The first official day of the offseason started this morning, and so far it's been a doozy: Pat White was released from Broward General after Sunday's starring role as "hedgehog," outside linebackers coach Jim Reid is off to college, and Pittsburgh thinks we're losing Jason Taylor.
One of those things is not like the others, and it's the happy one. White lived, first of all, and luckily suffered "only" what sources say is a likely concussion. He was at the Dolphins' complex this morning for the team's end-of-season meeting, a good sign for a guy who suffered a similar concussion last year at West Virginia.
"To have him back here healthy and knowing there wasn't anything wrong was wonderful," said Chad Henne, who reported he's okay, too, after a medically diagnosed "bruise near the left eye" (bet that took fewer tests to figure out).
Someone who won't be around is Reid. He accepted a job as Defensive Coordinator at the University of Virginia for new Cavaliers coach Mike London. Reid, who's been tremendously appreciated by players, has spent a combined 13 seasons at Richmond and as head coach at Virginia Military Institute.
"He made a decision that's best for his family and everybody congratulated him in the back," reported Cameron Wake, who mercifully stopped short of explaining how, exactly, you congratulate someone in the back. "Obviously we'll keep in touch. He definitely has an impact on players' lives, and I know he'll do well when he gets there."
Sad, but not nearly as sad as what Pittsburgh media would have us believe about our beloved, if creaky, JT.
Now that the Dolphins' season is over, Taylor isn't making it clear that he wants to re-sign there, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review...The 35-year-old is playing his cards a little closer to the vest. After Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, he said, "We'll see what happens later on. Things need to be sorted out. I'm sure the team is going to meet and figure out what they want to do and I'll be on a golf course somewhere figuring out what I want to do."
Sounds like what he wants to do is golf.
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It's funny how things are interpreted by media (somewhere, Gilbert Arenas tries to agree with a shred of dignity). The Sun-Sentinel's Omar Kelly was present, and he gave this version:
When I point blank asked Taylor if he wants to be back with the Dolphins in 2010, Taylor couldn't prevent himself from nodding his head up and down, subconsciously saying "YES," while his mouth said: "We'll see what happens guys. We'll see what happens....The [front office figures] are going to meet and figure out what they want to do, and I'll be on the golf course somewhere figuring out what I want to do."
Naturally, we're going with Kelly's version. We really can't handle the possiblity that Jason Taylor might not love us anymore, so soon after coming back.
