Could You Find It in Your Heart to Forgive Jason Taylor?

by John B on Apr 7, 2010 12:56 PM EDT

I'm not at all convinced today's visit by Jason Taylor is anything more than both sides performing due diligence. Both parties have an interest in trying to drive up his price for Miami.

What if it's not, though? What if the Jets are serious. On paper Taylor would be a great addition. He is coming off a productive season and was decent as a pass rusher, against the run, and in coverage. He could help add depth at outside linebacker and compliment Calvin Pace as a rusher.

On paper is the key phrase with Taylor, though. We all remember all of the idiotic comments he has made about the Jets and their fans through the years. It would be a tough sell to the fan base.

You could imagine he would backpedal if he signed in New York. Would you be willing to give him a fresh start and let bygones be bygones if he was willing to apologize for acting like such a jerk over the past decade plus?

Poll

Could you accept Jason Taylor as a Jet if he apologized for stupid remarks and potshots in the past?

Yes

312 votes

No

190 votes

502 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 36 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Who do we hate more?

Kerry Rhodes or Jason Taylor?

by Ryan Alfieri on Apr 7, 2010 12:57 PM EDT reply actions

He was on a rival, I don’t expect him to confess his love for us. He made some stupid comments, so what, you can’t take it to heart. He makes us better, that’s the bottom line for me, if he signs on the dotted line, then he is a Jet and that’s the end of it, I couldn’t care any less about comments he made as a Dolphin. If he doesn’t sign, can go on disliking him.

Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
Jets/Cubs/Marshall/ND

by David_Wyatt on Apr 7, 2010 1:00 PM EDT reply actions

^^^This

I hate him until he signs. Even then it will take a training camp to purge the reflexive hate that automatically pops up when I see him. I would enjoy seeing his hot wife more often though.

by Crackback on Apr 7, 2010 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

by Ryan Alfieri on Apr 7, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

+1 on the wife lol

All it will take is a good opening press conference, a few reports of him working hard and teaching a few of the younger guys some moves. Add on top a good opening day performance against whoever (probably Dolphins) with a sack and good play. Any Jets fans going to complain? I sure as hell hope not.

Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
Jets/Cubs/Marshall/ND

by David_Wyatt on Apr 7, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Hmm...

Outside of Tom Brady, I don’t think I can think of any quality players I wouldn’t change my mind about if they wore green and contributed.

by SioneBAAOOOHA on Apr 7, 2010 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

Please. If you guys are cool with Jason Taylor on our defense, Jet fans would say, “Well, Rex Ryan must know what he’s doing” if Saddam Hussein was hired as the new defensive coordinator.

by nationalist88 on Apr 7, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Well… if he can win us some games… Kinda hard to do when you’re dead though.

by Crackback on Apr 7, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I think ‘washed up’ is the prerequisite for free agent acquisitions this year. ‘Dead’ is optional.

by nationalist88 on Apr 7, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Stop putting completely false statements out there like he is ‘washed up’….it’s so far from the truth it is unbelievable.

Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
Jets/Cubs/Marshall/ND

by David_Wyatt on Apr 7, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Now I see where the “eternal optimist” label applies. Bro. JT averaged 9 sacks a seaon over the course of his 13 yr career. He hasn’t had that production since ‘07. You know damn well the BESTof JT was left in Miami a long time ago. He knows it too, which is probably why he’s modeling and dancing instead of showing up to voluntary workouts. In any case, unless he’s racking up 9 sacks a season, which he won’t, you’re not even getting the AVERAGE JT. What would it take for you to say ‘washed up’?

by nationalist88 on Apr 7, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Someone who did not have the best NFL QB rating against when dropping back in coverage of all OLB’s last year, someone who doesn’t have 7 sacks and 20 QB pressures last season, someone who allowed more than 70 yards through the air, and someone who missed more than 3 tackles. Maybe if he was coming off a bad season then you could call him washed up, but he’s not, he is coming off a season where he was ranked in the top 10 OLB in the game. Open your eyes and look at more than just sack totals, put him behind Kris Jenkins with Harris/Scott in the middle and Pace on the other side, this guys a beast, Rex said that he envisions JT having 15 sacks next season (Per Schefter), and that’s because it’s different defences, he played on an average Redskins D that struggled so much they blew 100+ mil on Haynesworth, and then with the Dolphins, who’s corners couldn’t hold down a paper bag in a telephone box. Are you seriously telling me that he wouldn’t produce on this defence? if so, your absolutely delusional. Is it a mistake that Rex is pushing hard for this guy? no it’s not, it’s because he understands value when he sees it.

Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
Jets/Cubs/Marshall/ND

by David_Wyatt on Apr 7, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Listen guy, if you don’t like JT then just say that instead of making yourself look foolish trying to demean his game, if you don’t want him because of the things he said, fine, just say it. However don’t try and put a logical football reasoning behind it, because there isn’t any. Even an average JT is a bargain for $1.2 mill.

Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
Jets/Cubs/Marshall/ND

by David_Wyatt on Apr 7, 2010 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

No I do not like him at all. But I didn’t like the LT signing either. We clearly aren’t gonna change each other’s minds here. Just remember this when dealing with big name castoffs: Forget about all those years of stellar production on another team. Just pretend they don’t exist. Because as far as we’re concerned, the only numbers that matter are what goes in the books for the New York Jets in the seasons we have these guys under contract. Agreed?

Well see how this plays out during the season. If you’re right, and these guys make the team better, feel free to talk all the ‘I told you so’ smack you want. I’ll admit if I’m wrong. But we better hurry up and start playing before these guys get any older : )

by nationalist88 on Apr 7, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

You can’t say forget those years of production after spending all day talking about how you don’t want him because he averaged 9.5 sacks through his career and was down to 7 last year, it doesn’t make any sense. You have to judge a player on what he has done, but in the end it does only matter what he does here, but you can only evaluate what he will do here by looking at what he has done elsewhere. Not sure why you don’t have the confidence in Rex to get our of Taylor what Sparano did.

It’s a calculated risk, it’s not like we are giving him a $20 mill 4 year contract lol

Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
Jets/Cubs/Marshall/ND

by David_Wyatt on Apr 7, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I voted yes but with a caveat

the caveat being that he must GROVEL. I expect TEARS with his apology >:o

by Exystence on Apr 7, 2010 1:47 PM EDT reply actions

you really cant blame the man for being hard on us jets fans, cuz you all know we have been hard on them , and remember when brian cox spit on a dolphin fan so it goes both ways, i think he would be a perfict fit in rex ryans defense, we would be unstopable

by realsouthace on Apr 7, 2010 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

This is a moot discussion, because he will never apologize. Why? Hmm.. Oh yeah, because he hates the Jets! Oh well. I hate the Patriots, but if their organization was dumb enough to give me some money I guess I’d take it too!

by nationalist88 on Apr 7, 2010 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

When players are involved, nothing said is unforgivable as long as he performs. But if he sucks or puts more effort into television then his game… Expect the fans to boo him at every turn.

by colinyoung on Apr 7, 2010 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

Why not?

Get 7 or more sacks & I would love him.

by tom spicer on Apr 7, 2010 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

Apparently Adam Schefter is reporting that Jason Taylor will sign with the Jets by the end of the day.

If that happens, they will release Bryan Thomas.

Source: Rotoworld

Before you ask why I'm a fan of both the Cowboys and Jets, I'll just say the answer is complicated and that it just turned out that way.

2009-2010 Dallas Mavericks: 57-25 LOVING THE TRADE!

by Grady90 on Apr 7, 2010 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

slight correction

Adam Schefter says ‘a “lot of people” believe’ it’s going to happen.

Before you ask why I'm a fan of both the Cowboys and Jets, I'll just say the answer is complicated and that it just turned out that way.

2009-2010 Dallas Mavericks: 57-25 LOVING THE TRADE!

by Grady90 on Apr 7, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Meh, might as well call it done. When Schefter reports something is about to happen, it might as well have already happened.

by Exystence on Apr 7, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

This just gets better and better. Sign Taylor. Dump Thomas. Keep Gholston?? Wow.

by nationalist88 on Apr 7, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Has somebody put some weird stuff in Tannenbaum's coffee?

Officially contributing to worldwide confusion since 1997

by Rabbit T on Apr 8, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

PS I don’t think this even matters because I still very much doubt he signs with us, he wants leverage from the Jets, more than a deal

Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
Jets/Cubs/Marshall/ND

by David_Wyatt on Apr 7, 2010 4:10 PM EDT reply actions

You know that would not surprise me in the least. This is a guy who hates our team so much he can’t contain emotion, his mouth, or his middle finger. Using us to get a better deal elsewhere makes the most sense. Even if it’s New England.

by nationalist88 on Apr 7, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

well if he is trying to screw the fish

than I am all for it lol.

by Togaman7 on Apr 7, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t mind if he is using us to get leverage, as it probably means the fish will over pay. He’s not a must, he’s a luxury. We will be fine without him, he would just make us better in 2010 IMO.

Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
Jets/Cubs/Marshall/ND

by David_Wyatt on Apr 7, 2010 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t like it. And I will give my reasons. And yes I will agree that he is a good player, but for me (and this is just my opinion, don’t want to start beef, especially with other Jet fans) it goes beyond that. Some have said it is a good business move, and I do not disagree. But it’s just that. I guess I am idealistic and still would like to see sports as a game. Where things don’t always have to fit in nicely in stats and figures.

It’s a game and should be treated as such and we as fans can like/dislike teams/players for what ever reason. For me some things just don’t feel right. Magic Johnson playing for the Celtics or Jordan playing for the Knicks (well maybe that would have been ok lol). I could never envision Jeter playing for the Red Sox. As a kid I cried when the Mets traded Tom Sever (still my favorite player). Now I am not putting Taylor in the category of the rest of the players I mentioned, nor am I comparing the Jets to any of the championship winning teams.

The thing is I don’t like this move because I don’t like the player. It cheapens the rivalry (again only in my opinion) from both sides. I don’t want this to be “just a business move” Sports should be about the stories not interchangeable plastic figures on a game board.

by Togaman7 on Apr 7, 2010 4:26 PM EDT reply actions

Will just say that when Jim Edmonds joined the Cubs after playing with the Cards, fans absolutely hated it, was the same reaction that we are seeing now. But you know what, as soon as put on that Cubbies top, and started hitting home runs, I heard nobody complaining, he was a vet, who offered the power we needed at a value price. Rivalry is still fine, Edmonds is still fine and the Cubs got to the play-offs….. in the end, everyone will love Taylor if he puts Brady and Henne on their ass and we get to the play-offs, because everyone likes a winner.

Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
Jets/Cubs/Marshall/ND

by David_Wyatt on Apr 7, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

and that is why I said it is my opinion only. I understand that some people don’t care about this and I respect their opinion. For myself, I just don’t like it. Much like I didn’t like Clemens pitching for the Yankees. Was i happy the team won sure, but was I as happy as when Pettite won games, no. again just my personal feelings.

As a side not before Petite went to the Astros he was asked about playing for the dreaded Sox and he said he couldn’t do that to the Yankee fans. Wish there was more of that.

by Togaman7 on Apr 7, 2010 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I get you, respect that, if we were winning Superbowl’s every other year, perhaps I would be a little more selective in who I wanted, but it’s been 40+ and anything that can help us is fine wit me. Also he said some things about the Jets, but he is not a bad person in general, from all accounts he is actually a very decent guy, who works his tail off for charity, and helping kids. Was I upset when he said the things he said? wouldn’t say upset, but wasn’t best pleased. End of the day there just words.

Writer/Assistant editor
Eternal optimist
New York Jets
Gang Green Nation
www.ganggreennation.com
Jets/Cubs/Marshall/ND

by David_Wyatt on Apr 7, 2010 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Now we know why the Jets let Feely go so easily. They didn’t want to pay him an extra 300k because they had Taylor in their minds all along. They couldn’t wait for Feely to sign. He is the only Jets UFA that had a good chance of getting an offer from another team. From what i’ve read Rex wants him on the team in the worst way.

by chrebetsthebet on Apr 7, 2010 4:33 PM EDT reply actions

Rivalry

I think it improves the rivalry dont you think that if Taylor signs with us he would love to stick it to the Phins for not keeping him. The same way McNabb would love to stick it to the Eagles & Favre loves beating the Pack.

by tom spicer on Apr 7, 2010 4:37 PM EDT reply actions

Not convinced...

For all we know, Taylor could be signing with Jets if he does just to screw ’em! You know, infilltrate the Jets, make the Jets lose so Miami wins the division?

FiremanEd is right: FinsFansSuck!

by FinsFansSuck on Apr 10, 2010 10:44 AM EDT reply actions