MVP Profile: Jason Taylor, 2006

Defensive End, Miami Dolphins

Age:  32 (Sept. 1)

10^th season in pro football & with Dolphins

College: Akron

Height: 6’6”   Weight: 255

Prelude:

Taylor came to the Dolphins as a third round draft pick in 1997 and, despite missing three games to a broken forearm, showed good potential. Tall and lean, with good speed and deceptively strong, he developed into an All-Pro in 2000, his fourth season, as he recorded 14.5 sacks. Taylor had a second All-Pro and Pro Bowl year in 2002 as he led the NFL with 18.5 sacks and was selected to the Pro Bowl again in 2004 and ’05.

2006 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Sacks – 13.5 [4]

Most sacks, game – 2 at Houston 10/1, vs. Green Bay 10/22

Interceptions – 2

Most interceptions, game – 1 at Chicago 11/5, vs. Minnesota 11/19

Int. yards – 71

Most int. return yards, game – 51 (on 1 int.) vs. Minnesota 11/19

Int. TDs – 2 [1, tied with Ronde Barber & Chris McAlister]

Fumble recoveries – 2

Forced fumbles – 9 

Tackles – 41

Assists – 21

Awards & Honors:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: AP

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Sporting News

Pro Bowl

Dolphins went 6-10 to finish fourth in the AFC East while ranking third in the NFL in sacks (47).

Aftermath:

Taylor was chosen to his fourth straight Pro Bowl, and sixth overall, in 2007 as he was again in double figures with sacks (11) in what was otherwise a disastrous 1-15 season for the Dolphins. With the team reorganizing and rebuilding, Taylor was traded to Washington where he had an undistinguished year in 2008 before returning to Miami in ’09 as an outside linebacker. He moved on to the Jets in 2010 to add depth as a pass-rushing linebacker before finishing his career back with Miami in 2011. Overall for his 15-year career, Taylor had 139.5 sacks, 8 interceptions, and 29 fumble recoveries. He was selected to the Pro Bowl six times and was a consensus first-team All-Pro on three occasions.

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MVP Profiles feature players who were named MVP or Player of the Year in the NFL, AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, Maxwell Club – Bert Bell Award, or the league itself). Also includes Associated Press NFL Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.

[Updated 2/4/14]