FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Jason Taylor is dancing with the enemy.
The free-agent linebacker and six-time Pro Bowl pick with the Dolphins met with the Jets for a second straight day Thursday as coach Rex Ryan tried to add the NFL’s active sacks leader to last season’s top-ranked defense.
“Hopefully we can bring him along for the ride,” linebacker Calvin Pace said. “I think it would be a great situation for him.”
Taylor, 35, who brought along his wife, Katina, headed home to Florida without a deal in place, according to Jets spokesman Bruce Speight. Taylor will take the weekend at the earliest before deciding on whether to sign with New York.
The former “Dancing With the Stars” contestant — he finished runner-up to Kristi Yamaguchi in 2008 — has had a contentious relationship with Jets fans in his 13-year career, calling them ignorant and classless.
“I think our fans would embrace him,” defensive end Shaun Ellis said. “They know the type of player he is. There may be some fans who wouldn’t at first, but after a few weeks and he was on our team, I think they’d be really excited just to add another part like that to our defense.”
Added Pace: “I think once he puts the green and white on, all that other stuff will be in the past.”
Taylor has expressed a desire to remain with the Dolphins, where he has spent 12 of his 13 NFL seasons. Miami general manager Jeff Ireland said the team will wait until after the draft before deciding whether to make an offer, but Taylor’s visit with the Jets raises the possibility he might make a decision before then.
Tomlinson says case is closed.
New Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson is done talking about the Chargers.
Tomlinson caused a stir last week when he said “everything was taken” from him in San Diego as the Chargers focused more on passing than running the football. He didn’t back off those comments Thursday, but said it’s now all in the past.
“That was kind of my one time of speaking my piece and it being my opinion,” Tomlinson said. “As a guy who gave so much to the organization for nine years, I felt like I could express my opinion. Now I’m done with it and I really wish them the best — until we play them.”
Footnotes.
Tight end Derek Schouman has re-signed with the Bills after accepting the contract offer the team tendered last month.
• The Saints have held workouts for veteran quarterbacks Josh McCown and Patrick Ramsey.
• Defensive end Jason Hatcher and nose tackle Junior Siavii signed tender offers, keeping them with the Cowboys for at least another season.
• The Browns signed free agent offensive lineman Eric Ghiaciuc, who spent four seasons with the Bengals.
The Associated Press
