All nostalgia aside, is Jason Taylor returning to the Dolphins really that great? It depends on what you brought him back for. If you’re expecting the Pro-Bowl Jason Taylor, the result might leave you disappointed.

For an aging athlete, the world of professional sports is a sad one. It seems that almost overnight, skills are lost to sore knees and bad backs. In 2008, Jason Taylor played 13 games. That’s his lowest since his rookie year with the Dolphins in which he also played in 13 games. His 3.5 sacks? Second lowest of his career and lowest since 1999. His 29 tackles? Lowest of his career. That was ten years ago. In fact in the last three years his total tackles have declined in each. He’s had two straight years of declining sacks. Fine, he was injured most of the year. But still, an injured player is an unproductive player.

By the time the season starts he’ll be a 35 year old in a 25-28 year olds league. A young Matt Roth and Phillip Merling I feel could give you what Taylor gave you last year.

At the same time, if you’re not expecting Taylor to be the Pro-Bowler he once was, then this could be a very nice signing. A one-year $1.5 million contract is very attractive for a player of his caliber. It fit into Miami’s budget and they didn’t over pay for him. He can mentor younger players and in certain situations create difficult mismatches.

I am by no means well educated on the ins and outs of football. I don’t know what defense we run or how each player fits into a certain position within a specific formation. All I know is what I see is what I see and not the intricate details involved. I think a rational person has to take this signing with a grain of salt and not expect amazing things out of Jason Taylor this year. At the same time, he doesn’t hurt the team, which has to be a good thing in a season where a glance at the schedule very quickly gives you reasons to lower expectations from last year. I hope it works out.