“I broke down and cried a little bit,” Daniels said. “It’s tough. I went through this offseason and trained as hard as I ever trained in my life. This was my year to come out and do some great things for this team and get this team to the Super Bowl. That hurts the most.”

At 35, Daniels must face the possible end of his career.

“Hopefully I get another opportunity to come back and finish my career on a high note,” said Daniels. “I don’t want it to end this way. If it does, I’ve had a great career. [But] I’m going to train hard to come back.”

Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Blache said, “This guy is 35, but he has the body of a 26-year-old. He has the toughness and tenacity. I would never bet against it. He’ll be back.”

If nothing else he’ll help the team out as a de facto coach. One of the guys he’ll help is Taylor.

“If I had to go down and have someone take my place,” Daniels said, “I would want a guy like him that’s done some great things. He can get us to the Super Bowl. I told the guys, ‘Don’t feel sorry for me. The one thing you can do for me is get us to the Super Bowl and win it and I’ll be happy.’”

Taylor was happy to leave Miami after 11 seasons for a team coming off a playoff season, but insists he does so with no animosity. He also insists there’s no more Dancing with the Stars in his future.

“It’s football season, there is no dancing,” Taylor said. “Unless it’s to celebrate big plays.”

Even Taylor’s opening remarks addressed the tone of the past two days.

“It’s unfortunate what happened to Phil,” he said. “My heart breaks for a guy that works so hard to get ready. … It catapulted my opportunity to come here and play. I’m very excited.”