Taylor's acting desire a finely orchestrated deception

For my conspiracy theorists and pessimists out there, I bring you the following: A commentary on my own suggestion that Jason Taylor’s recent and sudden desire to escape to Hollywood was nothing more than a finely orchestrated deception by his agents and management.

Seemingly content as a Miami Dolphin for a decade, things began to unravel for the All-Pro early during the 2007 season. Noticing the Dolphins falling to an inconceivable level with a boob (Cam Cameron) as a head coach and no prospects of success in the near future, Taylor began to turn. His power in the organization was legitimate—from having owner H. Wayne Huizenga’s ear to being the vocal locker room leader. When Taylor spoke, people listened.

It was during the ’08 season that Taylor dropped the ball—he gave up. He realized the worthless, day-to-day struggle he faced as a member of the Dolphins. His attitude and disposition permeated throughout the locker room. Once Cameron lost Taylor, he lost every remaining player, the season and his head coaching career with the Dolphins. No wonder Bill Parcells was put-off by Taylor; he realized Taylor’s contributions on the field would be less significant than the detriment he would do to the team in the locker room. In a Parcells system, the coaches (and specifically chosen players) have the voice, not just sour veterans.

With the season over and an offer on the table from ABC to compete in “Dancing With the Stars,” Taylor finally had his out. And as any agent worth his 10% would, Gary Wichard started putting together a plan. Perhaps not the perfect plan, but nevertheless a good one.

Taylor performed on DWTS for two reasons: to be more noticeable in Hollywood and to begin the deception—the deception that his goal all along was to be an actor. Once again, any agent worth his 10% should have a plan ready for his client’s post-playing career. Taylor is not unique in wanting to go Hollywood and keep himself in the spotlight. He is, however, unique in using that desire to deceive his team into trading him.

Go on DWTS, refuse to commit to the Dolphins and then publicly state you are only going to play for one more season (and you want it to be with a contender) because of your desire to act. Refuse to attend any mini camps or OTAs, making up excuses that, while sounding legitimate, are obviously bogus. Then, continuously placate to the media and your fans that you are not doing this because you WANT to leave but because with such limited time left you have to leave. Why would any team accept a player doing those things? They would not, and Gary Wichard knew that from the start.

And now that the deception is completed and a trade has been made, everyone will begin to see it unravel. It started with Washington’s executive vice president Vinny Cerrato being "100 percent positive he'll play longer than one year." Of course he will; he was always going to.

Let’s face it--Taylor’s prospects in Hollywood are slim-to-none. Meeting with Denzel Washington, studio executives and reading offers in La-La-Land? They may have happened but none were approached with much seriousness. Taylor probably made his rounds to learn more about the industry for when he actually retires in 2011 or 2012. Yes, you heard it here first—2011 or 2012.

Taylor will play out the remainder of his contract (two years) with the Redskins, and he will be happy to do so because he NEVER truly considered retiring. When the Redskins have not provided Taylor with his shot at contention for a Super Bowl ring, he will do what so many two-faced athletes (read: Junior Seau) have done and sign a one- or two-year deal with a team (read: New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys) for that last shot at glory. Then, he will ride off into that Hollywood sunset that will look eerily like an ESPN (owned by ABC who produces DWTS), NBC or FOX studio.

In the end, he may win his ring, get his Hall of Fame bust and win back some fans, but one thing will never change: This was a farce, a sham, a finely orchestrated deception.