nick saban.jpg

Nick Saban (center) was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins during the 2005 and 2006 seasons.

(AP Photo)

Jason Taylor has been talking about his NFL career this week to a variety of media outlets because the former defensive end is one of the 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2017, which will be announced on Saturday night.

Taylor spent 13 of his 15 seasons playing for the Miami Dolphins, and for two of those seasons, current Alabama coach Nick Saban guided the Dolphins.

On NBC Sports Network's "Pro Football Talk" on Tuesday, Taylor was asked about his seasons with Saban.

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"We had a great relationship," Taylor said, "and I think I might be the only person in Miami that really does like Nick Saban, so I have to keep it down a little bit talking about him here. But I respected him. Defensively, I think football philosophy, I learned so much from him. He really kind of broadened my horizons as far as the way I looked at the game of football and defense in particular -- schematically with coverages and mixing coverages with pressures up front -- and kind of gave us a lot of leeway in building game plans and the ability to put together third-down packages. So I think it helped me grow as a player and as a pro as well.

"He was tough to work with. He was tough on some guys. We were disciplined, we worked hard, but I enjoyed playing for him."

The Dolphins had a 9-7 record in 2005 and a 6-10 mark in 2006 under Saban before he left with three years remaining on his contract to become Alabama's coach in an acrimonious departure for many Miami fans.

Taylor earned a Pro Bowl invitation in both seasons under Saban and was an All-Pro in 2006. He had 12 sacks in 2005 and recorded 13.5 sacks and returned two interceptions for touchdowns in 2006.

Taylor has said previously he knew Saban was wrestling with the decision to stay with the Dolphins or leave for Alabama.

"We understood that that train was coming down the track," Taylor told the Palm Beach Post. "From Day 1 he was up front with some guys in talking about it, kind of getting their feelings. I spoke with him at length about it on several different occasions up until the 12th hour, when he finally made the decision to go. I was on the phone with him late that night."

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Joining Taylor among the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year is former Benjamin Russell High School standout Terrell Owens.

Owens could become the eighth former Alabama high school player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Already enshrined are Buck Buchanan of A.H. Parker, John Hannah of Albertville, Walter Jones of Aliceville, Ozzie Newsome of Colbert County, Ken Stabler of Foley, Bart Starr of Sidney Lanier and John Stallworth of Tuscaloosa.

The voting for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2017 will be conducted at the 48-member Selection Committee's annual meeting, which will be held in Houston on Saturday, the day before Super Bowl LI. The selection process bylaws provide that four to eight inductees will be selected. Finalists must receive 80 percent of the vote to be enshrined.

The modern-era candidates for the Class of 2017 have been retired for at least five seasons and have been active within the past 25 seasons. Players and coaches that predate the 25-year window are considered by the Senior Selection Committee, which has nominated former Seattle Seahawks safety Kenny Easley for the Class of 2017. Two contributor finalists -- Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue - also will be considered for enshrinement.

In addition to Owens and Taylor, the modern-era finalists include Morten Anderson, Tony Boselli, Isaac Bruce, Don Coryell, Terrell Davis, Brian Dawkins, Alan Faneca, Joe Jacoby, Ty Law, John Lynch, Kevin Mawae, LaDainian Tomlinson and Kurt Warner.