EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- You all saw Jason Taylor racing down the field for a 48-yard touchdown off a fumble recovery today, a pivotal play in an important AFC East game.

Now imagine Taylor doing that in Patriot colors. It almost happened after Taylor was cut by the Redskins during the offseason.

"We talked with them, with the organization, and with Bill (Belichick)," Taylor told the Globe. "My heart was in Miami, my family was in Miami, so it was important for me to try to stay there. But if it didn’t work out in Miami, then I probably would’ve been there."

It was, in fact, thisclose to reality. Some circumstances changed over the course of the late winter and early spring that pushed him to Miami, but it's pretty clear that Taylor liked the idea of playing for Belichick and as a teammate of his buddy Tom Brady's.

"I have immense respect for Bill and Tommy," Taylor said. "Like I said, if it didn’t work out in Miami, that’d definitely be a place I’d go, based on those two guys."

After losing out on Taylor, who has 5.5 sacks and has added another play-making element to the Dolphins defense, the Patriots dealt third- and fifth-round picks to get Derrick Burgess and address a crying need for an edge-rushing presence. It hasn't really worked out, as Burgess has struggled some, so you have to wonder if Taylor's decision not to sign with the Patriots could eventually bite New England.

You'll get to see Taylor in aqua blue next Sunday in Foxboro. Just know he just as well could've been decked out in navy for the occasion.