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The Denver Broncos signed former Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor today. Last September, the Browns cut Taylor when they reduced their roster to 75 players for injury-related reasons. He didn't sign with any club the rest of the 2015 season, presumably because his knee wasn't up-to-par yet.
Now, Taylor has a chance to resurrect his career with a guy who has been more-than-willing to bring former Browns to Denver. Tom Heckert, who is currently the Broncos' Director of Pro Personnel, was the Browns' general manager in 2011 when Taylor was the 21st overall pick of the draft.
Despite Taylor missing all of last season, he still went home with a hefty payday: because the Browns didn't cut him at the start of free agency in 2010, his $5.477 million option became fully guaranteed. Even if he did get healthy enough to play in 2015, I don't blame the guy for sitting out and seeing what happens in 2016. Now, he may have an opportunity to be a role player on an elite defense for the defending Super Bowl Champions.