The feud between Jason Taylor and Bill Parcells intensified yesterday, making it likely the six-time Pro Bowl defensive end has played his last game for the Miami Dolphins.
Coach Tony Sparano said Taylor isn’t expected to take part in any team activities through training camp. The revelation came less than 24 hours after Taylor finished second to Kristi Yamaguchi in the finals of “Dancing With the Stars” in Los Angeles.
For weeks the new Dolphins regime, led by Parcells, has fumed while Taylor spent his offseason focused on his budding Hollywood career rather than back in South Florida working out with teammates.
Following a voluntary team practice - with only Taylor missing - Sparano signaled the Dolphins are ready to move on without their top defender.
“I’m glad we know this. We’ve gotten the information, and that’s important,” Sparano said. “I know that Jason is not going to be in any minicamps, and I know that right now Jason is not going to be at training camp.
“So that’s what we know. Jason’s a player under contract with the Dolphins. He knows that. Both parties are well aware of the information. That’s all I’m going to say about it. … We need to discuss the current players on our team right now that have been busting their butt for nine weeks here.”
m Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Tony McDaniel agreed to a contract extension, the team’s third player to get a new deal in the past week. McDaniel, a 6-foot-7, 310-pound backup entering his third season, is expected to play a more significant role with the departure of Marcus Stroud and Grady Jackson.
m The Cleveland Browns still don’t know why star tight end Kellen Winslow is not attending the team’s voluntary workouts. Two weeks into their organized team activities, coach Romeo Crennel again said he hasn’t heard from Winslow and doesn’t know why he’s not with the team. Winslow has made it clear he wants his contract redone.
BASKETBALL
The Washington Mystics claimed point guard Crystal Smith off waivers. Smith spent last season with Houston and averaged 6.3 points and 2.7 assists. She spent this year’s training camp with Minnesota. Smith is recovering from a foot injury that will keep her from joining the Mystics for about two weeks.
TENNIS
The American doubles team of Wayne Odesnik and Bobby Reynolds defeated Lucas Arnold and Sebastian Prieto of Argentina 6-3, 6-7 (5), 10-7 at the World Team Cup in Duesseldorf, Germany. They helped the United States beat Argentina 2-1 in the Red Group after splitting the singles Tuesday. Sweden leads the Red Group with five wins. The Americans have four wins, and the winner of each group plays in Saturday’s final.
m Top-seeded Elena Dementieva defeated Liana Ungur 6-2, 7-6 (4) in the second round of the Istanbul Cup. The seventh-ranked Russian will play Jill Craybas of the United States in the third round of the clay-court warmup for the French Open.
SHORT TAKES
Jeremy Roenick agreed to a one-year contract to return to the San Jose Sharks after his revitalizing comeback season with the club. Roenick, a 19-year veteran, had 14 goals and 19 assists after coming out of semi-retirement for another shot at the Stanley Cup.
m FIFA is considering whether to prevent Kenya from playing its first 2010 World Cup qualifying match. Soccer’s world governing body said the Kenya Football Federation has been taken over by government-appointed officials it does not recognize. FIFA does not tolerate government interference and is preparing to suspend Kenya’s national team from international play.
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