Taylor Made

Steeler Nation, after this lockout mess is solved ,the Steelers as with most NFL teams at this time of year have many off season questions . One of the biggest and most important is ,are the Steelers and Ike Taylor going to come to an agreement on a new contract or will Ike leave for greener $$$ pastures elsewhere?

Now I have heard and read a great deal of talk on this subject . Rumors have flown that the Giants and Eagles are among the many teams that are very interested in Ike Taylor's services. Taylor will have no trouble getting offers on the free agent market.

Just this week I read a very good article in the Pittsburgh Tribune by John Harris. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_741941.html

Harris makes a great argument that Ike Taylor should be considered the top cornerback in this free agent market over highly touted free agent cornerback  Nnamdi Asomugha formerly of the Oakland Raiders. They were both drafted in 2003 but Taylor has the better overall stats to the surprise of many.

Taylor has 481 tackles, 99 pass defenses and 11 interceptions in 125 starts . Nnamdi Asomugha has 310 tackles, 54 pass defenses ,and 11 interceptions in 122 starts. Not to mention that Taylor has played in numerous playoff games and 3 Super Bowls, winning 2 . While Asomugha has yet to even play in a playoff game or on a winning team.

I think Harris is right on the money in his article. Ike Taylor is the more complete cornerback of the two and may be the most complete in the NFL.

My point is no cornerback is better suited to play in the Steelers defense than Ike Taylor. The Steelers have groomed Ike Taylor for this position since day one. Dick LeBeau's defense is a complex one and can not be picked up over night. Ike Taylor knows this defense better then any other cornerback . Its what he has been taught since being drafted in 2003.

For all the people who think that the Steelers can just pick up another cornerback and plug him right in, they are sadly mistaken. Not to mention the leadership and consistency the Steelers would lose if Taylor leaves.

Taylor has yet to miss a game because of injury in his career. He also contributes on special teams and is probably the best tackling cornerback against the run in the NFL. He has successfully covered the best receivers that the NFL has to offer and shows no signs of slowing down at age 31. Taylor is a workout warrior and works out nearly year round . It also doesn't hurt that Ike Taylor has a very close relationship to owner Dan Rooney.

It will take some give and take by both Ike Taylor and the Steelers organization. Taylor has to realize he is 31 and time is not on his side. The Steelers have to know that Taylor still gives them their best shot at winning another championship in the near future.

In the end both Taylor and the Steelers have to realize that they are the best situation for one another. Ike Taylor's best as a Steeler and the Steelers are best keeping Ike Taylor. Let's hope they both realize that they are “Taylor Made” for one another before its too late. I think they will.

I hope you enjoyed my latest post and please vote on my Ike Taylor Poll. Don't be afraid to leave a comment. I like to hear what Steeler Nation is thinking! You can also follow me on twitter @STEELERSNSTUFF   Thanks for reading and spread the word about the blog!

Later Steeler Nation !     Steeler Nation 4 life!