After losing Alex Buzbee for the entire 2008 season because of a ruptured Achilles’ tendon and Phillip Daniels to a torn ACL on the first day of training camp, the Washington Redskins dealt a 2009 second round pick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for defensive end Jason Taylor.
The teams were hopeful to have the deal finalized later Sunday night.
The move speaks volumes about the severity of the injury sustained by Redskins defensive end Phillip Daniels during the first day of Washington’s training camp.
According to reports, Daniels injured his left anterior cruciate ligament during 7-on-7 drills Sunday and it was believed that the injury was season-ending.
Taylor started all 16 games for Miami during the Dolphins’ woeful 2007 season. But even as the Dolphins went 1-15, Taylor still showed a glimmer of the ability that made him the 2006 Defensive Player of the Year, leading the team with 11 sacks.
Not the ideal situation for the Redskins – losing two defensive linemen on the first day of camp – but landing Taylor immediately upgrades the d-line and finally gives them a viable pass-rushing threat.
Kudos to Bill Parcells and the Dolphins for playing the Taylor-situation out and landing the second round pick they coveted all along. (They were never going to get a first rounder.) Sure Miami loses its best defensive player, but the Fins are rebuilding anyway and acquired a first-day draft pick for a guy who didn’t wan to play for them this year anyway. Well done on both sides.
