The Final Chapter

Taylor was carried off the field Sunday,
following Miami's 19-17 win.

Sunday not only marked the final game of 2011-12 season for the Miami Dolphins, but it was the final four quarters in the illustrious career of 15-year veteran Jason Taylor.

Taylor, 37, announced Wednesday, Dec. 28 of his intention to retire following the Dolphin's Week 17 game against the New York Jets, the team he played for just a year ago, ending one of greatest careers in NFL history.

The former Akron standout was drafted by Miami in the third-round of the 1997 NFL Draft, 73rd overall. That season Taylor appeared in 13 games, 11 of those coming as a starter. It wouldn't be until the the turn of the century that Taylor would really make his mark on the NFL. In 2000, it was the first time in Taylor's career he started all 16 regular season games and he rewarded then-first-year head coach Dave Wannstedt, recording 14.5 sacks and being named to his first of six Pro Bowls.

Two years later, Taylor led the NFL and tied a Dolphin team record with 18.5 sacks. That alone earned him the '02 AFC Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Following three more fantastic seasons in South Beach, Taylor had the best season of his career in '06. Taylor sacked opposing quarterbacks 13.5 times that season while forcing nine fumbles, recovering two fumbles and intercepting two passes, both in which were returned for touchdowns.

That campaign not only earned Taylor his second AFC Defensive Player of Year Award, but he was also named the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, an award given out annually to the the league's top defensive player.

Prior to the '08 season, Taylor was traded to the Washington Redskins in exchange for Washington's second-round pick in '09 and sixth-round pick in '10. But Taylor was ineffective most of his stay in the nation's captial, playing in only 13 games, the lowest total since his rookie season. That season Taylor would also start a then-career-low 8 games and see only 3.5 sacks next to his name at the end of the season.

The Redskins released the All-Pro in March of '09 and shortly there after, Taylor would sign on for his second stint with Miami.That was short lived as well, as Taylor signed with the division rival Jets following the '09 season.

There Taylor would reach the AFC Championship game for the first time in his career, but New York ultimately fell short and Taylor's longtime dream of playing in a Super Bowl came crashing down.

Following the heartbreaking loss, Taylor decide to return to where it all began for one final hurrah. Taylor started only one game for the Fins this season, but managed to rack up 7 sacks. And in his last game as a professional, Taylor went out a winner.

Despite Taylor's fumble return for a touchdown being overturned, the 6-foot-6 linebacker pressured New York quarterback Mark Sanchez into throwing his third interception of game and sealing Miami's sixth and final victory of the season, 19-17.

In the traditional victory formation, Taylor lined up as a tailback for the final two plays of the game, watching the clock tick away on his NFL career and after many hugs and tears, the soon-to-be Hall of Famer was carried off the field.

Taylor finishes his career with 773 tackles, 47 forced fumbles and 29 fumble recoveries. He is the all-time leader in NFL history with 6 fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns and second in fumble recovery yards with 246. Also retiring as the active sack leader, Taylor is sixth on the all-time list with 139.5 sacks.

The sun has finally set on a Dolphin now ready to explore the rest of the deep blue sea.

Bobby's World

Sanders was a force when healthy in his
seven seasons in Indianapolis.

The Indianapolis Colts decided to release their hard-hitting safety late last week.

Bob Sanders is a two-time Pro Bowler and when healthy, he is one of the best defensive players in the National Football League.

They key word is healthy though, something Sanders has been unable to do much of his career. Sanders was named the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and was signed to a five-year, $37.5 million contract extension. Since then, he has only played in nine games the last three seasons.

In his seven seasons with Colts, Sanders was one of the most feared safeties and top run-stoppers in the NFL. With Indianapolis trying make iconic quarterback Peyton Manning the highest paid quarterback in the league, the move does not come as a huge shock.

The Colts could no longer to wait to see if Sanders could finally stay healthy.

Although, his accomplishments will not soon be forgotten by the Indy faithful, playing his best when the pressure seem to be at it's peak. He forced then-Chicago Bears running back, Cendric Benson, to fumble early in Super Bowl XLI and then later, intercepted quarterback Rex Grossman to put the game on ice.

There will be no question Sanders presence will be missed in the locker room and by the fans in Indianapolis, but Sanders best football still might be in front of him. This offseason, assuming there will not be a lockout, a team will take a chance on the former Iowa standout and it might be a wise decision.

When watching two other AFC powerhouses, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, play, you see the impact their respective safeties, Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed, make. When healthy Sanders is the same type of game-changing playmaker.

It will be interesting to see where Sanders lands, and just maybe he will haunt Manning and the Colts after having him on their side for all those years.