Goodbye Jason Taylor

The Dolphins traded their star DE for two draft picks, including a 2nd rounder next year. From the Sun-Sentinel-

Jason Taylor is leaving the only NFL team he has known, his wish to be traded to a contender granted Sunday.

The Washington Redskins gave the Dolphins a second-round pick in 2009 and a sixth-round selection in 2010 to acquire the six-time Pro Bowler, who had spent 11 seasons anchoring the Dolphins' defense.

"We're fortunate there was a guy that caliber on the market when somebody got hurt," Redskins executive vice president Vinny Cerrato said. "Normally, in most years, there's not a guy of that caliber on the market."

The Redskins' need for a pass-rushing end became evident Sunday when they lost defensive end Phillip Daniels to a torn left ACL and Alex Buzbee to a ruptured Achilles' tendon in the team's first-day practice.

Tired of the Dolphins' constant rebuilding, Taylor pushed management to trade him to a contender this offseason. Pre-dating the draft, the Dolphins talked with a handful of teams. But none of the offers brought suitable value for a player who contributed 55 tackles and 11 sacks last season. Until now.

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Taylor, who will turn 34 on Sept. 1, is due $8 million this season, which includes a $500,000 roster bonus, and $8.5 million next season. The Redskins have the cap space to absorb the lofty contract, which has Taylor ranked among the NFL's highest-paid defensive linemen. The majority of his salary comes off the Dolphins' books, putting the team well under the salary cap.

The front page of the Palm Beach Post's sports section has a list of Taylor's accomplishments that include 11 year veteran, 6 Pro Bowls, 172 games etc, all under a caption that reads "What the Dolphins lose"

What lose? None of those accomplishments disappear because Taylor is now with a different NFL team. What Miami does lose is whatever productivity Taylor has for the rest of his career.

Which may not be a heck of a lot. He's 34 year old Defensive lineman. Most players are out of football at this age, and those who are still in it are almost all in their decline stage of the career. Taylor didn't have a bad 2007 considering the train wreck the Dolphins season was. However trading him for a 2nd round is a good deal in my book. A 2nd rounder could be a star or a very productive long-term player. It's a bit of a gamble, but Miami is a few years at least away from even contending for a playoff spot. Taylor wasn't Miami's future, but rather its past. I think Miami made the right move.