A Road to Perdition Leads Home!

A familiar face walked down familiar halls.

Burned jerseys, and buried memorabilia gave way to a fan base that last year felt betrayed, and now feel vindicated.

Jason Taylor is a Miami Dolphin.

Re-read that last sentence folks, the man whom left Davie to follow a championship in the Meadowlands, if only somewhat sheepishly admits that he missed his home. He never looked quite comfortable in green, having only 5 sacks and 36 tackles; the worst season since an injury shortened 2008 season. Coincidentally the 2008 season is the only other season spent away from Miami throughout a 15 year career that has seen Taylor become the darling of the dance floor as well as the He-Man of the Grid Iron.

Taylor has spent 2 seasons apart from his beloved Dolphins, first because of a Tuna which he just could not find common ground with, and the second of which was because quite frankly, the Jets made the best offer. Given a lackluster year, it was inevitable that Rex Ryan would move on from a Linebacker who was considered over the hill.

Fast Forward to August 1, 2011, and the accustomed aqua and orange adorn a body which most women in Miami consider to be chiseled by the Gods, returns to the team which 15 years prior gave him a place to call his own. It is a different Taylor which the Dolphins are welcoming back this season. Taylor will be a mentor and leader more than he will be the defensive beast we remember.

There are mixed feelings about his return, mixed mostly because of the reactions of a fan base that have endured orange carpets and nightclubs invading their cathedral of the game. They have dealt with an ownership that seems more interested in the “fan experience” than in the product on the field. It is an ownership, most feel, does just enough to keep Dol-Fans biting on the line.

Whether the reason for his return is Pride, Glory or the simple fact that he could not face retiring anywhere but home, it is nice to see Jason return. Even if for just one more magical season, #99 will run down a path that has led him astray, and inescapably ends with one last run through the tunnel which will lead him home.