If you watched the recently completed 2008 edition of "Dancing With the Stars" (like I did), then you are aware of the outstanding athletic ability of the top two finishers. Kirsti Yamaguchi, Olympic Gold Medalist in figure skating, and her professional dance partner, won the title over Miami Dolphins, six time Pro Bowl defensive end, Jason Taylor and his dance partner.
If you have followed any portion of the ten week long contest, you have to be amazed at the sheer physical ability that ballroom dancing calls for. This being one of the on going themes of the contestants over the two plus months of six hours of daily practice plus the live competition. With Kirsti and Jason now finishing in the best physical condition of their lives.
This brings me to the Miami Dolphins, with a 1-15 record last year, (That's right only one win all season long) and Jason Taylor, their only Pro Bowl player. This was his sixth Pro Bowl, the last four years in a row. In addition at 6'6", 255 lbs., with 117 lifetime sacks, third among active players, he is the proto-type defensive end in the NFL.
However, because of his commitment to "Dancing With the Stars," Jason has missed all the voluntary mini-camps of the Dolphins as they try to right the ship (see above 1-15) under taskmaster Bill Parcells and coach Tony Sparano. In addition Jason is also visiting with Warner Brothers and NBC Universal studios about a show-business future.
So here we are at the cross-roads. Parcells and Sparano are very unhappy with the fact that Jason has missed so many voluntary camps and may miss a part of training camp. They have threatened to trade him, after all they can finish 1-15 with or without him.
Jason's an eleven year veteran. How long do you really think it will take him to get ready for the season? My guess, three weeks practice and the last two pre-season games. But, that's not the real dividing line. This is all about control. Who's in control? "My way or the highway." But the bottom line still is, the Dolphins can win more games with Jason than they can with out Jason.
Stay tuned.
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Friday, May 23, 2008
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