Tracking the Preaux Career of Ike Taylor
<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. — Charles Tillman and Ivan Taylor will be keeping the phone lines clear next weekend.
The two University of Louisiana defensive backs have been impressive enough in postseason workouts to improve their stock and make it likely that they’ll both be selected in the NFL Draft.
For Tillman, the call could come as early as the second round. Taylor, meanwhile, has climbed from possible free agent status to a late-round project.
“Both of them went over to the Hula Bowl and played really well,” Ragin’ Cajun assistant head coach Gary Bartel said. “They opened some eyes wide with that.
“Charles went to the Combine and just blew them away. Every team in the league has been through here to work him out. Secondary coaches, defensive coordinators and some head coaches have been here.
“They like Peanut (Tillman) because he’s versatile. He can play cornerback or safety, or he could be that corner in the nickel and dime packages because he’s got great size and can match up with the bigger wide receivers.
“I’m still sticking to the third round, but he could jump up into the second round.”
<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/sports/html/37B2350D-2C37-436E-92D1-275959CB4D08.shtml">The rest of the story</a></center></blockquote>South Louisiana Publishing
Bruce Brown
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Tillman proved his versatility midway during the 2002 season when he switched from corner to safety to help the Cajuns in Rickey Bustle’s first year running the program. He finished with a team-high 100 tackles (65 of those first hits) broke up eight passes and picked off two more.
Throughout a difficult 3-9 campaign Tillman could be counted upon as a leader and a well-spoken voice of the defense.
Taylor has more ground to make up, but he’s got the great uncoachable asset — speed — with which to catch up.
The former running back was in on 46 tackles and broke up eight more while still learning about the position under Tillman’s wing.
“Ivan had 16 or 17 teams in here on timing day to look at him, and he blew them away,” Bartel said. “At first, I thought he would be a priority free agent, but I can see him getting into the sixth or seventh round and not have to compete with that free agent situation.
“He’s got such great numbers, with his 40 times and his vertical leap and bench press ... all the stuff you test. He’s still raw, still learning to play the game, but he has intrigued a lot of coaches and scouts.”
ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has speculated that Tillman could be chosen in the second round by the New Orleans Saints, so his stock continues to climb. Taylor’s speed makes him attractive.
“You never know, but Peanut could go late in the second round,” Bartel said. “Several defensive backs coaches really like him. Rick Venturi, the Saints’ defensive coordinator, loves him. Greg Brown, their secondary coach, loves him. So does (head coach) Jim Haslett.
“Both of them have done themselves well since the season finished. They have continued to roll.
“Both of them have had teams fly them in to visit with them. Peanut has been flown in by 14-15 teams, and Ivan probaby by 10-12. I’m happy for them. They’ve done well.”
One thing’s for sure — their stock is on the rise.
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Tracking the Preaux Career of Ike "Swaggin" Taylor
Taylor was the Steelers 4th round pick at #125. Great news for him because several media outlets had him going later in the draft. Good luck Ivan.
Steelers take Taylor in fourth round
<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. — Ivan Taylor is used to closing on wide receivers, arriving just in time to break up a pass, pick it off or make the receiver pay for a reception.
Taylor closed so fast on the NFL Draft that he almost squeezed into the first day of selections.
As it is, the UL Lafayette cornerback was chosen in the fourth round — Sunday’s opening round of the second day — by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“They called and said they liked me, and that they were about to pick me,” Taylor said. “They said they liked my character, liked me as a person and liked what I did on the field.
“I’m looking forward to a long NFL career with the Steelers.”
<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/sports/html/1E8A8492-A0A7-4149-BEEC-322B529EE27A.shtml">The rest of the story</a></center></blockquote>South Louisiana Publsihing
Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com
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Ragin’ Cajun teammate and mentor Charles Tillman was a second-round choice of the Chicago Bears at No. 35 overall, with Taylor following at No. 125.
Pittsburgh needs help with its pass defense if it is to return to its Steel Curtain days any time soon. The Steelers were 23rd in the 32-team NFL in 2002, allowing 235.9 yards per game.
In a 36-33 AFC wild card playoff victory over Cleveland, the secondary was toasted by unheralded Kelly Holcomb for 429 yards and three touchdowns on 26-of-43 passing. It took a 22-9 fourth quarter rally for Pittsburgh to advance.
The season ended in the divisional playoff at Tennessee with a 34-31 overtime loss in which the Titans’ Steve McNair hit 27-of-44 passes for 338 yards and a pair of scores.
That’s 767 yards and five touchdown passes in two playoff games given up by the Steelers’ pass defense, prompting head coach Bill Cowher to seek improvement in the draft.
Pittsburgh used its first-round selection — No. 16 overall — on hard-hitting Southern California safety Troy Polamalu. Taylor was chosen soon after the draft resumed on Sunday.
“I went exactly where I thought I would go,” said Taylor, who posted steady 4.4-second times in the 40-yard dash and has a 42-inch vertical leap.
The Steelers’ starting cornerbacks at the end of the 2002 campaign were Chad Scott and Dewayne Washington, with Hank Poteat and Deshea Townsend as backups.
Taylor, who can return kicks and hits hard enough to help on special teams coverage, can quickly become a part of an upgrade.
“I enjoyed the whole process,” Taylor said. “It was a long process, but a nice experience. It was like looking for a job.”
With dramatic improvement in the last year, Taylor has found gainful employment.
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IKE TAYLOR KICK OFF RETURN YARDAGE
<table width=475 cellspacing=4><TR ALIGN=CENTER><td class="s2"><b>IKE TAYLOR'S NFL KICK OFF RETURN YARDAGE</b></TR></TABLE></CENTER><P><TABLE border=1 cellPadding=2 cellSpacing=1 width=475><TBODY><TR ALIGN=CENTER><td class="s2"><b>Date</b></TD><TD><b>Opp</b></TD><TD><b>KOR</b></TD><TD><b>Yds</b></TD><TD><b>Avg</b></TD><TD><b>Lg</b></TD><TD><b>TD</b></TD><TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD>Sep. 07</TD><TD>Bal</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>14.5</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>0</TD><TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD>Sep. 14</TD><TD>KC</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>43</TD><TD>21.5</TD><TD>27</TD><TD>0</TD><TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD>Sep. 21</TD><TD>Cin</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>40</TD><TD>40</TD><TD>40</TD><TD>0</TD><TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD>Sep. 28</TD><TD>Ten</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>0</TD><TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD>Oct. 05</TD><TD>Cle</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>124</TD><TD>31</TD><TD>53</TD><TD>0</TD><TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD>Oct. 12</TD><TD>Den</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD>Oct. 26</TD><TD>StL</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>145</TD><TD>24.2</TD><TD>42</TD><TD>0</TD></TR></TABLE></CENTER>
<center><p><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/players/6461/game_log.html">The source of the stats</a>
Ike Taylor is right where he knew he would be
<blockquote><p align=justify>PITTSBURGH - Rookie Ike Taylor has been playing football since he was five years old. He remembers his days with his youth football team - the Cougar Cubs - when he didn't even have the right shoes to wear.
But even then, even that early on, he knew that football would be in his future.
“I was five years old when I started playing football,” said Taylor. “I was playing tight end with church shoes and socks on. I didn’t have any cleats. I bought some the last two games. I was playing tight end in church shoes.
Ike Taylor could be seeing more playing time.
“I always thought I would make it this far. It always was in my mind. I always told my family I would be playing in the NFL. I stuck with it and kept grinding and it worked out so far.”
Taylor still feels like that kid in church shoes when he plays. He has an enthusiasm for the game that can be seen whenever he is on the special teams units. He flies around, always trying to make a play.
"Once I am on the field I feel like I am a kid," said Taylor. "But I have to take care of business. I feel like an older kid in a big body just taking care of business on the field."
He might start seeing more playing time very soon. Deshea Townsend will replace Dewayne Washington at right cornerback in the starting lineup. That could mean more playing time for Taylor in situational defenses.
Until that does happen, he is enjoying his role on the special teams units he is a part of.
“It’s fun. It’s giving 110 percent,” said Taylor. “It’s going full-speed, you and the other guy one-on-one and may the best man win. Every time I get on the field on special teams I am saying to myself I have to make a big play. That’s all I am saying, make a big play because that play can turn the game around for us or help us win. That’s what I want to do.”
Taylor's road to the NFL was not a glamorous one. In high school he played wherever he was needed, and that included defensive end. He admits most guys had a major size advantage on him, ut he had 18 sacks, not bad at all.
<center><p><a href="http://www.steelers.com/news/index.cfm?cont_id=212510">The rest of the story</a>
By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com<!--
"I survived on speed and heart," said Taylor. "You have to have the talent to play this game, but you have to have the heart. It's a game of heart. I'd run down on kickoffs and be going head-to-head with guys 280 pounds. I would be wondering why am I doing this. But it's the love of the game. You have to stick with it."
His first two years in college Taylor didn't play football. He focused on academics, getting on track before he decided to walk-on at Louisiana-Lafayette. The coaches took notice, and soon a scholarship was his.
“I gave 110 percent every play,” said Taylor. “I was always the first one to get there, the last one to leave. I was always asking questions. Just the whole theory of being a walk-on; it’s hard but somebody’s got to do it. If I could go back in time, I would be a walk-on again. I liked the experience of walking on. Nothing is handed to you. You have to earn everything. That’s how I feel about life. You have to earn it.”
He wasn't one to get media attention in college. Actually, he didn't get any. The little media attention the team did get went to cornerback Charles Tillman, who was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round this year. That has changed for Taylor.
"I had no media in college," said Taylor. "When I came here and had media around my locker it was a new experience. I was like a little kid at the playground. I love having the media around. I read things I've said. I look to see if I am saying the right things and so forth. I enjoy the media like I enjoy the game."
And it shows.
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