From the moment my pals at Sports by Brooks tipped me off that Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor would be competing in ABC's hit show "Dancing With the Stars," I knew his time in Miami had probably come to an end. Taylor will become the first active player to compete on the show, which will interfere with Bill Parcells' precious offseason workout program.
If you believe what Taylor's agent, Gary Wichard, told Sun-Sentinel columnist Ethan Skolnick, the future Hall of Famer didn't really have a choice in the matter.
"It was an opportunity that really couldn't be passed up," said Wichard. "The tough part was talking Jason into it. But he will be a competitor and do what he can do."
So Jason wanted no part of performing on one of the most popular TV shows on the planet, but he's simply too competitive to walk away. I can see Parcells and Tony Sparano rolling their eyes from here. This is the type of thing that kills Parcells.
He's already sent Taylor's brother-in-law, Zach Thomas, packing. I don't think he'll have a problem doing the same with Taylor if he can receive something of value in return.
Parcells feuded with former Cowboys guard Larry Allen when he chose to work out at the local YMCA rather than Valley Ranch. And even though Terrell Owens was given permission by the club to come and go as he pleased during the offseason, it didn't sit well with Parcells.
The announcement of Taylor's participation on the show was made during Monday's season finale of "Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann," which is reportedly a Parcells favorite. Taylor will compete against actress Marlee Matlin, magician Penn Jillette, figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, radio personality Adam Carolla, tennis star Monica Seles, R&B singer Mario, actor Steve Guttenberg and actress Shannon Elizabeth.
I think we can eliminate Jillette and Carolla immediately because neither man will take the competition seriously. And while I have deep respect for what Guttenberg accomplished in the 1985 film Cocoon, I think he'll be next to go.
Seles' grunting will likely be a turnoff to judges, and I have no clue who Mario is. My money's on Kristi Yamaguchi. She's still in excellent shape from doing at least 400 Disney on Ice shows per year, and she's the most elegant member of the cast.
Taylor won't hang around as long as Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith, but he'll finish higher than Mark Cuban. And when the competition's over, I think he'll be looking for a new team.
We at ESPN strongly encourage you to watch this show, which begins March 17th and ends in May.
