Long before Jason Taylor was a first ballot Hall of Famer and Nick Saban was the head coach at a dynasty at the University of Alabama, the two shared the football field on Sundays in South Florida as members of the Miami Dolphins. Taylor would go on to cement his legacy as one of the greatest defenders in franchise history. Saban would last two seasons before jumping ship and heading back to the college ranks seemingly overnight.
And while Saban’s abrupt departure left a bad taste in the mouths of Miami Dolphins fans, Saban did provide a lasting impression on Jason Taylor, for that we can all be thankful.
Saban’s final year in Miami, 2006, also saw the budding of Jason Taylor into his final form — a do it all defender who ultimately took home the hardware as the Associated Press’ 2006 Defensive Player of the Year.
Taylor, who joined his sister and Fox Sports personality Joy Taylor this past week on her ‘Maybe I’m Crazy Podcast’, revealed the impact Saban had on him and his playing career.
Taylor’s potential was fully unleashed under Saban and shortly after Saban returned to the college ranks Taylor’s inevitable drop-off at the hands of Father Time came to reality. And, after short stops in both Washington and New York, Taylor returned to Miami for a triumphant final season in 2011 — in which he logged his final 7 NFL sacks.
Perhaps hearing how Saban was able to impact one of the Miami Dolphins greats will help soften the hard feelings that linger between the Alabama coach and the Dolphins faithful — especially if Miami’s next quarterback ends up coming from Saban’s Alabama program and fulfills his potential at the pro level, too.
