Jason Taylor

CAREER PRO BOWL SELECTIONS: 6 (2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)

FINS FACT
Jason has participated in numerous off-field events and charities throughout his NFL career. But the one that undoubtedly touched him the most was in May of 2003 when he and Zach Thomas visited various military bases throughout Germany, as part of a USO/NFL Tour. "It was one of the most unbelievable things I've done in my life," Taylor said. "It was a very emotional trip, really touching, sometimes tear-jerking." After witnessing some of the things that he did, Taylor found a new perspective on the game that he plays for a living. "Football is like chess, not war," Taylor said. "What we do is a game. My job is important to a point. If I make a mistake or don't do my job, it's a touchdown for the other team. If they don't do their jobs, somebody gets killed. What these young men and women do is life and death. Nobody's dead if I make a mistake."

CAREER TRANSACTIONS
Signed with Dolphins as a free agent on May 13, 2009, after release by Washington on March 2 ... Traded by Dolphins to the Redskins for a second-round pick in 2009 and a sixth-round pick in 2010 on July 20, 2008 ... Was the first of four third-round draft choices (73rd overall) of the Dolphins in 1997.

PRO
2009 - Finished with 42 tackles and was tied for second on the Dolphins with seven sacks for 37 yards in losses and also had three forced fumbles, five passes defensed, one interception without a return, and one fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown ... Finished first on the team in tackles once this season ... Started first 15 games this season at strong-side linebacker and played in a reserve role in season finale on Jan. 3rd vs. Pittsburgh ... Signed with the Dolphins as a free agent on May 13, 2009.

SACKS: Taylor has six seasons of ten or more sacks, including three of the last five years ... He went over the 100-sack plateau (with 100.5 sacks) on Nov. 5, 2007 at Chicago when he sacked Bears quarterback Rex Grossman for an eight-yard loss ... He became the 23rd player in NFL history to total 100 career sacks since the statistic became official in 1982 ... Taylor has a total of 127.5 career sacks and ranks 11th among the NFL's all-time sack leaders ... On Dec. 20, 2009 at Tennessee he passed Derrick Thomas and moved into 11th place among the NFL all-time sack leaders ... On Oct. 4, 2009 vs. Buffalo he passed Clyde Simmons and Simeon Rice to move into 12th place along the NFL all-time leading sack leaders. His sack total also ranks first among players active this season. In the ten seasons this decade (2000-2009), Taylor has recorded a total of 111 sacks, which is the highest total in that span in the NFL. Taylor had no three-sack games this season ... In total, he has six three-sack games in his career, and the Dolphins are 6-0 in those contests ... Taylor has two two-sack games this season (two sacks on Oct. 25th vs. New Orleans and 2.5 sacks on Oct. 4th vs. Buffalo) and the Dolphins are 1-1 in those games ... He now has 25 two-sack games in his career (24 with the Dolphins and one with the Redskins) and he is 17-8 in those contests (16-8 with the Dolphins and 1-0 with the Redskins) ... Has two multiple sack games (1.5 or more sacks) this season and has 30 multiple sack games in his career ... His 123 career sacks ranks first among the all-time Dolphin sack leaders ... Taylor broke Bill Stanfill's former team record of 67.5 career sacks when he sacked Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe for a four yard loss in the second quarter on Dec. 21, 2003 in Buffalo.

INTERCEPTIONS: He has eight interceptions in his career (all as a member of the Dolphins), which is the highest figure ever by a Dolphin defensive lineman ... On Oct. 21, 2007 when he picked off a Matt Cassel pass and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown, it was his seventh career interception, breaking the team record for defensive linemen, which was held by Kim Bokamper with six career interceptions.

TRIPLE PLAY: Taylor has no games this year when he had a sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery on the same play ... He has five games in his career with a sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery on the same play.

FORCED FUMBLES: Has three forced fumbles this season (one on Dec. 20th at Tennessee after a sack of Titans quarterback Vince Young and two on Oct. 25th vs. New Orleans when they resulted from sacks of Saints QB Drew Brees) and has 45 forced fumbles in his career (including 44 as a member of the Dolphins).

FUMBLE RECOVERIES: He has one fumble recovery this season (on Nov. 1st at N.Y. Jets when he recovered a Shonn Greene fumble that was forced by Paul Soliai and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown) and 27 career opponent fumble recoveries (all as a member of the Dolphins), which is the highest total in Dolphin history ... He broke the team record he shared with Dick Anderson and Bob Baumhower when he recovered a Tim Rattay fumble on Nov. 28, 2004 at San Francisco for his 18th career fumble recovery ... He had tied the record a week earlier when he recovered a Shaun Alexander fumble on Nov. 21, 2004 at Seattle.

SCORING: Taylor has scored one touchdown this season, coming on Nov. 1st at N.Y. Jets when he recovered a Shonn Greene fumble that was forced by Paul Soliai and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown ... In his career he has nine touchdowns (all as a member of the Dolphins), including three via interception and six via fumble returns, and the Dolphins are 8-1 in those contests ... The first five touchdown of his career came on fumble returns ... .Since recording his first career touchdown on September 13, 1999, Taylor has never gone more than two straight years without accounting for a touchdown. Taylor's nine touchdowns are the most by a player whose primary position was defensive line and who entered the league after 1970 ... He broke George Martin's former record of seven touchdowns when he intercepted a Matt Cassel pass and returned it 36 yards for a TD on Oct. 21, 2007 vs. New England. In addition, Taylor's three interception returns for touchdowns ties him with Dick Anderson and Terrell Buckley for the second highest total in Dolphin history, behind only Zach Thomas. In addition, Taylor holds the Dolphin team record for most career touchdown fumble returns in club history and for most career touchdowns by a Dolphin defensive player in club history. In addition, Taylor's six fumble returns for touchdowns is the highest total in NFL history, breaking Jessie Tuggle's NFL record with his sixth fumble recovery for a touchdown on Nov. 1, 2009 at the N.Y. Jets when he returned a Shonn Green fumble 48 yards for a TD.

DECADES: When Taylor played on Jan. 3, 2010 vs. Pittsburgh, it was the third decade (1997-2007, 2009/10) in which he played a regular season game for the Dolphins ... He joined Hall of Famers Bob Griese (1967-1980), Larry Little (1969-1980), and Dan Marino (1983-1999/00) as the only Dolphins to have played at least one regular season game in each of three decades.

STARTS AND GAMES PLAYED: With 184 games started as a Dolphin, Taylor has the second highest total of games started in Dolphin history ... Ahead of him is Dan Marino (240 starts) ... Taylor passed Bob Kuechenberg (176 games started) to move into second place on Nov. 8, 2009 at New England ... He also has the most starts among defensive players in Dolphin history ... With 188 games played, Taylor has the third highest total of games played in Dolphin history ... Ahead of him is Dan Marino (242 games played) and Bob Kuechenberg (196) ... Taylor passed Nat Moore (183 games played) to move into third place on Dec. 6, 2009 vs. New England ... Taylor also has the highest total of games played among defensive players in Dolphin history.

HONORS: Taylor has earned seven Player of the Week honors in his career, having earned the honor twice in 2006 (at Chicago 11/5, vs. Minnesota 11/19) and in 2002 (at Denver 10/13, vs. Oakland 12/15) and once each in 2003 (vs. Washington, 11/23), 2004 (at San Francisco, 11/28), and 2005 (at Oakland, 11/27) ... In addition, Taylor was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for both October and November in 2002 ... Since the award was first instituted by the NFL in 1984, Taylor is the first player to win Defensive Player of the Week accolades in five straight seasons ... His seven weekly awards are tied for the fifth-most by a defensive player over this span. He also has won three Defensive Player of the Month awards in his career ... Since the award was first instituted in 1986, only two players have won more Defensive Player of the Month awards than Taylor - Bruce Smith (6) and John Randle (5).

GAME HIGHLIGHTS -- AT TENNESSEE (DEC. 20): On Dec. 20th at Tennessee tied for first on the team in tackles with six stops, including one sack, tackling Titans quarterback Vince Young for no gain ... Also had a forced fumble, forcing Young to fumble on that sack ... In the contest he passed Derrick Thomas to move into 11th place along the NFL all-time leading sack leaders.

AT BUFFALO (NOV. 29): On Nov. 29th at Buffalo had three tackles including 0.5 sacks for 4.5 yards in losses, combining with Ryan Baker on a nine-yard sack of Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick ... In that contest he moved into a tie with Derrick Thomas (126.5 sacks) for 11th place among the NFL's all-time career sack leaders..Taylor also moved into a tie with Nat Moore (183 games played) for the most career games played by a Dolphin.

VS. TAMPA BAY (NOV. 15): On Nov. 15th vs. Tampa Bay had two tackles and two passes defensed including one interception, picking off a Josh Freeman pass without a return ... It was his eighth career interception.

AT N.Y. JETS (NOV. 1): On Nov. 1st vs. N.Y. Jets had four tackles and one fumble recovery, picking up a Shonn Greene fumble that was forced by Paul Soliai and returning it 48 yards for a touchdown ... It was his ninth career touchdown and his sixth career fumble recovery for a TD, breaking Jessie Tuggle's NFL record for most career fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns.

VS. NEW ORLEANS: On Oct. 25th vs. New Orleans had five tackles including two sacks, tackling Saints quarterback Drew Brees twice for a total of five yards in losses ... Also forced Brees to fumble following both sacks, thereby recording two forced fumbles, with the Dolphins recovering one of them ... It was his second game of two or more sacks this season and the 25th such game in his career ... It also is his second game with multiple sacks (1.5 or more sacks) this season and the 30th such game of his career.

VS. BUFFALO (OCT. 4): On Oct. 4th vs. Buffalo had four tackles including 2.5 sacks for 19.5 yards in losses, sacking Bills quarterback Trent Edwards twice for a total of 17 yards and sharing a five-yard sack of Edwards with Cameron Wake ... It was his first game of two or more sacks this season and the 24th such game in his career ... It also is his first game with multiple sacks (1.5 or more sacks) this season and the 29th such game of his career ... In the contest he passed Clyde Simmons and Simeon Rice to move into 12th place along the NFL all-time leading sack leaders.

AT ATLANTA (SEPT. 13): Taylor made his return to the Dolphins in a starting role at strong-side linebacker on Sept. 13th at Atlanta and had two tackles including one sack, tackling Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan for an eight-yard loss ... It was the 121.5th sack of his career, tying him with Clyde Simmons for 13th place among the all-time NFL sack leaders.

2008 - Played in 13 regular season games with eight starts for the Washington Redskins ... Was inactive for three additional contests due to injury ... Finished season with 29 tackles (21 solo), 3.5 sacks, nine passes defensed and one forced fumble ... Had three tackles, one sack and one pass defensed vs. New Orleans (9/14), posting his first career sack as a member of the Redskins and was part of a defensive front that limited RB Reggie Bush to 28 rushing yards on 10 carries (2.8 avg.) ... Posted a tackle and three passes deflections vs. Arizona (9/21), including a pair on consecutive plays on the goal line to hold the Cardinals to a field goal ... Sustained a left calf injury against the Cardinals ... Had surgery on September 22 on his left calf to avoid potential nerve damage ... Injury ended starting streak at 133 consecutive games – the seventh-longest streak among active players at that point ... Started at SLB but played the majority of the game at DE at Seattle (11/23), totaling five tackles (one tackle for loss) and providing pressure which limited QB Matt Hasselbeck to 12-of-24 passing for just 103 yards and two interceptions with a passer rating of 54.7 ... Totaled five tackles, a forced fumble and a season-high two sacks vs. Philadelphia (12/21) and helped limit RB Brian Westbrook to 45 rushing yards on 12 carries (3.8 avg.) ... The forced fumble, which came on one his his two sacks of Donovan McNabb, was recovered by London Fletcher and helped set up a 1-yard Clinton Portis touchdown ... Marked his 23rd career game with at least two sacks.

SACKS OVER THE LAST NINE YEARS: Since 2000, Taylor has amassed 104.0 sacks, including double-digit totals on six occasions ... His sack total over this nine-year span is the most in the NFL.

CAREER SACKS: His 120.5 career sacks is the highest total among players who were active in the NFL in 2008...With a sack of Bears quarterback Rex Grossman on November 5, 2006 at Chicago, Taylor became the 23rd NFL player to record 100 career sacks since the statistic became official in 1982 ... Taylor's total of 120.5 is now 14th in NFL annals.

SACKS BY QUARTERBACK: Taylor's 120.5 career sacks have been spread among 63 different quarterbacks ... The quarterback against whom he has recorded the most sacks is Tom Brady, with 9.5 ... His total includes sacks against a pair of brother tandems, having recorded two sacks of the Hasselbecks (Tim and Matt, 1 each) and the McCowns (Josh and Luke, 1 each).

MULTIPLE SACK GAMES: In his career, Taylor has recorded 28 multiple sack games (1.5 or more), including one game with two sacks for the Redskins in 2008 ... He has amassed two or more sacks in a game 22 times for the Dolphins in his career and Miami has posted a record of 15-7 in those games ... He has tallied three sacks in a game on six occasions for the Dolphins and Miami has emerged victorious each time.

2007 - Started all 16 games at one defensive end spot, the only Dolphins defensive lineman and one of only two on defense (CB Will Allen) to open every contest in '07 ... Registered 56 tackles, 11 sacks, an interception, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and four passes defensed ... Was the lone Dolphin voted to the AFC Pro Bowl squad ... His sack total ranked seventh in the AFC and 13th in the NFL ... It represented the third year in a row and the sixth time overall that he reached the double-digit sack plateau ... Three opponents' fumble recoveries tied for first in the AFC and third in the NFL ... All three of his recoveries led to a Dolphins score, totaling 17 points (2 TDs, 1 FG) ... Had three games with two sacks, including contests at Houston (10/7), vs. N.Y. Jets (12/2) and vs. Baltimore (12/16) ... In fact, of his 11 sacks on the year, six came over the final six contests ... Sack in opener at Washington (9/9) gave him 107 in his career and moved him past Trace Armstrong into 17th on the NFL's all-time list ... The Texans game marked the 119th straight game in which he had started and played ... It moved him past Richmond Webb (118) for the longest games started streak in club history while he surpassed Webb into fourth on the team's all-time chart for consecutive games played ... Also had a forced fumble on one of his sacks in the contest, which was recovered by Rodrique Wright and led to a Jay Feely field goal seven plays later ... Sack at Cleveland (10/14) was the 110th of his career as he overtook Greg Townsend for sole possession of 15th on the NFL's all-time list ... Also recovered a Jason Wright fumble in the game, leading to a 4-yard TD pass from Cleo Lemon to David Martin four plays later ... The following week vs. New England (10/21), picked off a Matt Cassel pass and went 36 yards for a touchdown ... It was the seventh interception of his career as he set the club's all-time record for interceptions by a lineman, which he had shared with Kim Bokamper ... In addition, it was his eighth career touchdown, setting a new standard for NFL linemen (since 1970), as he had been tied with George Martin ... It was his third career interception return for a touchdown, tying him with Dick Anderson and Terrell Buckley for second on the Dolphins' all-time list, trailing only Zach Thomas (4) ... Pounced on an Eli Manning fumble against Giants in London (10/28), leading to a Feely field goal eight plays afterward ... Two sacks vs. N.Y. Jets (12/2) gave him 114 for his career as he moved past Sean Jones into 14th on the NFL's career chart ... Contest at Buffalo (12/9) was the 169th of his career in the regular season, moving him past Zach Thomas into first on the team's all-time chart for games played among defensive players ... Also in the Bills game, recovered a Marshawn Lynch fumble at the Buffalo 31, leading to a Samkon Gado 20-yard TD run three plays later ... In addition to recording a pair of sacks, blocked a Matt Stover 50-yard field goal attempt in 22-16 overtime win over Baltimore (12/16) ... Contest at New England (12/23), in which he had a sack among a season-high seven tackles, was the 129th straight league game in which he had played, moving him past Jim Langer into first on the Dolphins' all-time list ... Finale vs. Cincinnati (12/30) marked his 169th start in the regular season, moving him past Thomas into first for games started among Dolphins defensive players.

PRO BOWL: Was selected to the AFC Pro Bowl squad following the 2007 season, the sixth such honor of his career ... He was also picked as an AFC All-Star following the 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006 seasons ... He did not play in the game following the 2007 season because of a foot injury ... Taylor's six selections are second-most among Dolphins defenders all-time, trailing only the seven by LB Zach Thomas.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK/MONTH: In his career, Taylor has been named AFC Defensive Player of the Week on seven occasions, including at least once each year from 2002-06 ... He also has been cited as AFC Defensive Player of the Month on three occasions, including twice in 2002 and once in 2006 ... In fact, since the Player of the Week Award was first instituted by the NFL in 1984, Taylor is the only player to win Defensive Player of the Week accolades in five straight seasons ... In addition, his seven weekly awards are tied for the fifth-most by a defensive player over this span...In addition, since the Player of the Month Award was first instituted in 1986, only two players have won this more than Taylor; Bruce Smith (6) and John Randle (5).

SERVICE: Taylor has played 11 seasons with the Dolphins, one of 18 players in club history to attain that plateau ... He has appeared in 172 regular season games, fourth on the Dolphins' all-time chart and first among defensive players ... Taylor's 169 starts is third-most in franchise annals and first among defensive players.

CONSECUTIVE GAMES PLAYED AND STARTED: Taylor played and started in 130 straight games, a streak which dates back to 1999 ... Both streaks are the longest in club history, as he set the standard in both categories during the 2007 season ... He set the mark for consecutive games played (119) at Houston on October 7, 2007 as he surpassed Richmond Webb ... He established the record for consecutive starts (129) at New England on December 23, 2007, eclipsing the former mark of 128 by Jim Langer.

DOLPHINS SACK LEADERS: During the 2003 season, Taylor became the Dolphins' career sack leader, as he surpassed Bill Stanfill's former team record of 67.5 ... He achieved this feat when he sacked Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe for a 4-yard loss in the second quarter on December 21, 2003 at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

CAREER TOUCHDOWNS: Taylor has eight touchdowns in his career, including five on fumble returns and three via interceptions ... He has accounted for a touchdown each year from 2005-07, during which time he totaled four scores ... His most recent touchdown came on October 21, 2007 when he intercepted a Matt Cassel pass against New England and went 36 yards for a score ... He tallied a pair of interception returns for scores in 2006, including a 20-yarder at Chicago on November 5 (Rex Grossman) and a 51-yard return against Minnesota (Brad Johnson) on November 19, both Dolphin wins ... In addition, he had an 85-yard fumble return on the final play of a 34-10 win over Denver on September 11, 2005 at Dolphins Stadium after he stripped the ball from Jake Plummer; a 34-yard return of a Quincy Carter fumble on November 27, 2003 at Dallas; a 1-yard touchdown return after recovering a Tom Brady fumble on October 7, 2001 against New England; a 29-yard touchdown return following an Akili Smith fumble that he forced at Cincinnati on October 1, 2000; and a 4-yard TD return off of a Brian Griese fumble at Denver on September 13, 1999 ... The Dolphins have won seven of the eight games in which Taylor has scored a touchdown.

TOUCHDOWNS AMONG NFL LINEMEN: Taylor's eight career touchdowns are the most among all NFL defensive linemen who entered the NFL after 1970 ... He tied former New York Giant George Martin's mark with a 51-yard interception return of a Brad Johnson pass against Minnesota at Dolphin Stadium on November 19, 2006 ... He set the standard with a 36-yard return off an interception of a Matt Cassel pass against New England on October 21, 2007.

MOST TOUCHDOWNS BY DOLPHINS DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: Taylor's eight career touchdowns is a record for a Dolphins defensive player ... He actually set the record with an 85-yard fumble return for a score on September 11, 2005 against Denver.

CAREER FUMBLE RECOVERIES: In his career, Taylor has recovered 26 opponents' fumbles, the most in Dolphins history ... He tied the previous standard of 17 when he recovered a Mack Strong fumble at Seattle on November 21, 2004 ... He eclipsed the mark the following week at San Francisco on November 28 when he recovered a Tim Rattay fumble.

FUMBLE RETURNS FOR TOUCHDOWNS: Taylor's five fumble returns for touchdowns are the most-ever in team annals...Taylor's 85-yard fumble return for a touchdown on September 11, 2005 against Denver at Dolphins Stadium is the longest in club history ... In addition, Taylor's five fumble returns for touchdowns are tied with former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jessie Tuggle for the most in NFL history.

TRIFECTA: At Houston on October 1, 2006, Taylor produced his 18th career game with two or more sacks ... On his initial sack in the Texans game, he stripped David Carr of the ball, recovered and returned it 19 yards to set up a field goal It marked the fifth time in his career that he had a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery on the same play.

CAREER INTERCEPTIONS: Taylor has come up with seven interceptions in his career, the highest figure among Dolphins defensive linemen, one ahead of Kim Bokamper ... He equaled Bokamper's mark with a 51-yard return for a score off a Brad Johnson pass on November 19, 2006 against Minnesota, and surpassed the figure with a 36-yard return for a touch... down off a Matt Cassel pass against New England on October 21, 2007 ... Of Taylor's total, three have been returned for touchdowns, all during the 2006-07 seasons ... In fact, each of his last three interceptions have been brought back for touchdowns ... His total of two from 2006 is tied for the highest single-season figure in Dolphins history while his career figure of three is tied for the second-highest total in franchise annals.

CAREER SAFETIES: When Taylor tackled Raiders QB Kerry Collins in the end zone on November 27, 2005, it marked the second safety of his career ... His first came on October 27, 2003 against the Chargers in Tempe, Ariz., when he tackled Damion McIntosh in the end zone following a Drew Brees fumble ... He is the only player in Dolphins history to post more than one safety in a career.

2006 - Started all 16 games at right defensive end, one of three linemen to start every contest for the Dolphins in '06 ... Posted 62 tackles, a team-high 13.5 sacks, two interceptions, 11 passes defensed, 10 forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries ... Sack total was third in the AFC and fourth in the NFL, marked the third-highest total in his career and represented the fifth time in his 10 NFL seasons that he attained double-digit totals in sacks ... Tied for the team lead in interceptions (Renaldo Hill) and tied for second in passes defensed ... Recorded at least one sack in 11 games ... Produced six tackles and a pair of sacks at Houston (10/1) ... Had a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery on the same play, the fifth time in his career he accomplished that feat ... That play led to a Dolphins field goal ... The Texans game marked the first of five in a row in which he accounted for a sack, during which time he totaled seven ... Had a sack and forced fumble of Tom Brady vs. New England (10/8) ... Recorded a pair of sacks and a forced fumble vs. Green Bay (10/22) ... Went over the 100-sack mark for his career in game at Chicago (11/5) when he tackled Rex Grossman for an 8-yard loss in the second quarter, a play in which he also forced a fumble ... On the Bears' offensive series prior to that, Taylor picked off a Grossman pass and went 20 yards for a touchdown, putting the Dolphins ahead 14-3 as they went on for a 31-13 victory over the previously unbeaten Bears ... It was the sixth touchdown of Taylor's career and his first via an interception return ... For his performance that day, was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for the sixth time in his career ... In 13-10 win over Kansas City the following week (11/12), blocked a Lawrence Tynes 48-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter, the first block of his career, snapping a string of 73 straight games in which the Dolphins had gone without blocking a field goal, PAT or punt ... Had a sack, an interception, two forced fumbles and two passes defensed in 24-20 win over Minnesota (11/19) ... With the Dolphins holding a 17-13 lead, picked off a Brad Johnson pass and returned it 51 yards for a TD with 3:25 to play in the game ... It was the sixth interception of his career, tying him with Kim Bokamper for the most-ever by a Dolphins lineman in a career ... For his effort that day was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week ... Overall in four games in November, tallied nine tackles, two sacks, two interceptions (both for TDs) and three forced fumbles, earning him AFC Defensive Player of the Month accolades ... Recorded 1.5 sacks and a pair of passes defensed vs. Jacksonville (12/3) ... Posted five tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles and a pass defensed at Buffalo (12/17).

PRO BOWL: Was selected to the AFC Pro Bowl squad following the 2006 season, the fifth such honor of his career ... He was voted as a starter, also the fifth occasion he earned that honor.

POSTSEASON HONORS: Named as the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year, the third Dolphin to earn that accolade, joining S Dick Anderson (1973) and DE Doug Betters (1983) ... Was a consensus All-Pro pick following the season ... Also was the NFL Alumni Association's Defensive Lineman of the Year as well as the AFC Defensive Player of the Year by the 101 Awards of Kansas City ... In a vote of South Florida media and fans, was the winner of the "Dan Marino MVP Award" for the fourth time in his career, the most by a Dolphins defender ... Was selected by his teammates as the winner of the "Don Shula Leadership Award" for the second time in his career ... Named as an ESPY Award nominee for Best NFL Player of 2006.

2005 - Started all 16 games at right defensive end, one of three linemen to start every contest for the Dolphins in '05 ... Recorded 77 total tackles, a figure which ranked third on the squad and first among linemen ... Led the team and tied for third in the AFC and fifth in the NFL with 12 sacks, as the Dolphins tied a team single-season record with 49 sacks ... It marked the fourth time in his nine NFL seasons that he topped the Dolphins' sack chart ... Tied for the team lead with four forced fumbles while also recovering a pair ... Batted down 11 passes on the year, the third-highest total on the team ... In season-opening 34-10 victory over Denver (9/11), posted seven tackles, including his first sack of the season ... That came on the game's final play when he stripped the ball from Jake Plummer, recovered and returned it 85 yards for a touchdown, the fifth fumble return for a touchdown of his career, tying the NFL record also held by Jessie Tuggle ... It also was the longest fumble return in Dolphins history, surpassing the 68-yard return by A.J. Duhe on October 15, 1978 at San Diego ... Recorded a season-high nine tackles the following week at N.Y. Jets (9/18) ... After being held to one sack over the first three games of the year, broke through with two sacks at Buffalo (10/9), the 15th time in his career that he tallied two or more sacks in a game ... Tied a career-high with three sacks at Oakland (11/27), which were among a season-high seven by the Dolphins that day ... Also forced a fumble, recovered one and knocked down a pass ... Came up with two key plays in the second half of the 33-21 win ... With the Dolphins holding a 13-7 lead in the third quarter, sacked Kerry Collins in the end zone for the second safety of his career ... With just less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Dolphins leading 30-21, recovered a Collins fumble, leading to a an Olindo Mare field goal four plays later ... For his efforts in the Raiders game, was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week, the fifth such honor of his career and the fourth straight year in which he came away with the award at least once ... Matched his career-high sack total once again in a 24-20 win over N.Y. Jets (12/18) when he tackled Brooks Bollinger three times as the Dolphins collected six sacks as a team that day ... Registered a sack, a forced fumble and a pass defensed the week afterwards vs. Tennessee (12/24).

PRO BOWL: Was selected to the AFC Pro Bowl squad, the fourth such honor of his career ... Was named as a starter for the fourth time as well ... Was not able to play in the game because of an injury.

2004 - Started all 16 games at right end, one of only four Dolphins defenders to open every contest in '04, along with LB Morlon Greenwood, CB Sam Madison and SS Sammy Knight ... Recorded a career-high 90 tackles, a figure which ranked fifth on the squad ... Also registered 9.5 sacks, 42 QB hurries, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and nine passes defensed ... Was named as a starter to the AFC Pro Bowl squad ... Sack total led the team and tied for seventh in the AFC ... Had at least one sack in seven games on the year ... Had a season-high 10 tackles on two occasions; at Cincinnati (9/19) and at Denver (12/12) ... Also came up with a sack and an interception of a Carson Palmer pass in the Bengals game... Had four tackles, a half-sack and a fumble recovery at Seattle (11/21) ... Fumble recovery came in the first quarter when he recovered a Mack Strong fumble, which led to an A.J. Feeley 7-yard TD run six plays later ... It also was the 17th fumble recovery of his career, as he tied Dick Anderson and Bob Baumhower for the Dolphins' all-time lead in that category ... Registered a season-high three sacks at San Francisco (11/28), a figure that tied a single-game career-high achieved on three previous occasions, most recently on December 21, 2003 at Buffalo ... Also defensed two passes, recovered a fumble and forced a fumble in the Dolphins' 24-17 win over the 49ers ... Forced fumble occurred when he stripped the ball from QB Tim Rattay in the fourth quarter, and Derrick Pope recovered, taking it in one yard for a touchdown... Earlier in the final quarter, recovered a Rattay fumble, leading to an Olindo Mare field goal ... That was the 18th fumble recovery of his career, as he moved past Anderson and Baumhower as the Dolphins' all-time leader in that category ... For his performance, was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week, the fourth such honor of his NFL career ... In a vote of media and fans, was named the winner of the team's Dan Marino MVP Award for 2004.

2003 - Started all 16 games at right defensive end, marking the fourth straight year in which he opened all 16 games ... Recorded 71 tackles (50 solo), 13 sacks for 70 yards in losses, six additional tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, five passes defensed and 36 quarterback hurries ... Also recorded a safety on the season, the first of his career ... Sack total was second on the club, second in the AFC and fourth in the NFL ... Registered 10.5 sacks over the final nine games of the season ... Was credited with eight tackles and two forced fumbles at Jacksonville (10/12) ... Registered three tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble, vs. New England (10/19), giving him 60.5 career sacks and moving him past Jeff Cross into sole spot of fourth on the Dolphins' all-time list ... The following week, in Monday night game against San Diego (10/27) in Tempe, Ariz., posted a season-high nine tackles as the Dolphins held the Chargers to just 250 yards of total offense in a 26-10 win ... Also registered the first safety of his career, as he tackled Chargers tackle Damion McIntosh in the end zone after McIntosh recovered a Drew Brees fumble resulting from a Rob Burnett sack ... It was the first safety registered by the Dolphins since October 8, 2000 vs. Buffalo ... Game vs. Indianapolis (11/2) marked the 100th of his career during the regular season ... Tied a season-high with nine tackles in 24-23 Sunday night victory over Washington (11/23) ... Included in his total were two sacks, his first multiple-sack game of the season and the 15th of his career ... It also began a string of six straight games in which he would record a sack ... Both sacks in the Redskins game came on third-down plays, with the second occurring in the fourth quarter, and which was followed by the Dolphins' game-winning touchdown drive ... For his performance in the Redskins contest, he was named as AFC Defensive Player of the Week for games of November 23-24 ... On Thanksgiving Day at Dallas (11/27), had two tackles, including one sack, as he tackled Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter for an 8-yard loss ... Also had a fumble return for a touchdown, when he recovered a Carter fumble forced by an Adewale Ogunleye sack and brought it back 34 yards for a touchdown ... Taylor's sack of Carter gave him 64.5 for his career, moving him ahead of Vern Den Herder into sole possession of third place among the Dolphins' all-time sack leaders ... His fumble return for a touchdown was the fourth TD he scored on a fumble recovery in his career, moving him into a tie for second place in NFL history (along with Bill Thompson and Derrick Thomas) for most touchdowns scored on fumble recoveries, trailing only Jessie Tuggle ... Produced five tackles, including three sacks at Buffalo (12/21) ... Sack total tied a career high that he had achieved twice previously, most recently on December 15, 2002 against Oakland ... All three sacks, which totaled 20 yards in losses, came against Drew Bledsoe ... When he sacked Bledsoe for a 4-yard loss in the second quarter, it gave Taylor 68 career sacks, breaking Bill Stanfill's former team record of 67.5 career sacks ... Finished the season by recording four tackles and a sack vs. N.Y. Jets (12/28), the sixth game in a row in which he tallied a sack, tying for the second-longest sack streak in Dolphins history.

2003 SACK TOTAL: Taylor tallied 13 sacks in 2003, one year after he led the team and the NFL with 18.5 sacks ... He became the first Dolphin to record double-digit sack totals in consecutive seasons since Jeff Cross had 10 in 1989 and 10.5 in 1990.

CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH A SACK: Taylor finished the 2003 season by recording a sack in each of the last six games ... During this span, he accounted for 9.5 sacks ... This streak is tied for the second-longest in Dolphins history, and Taylor now owns three of the four-longest such streaks in team history ... He established the longest sack streak in team history with a sack in eight consecutive contests in 2002.

SACK TANDEMS: Along with DE Adewale Ogunleye's 15 sacks, Taylor was part of the top sack tandem in the NFL in 2003, 4.5 ahead of their nearest competitors (Giants' Michael Strahan and Kenny Holmes, 23.5) ... It was the second straight year that this tandem achieved this total and that they led the NFL ... In addition, Ogunleye led the AFC in sacks while Taylor finished second, marking just the third time since sacks became official in 1982 that teammates have finished 1-2 in a conference in sacks ... They joined Carolina's Kevin Greene (14.5) and Lamar Lathon (13.5) in 1996, and the Dolphins' Trace Armstrong (16.5) and Taylor (14.5) in 2000 ... With 28 combined sacks, Taylor and Ogunleye tied their own figure from 2002 as the third-highest total ever among Dolphins sack tandems ... In addition, it is just the second time in Dolphins history that two players have accounted for double-digit sack totals ... In 2000, DE Trace Armstrong tallied 16.5 sacks while Taylor notched 14.5 ... Taylor now has been a part of three of the five highest single-season sack tandems in club history.

2002 - Started all 16 games at right defensive end ... Along with CB Sam Madison and LB Zach Thomas, served as a tri-captain on defense ... Had 76 tackles, a team-high 18.5 sacks for 162.5 yards in losses, eight passes defensed, seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries ... Added one stop on special teams ... Tackle total was good for fifth on the team and first among defensive linemen ... Ranked first in the AFC and in the NFL in sacks, becoming the first Dolphin in club history to lead the NFL in sacks ... Had six tackles, including two sacks, vs. New England (10/6) in a 26-13 Miami win ... It was his first multiple-sack game of the season and the eighth of his career ... Also forced Tom Brady to fumble on one of those sacks, which was recovered by Adewale Ogunleye and led to a Dolphins touchdown ... In 24-22 victory at Denver (10/13), posted six tackles, including two sacks, as he tackled Broncos quarterback Brian Griese twice for a total of 30 yards in losses ... It was his second multiple sack game of the season and the ninth of his career ... Also added two passes defensed and one forced fumble, when he stripped the ball from Mike Anderson on the Dolphins' one-yard line, which was recovered by Larry Chester ... As a result of his play in that contest, he was named as AFC Defensive Player of the Week ... It was the first such honor of Taylor's career ... He also was the first Dolphins defensive lineman to earn Defensive Player of the Week accolades during the regular season since the award was instituted in 1984 (Trace Armstrong did win the honor following a 1999 First-Round Playoff game at Seattle) ... Began a streak of eight straight games with a sack at Green Bay (11/4) ... Had three tackles, including two sacks, tackling Chargers quarterback Drew Brees twice for a total of 16 yards in losses, in a 30-13 win over San Diego (11/24) ... His second sack of Brees in that contest gave him 50.5 sacks in his career, becoming the sixth Dolphin to record 50 career sacks ... Had two tackles, including one sack, as he dropped Bears quarterback Jim Miller for a 7-yard loss, in a 27-9 win over Chicago (12/9) on a Monday night ... It marked his sixth consecutive contest with at least one sack, tying the club record held by both Doug Betters (1983) and Taylor (2000) ... Tied a season high with eight tackles in 23-17 victory over Oakland (12/15) ... Included in that total were three sacks for a total of 25 yards in losses and two forced fumbles ... All three sacks came against Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon, causing Gannon to fumble twice ... Taylor's three sacks tied his single-game career high, which he first set on December 3, 2000 at Buffalo ... It also was the seventh straight game in which he recorded at least one sack, breaking the former club record of six straight games ... For his performance, was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week ... Notched seven tackles, 1.5 sacks for a total of seven yards in losses, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery at Minnesota (12/21) ... It represented his eighth game in a row with at least one sack ... Sacked Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper for a 4-yard loss, causing Culpepper to fumble ... That sack of Culpepper gave Taylor 57.5 in his career and moved him past Trace Armstrong into fifth place among the Dolphins' all-time sack leaders ... His shared sack of Culpepper gave him 18.5 sacks for the season, tying him for the Dolphins' all-time single season sack record along with Bill Stanfill, who had 18.5 sacks in 1973.

SACKS: With 18.5 sacks in 2002, Taylor became the first Dolphin ever to lead the NFL in this category ... He tallied at least a half-sack in 12 of 16 contests, while accounting for 1.5 or more on seven occasions, including a season-high three vs. Oakland (12/15) ... With 18.5 sacks in 2002, Taylor tied for the highest single-season sack total in Dolphins history, along with Bill Stanfill, who also had 18.5 sacks in 1973 ... Taylor tied Stanfill's club record when he shared a 6-yard sack of Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper with Adewale Ogunleye at Minnesota on December 21.

CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH A SACK: Included in Taylor's record-setting performance of 2002 was a streak of eight consecutive games (Games 8-15) that he recorded at least one sack, breaking the former club record of six consecutive games with at least one sack (since 1982), which was first set in 1983 by Doug Betters and then equaled by Taylor in 2000 ... Taylor's streak was snapped when he was held without a sack in the season finale at New England on December 29 ... During this eight-game span, Taylor totaled 13 sacks, including five contests in which he had more than one sack ...Taylor's streak of at least one sack in eight consecutive games is tied for the fourth-longest such streak in the NFL since the statistic became official in 1982.

SACK TANDEMS: Along with DE Adewale Ogunleye's 9.5 sacks, Taylor was part of the top sack tandem in the NFL in 2002, five ahead of their nearest competitors (Tampa Bay's Simeon Rice and Warren Sapp, 23.0) ... Their figure tied for the third-highest by a tandem in Dolphins history.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK/MONTH: Taylor was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week on two occasions in 2002 ... He was cited for his performances in wins at Denver (10/13) and vs. Oakland (12/15) ... They marked the first two Player of the Week awards in his career ... He also became the first Dolphins defensive lineman to earn Defensive Player of the Week accolades during the regular season since the award was instituted in 1984 (Trace Armstrong did win the honor following a 1999 First-Round Playoff game at Seattle) ... Taylor also was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for both October and November ... In three games in October, he had 15 tackles, four sacks for 52 yards in losses, two forced fumbles and a pass defensed ... It was Taylor's first Defensive Player of the Month Award of his career ... Overall since the NFL first instituted the award in 1984, Taylor became the seventh Dolphin to be named AFC Defensive Player of the Month and the second lineman (defensive lineman Jeff Cross shared that award with linebacker John Offerdahl in October, 1990) ... Followed that by being named as AFC Defensive Player of the Month for November ... In four games in November, Taylor posted 15 tackles, 5.5 sacks for 33 yards in losses, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble ... It marked the first time ever that a player earned AFC or NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors in back-to-back months ... It also is the first time that a Dolphin earned an NFL monthly award twice in the same season ... In fact, only one other Dolphin, quarterback Dan Marino (November, 1986; October, 1988), has won a monthly honor twice in a career.

PRO BOWL: Was named as a starter to the AFC Pro Bowl squad, as he was joined on the team by six other Dolphins, the most in the AFC ... It was his second time being named to the Pro Bowl team, along with his selection in 2000 ... Along with Tim Bowens, who also was named to his second Pro Bowl team, Taylor and Bowens became the third and fourth Dolphins defensive linemen in club history to record multiple Pro Bowl appearances, joining Bob Baumhower (5 - 1979, 1981-84) and Bill Stanfill (4 – 1971-74) ... The seven Pro Bowl selections by the Dolphins tied for the second-most in team history (2000), trailing only the eight that went following the 1984 season ... Six of the seven selections were defensive players, the most in team history, surpassing the previous high of five from 2000.

POSTSEASON HONORS: Earned numerous honors following the season ... Was a first-team All-Pro selection by Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Weekly, Football Digest, The Sporting News and College & Pro Football Newsweekly ... Also was named the Defensive Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated, Kansas City 101, and the Touchdown Club of Columbus (Ohio) ... Was chosen as the Pass Rusher of the Year by the NFL Alumni Association ... Along with Ricky Williams, was named as the team's co-MVP in a vote of South Florida media and fans ... Was the winner of the team's Leadership Award, as voted on by his teammates.

2001 - Started all 16 regular season games at right defensive end ... Was fourth on the club with 86 tackles (60 total), a career high to that point, which ranked first among the team's linemen and surpassed his previous career high of 68 set in 2000 ... Led team in sacks with 8.5 for 44.5 yards in losses and collected a team-best 25 quarterback hurries ... Also produced an interception, four fumble recoveries including one for a touchdown, four forced fumbles and seven passes defensed, which led Dolphins' linemen ... Four fumble recoveries tied for the third-highest single-season total in franchise history ... Was named a second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press ... Recorded four tackles, a sack and two fumble recoveries in 31-10 win over New England (10/7), when he picked up a Tom Brady fumble at the Patriots' 1 on the final play of the third quarter and scored the third touchdown via a fumble return in his career ... Posted a season-high nine tackles at N.Y. Jets (10/14) ... Notched four tackles, a sack, a pass defensed and a forced fumble vs. Carolina (11/4) ... The sack in the Panthers contest was the 35th of his career, tying him with Manny Fernandez for ninth on the Dolphins' all-time chart ... The following week at Indianapolis (11/11), tallied five tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery ... In the Colts game, recovered a Dominic Rhodes fumble at the Dolphins' 41 with 10:50 to play and Miami trailing 24-20 ... The Dolphins then embarked on a seven-play drive which ended with a 29-yard TD pass from Jay Fiedler to Chris Chambers for the winning score in a 27-24 victory ... Posted four tackles, a season-high 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble at Buffalo (11/25) ... Recorded four tackles, a sack and an interception in Monday night win over Indianapolis (12/10), as he picked off a Peyton Manning pass ... Had a half-sack in season finale vs. Buffalo (1/6/02), giving him 39.5 in his career and tying him with Kim Bokamper and Bob Baumhower for the sixth-highest total in Dolphins history ... Started First-Round Playoff game vs. Baltimore (1/13/02) ... Recorded 10 tackles (six solo).

2000 - Started all 16 games at right defensive end ... Registered 68 total tackles (46 solo), including 14.5 sacks for 92 yards lost ... Also had an interception, four fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and five passes defensed ... Tackle total ranked sixth on the team and first among linemen ... Sack total was second on the squad, trailing only DE Trace Armstrong, who tallied 16.5 ... It also was the second-highest figure in the AFC and fifth in the NFL in 2000 ... Against Baltimore (9/17), tallied six tackles, including 2.5 sacks, the second-highest single-game total of his NFL career to that point and his fourth career game with two or more sacks ... Part of a defensive effort that held the Ravens to six points and 262 total net yards in Miami's 19-6 victory ... Had six tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble, and was awarded a defensive game ball at Cincinnati (10/1) ... That game began a streak of six consecutive contests in which he had at least one sack ... The sack, fumble recovery and forced fumble all came on the same play as he stripped the ball from Bengals QB Akili Smith, picked it up at the Bengals' 29 and raced into the end zone as time expired in the first half ... The touchdown brought the Dolphins to within three points of the lead at 13-10 ... The play was voted as the best defensive play of the year in the NFL in a vote of fans on NFL.com ... It was the second touchdown of Taylor's career, with the first being a 4-yard fumble return for a score on September 13, 1999 at Denver after picking up a Brian Griese fumble ... Notched five tackles, including a pair of sacks for the fifth multiple sack game of his career, at Detroit (11/5) ... Had four tackles, a sack and a pass defensed at San Diego (11/12) ... It marked the sixth straight game in which he had a sack, tying Doug Betters' club record for most consecutive contests with a sack (now second) ... At Buffalo (12/3), posted six tackles, including a career-high three sacks, surpassing his previous best of 2.5, which he accounted for in week three of the '00 season against Baltimore ... Part of a defense that held Buffalo to just 196 yards of total offense ... In season-ending win at New England (12/24), posted his first interception of the season and the second of his career, as he picked off a Drew Bledsoe pass in the second quarter and returned it two yards to the Patriots' 12, setting up an Olindo Mare field goal ... Tallied three passes defensed on the day ... Started both playoff games following the 2000 season at right end ... Collected nine tackles.

SACKS: Recorded a sack in 11 of Miami's 16 games in 2000, including three contests with two or more ... Sack total of 14.5 established a new career high to that point, surpassing his previous best of nine, which he first set in 1998 ... Taylor's sack total was the fourth-highest single-season figure in club history at that time, and now sixth.

SACK STREAK: Taylor recorded a sack in six straight games in 2000 (5-10), tying the Dolphins team record for most consecutive games with a sack to that point, and now tied for the second-longest such streak ... The record of six was first set by Doug Betters, who accomplished the feat in 1983 (games 7-12).

SACK TANDEM: In 2000, Trace Armstrong (16.5) and Taylor (14.5) totaled 31 sacks, the highest sack total by a duo in Dolphins history ... Armstrong and Taylor ranked first and second, respectively, in the AFC in sacks in 2000, marking only the second time since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 that teammates finished 1-2 in a conference in sacks ... In 1996, Carolina's Kevin Greene finished first in the NFC with 14.5 sacks while Lamar Lathon tied for second with 13.5 sacks...In addition, Armstrong and Taylor's total of 31.0 sacks also were the most sacks by a tandem from the same team in the NFL in 2000.

FUMBLE RECOVERIES: Taylor established a career high with four fumble recoveries in 2000, one of which he returned for a touchdown ... The four fumble recoveries tied for the third-highest single-season total in franchise history and were the most since Louis Oliver had four in 1996.

PRO BOWL: Was voted as a starter to the AFC Pro Bowl squad, the first such honor of his NFL career ... Was one of seven Dolphins to be voted to the game, the most representatives from the team since the 1984 season ... Was voted as a starter along with Armstrong, the first time that teammates were chosen to start at defensive end in the Pro Bowl since the 1992 season (1993 Pro Bowl) when Philadelphia's Reggie White and Clyde Simmons were picked.

POSTSEASON HONORS: Following the season Taylor was selected as a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press, Pro Football Weekly, The Sporting News and USA Today ... Was a first-team All-AFC choice by Football News ... Was a second-team All-Pro by College & Pro Football Newsweekly ... Was named the Dolphins' Most Valuable Player in a vote of South Florida media and the fans ... His sack of Akili Smith at Cincinnati (10/1/00) and subsequent forced fumble, fumble recovery and 29-yard touchdown return was voted as the Outstanding Defensive Play of the 2000 season in a vote of fans on NFL.com.

1999 - Started all 15 games in which he played at right defensive end ... Was inactive for one contest ... Finished the year with 55 total tackles (32 solo), 2.5 sacks for 19.5 yards in losses, one interception, two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown, and four passes defensed ... Also added seven special teams tackles over the course of the season ... First NFL touchdown came in season-opener at Denver (9/13) when he recovered a Brian Griese fumble forced by Rich Owens and returned it four yards for a score ... Posted a season-high seven tackles at Buffalo (11/14) ... First career interception occurred when he picked off a Drew Bledsoe pass vs. New England (11/21) ... Was inactive vs. San Diego (12/19) with a sprained right ankle sustained the previous week vs. N.Y. Jets ... Started both playoff games following the 1999 season at right end ... Totaled three tackles.

1998 - Played in all 16 regular season games, starting 15 of them ... Opened 14 contests at right end and one on the left side ... Finished with 52 total tackles, nine sacks for 37 yards lost, a team-high four forced fumbles and nine passes defensed ... Nine sacks were second on the club, trailing only Trace Armstrong's 10.5 ... The total also was ninth-most in the AFC ... Nine passes defensed were fifth on the club and the most among linemen ... Put together three multiple-sack games on the year ... Played in a reserve role in season-opener at Indianapolis (8/31) due to a partial tear of the distal third of the sartorius tendon in his left knee (tendon located behind the knee) that he sustained during the preseason ... Tallied three tackles and a sack in the Colts game ... Notched seven tackles, including two sacks, vs. Buffalo (9/13), marking the first multiple-sack game of his career ... His two sacks were among eight by the Dolphins that day, tied for the second-highest single-game total in club history ... Posted three tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble at N.Y. Jets (10/4) ... Registered a season-high eight tackles and a pass defensed vs. New England (10/25), when the Dolphins held the Patriots without a touchdown in a 12-9 overtime victory ... Recorded five tackles, a sack and two passes defensed at Carolina (11/15) as the Dolphins held the Panthers without a touchdown in a 13-9 win ... Had five tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble at Oakland (12/6) ... His two sacks were among eight on the day by Miami as a team, tied for the second-highest single-game total in franchise history ... Sustained a fractured right clavicle in the first half of season finale at Atlanta (12/27) ... Was placed on Injured Reserve on December 29, and missed both of Miami's playoff games following the 1998 season.

1997 - Played in 13 games with 11 starts at right defensive end as a rookie ... Was inactive for three contests with a fractured right forearm ... Finished with 50 total tackles (43 solo), five sacks for 37 yards lost, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and three passes defensed ... Also came up with six special teams tackles on the year ... Sack total tied with Derrick Rodgers and Tim Bowens for second on the squad ... His five sacks tied Rodgers for the fourth-most ever by a Dolphins rookie at the time (now fifth), and they tied for fourth among NFL rookies in 1997, along with Minnesota's Dwayne Rudd ... In addition, Taylor and Rodgers' combined ten sacks made them the second-most productive rookie sack tandem in Dolphins history (now tied with Lorenzo Bromell and Kenny Mixon, who also tallied ten sacks in 1998), trailing only A.J. Duhe (7) and Bob Baumhower (4), who combined for 11 in 1977 ... Their total was second among rookie sack tandems in the NFL in 1997, trailing only Baltimore's Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper, who combined for 14.5 sacks ... Made his NFL debut in season-opener against Indianapolis (8/31) when he started at right defensive end ... Tied for second on the team with a season-high ten total tackles ... Included in that total was the first sack of his career, as he dropped Jim Harbaugh for an 8-yard loss ... Sustained a fractured right forearm during practice on October 16 ... Underwent surgery to reduce and stabilize the fracture on October 17 by Dr. John Uribe at HealthSouth Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables ... Was inactive for each of the next three games with the injury ... Returned to action in a reserve role vs. N.Y. Jets (11/9), wearing a cast to protect the fracture ... Recorded a pair of tackles in the game ... Suffered a dislocated left thumb in practice on November 19 ... Returned to starting lineup at right end at New England (11/23), while wearing a cast on his right forearm and another to protect his left thumb ... Came up with six tackles, including a sack, in the Patriots game ... Registered three tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble, at Indianapolis (12/14) ... The sack and the forced fumble occurred on the same play, as he stripped the ball from Harbaugh after a 2-yard loss, and the loose ball was recovered by Shawn Wooden ... Opened at right end in First-Round Playoff game at New England (12/28) ... Was credited with three tackles.

POSTSEASON ROOKIE HONORS: Earned several postseason all-rookie accolades ... Was named to the all-rookie teams for Pro Football Weekly, College & Pro Football Newsweekly and Football News ... Was also named as the Dolphins' Newcomer of the Year in a vote of the South Florida media.

COLLEGE
Was a four-year letterman (1993-96) and three-year starter at Akron ... In his collegiate career, collected 279 tackles, 41 stops for loss, 21 sacks, seven fumble recoveries, eight forced fumbles and three interceptions ... Was a first-team All-Mid-American Conference choice as a senior, when he started at left defensive end ... Tallied 64 tackles (43 solo), and led team with 10 sacks and 18 stops for loss ... Added four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, six passes defensed and also had a 1-yard reception for a score against Illinois ... Earned National Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against Virginia Tech when he posted 12 tackles, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, three stops for loss and tackled a punt returner in the end zone for a safety ... Was an honorable mention All-America pick and a first-team All-MAC selection as a junior, when he started at weakside linebacker ... Led team with 99 tackles ... Added five sacks, 11 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, five passes defensed and an interception ... Played in all 11 contests with nine starts at weakside linebacker in his sophomore campaign ... Had 70 tackles, and led team with six sacks and four stops for loss ... Also had an interception ... Saw reserve action as a redshirt freshman ... Finished with 46 tackles, including two for loss, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, an interception and two passes defensed ... Also lettered on the Akron basketball team ... Majored in political science/criminal justice.

PERSONAL
Married to Katina, couple resides in Weston, Fla., with their two sons, Isaiah Paul and Mason Paul, and daughter, Zoe Grace ... Was home-schooled during high school, although he played sports for Woodland Hills High School in Pittsburgh, Pa ... Earned All-Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League honors by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Gateway Press his senior season as a tight end and free safety ... Also lettered in basketball ... Following the 2007 season, he became the first active NFL player to participate as a contestant on ABC's hit show "Dancing with the Stars" ... Paired with professional dancer Edyta Sliwinska, he finished as the runner-up to Olympic Gold Medal figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi and professional dancer Mark Ballas ... Was also named to People Magazine's "100 Most Beautiful" list for 2008 and one of "TV's New Top-10 Dream Men" by US Weekly ... In July of 2004, established the Jason Taylor Foundation (website: www.jasontaylorfoundation.org) with a mission of "supporting and creating programs that facilitate the personal growth and empowerment of South Florida's children in need by focusing on improved health care, education and quality of life" ... Since opening its doors, the Jason Taylor Foundation has contributed nearly $1,300,000 in grants and program services to local organizations dedicated to helping children ... Was named the 2007 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year for his off-the-field community service as well as his playing excellence ... Received the award from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell just prior to kickoff of Super Bowl XLII ... Has also been named a recipient of a 2006 JB Award and a 2005 and 2006 "Good Guy Award" by The Sporting News for his charitable work ... In August of 2007, launched the Jason Taylor Reading Room in Miramar, Fla., an after-school program designed to address the problem of illiteracy among inner-city youth ... Served as the spokesperson in a public service announcement for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) ... Was part of the Dolphins' "All-Community Team" in 2007 in which the Foundation donated 20 tickets for every home game, which was split among the Urban League, His House, Overtown Youth Center and The Haven ... The past six offseasons, has hosted the "Jason Taylor Celebrity Golf Classic," which has raised more than $400,000 for the Holtz Children's Hospital at the University of Miami Jackson Memorial Medical Center ... In February of 2005, the hospital renamed its learning center The Jason Taylor Children's Learning Center in recognition of his contributions and support ... In addition, the golf classics have committed nearly $190,000 to "Take Stock in Children," funding seven years of mentoring and four-year college tuition scholarships for 18 deserving sixth-grade students ... Currently sits on the "Take Stock in Children" statewide Board of Directors ... Funded two additional scholarships after hosting benefits with Tiffany & Co. over the summers of 2005 and 2006 and another 14 scholarships through a partnership with the Office Depot Foundation ... The 2005 Tiffany & Co. event was attended by Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx, rap artist Trick Daddy and Grammy Award-winning music producer Timbaland ... Created the "Big Screens-Big Dreams" program to inspire and motivate area youth through feature film ... More than 1,000 student-athletes have participated in the program since 2004, enjoying private screenings of films such as "Friday Night Lights," "Coach Carter," "Glory Road," "Invincible," "We Are Marshall," "PRIDE," "The Great Debaters" and "The Express" ... Has held his "Cool Gear for the School Year" event the past four Septembers at which nearly 300 children have now each been given a $300 back-to-school shopping opportunity at Old Navy to purchase school clothes. . . Hosted "JT's Ping-Pong Smash" each of the past five Decembers ... The first-of-its-kind celebrity doubles table tennis tournament has raised nearly $225,000 ... Started the "Jason Taylor Sack Pack" in which he teams up with community members to make a donation for every sack, tackle or interception he registers ... Over the past four years Sack Pack donations have totaled more than $230,000 ... On June 16, 2008, joined former Dolphins great Dan Marino and Samsung President & CEO DJ Oh in ringing the closing bell at the NASDAQ ... In May of 2003, along with former teammate Zach Thomas, was part of a USO/NFL Tour in which he visited various military bases and hospitals in Germany ... Was part of a similar tour in June 2003, in which he visited Kuwait and Iraq, including Baghdad, along with a group of entertainers which included Robert De Niro, Alyssa Milano, Gary Sinise, John Stamos, Rebecca Romijn, Wayne Newton, Kid Rock and Lee Ann Womack ... Entered into a partnership with South Florida-based smoothie company JUICEBLENDZ in 2007, taking on the role of an equity partner and President of Franchise Development ... Currently sits on the Board of Advisors, along with Marino and former Apple Computer and Pepsi-Cola CEO John Sculley, for 3Cinteractive, an industry leading mobile marketing and technology firm ... In June 2003, became the first spokesman for the Neutrogena Men brand of skin, hair and body care products ... Made a cameo appearance in box office hit "Jackass: Number Two" in 2006 ... He and his Davie home were featured on "MTV Cribs" in 2002 ... Has also done work with children's hospitals in Pittsburgh and Akron ... Prior to the 1999 season, released his own calendar with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit First Book, a national non-profit organization committed to giving children the opportunity to read and own their first new books ... From 2000-03, was a member of the "Crunch on Paralysis" team, along with Trace Armstrong and Zach Thomas, that made a donation for every sack and tackle they made to the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis ... Combined, the three donated nearly $180,000 to the Miami Project during that span with Smirnoff doubling that amount ... For their efforts, the three were named the winner of the team's Community Service Award for 2000 ... Served as Grand Marshal for the 2006 Toyota Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway ... Enjoys boating, fishing and playing golf in spare time ... Set a Highbourne Key (Bahamas) record during the 2005 offseason by catching a 70-pound bull dolphin ... Lists "The Godfather, The Complete Epic" as favorite movie, "The Sopranos" and "The Unit" as favorite television shows and The Bible as favorite book ... Full name is Jason Paul Taylor, born September 1, 1974, in Pittsburgh, Pa.