Taylor & Thomas heading Out

[A.E]

Neither Jason Taylor or Zach Thomas were willing to utter any support in regards to former head coach Cam Cameron's rookie season. Frustrated with the state of the team, Jason Taylor wouldn't even acknowledge whether or not he wishes to return in 2008, while giving a post-game interview last Sunday.

Both Taylor and Thomas were unhappy playing under Nick Saban in 2006 but the same cannot be said about playing for Cam Cameron this season. So far, neither player has uttered any sort of support in regards to Cameron's season at the helm. Taylor was said to have felt "pinned down" by Cameron, who gave him strict responsibilities at defensive end.

Zach Taylor wasn't happy being placed on IR, feeling that the team gave up on him too quickly this season. Though Taylor maintained his bearing publicly toward the situation all year long, his $5.6 million salary for 2008 doesn't seem like a figure he is willing to work with the Dolphins on.

So what does the future hold for the aging Pro Bowlers during the new era of the team? Indications from the Palm Beach Post are that Taylor would be more than happy going home to Ohio, playing in either Cleveland or Cincinnati. As for Thomas, who could be let go because of his large salary figure, a trip to his home-state could end him in a Texans or Cowboys uniform for 2008. -AE

 

[.GR]

I hope the Steelers try to get Taylor. Do you think thats a possibility AE?

 

[Gtown81]

I love both of these guys, and if one of or even two of them were to happen to go to Carolina i'll cry with happiness

 

[dez]

WOW. I didnt see this one coming at all, wherever they end up I hope they get reasonable PT b/c both of these guys can still play.

 

[A.E]

I hope the Steelers try to get Taylor. Do you think thats a possibility AE?

Not a chance. Taylor showed a lot of flexibility when the Dolphins used a hybrid defensive scheme that would alternate between the 4-3 and the 3-4 defensive scheme. Taylor's speed has always made him outstanding at flying around the ends, rushing the passer, and the did well doing the same from the OLB position.

That being said, Taylor seems like he would be an excellent fit for the Steelers in their 3-4...however Taylor's hefty salary makes it like putting a square peg through a round hole. Taylor could always restructure his deal in exchange for playing with a Super Bowl contender but I think the Steelers are content with Kiesel.

Taylor is better than Kiesel but Kiesel is committed to the team long term and for what he gets paid, he is good enough. Pittsburgh has other issues to address this off-season anyways.

 

[AirForceFlash_3]

This is all pure speculation by you AE. As a Dolphins fan I could tell you right now that Parcells wants to keep these guys around and they will be more than happy to stick around. Does that mean they won't be traded? No, there is the possibility but there's a much bigger chance that they stay, than they leave. I'd say 70-30 that they stay.

 

[A.E]

This is all pure speculation by you AE. As a Dolphins fan I could tell you right now that Parcells wants to keep these guys around and they will be more than happy to stick around. Does that mean they won't be traded? No, there is the possibility but there's a much bigger chance that they stay, than they leave. I'd say 70-30 that they stay.

No, this is speculation by the Palm Beach Post and the Florida Sun Times. The speculation was forwarded by me and I'll be the first to admit that I buy it. Just think about this for a second...

Parcells was brought in to turn this team around, aka "rebuild". Rebuilding an NFL Team includes the process out of out with the old and in with the young. Jason Taylor will be 34 next season, Zach Thomas will be 35. Assuming it takes Miami, at minimum, 2-3 years to bring in the proper personnel and put things in place...what good would either of these guys be just a couple years away from 40?

Miami is not going to be very good for the next couple of seasons, I think we all know that. So why bother paying a combined $14M per year to keep both players for 2008 & 09 when the Dolphins can easily find themselves with more draft picks in exchange? It just doesn't make sense.

Both players will be asked to restructure their deals this off-season, should Miami decide they want to hold onto them, but the question is why would either of them want to? Wouldn't you want to be traded to a better team with a better chance at making the Super Bowl if you knew that by the time your current team is rebuilt...your most likely on your way out of the league?

Either way AFF, you don't know Parcells personally and neither do I. Neither of us knows what he, Taylor, or Thomas is thinking as far as 2008 is concerned. I read the same news you do and at the end of the day, 90% of the news is bullsh*t. Again, I'll buy into this speculation b/c what I just mentioned above.

 

[DJT]

Zach Thomas didn't even play for quite awhile due to so called "migraines."

 

[A.E]

Zach Thomas didn't even play for quite awhile due to so called "migraines."

Right...and then he was pissed that they put him on IR. I wouldn't say he is, right now, "happy to return to Miami next season."

 

[DJT]

Right...and then he was pissed that they put him on IR. I wouldn't say he is, right now, "happy to return to Miami next season."

Meh I'd be excited, 1st overall pick always draws some attraction, plus they got a John Beck with some NFL experience....thats nearly gold.

 

[A.E]

Meh I'd be excited, 1st overall pick always draws some attraction, plus they got a John Beck with some NFL experience....thats nearly gold.

Hardly, Beck's experience was being sent back to the bench in favor of Cleo Lemon more than once. That's not counting the snaps he took in Miami's last game which were...pitiful...to say the least.

I have no confidence in Beck. The guy didn't show one single flash that he is even close to being ready for the NFL, if at all. The guy is also what...like 26 already? He doesn't have time to sit and learn like most rookies do.

Either way, John Beck and Glenn Dorsey alone aren't going to have this team winning in 2008 or 2009. This team has multiple holes on the offensive front, their best WR is a return specialist, and their defensive secondary is horrible.

I know you were being sarcastic though DJT.

 

[DJT]

Give Beck some time, just like Alex Smith, they need time....and better lines and better receivers...but with all that stuff they should be all right.

 

[A.E]

Like Alex Smith? Were you watching the same NFL season I was this year? Alex Smith took a huge step back in his progress...then landed on IR.

"Should be alright" isn't an accurate diagnosis of either. Matt Leinart and Vince Young "should be alright"...at least those 2 have shown us something on the field.

 

[DJT]

Like Alex Smith? Were you watching the same NFL season I was this year? Alex Smith took a huge step back in his progress...then landed on IR.

"Should be alright" isn't an accurate diagnosis of either. Matt Leinart and Vince Young "should be alright"...at least those 2 have shown us something on the field.

Eh....Vince Young had what...3-5 good games. He didn't play well at all the whole rest of the season.

 

[A.E]

Eh....Vince Young had what...3-5 good games. He didn't play well at all the whole rest of the season.

Young lead Tennessee to 8 wins during his rookie season, a year after they only won 4 in 2005. Young has this team in the playoffs following his second season. The guy isn't the most prolific quarterback out there but he finds ways to win.

I would say he is going to be okay.

 

[AirForceFlash_3]

Jeff Ireland has said that he loves Beck and wants to keep him, and right now if we even keep Lemon (he's an FA) than it will be as a backup. Rookies make many mistakes, and when Beck got benched all we (mostly Cam) wanted to do was win, and we did just that. But the last game he came in he performed very well, besides the fumble on his first play, but heck what do you expect when a QB doesn't take a single snap with his center until the real game.

As for Thomas and Taylor, I agree they can be traded and if we are rebuilding they will be, but, from what I have read of what Parcells has said we want to win, and of course JT and Zach gives us the best chance. I'm hoping they stay, they are long time Dolphins and are great for our team, but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if they were traded. Here's hoping that they aren't.