Gone but not forgotten, linebacker Jason Taylor has received an award from his former team. The Miami Dolphins announced tonight that Taylor and safety Yeremiah Bell jointly have won the 2009 Don Shula Leadership Award.
Taylor also won the award in 2002, 2006, and 2007.
The development serves as a reminder that the Fins may have been wise to keep Taylor around, especially in light of the fact that four players have been arrested this offseason.
As one league insider remarked, “Maybe Taylor could have helped Phillip Merling, Brandon Marshall or any of the other ‘thugs and hoodlums’ Parcells loves.”
Meanwhile, running back Ricky Williams received the Dan Marino Most Valuable Player Award, and fullback Lousaka Polite won the Nat Moore Community Service Award.
Taylor signed with the Jets after the Dolphins dragged their feet for weeks regarding the possibility of re-signing him.