If I Could Interview Jason Taylor I Would Ask...

Growing up as a Dolphins fan in the 90s and 00s my two favorite players were Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor. They were consistent, loyal, and down right good.

Luckily the Dolphins brought back Taylor for the 2009 season. It was painful not having either Thomas or Taylor for the 2009 season!

If, as a CBSSPORTS.com NFL correspondent, I got the chance to sit down and have a one-on-one interview with Jason Taylor here is what I would ask him:

Q: ason, you signed a one-year deal in Miami. Is this your last season or will it depend on playing time and performance?

-I would ask this because I believe it is Jason Taylor’s intent to retire in Miami. He is getting old for a pass rusher, as he will turn 35 this year, and his career is coming to an end. I would not want to put him in a corner though so that is why I would ask if his performance would affect his decision.

Q: Jason,  the Dolphins have not promised you a starting job. In fact they have publicly stated you will need to fight for a job as a linebacker. Would you be able to live with a reduced role? Do you think you will be able to beat Matt Roth and Cameron Wake for a starting job?

-I would ask this because it would be interesting to see how a former Pro Bowler and Defensive Player of the Year would accept a reduce role on a team he once starred for.

The second part of the question would just be to see if Taylor would create any inner-competition between him and his teammates. It would be surprising if Taylor said anything other than a proper response, but it would be worth asking.

Q: Jason, last season was I will call an “off” season for you. What changed in Washington after having at least eight sacks for seven straight seasons?

-I would ask this because there is concern about Taylor’s decreased production in Washington last year. I would want to know if Taylor would put blame on himself or the organization. In an interview with ESPN he seemed to imply he was not comfortable with the Redskins’ system, organization, or players.

Q: Jason, when you left the Dolphins after the 2007 season you had problems with Dolphins management, specifically Bill Parcells, after missing camps to participate in Dancing With the Stars. Did you mend fences in order to negotiate your return?

-Taylor left Miami on good terms with the Dolphins fan base, but the same can not be said for the organization. Him and Parcells did not see eye to eye on several things. They have been mum on his return so it would be interesting to know what occurred behind the scenes to allow his return.

Q: Jason, you left Miami to try and play for a contender. How did it feel to watch the team you had spent your entire career playing for make the playoffs without you?

-There really has not been too much discussion about this other than for Taylor to say he was happy for the Fins. I would hope Jason would get into the true emotions of the situation as I am sure it had to be disappointing for him.

Q: Jason, in 2007 when you and Joey Porter shared the field there were mixed results. Last year while you were in Washington Porter had one of the best seasons of his career. Are there any plans in place to improve the results when you and Porter share the field?

-I would ask this pretty much because of what the question says. Porter and Taylor did not have their best seasons when they both played outside linebacker for the Dolphins in 2007.

While Taylor will probably not be on the field as much with Porter, it would still occur. It would be nice to see the Dolphins make an adjustment with both guys on the field to improve the results with the

Q: Jason, aside from being a six-time Pro Bowl selection, you have won numerous other awards from the NFL. One of those was Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 and another was Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2007, which honors players for both their on and off field accomplishments. Which award meant more to you?

-I would ask this to see what means the most to Taylor: football or the community. From what I have seen of Taylor I would expect him to say the Payton award. He is a huge contributor in the community and his accomplishments stretch well beyond the football field.

Q: Jason, when you are done playing football you have expressed an interest in being an actor. If you could do a movie with one person, who would it be?

-After all the serious questions, I think it would be appropriate to have a fun question to answer.