Lost among all the speculation that Jason Taylor is about to sign with the Jets is one major question: Are they really right for each other?
As a pure football decision, the move makes sense. Rex Ryan engineered the league’s top defense last season, but its lone flaw was an anemic pass rush. The 35-year-old Taylor — though past his prime — brings double-digit sack potential to the edge rush of the Jets. Both are seeking the chance to win a Super Bowl next season, so what gives?
How about an intense mutual hatred?
Jets fans are never big on divisional rivals, but accepting them into the fold rarely presents a major conflict. With Taylor, it might not be so easy, as the pass rusher has publicly stated a distaste for the fans of the green and white in the past, as the South Florida Sun-Sentinel points out.
Among his more colorful sound-bites, Taylor called the old Giants stadium a "hellhole" and told Sirius NFL Radio that Giants fans may have some class, but "Jets fans take the 'c-l' out of class."
In 2004 Taylor took out his frustration on the Jets' famous, "J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS!" rallying cry, calling it a "dumb-ass chant” while calling the faithful, "ignorant fans." A year later he told the media that the chants showed "the only word they know how to spell."
Jets fans probably won’t be able to ignore the taunts of the past, but if Taylor can help bring a Super Bowl their way, I’m sure they’d be willing to forget.
