Source: Taylor visiting with Jets

Miami Dolphins free agent linebacker Jason Taylor, who became an off-field star with his turn on "Dancing With The Stars," is dancing with the New York Jets.

Taylor arrived in New York on Wednesday and is being heavily recruited by the team, according to a source. The Jets have been interested in signing Taylor since the start of free agency but didn't have the leeway to sign him.

Under the terms of the uncapped season, because the Jets made the AFC Championship Game, they had to lose a player to free agency before they could sign one.

Last week's loss of free-agent kicker Jay Feely to the Arizona Cardinals met that requirement, and started the Jets' process of recruiting Taylor, the last remaining unsigned Dolphins free agent.

The Jets have competition for Taylor's services: Miami is interested in re-signing him, and the New England Patriots also are interested.


Taylor

So the Jets are planning an aggressive sales pitch. According to a source, part of the recruiting process includes a trip to the Jets' new stadium in the Meadowlands, where highlights of Taylor's career will be shown on the scoreboard.

Jets coach Rex Ryan is interested in Taylor as a means of improving the team's pass rush. Calvin Pace led with eight sacks last season, but the Jets, who had a team sack total of 32, want to add a player with 10-sack potential. The Jets had only 10 combined sacks from their outside linebackers last season.

Taylor, one of the best pass rushers of his era, has 127½ sacks during his 13-year NFL career. He was on the field for 80 percent of the Dolphins' sacks last season, collecting seven himself.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

jgrif33 said:

Maybe you'll be able to beat Miami next year if you sign him.

Click to expand...

^^

Taylor, Jets meeting for second day

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Free agent linebacker Jason Taylor is meeting with the New York Jets for a second day as coach Rex Ryan tries to persuade the NFL's active sacks leader to join the top-ranked defense.

The six-time Pro Bowl pick is at the team's facility Thursday and has met a number of Jets players, who say Taylor would be a welcome addition.

Taylor has spent 12 of his 13 seasons with the Miami Dolphins, including last year when he had seven sacks.

The 35-year-old Taylor would provide the Jets with a proven pass rusher.
Taylor has had a contentious relationship with Jets fans during his career, calling them ignorant and classless. Linebacker Calvin Pace believes the fans will put that aside if Taylor signs with New York.