Miami Dolphins defender and “Dancing with the Stars” participant, Jason Taylor, recently said the following regarding his football career: “I want to win period, and I would love to win in Miami. There are a lot of things out here (Los Angeles) going on, and a lot of opportunities coming up, but the plan is to play. Football is still my priority. I still have a passion to play football.” However, in the same conversation, he mentioned that he is going to miss all offseason workouts, including Dolphins training camp when it opens in July.

Okay… so, let me get this straight. Miami’s defensive “leader” just spent the last three months in Hollywood prancing around in a leotard and is going to remain in LA to pursue other “opportunities” while his teammates are slaving away in South Florida learning a new playbook? If Taylor really had a “passion” for the game, he wouldn’t be memorizing lines for a “Days of our Lives” casting call. Instead, he would be hitting the weights with his fellow Dolphins and acting like a professional.

If he doesn’t want to play football anymore, that’s fine. He can join the ballet for all I care. But he needs to be upfront with Bill Parcells and the new coaching staff and stop stringing them along. This sort of double talk sends the wrong signals to the coaches, fellow players, and the fan base. A young team coming off a 1-15 season needs a veteran leader, not a wannabe Ricky Martin.