Dancing with the Doplhins

So Jason Taylor signed with the Miami Dolphins. He agreed to a 1-year $1.1 million contract. He could have signed almost anywhere else for more money, but decided to go back to Miami to be closer to his family.

Taylor had this to say - "My heart has always been in Miami and so I'm truly excited to call myself a Dolphin once again. I was presented with a number of different opportunities, but in the end the combination of this being the best situation for my family, my love for this community and my tremendous loyalty to a great organization made this an easy decision."

Nothing against Taylor or his decision..but it is obvious that he is ready to be done with football. He doesn't want to participate in team offseason programs, he doesn't want to play for the best team in the NFL, and he doesn't want to make much money. At 34 Jason Taylor is getting a little old and he might be nearing the end of his career, but he could still be an above-average linebacker. The problem is he doesn't want to work.

There is nothing wrong with putting family before work or football; Taylor is a good player and will be a leader on any team he plays for. I would love for him to be a Patriot, but I am almost glad he went somewhere else. I just don't feel like his is ready to give 100% on the field.

Why the Sox will win the AL East

It is not too surprising that the Boston Red Sox are off to a great start. Besides the offensive outburst from Jason Bay and Tim Wakefield dominating opposing hitters, nothing has gone in the Sox favor.

• Boston's cleanup hitter, and one of the great sluggers of the modern era, David Ortiz is still looking for his first home run of the season.
  
• Dice-K (12.79 ERA) has been ineffective and remains on the disabled list.
  
• Through 7 starts Jon Lester is 2-3 with a 6.31 ERA.
• Josh Beckett (3-2, 6.42 ERA) has not been his usual self.
• Kevin Youkilis started out hot but has missed the last week of action due to a sore back.
• The Sox have been playing with their 3rd shortstop, Nick Green. Not that Green hasn't filled in admirably, he just isn't as consistent in the field or at the plate as Julio Lugo or Jed Lowrie. (Don't think that means I love Lugo--I'd rather have him in the lineup than Nick Green, but I'll take Jed Lowrie over Lugo any day.)

Red Sox fans shouldn't worry though, and here's why.

Youkilis is due back this week, which should bolster the lineup. And although Big Papi isn't the hitter he used to be, he'll find his swing and start being a more reliable source of power. Lester and Beckett are great pitchers and I am confident that they will get it turned around sooner than later. Also Dice-K should be back to normal after being able to rest his arm for a few weeks (stupid WBC). The Red Sox bullpen is deeper than it has ever been. Papelbon, Okajima, Ramierez, Delcarmen, and Saito have all been solid. Also veteran pitcher, John Smoltz, will join the Red Sox rotation in early July after he rehabs his surgically repaired shoulder.

Watch out Yanks--Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, and Smoltz? If they are all at 100% for the playoffs, I don't think there is a team that could them. No way.