Associated Press
ASHBURN, Va. ó Jason Taylor has put his Hollywood offseason behind him now that he’s a member of the Washington Redskins.
The six-time Pro Bowl defensive end clashed with the Miami Dolphins, the team he’d been with for all of his 11 NFL seasons, as he participated in the television show “Dancing With the Stars” rather than working out with the team this offseason.
Taylor got a new start when he was traded to the Redskins on Sunday for a second-round pick in 2009 and a sixth-round choice in 2010. He flew in Monday afternoon, took a physical and was officially introduced at a 6 p.m. press conference.
“We have not talked about anything besides football,” Taylor said of his discussions with the Redskins. “There’s no dancing, unless we’re celebrating a big play.”
The trade for Taylor came after the Redskins lost starting defensive end Phillip Daniels with a season-ending left knee injury Sunday on the first day of training camp.
“You ever heard of this thing, Christmas in July?” Washington middle linebacker London Fletcher said. “I definitely thought it was Christmas in July for us to be able to add a player of his caliber to our football team. It just energized us.”
Taylor, the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, had 11 sacks last season. Andre Carter, who will pair with Taylor on the other side of the Redskins’ defensive line, led Washington with 101/2 sacks.
“Bringing in Jason Taylor is a blessing,” Carter said. “It’ll add another dimension to the defensive line, it’ll allow us to stop the run and get after the passer. So having him on the other side of the line is a great deal.”
No one in Washington seemed concerned about the controversy surrounding Taylor this offseason in Miami. The 33-year-old feuded with the Dolphins’ new management, led by executive vice president of football operations Bill Parcells.
At one point this offseason, Taylor said he was unhappy at the lack of communication he’d had with Parcells and new general manager Jeff Ireland, and in mid-May Miami coach Tony Sparano announced Taylor was not expected to take part in any team activities through training camp, and there was talk of a possible trade for Taylor throughout the offseason.
Taylor said he felt coverage of the rift had been blown out of proportion.
“That train started rolling and got some steam and I think got a little out of control,” Taylor said.
Taylor said his departure from Miami was amicable.
“It is for me,” Taylor said. “I think people are a little disappointed in that. I think they want strife or some bickering back or forth, and that’s just not what it is.”