Where’s the Bathroom? – New Surroundings for Five NFL Vets

“Loyalty is something that hurts you at times, because you can’t get youth back. I can honestly say that if I could go back and do my situation over, knowing what I know now with this organization, I’d have done it a little sooner.” Kevin Garnett

Jason Taylor, Flozell Adams, Donovan McNabb, LaDaininan Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook have to learn their way around a new locker room and a new city. Each probably knew the layout of his stadium better than that of his own home, spending countless days there season after season. All but Taylor have had the increasingly uncommon experience of playing for one team their entire career. Even Taylor, who left his team the Miami Dolphins briefly for the 2008 season, went back home to his familiar last year. The stay didn’t last long and he finds himself in a whole new world with a dynamic young team, but all new surroundings. If, like Garnett, these players find a renewed sense of purpose and greater promise in their new stadium homes, will it translate to championships?

Donovan McNabb: Philadelphia Eagles, 1999-2009; Washington Redskins, 2010

Donovan McNabb

McNabb played hard in that Philadelphia Eagles jersey – a broken leg, a punctured chest, and more – but was dismissed quite quickly. He’s been so close to finish line he could taste it, instead watching the Lombardi trophy hoisted over the head of his Super Bowl opponent. Now in his new home down the highway, the QB says he feels like a rookie again. Will the new energy, new coach and unceasing faith of a football city push him across for the win? Do you think he wonders what would have happened if he switched sooner?

Jason Taylor: Miami Dolphins, 1997 – 2009* (Washington Redskins, 2008); New York Jets, 2010

Jason Taylor

We’re getting glimpses of Jason Taylor, who in a recent interview with Dan Le Batard revealed the pain of the tough times in Miami. He said simply, “1-15” when asked what was the most the game ever hurt him. In the darker shade of green he now wears, he tends to look deep in thought at times. Perhaps wondering, “what if I’d left sooner?”

Flozell Adams: Dallas Cowboys, 1998 – 2009; Pittsburgh Steelers, 2010

Flozell Adams

Flozell Adams lined up for the Pittsburgh Steelers at right tackle after holding down the other side of the Dallas Cowboys line for 11 seasons. At times, he looked like a confused toddler trying to determine which shoe goes on which foot, learning left from right all over again. Even when critics labeled him a dirty player at times, his talent and drive were never questioned. He was a Cowboy! Many fans watching preseason ball were really confused, too– it’s almost like the jersey didn’t fit.

LaDaininan Tomlinson: San Diego Chargers, 2001 – 2009; New York Jets, 2010

LaDaininan Tomlinson

On his opening night debut for the NY Jets, L.T. received a vote of confidence from a player who’d been there. Curtis Martin, the retired Jets running back, reminded the audience that he won his rushing title at 31. “I won the rushing title at 31, and I think LaDainian has much more ability than I had,” said the retiree. That’s high praise, though San Diego fans would disagree.

Brian Westbrook: Philadelphia Eagles, 2002 – 2009, San Francisco 49ers, 2010

Brian Westbrook

Lastly, we’ll see what Brian Westbrook can bring to Singletary’s San Francisco 49ers. After seven seasons with Donovan in Philly, he’ll play with a new starting QB for the first time. He’ll need to learn what to wear in San Francisco and how to deal with fans who may not throw snowballs at Santa Claus but have been spoiled by Montana, Clark, Rice and Young. They have low tolerance for lots of talk without results.

“There is a season … turn, turn, turn … I swear it’s not too late”
Turn! Turn! Turn!, The Byrds