Nick Saban Convinced the Jets to Sign Jason Taylor

"In 30 plus years of coaching, Jason Taylor was one of his 5 favorite players"...

The offseason signing of Jason Taylor by the New York Jets tweaked more than a few Miami Dolphins fans and it turns out a not so popular former 'Phins coach had a big hand in the process.

Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum relates the story to 790 AM in Miami:

"What did it for us was Nick Saban spent a day with us. I think it actually says a lot about Nick Saban. He won 14 games in a row at the University of Alabama and he wanted to spend the day with Rex (Ryan) to learn more about Rex's blitz package.

With that said, when he was in our building knowing that Jason Taylor was on our radar screen, I asked Coach Saban about him and he said in 30 plus years of coaching, Jason Taylor was one of his 5 favorite players and he told us a story.

There was a game where he got hurt in the first half and the trainers came over to Saban and said, 'Hey, look, he's going to be out a minimum of six weeks.' And Jason came back and played the second half.

And when someone of Nick Saban's caliber recommends Jason and, again, he has no vested interest in the transaction. That was, after watching him for as long as I have and hearing what Saban said about him, it was an easy decision for us."

Another delayed shot to the blowhole courtesy of the Nick-tator.

You'll also like:

1. Jason Taylor to Make Peace with Fireman Ed
2. Nick Saban Compares Florida to the Soviet Union
3. Jason Taylor thinks he’d still be a Dolphin if Parcells had left earlier
4. Shula gets his statue before Saban
5. Golden Tate’s Love of Taylor Swift goes beyond the Music