylor will handle his emotions once the game begins tonight. But as for what might happen before the game, who knows? "I hope he goes to the right locker room," linebacker Jamaal Westerman said. "He might get lost and we'll be like, 'Hey, Jay, where are you going?' " If everything had worked out the way Taylor wanted, he wouldn't have had to travel to the visiting locker room at Sun Life Stadium when the Jets visit Miami. The longtime Dolphins linebacker hoped to still be with the team for which he had played 12 of his previous 13 NFL seasons. But Miami wasn't interested in the unrestricted free agent's services and he signed with the Jets in April."

Taylor Fishing for cheers

September 26

New York Post

"Jason Taylor has been doing his best to low-key things this week, but he'll be jumping out of his skin at game time tonight when he and the Jets play his former team, the Dolphins. Taylor said he has "no idea" what kind of reception he'll get. "I would expect, because I play for the Jets, they won't be very happy," he said. "It's their home opener and they're Dolphins fans, so I would expect ... oh, hell, maybe I hope it's just mixed. Whatever. Obviously everyone wants to be cheered, but I understand I'm the road team and the bitter rival, so I wouldn't be surprised to hear boos." Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said he's not worried about Taylor being overly emotional in the game."