THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ASHBURN, Va - Jason Taylor characterized his split from the Dolphins as amicable as he was officially introduced as the newest member of the Washington Redskins on Monday night.
The defensive end, who was acquired from Miami for two draft picks the day before, arrived in town Monday and underwent a physical.
"I am very pleased to be a Washington Redskin right now," Taylor said. "It was a whirlwind the last 24 hours."
The Redskins gave the Dolphins a second-round pick in 2009 and a sixth-round choice in 2010 for Taylor, who had been with Miami for all of his 11 NFL seasons. The 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year had clashed with Dolphin management this off-season.
"As an athlete, you want to win," Taylor said. "The reason I play the game is to win, and I think the organization here and the Washington Redskins give me a great chance to win this year."
During the off-season, it was clear Taylor and the Dolphins, led by executive vice president of football operations Bill Parcells, did not see eye-to-eye as Taylor participated in the television show "Dancing With the Stars" rather than work out with the team.
However, Taylor believes his departure from Miami was on good terms.
"It is for me," Taylor said. "I think people are a little disappointed in that. I think they want strife or some bickering back or forth, and that's just not what it is."
During the off-season, Taylor had said that he wanted to play one more season. Monday, he said he was committed to playing for at least the two seasons remaining on his contract.
"Our pass rush has improved dramatically with a Pro Bowl player like Jason," Redskins coach Jim Zorn said.
