Taylor headed to Washington
Jason Taylor wanted out of Miami, and Bill Parcells seemed only too happy to trade the “Dancing with the Stars” defensive end.
So when the Washington Redskins lost a starting lineman to a season-ending injury Sunday, a significant swap quickly got done.
The Redskins gave the Dolphins a second-round pick in 2009 and a sixth-round choice in 2010 for Taylor, who is leaving the only NFL team he’s known.
The six-time Pro Bowl defensive end – who was the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year – fell out of favor in Miami after spending his offseason on a TV show rather than working out with teammates.
The deal came about nine hours after starting defensive end Phillip Daniels was carted away from the practice field at Redskins Park with a season-ending left knee injury on Day 1 of training camp.
It also came only about 1 1/2 hours after Washington executive vice president Vinny Cerrato told reporters: “We haven’t talked to anybody about anything.”
When he later announced the deal with the Dolphins, Cerrato said Taylor was expected to report to the Redskins today, when he’ll meet team owner Dan Snyder and undergo a physical.
“We’re fortunate there was a guy that caliber on the market when somebody got hurt,” Cerrato said. “Normally, in most years, there’s not a guy of that caliber on the market.”
The 33-year-old Taylor has played 11 NFL seasons, all with Miami, and he’s started every game each of the past eight years.
“I love Miami (and) will always cherish my 11 years with the Dolphins,” Taylor said in a statement. “Having said that, I’m looking forward to meeting with Mr. Snyder and getting to know my new coaches and teammates. I’m just proud to be representing our nation’s capital as a Redskin.”
Taylor had 11 sacks during the 2007 season, giving him 117 over his career.
Taylor said last month that his intention is to play one more season, and it seems clear that he wants to pursue a Hollywood acting career. That said, Taylor privately has told confidants that he isn’t certain that he’ll retire after 2008.
Cerrato noted Taylor has two years left on his contract and added: “I’m 100 percent positive he’ll play longer than one year.”
Rams, Long have deal
Defensive end Chris Long agreed to a multiyear deal with the St. Louis Rams, leaving plenty of time for the second overall pick in the 2008 draft to report to training camp.
The Rams project Long, son of Hall of Famer Howie Long, will start at right end, beefing up an anemic pass rush. The team did not disclose the terms of the deal.