Packers are kicking the tires on Taylor

With pass-rush specialist Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila rehabbing a surgically repaired knee, there’s some concern about the Green Bay Packer's 

ability to put consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

So, maybe it’s not much of a surprise that the club recently contacted the Miami Dolphins about disgruntled DE Jason Taylor.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the Packers have maintained “cursory contact” with the Dolphins about the six-time Pro Bowler and GM Ted Thompson has been talking about Taylor with defensive assistants Bob Sanders and Robert Nunn; Taylor played for Sanders and Nunn earlier this decade, and the Pack use the same defense Sanders used when with the Dolphins from 2001-2004.

“Anytime you can get a guy of that caliber, you’d want to try to get him,” Nunn said, who was with the Dolphins from 2000 to 2002. “But I don’t get involved in anything like that. All I know is that when I coached him, he was a great football player and a great person. I hope it works out for him because he’s had such a great career, and I’d hate to see it end on a bad note in the public’s eye.”

The report said Thompson wouldn’t consider acquiring Taylor without at least a two-year commitment. Taylor previously said he would play only one more year and then retire – likely to a Hollywood career.

In recent days, the Dolphins have indicated they’re interested in retaining Taylor, the NFL’s

defensive player of the year in 2006.

If a deal could be reached – Miami reportedly wants a second-round draft pick - Taylor would team with Aaron Kampman to form a formidable defensive end tandem in Green Bay.

The Packers lost seven of their 36 sacks from last season when Thompson traded defensive tackle Corey Williams to the Browns this off-season.

In addition, Gbaja-Biamila might not be healthy by training camp.

His salary is $6.1 million in 2008, so if the Pack could get Taylor, they might let KGB go.

Green Bay asked about Taylor before the draft and was told it would take a first-round pick, which was too much for the Packers’ liking.

But Taylor’s price obviously has gone down in the past few months with his public posturing.