Jets players say Taylor would fit in just fine

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - As a veteran offensive lineman in the AFC East, Damien Woody has seen Jason Taylor plenty of times. Probably too many for his liking. But when he saw the pass-rushing linebacker in the weight room at the Jets' training facility Thursday morning, he couldn't help but shake his head.

"The first thing I said to him is that this is the craziest thing I've ever seen," Woody said after their brief encounter. "He was like 'Yeah, me too.' Just the fact that there's a rivalry between Jason Taylor and the Jets and the fans and all that, for him to be in the building, it's almost like a double agent."

Taylor, 35, is being wooed by the Jets as a free agent, a process that began Wednesday with a helicopter spin around New York City and a Manhattan meal and could end with his signature on a new contract in the coming days. Last night, Taylor was headed home to Florida without a deal in place, but the Dolphins great who has terrorized and tormented Jets fans on and off the field for more than a decade could very well be wearing green and white come September.

The Jets players at yesterday's voluntary offseason workout certainly showed no hard feelings toward Taylor as he made his way through the facility. Some simply said hello. Others gave him the full-on sales pitch.

"I think it'd be a great addition for us," said Calvin Pace, who would be the outside linebacker opposite Taylor if he signed with the Jets. "[He'd be] somebody else people will have to key on, and hopefully it'll free somebody else up if he's able to come and sign."

"I told him we could bring him along on our ride," Pace added. "I think it'd be a great situation for him."

All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis was more to the point. Asked what he said to Taylor, Revis shouted: "Sign! Sign with us!"

How would the fans react to seeing a nemesis line up on their side of the ball?

"I think once he puts the green and white on, all that other stuff will be in the past," Pace said. "The Jets and the Dolphins have always been spirited rivals. If he signs with us, day one they'll embrace him."

The Jets may be handcuffed by the "Final Eight" rule that limits their free-agency dealings, preventing them from paying Taylor or any other prospective Jet more than the salary of the free agent they lost - Jay Feely, who is reportedly earning $1.5 million in 2010 from Arizona. But what they can offer is the glitz and glamour of New York plus a deal with HBO's "Hard Knocks" during the summer - something that might appeal to a former "Dancing With the Stars" contestant - along with all of the other trappings such as the helicopters and the new stadium.

"If the Jets want you, they're going to lay the red carpet out for you," Pace said.

Plus, the Jets have Rex Ryan to do their talking.

"Trust me, Rex is the ultimate sales guy," Woody said. "I think it'll be tough for [Taylor] to turn it down. [Ryan] doesn't let many guys get away."