Like Fred, Jason is another old Taylor Bills don’t need

By Anthony Bialy  |   Wednesday, March 04, 2009  |  Comments( 95 )

Buffalo Bills
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Jason Taylor shouldn’t be dismissed as a poor fit the Buffalo Bills simply because he once led their rival gang, although spite directed toward anyone who ever had anything to do with the Miami Dolphins is tempting. But there are better reasons to shun him, namely regarding how he’s an old football man who has seemingly lost interest in preparing. Dismissed by the Washington Redskins, he may seem like a natural fit in Buffalo, but they shouldn’t be the ones to end his athletic unemployment even though they’re desperate for defensive end production.

The Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe winner for “Jackass Number Two” is also the NFL’s active leader in sacks with 120.5. Unfortunately for him, only 3.5 of those came in his lone Redskin season. His troubles are partially why Washington finished with 24 sacks, which is both 1) the same quantity Buffalo managed and 2) bad. Hampered by knee and calf troubles, Taylor also managed an underwhelming 29 tackles in his 13 games and eight starts. When he wasn’t hurt, he still didn’t help.

Even if Taylor experienced a resurrection, it would be too brief. The Bills need long-term help at end, as the players they already own have been around long term. Aaron Schobel and Ryan Denney will both be 32 before the season opens, while Chris Kelsay is 29; regardless of one’s opinion of each player’s play, the group is collectively in autumn.

They need to add a young defensive end, not a prominent yet declining player about to enter his 13th season. Taylor shares a Sept. 1 birthday with Schobel, and the Bills don’t need an exterior lineman who will turn even older, specifically 35, on that day.

Plus, Taylor’s lust for attention makes him a poor short-term solution despite his impressive career stats: He’s more concerned with being a renowned Hollywood celebrity glamour star than improving himself athletically. Most disgracefully, he preferred to dance with a gaggle of marginal stars on a television program around this time last year rather than attend workouts with the Dolphins; unsurprisingly, the team eventually rid itself of the fox-trotter. Plus, the Redskins just cut him because he refused to accept a clause obliging him to participate in 25 workouts this offseason. In his defense, cameras usually aren’t allowed at those team activities, not to mention that wearing a helmet would cut into his face time.

The Bills don’t need him running around when he bothers to show up, either. A Taylor-style freelancer wouldn’t fit in a defense that emphasizes responsibly maintaining gaps. Of course, doing as he wishes because he can is what he’s done: The Akron man got away with being an independent contractor throughout his career because he was gifted enough to make unaided plays. But his age and wear aren’t going to let him do so for much longer.

He’s a big name who mans a position that’s a big need for Buffalo, but it should avoid him on account of the fact he’s not going to provide many more big plays. Besides, Buffalo should be pursuing players who are famous because of football, not those who use football as a stepping stone toward greater fame.

Unfortunately for Taylor, “The Celebrity Apprentice” has already begun, so he may as well play another NFL season. He’s been an undeniably talented player and a hard worker, but Taylor’s at the point where he has to choose between a three-point stance and a runway walk; no matter how good he’s been at the game, a player already focused on life after sports is not the sort for whom the Bills should be looking. They need help in the present and future, and Taylor’s best days have passed.
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