Joker’s wild for Jason Taylor

By Joe Versage  |   Thursday, July 31, 2008  |  Comments( 5 )

Washington Redskins
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With Batman back on the big screen this summer, many moviegoers are reminiscing about the last time he tangoed with the infamous Joker. The year was 1989 and Jack Nicholson played the psychotic and schizophrenic clown, who famously coined the phrase, “Tell me, my friend: Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?”

Redskins owner Daniel Snyder may not be a movie buff, but one can envision him asking that question after completing the July 20 trade that brought ex-Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor to Washington.

Snyder doesn't possess the wit of Nicholson or the brilliance of the late Heath Ledger (from the "Dark Knight"), but he's still a lot like the Joker. Meanwhile, Taylor could fit the part of the Caped Crusader, whose purpose is to provide answers in a place that’s filled with question marks.

On paper, the 2006 NFL defensive player of the year -- acquired for a second and sixth-round pick -- looks like a steal, but can the former contestant on “Dancing with the Stars” waltz the Redskins back to superiority? Washington’s fans have a right to be wary because they’ve been fooled before by veteran acquisitions who have earned less-than-perfect scores.

Like the Joker, Snyder isn’t afraid to gamble, but his wagers are often ineffective. Since purchasing the Redskins in 1999, he has sought a quick fix time and again, but the majority of his bets have not paid off. Instead, Washington has resembled Gotham City, where honorable men are enticed by promises, only to have them broken by incompetence.

From a pass-rush standpoint, there’s no question that Taylor provides a huge upgrade over Phillip Daniels, whose torn ACL sparked the trade in the first place. But it was the speed with which the deal got done that was most surprising.

On Day 1 of training camp, Snyder was reportedly distraught after learning of the season-ending injuries to Daniels and backup defensive end Alex Buzbee (ruptured Achilles tendon). He then called on his cronies to bargain for Taylor.

According to SI.com’s Peter King, a trio of phone calls were made in just over three hours by newly appointed executive vice president Vinny Cerrato. Each call was answered by Dolphins executive VP Bill Parcells, who was in perfect position to take the bait after his public display of disaffection for Taylor. By the time three more hours had passed, Taylor had a new home.

In Miami, Parcells was in no mood to deal with an aging player who seemed more committed to Hollywood than South Beach. And there are plenty of rumors that claim Taylor is determined to hang up his cleats soon for an acting career.

On his personal Web site, Taylor proudly displays a picture of himself with Edyta Sliwinski, who partnered with him to a second-place finish on ABC's dancing show. In addition, the site touts Taylor’s selection to People Magazine’s list of the “100 Most Beautiful People." It also adds that he is one of “TV’s Top Ten Dream Men."

Taylor may be well on his way to television and movie stardom. But during his first week with the Redskins, he toed the company line by saying that he intends to fulfill the remaining two years of a contract that Washington added to its payroll. In a concerted effort to reassure fans and skeptical media, Cerrato and Taylor’s agent then reiterated the point.

What can Taylor do for the Redskins? If his 11 years with the Dolphins are any indication, he can improve their defense immediately. A six-time Pro Bowler, he has wreaked havoc on quarterbacks with 117 career sacks. That number ranks first among active players on NFL rosters.

But in Washington, Taylor’s dedication will be tested. He will no longer be teammates with brother-in-law Zach Thomas, the linebacker who signed with Dallas after his own long tenure in Miami ended.

And although he predominantly played right end for Miami, Taylor will line up on the left side opposite Andre Carter for the Redskins.

During a training camp media session, Taylor was asked to comment on his role reversal, and he didn’t exactly sound enthused by the idea.

“Playing football is like riding a bike”, he said. “But switching sides is like riding a unicycle. It is just something you have to get used to."

Taylor will also need to get used to an owner who enjoys a circus-like atmosphere. Throughout his tenure Snyder has been obsessed with keeping his team in the spotlight and despite a quiet offseason, it was only a matter of time before his cravings got the best of him. In a matter of hours, Snyder went from sullen to sly, and now he’s basking in a rare show of affection by the media.

In this summer’s record-shattering blockbuster, Batman must consider his ethical boundaries when he is forced into the shadows by the Joker.

Snyder has similarly lured his prey and it's Taylor’s turn to brighten the day. Will he be a shadow of his former self? And if the Redskins sputter in their first year under a new head coach, will he have second thoughts about playing another season in Washington?

If that transpires, Taylor may choose to dance off into the pale moonlight, while the Redskins will be left wondering if the joke was on them.

Training Camp: An entirely new kind of fantasy game!





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About Joe Versage

As a native of upstate New York and a life-long fan of the Buffalo Bills, I have witnessed some of the greatest highs and greatest lows an NFL team can endure. But despite a gut-wrenching 4 consecutive Super Bowl defeats, I never lost faith in the Bills and was fortunate to cover them for 3 years ...
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