Tracking the Preaux Career of Ike Taylor

[bigearl]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2430724

Updated: May 2, 2006, 7:38 PM ET
Steelers sign CB Taylor to one-year qualifying offerBy Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

Three-year veteran cornerback Ike Taylor, whose fourth-quarter interception in Super Bowl XL set up the clinching touchdown for the Pittsburgh Steelers, on Tuesday signed the one-year restricted free-agent qualifying offer the team made him two months ago.

The one-year deal is worth $1.573 million and, barring a contract extension, Taylor will be eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring.

A fourth-round selection in the 2003 draft, Taylor became a full-time starter last season after only two starts in his first two years in the league. The former Louisiana-Lafayette standout not only solidified the left cornerback spot for Pittsburgh but also emerged as one of the NFL's best young coverage defenders. Certainly the Steelers coaches view him as their best pass defender.

In 16 appearances and 15 starts, Taylor registered 96 tackles, one of the top five totals in the league for a cornerback. He also had one interception, a team-high 25 passes defensed and two fumble recoveries.

After being picked on by Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck early in Super Bowl XL and dropping one ball right in his hands in the second quarter, Taylor intercepted a pass that was intended for Seahawks wide receiver Darrell Jackson early in the fourth quarter. The interception thwarted a drive that had reached the Pittsburgh 27-yard line. The Steelers, leading only 14-10 at the time, scored four plays later on the reverse pass from Antwaan Randle El to Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward to secure the victory.

In the team's four postseason wins, Taylor was outstanding, posting 31 tackles, a pair of interceptions and five passes defensed. His seven tackles in the Super Bowl led the team. For his career, Taylor has 125 tackles, two interceptions, 32 passes defensed and two fumble recoveries in 45 games.

Pittsburgh coaches point to Taylor's impressive playoff performance as an indicator of his maturity and burgeoning confidence.

Taylor, 25, has excellent size (6-feet-1, 190 pounds) and speed and is very aggressive in support against the run. His one obvious shortcoming is his suspect hands, and he dropped several interception opportunities during the season. That said, he will be a very attractive player in free agency next spring, if he gets onto the open market.

There were rumors this spring that several teams, including Washington, might attempt to sign Taylor to a restricted free-agent offer sheet. But the deadline for offers sheets passed on April 15 without any franchise following through, and Taylor's exclusive negotiating rights reverted to the Steelers.

Last month, Pittsburgh officials and representatives for Taylor discussed the possibility of a long-term contract. The Steelers may resume those negotiations before Taylor qualifies for unrestricted free agency.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

[NewsCopy]

2nd Annual "FACE ME IKE" FOOTBALL CAMP At Arden Cahill Academy's Camp Corral, New Orleans, LA Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor, a New Orleans native, will host a football camp in his hometown for 250 kids from the Cahill Academy Summer Camp Corral. Taylor will be joined at the camp by some of his Steelers teammates for a day of instruction. "Face Me Ike" football camp is designed to give kids the opportunity to learn football skills and interact with Ike Taylor and his teammates. Ike will also deliver his "Face Me Ike" message that kids can apply to life on and off the playing field. Ike's "FaceMeIke" philosophy encourages kids and grown-ups to meet the world head-on with optimism and confidence. In the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, Ike's message carries even more significance to the people of New Orleans. "I want to inspire people to believe in their dreams and move forward to make them happen," said Taylor. The rest of the story

[RaginRash]

That is awesome. Ike is the man.

[Hammer58]

Don't know if there'll be much of a turnout in New Orleans since it doesn't appear to be geting any publicity in the sports section of the TP.

[CDeb]

Is the name of the camp in honor of his team's quarterback's recent "run-in" with the pavement?

[RaginRash]

Is the name of the camp in honor of his team's quarterback's recent "run-in" with the pavement?

"Face, meet Windshield"?
"Grill, Meet Hyundai"?

[J-Town Cajun]

Former UL DB Ike Taylor will be a guest on the Jim Rome radio show tommorow.

[Turbine]

As far as I know Rome has been dropped in Lafayette.

Looking for options, does he stream his show and dos anyone know if perhaps WWL carries his show?

[Cajun Express]

As far as I know Rome has been dropped in Lafayette.

Looking for options, does he stream his show and dos anyone know if perhaps WWL carries his show?

No WWL in New Orleans on Rome. You can catch it on 1210 AM in Baton Rouge. I think it does not play in it's normal time frame.

streaming radiio
http://www.thescore1210.com/main.html

[J-Town Cajun]

Sorry, I now live in Houston and I forgot that Lafayette dropped Rome. That is a shame, I liked listening to the Rome show. What is in it's place now.