Jason Taylor Traded

I'll make this brief since I'm way late on giving my thoughts, and you have probably heard countless writers and reporters tell you why this was or wasn't a smart move and you don't need me to echo that.


Pro's

• The 2nd Round Pick: Asking a first round pick for JT was unrealistic. I thought we would ultimately have to settle for a 3rd rounder if we did trade him, but we lucked out when Washington had a starting DE lost for the year and they had needed to replace him. Most people will argue that this pick would have been better had we acquired it before the draft in April so we can use it this year. I disagree. You can only draft so many players and only so many of them actually make the team. This isn't a one year rebuilding process. It will take a few great drafts to build a foundation for us to be successful. As it stands now, we are guaranteed to have three of the first sixty-four picks next year. I'm not complaining.
• Circus Has Left Town: The media coverage of all things Jason Taylor was ridiculous. There was way too much speculation and hysteria over what would happen between him, Parcells, and the Dolphins. Who do we think we are? New York? Philadelphia? At least now we can focus on issues on the field and how the team will do this season. All the questions about Hollywood can be redirected to our nation's capital.

Con's

• The Defense: Duh. Our defense was actually looking really good with JT around. He and Joey Porter would be the edge rushers with Super Bowl champion Reggie Torbor manning the middle with Akin Ayodele and Channing Crowder. Now someone has to slide outside and Charlie Anderson may be thrust into a starters role. Taylor was the cornerstone of the defense and with him gone everything changes.
  
• Jake Long: Going against Taylor every day in practice would make him much more prepared for the best pass rushers in the league. Now he gets to test his skills against average and marginal NFL players. Now, he will be doing the most learning on Sundays.