Dolphins Don’t Seem Interested In Re-signing Jason Taylor

Miami Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland doesn’t sound inclined toward re-signing six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Taylor. Ireland raised the question of whether Taylor’s presence on the roster would block opportunities for younger players to develop, according to Omar Kelly of the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. “You have to look at every possible situation at this time of year,” Ireland said. “You have to look at all these things, but with players like Jason, who is going to be 35 in September, you have to look at whether veteran players are progress-stoppers for younger players. We have to look at that.” Plus, money would be another issue to consider for the Dolphins as Taylor could be expensive. “You never know what’s fallen off a tree, and there is an acorn down there, and we’re looking at it. I’m not going to say we’re not [interested],” Ireland said. “But the level of interest I’m not going to comment on.” Ireland didn’t seem concerned about the past animosity between Taylor and Bill Parcells, which Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald recently reported was no longer an issue. The Dolphins seem to want to institute a youth movement with the roster for the most part. “There is no doubt about it, this team’s got to have younger players, and you want to build through the draft,” Ireland. “That’s a strategy and philosophy [the front office] has felt real strongly about since we’ve been together. So age does [make] a difference, and longevity, the more years a guy can play? Is the player ascending or descending.” Outside linebacker Joey Porter has been lobbying management for Taylor to return. “I’ve talked to him a few times and I know he wants to come back, and have an opportunity to be a part of what we are trying to do now,” Porter said. “We’re moving in the right direction and it’s not like we can’t use the guy. We can definitely use him. “I feel like we got a raw deal the first year we played together. It wasn’t what he signed up for and wasn’t what I signed up for. But that’s behind us. If we get a chance to get him I hope we make the move.” The New England Patriots are another potential destination for Taylor.