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Jun 5, 2008 5:56 pm US/Eastern
Parcells Supports Taylor's Return
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
Dolphins' football operations czar Bill Parcells publicly voiced support for keeping DE Jason Taylor with the Dolphins for his final season.
"Why wouldn't you want one of the very best players," Parcells said. He also tried to quell the rumors of a disagreement between the team and Taylor saying those reports are, "a fabrication."
Parcells has largely stayed silent on almost all issues regarding the team since he was hired last December.
His relationship with Taylor has been the biggest question mark surrounding the team since experts and fans were trying to figure out who the Dolphins would draft with the number one pick in April's draft.
Reports had originally surfaced that Parcells ignored Taylor when the former Pro Bowler visited the Dolphins facility during a break from the TV show "Dancing with the Stars." Parcells disagreed with the reports.
"It's not true. It's my understanding -- OK, and I could be misinterpreting, but I don't think I am -- that he came to meet with coach Sparano. There were 25 or 30 people in this room, we were doing film, and apparently, he may have stuck his head in the door and maybe I wasn't paying attention. I wear hearing aids. That particular day, I didn't have them with me. I'm not trying to make an excuse, bu there was no intentional, calculated, disrespectful thing that I personally did. I know that for a fact," Parcells said.
For his part, Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano voiced his support for Taylor rejoining the team when training camp opens up in July.
Taylor was rumored to be on the trading block during April's draft, but reports said no team was willing to part with a draft pick for the over 30-year-old defensive end. The Dolphins were reportedly seeking a 1st or 2nd round draft pick for Taylor.
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