When he was being ignored by the higher-ups in Miami and appeared destined to stay stuck with the Dolphins in 2008 it was easier to feel for defensive end-linebacker Jason Taylor. However, when his posse leaked to the media his lack of interest in going to Green Bay because the market isn’t big enough he risked losing some goodwill.

Sure, the Packers reside in middle America. And sure, Brett Favre retired this offseason, making the season ahead much more murky.

But this is a team coming off a 13-3 season during which it surprised the league by reaching the NFC Championship game. Aaron Rodgers, while unproven, comes with a decent enough pedigree to think the team will at least be competitive during the season ahead.

Taylor’s friends wouldn’t reveal which dozen teams remain in the mix for his services. But apparently it’s about more than just winning – the teams are also, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, located in or near Florida or in a top television market.

“He’s been through that quarterback thing before,” says one Taylor friend. “He doesn’t want to go through it again. Maybe if Favre was still there, but even that wouldn’t be a given.”

Sure, following Dan Marino’s retirement, 13 quarterbacks attempted to fill his shoes in Miami. Well, the Packers, sans Favre, still offer a better opportunity for him to chase a ring than the Dolphins do anytime soon – especially with the jumbled mess of mediocre top teams in the NFC and specifically the NFC North. And if Taylor was serious about trying to win a Super Bowl he’d have jumped on board the opportunity to join the Green and Gold, much as Reggie White did in 1993.

It seems to us that Taylor’s true colors may have begun shining through a bit. It now looks like the main goal isn’t a Super Bowl but maximum exposure, perhaps aimed improving his chances at post-NFL acting career.

It’s the opinion here that with the overall exposure enjoyed by the NFL and all of its offshoots that Taylor could sign in Anchorage or Moldova and not hurt his chances for a career on the big screen. Sure, there are teams better poised for a run at the Lombardi Trophy than Green Bay. But if that is truly his top goal at this point and the Packers are the team showing the greatest interest – I haven’t seen many reports of other teams breaking down the Dolphins’ doors – then he should do what he can to head north.

But if he’s basing his 2008 home on what he plans to do in the years down the line he should just hang up the cleats and make that move today.