Ike Taylor

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Ike Taylor
refer to caption
Taylor with the Steelers in 2009
No. 24
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1980-05-05) May 5, 1980 (age 43)
Gretna, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Marion Abramson (New Orleans, Louisiana)
College:Louisiana–Lafayette (2001–2002)
NFL draft:2003 / Round: 4 / Pick: 125
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Pass deflections:
134
Interceptions:14
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Ivan "Ike" Taylor (born May 5, 1980) is a former

2003 NFL Draft, and spent his entire 12-year career in Pittsburgh. He played college football at University of Louisiana at Lafayette
.

He was formerly an analyst for NFL Now and other shows on the NFL Network.[1]

Early life

Ike was born in Gretna, Louisiana, which is located just across the Mississippi river from New Orleans.[2] As a child, he moved with his mother, Cora, to Raleigh, North Carolina, but he returned to Louisiana as a seventh-grader to live with his uncle and aunt, Herman and Judy Francois, in Harvey, Louisiana.[3][4] He attended Marion Abramson Senior High School in New Orleans where he played football and basketball.[5] In high school, he played running back, defensive end, cornerback and placekicker.[5]

College career

Taylor attended college at University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he majored in psychology, but he was academically ineligible to play football his first two years.[6] He joined the football team as a walk on in 2001, earning a scholarship prior to the season. In his first season, he played tailback and special teams and returned kicks.[5]

Prior to his senior season, Taylor asked to be moved to cornerback.[6] He started the season at the right cornerback spot and recorded 46 tackles, eight passes defensed and two forced fumbles. In four games, he did not allow an opponent to catch a ball.[5] Among his college teammates was Charles Tillman who was drafted by the Chicago Bears.[3]

Professional career

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Taylor in the fourth round (125th overall) in the

NFL coaches and general managers still failed to see his potential.[4][6] At the time of the selection, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer Mark Madden claimed Taylor was the worst pick in history.[10]

2003

On May 28, 2003, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Taylor to a three-year, $1.18 million contract that included a signing bonus of $275,000.[11][12]

Throughout training camp, he competed against Chidi Iwuoma to be the fourth cornerback on the depth chart. Head coach Bill Cowher named Taylor the fourth cornerback on the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Chad Scott, Dewayne Washington, and Deshea Townsend.[13][14] He was also given kick return duties by special teams coordinator Kevin Spencer.

He made his professional regular season debut in the

Cleveland Browns in Week 12.[15] He remained at nickelback for the remainder of the season after Chad Scott was placed on injured reserve due to a torn flexor tendon in his right hand.[16] He completed his rookie season in 2003 with 32 combined tackles (26 solo) and three pass deflections in 16 games and one start.[17] Taylor also had 37 kick returns for 831-yards (22.46 YPR).[18]

2004

During training camp, Taylor competed for a role as a backup cornerback against Ricardo Colclough, Terry Fair, Chidi Iwuoma, and Shane Walton.[19][20] Head coach Bill Cowher named Taylor the fifth cornerback on the depth chart to start the 2004 season, behind Deshea Townsend, Chad Scott, Willie Williams, and Ricardo Colclough.[21]

On October 3, 2004, Taylor recorded a tackle and made his first career interception off a pass by

New England Patriots in Week 8.[22] Taylor finished his second season with 16 combined tackles (ten solo), four pass deflections, and an interception in 13 games and one start.[17] He also had 12 kick returns for 184-yards.[24]

The

New York Jets in the AFC Divisional Round.[22] The Pittsburgh Steelers were eliminated the following week after losing 41–27 to the New England Patriots who went on to win Super Bowl XXXIX.[22]

2005

In 2005, Taylor competed for a job as a starting cornerback against Chad Scott, Willie Williams, Ricardo Colclough, and Bryant McFadden.[25] Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau named Taylor the starting cornerback to begin the regular season, alongside Deshea Townsend.[26]

He started in the

Baltimore Ravens in Week 8.[27] He finished the 2005 season with a career-high 91 combined tackles (75 solo), a career-high 23 pass deflections, and an interception in 16 games and 15 starts.[17]

The Pittsburgh Steelers finished second in the AFC North with an 11–5 record. On January 8, 2006, Taylor started his first career playoff game and recorded three solo tackles and deflected two passes during the Steelers' 31–17 victory at the

Seattle Seahawks 21–10.[5][27]

2006

On September 3, 2006, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Taylor to a four-year, $22.5 million contract that included a signing bonus of $6.4 million. The contract made Taylor the highest paid cornerback in franchise history and would tie him to the Steelers through 2010.[28]

Taylor entered training camp slated as a starting cornerback and was officially named a starter to begin the season, along with Deshea Townsend. He started the

Denver Broncos in Week 9.[29] Prior to his benching, Taylor routinely covered the opponent's top receiver man-to-man.[30] He finished the game as their fourth cornerback and recorded six solo tackles and three pass deflections.[31] Head coach Bill Cowher officially demoted Taylor to being the third cornerback on the depth chart in favor of Bryant McFadden in Week 12.[32] He finished the season with 69 combined tackles (60 solo), 15 pass deflections, and two interceptions in 16 games and 11 starts.[17]

2007

Head coach

Baltimore Ravens in Week 17.[35] Taylor completed the 2007 season with 80 combined tackles (69 solo), 16 pass deflections, three interceptions, a sack, and a touchdown in 16 games and 16 starts.[17]

The Pittsburgh Steelers finished first in the

Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Wildcard Game.[35]
His interception marked his third consecutive playoff game with a pick.

2008

Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau retained Taylor and Townsend as the starting cornerbacks to begin the 2008 regular season.

Tennessee Titans in Week 16.[37] He finished the season with 65 combined tackles (50 solo), 14 pass deflections, and an interception in 16 games and 16 starts.[17]

The

Arizona Cardinals.[37]

2009

Head coach Mike Tomlin named Taylor a starting cornerback to begin the regular season, along with

Miami Dolphins in Week 17. During the game, Taylor made a helmet-to-helmet hit on Miami Dolphins quarterback Pat White which rendered White unconscious. White was carted off the field, but did not appear to sustain any long-term damage from the hit.[39] He finished the 2009 season with 62 combined tackles (53 solo), 13 pass deflections, a sack, and an interception in 16 games and 16 starts.[17]

2010

Taylor entered training camp slated as the No. 1 cornerback after the Steelers chose not to re-sign Deshea Townsend. Head coach Mike Tomlin officially named him the starter to begin the regular season, alongside Bryant McFadden and nickelback William Gay.[40]

He started in the

Baltimore Ravens in Week 13. The sack became the third sack of his career.[42] He finished the season with 66 combined tackles (52 solo), 11 pass deflections, two interceptions, and a sack in 16 games and 16 starts.[17]

The Pittsburgh Steelers finished atop The AFC North with a 12–4 record, clinching a first round bye and home-field advantage. The Steelers reached the Super Bowl after defeating the Baltimore Ravens 31–24 in the AFC Divisional Round and won the AFC Championship during a 24–19 win against the

Green Bay Packers 31–25.[43]

2011

On July 29, 2011, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Taylor to a four-year, $28 million contract with $15.15 million guaranteed.

Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13.[46] Taylor completed the 2011 season with 44 combined tackles (34 solo), 14 pass deflections, and two interceptions in 16 games and 16 starts.[17]

The

overtime where the Broncos received possession after winning the coin toss. On the first play in overtime, Taylor was beat on a post route by Demaryius Thomas and gave up an 80-yard touchdown pass by quarterback Tim Tebow.[47]

2012

On February 10, 2012, the Pittsburgh Steelers restructured Taylor's contract in order to free up salary cap space and converted $4.95 million of his base salary into a signing bonus. The maneuver freed up $3.28 million in cap space in future seasons.[48]

Taylor entered training camp entrenched as the No. 1 starting cornerback. Head coach Mike Tomlin officially named him the starter to begin the regular season, opposite

Baltimore Ravens in Week 12. His injury sidelined him for five games (Weeks 13–17) and also ended his eight-year, 136-game streak that extended back to 2004.[50] He finished with 32 combined tackles (25 solo), 13 pass deflections, and an interception in 12 games and 12 starts.[17]

2013

Head coach Mike Tomlin retained Taylor as a starting cornerback to begin the season, along with Cortez Allen.

Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. In Week 15, he collected a season-high seven combined tackles and two pass deflections in the Steelers' 30–20 victory at the Cincinnati Bengals.[52] Taylor finished the 2013 season with 63 combined tackles (52 solo) and 12 pass deflections in 16 games and 16 starts.[17]

2014

Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau retained Taylor and Allen as the starting cornerback duo in 2014.[53] On September 21, 2014, Taylor broke his right forearm during a 37–19 victory at the

Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14. He was inactive for the last three games of the regular season (Weeks 15–17) after sustaining a shoulder injury.[55] He completed the 2014 season with 16 combined tackles (11 solo) and two pass deflections in five games and five starts.[17]

2015

On April 14, 2015, Taylor announced his retirement.[56]

NFL career statistics

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sack Sfty PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds TD
2003 PIT 16 1 32 26 6 0.0 0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2004 PIT 13 1 16 10 6 0.0 0 4 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2005 PIT 16 15 91 75 16 0.0 0 20 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 2 8 0
2006 PIT 16 11 69 61 8 0.0 0 12 2 34 17.0 34 0 0 1 0 0
2007 PIT 16 16 80 69 11 1.0 0 16 3 56 18.7 51 1 1 1 0 0
2008 PIT 16 16 65 50 15 0.0 0 15 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009 PIT 16 16 62 53 9 1.0 0 13 1 20 20.0 20 0 0 1 1 0
2010 PIT 16 15 66 52 14 1.0 0 11 2 9 4.5 9 0 1 0 0 0
2011 PIT 16 16 44 34 10 0.0 0 14 2 29 14.5 29 0 0 0 0 0
2012 PIT 12 12 32 25 7 0.0 0 13 1 3 3.0 3 0 0 0 0 0
2013 PIT 16 16 63 52 11 0.0 0 12 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2014 PIT 5 5 16 11 5 0.0 0 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 174 140 636 518 118 3.0 0 134 14 151 10.8 51 1 2 5 9 0

[57]

NFL Network

On August 13, 2015, he was added to NFL Network as an analyst for NFL Media, appearing primarily on NFL Now as well as NFL Network shows such as The Top 100 Players.[58] On December 12, 2017, he, along with Marshall Faulk and Heath Evans, was suspended from the NFL Network after sexual harassment accusations against them were made.[59]

Personal life

Taylor makes his off-season home in his native New Orleans.[5] He trains with Tom Shaw in his Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction and Quickness (SPARQ) Training Program, primarily at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.[60]

Each summer since 2005 Taylor has run the FaceMeIke Football Camp in New Orleans for local youth.[61][62]

On December 1, 2023, Ike's son, Ivan Taylor, committed to play college football for Notre Dame.[63]

References

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  2. The Times-Picayune. Archived
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  3. ^ a b c Bendel, Joe (October 25, 2005). "There's a lot to like about Ike". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  4. ^ a b Reiter, Ben (October 16, 2006). "Saying Uncle: Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor credits his success to hare-raising workouts and the man who devised them". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Steelers bio". Retrieved March 29, 2010.
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  8. ^ "Ike Taylor stats". databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on February 11, 2009. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
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  10. ^ Mark Madden (April 30, 2003). "Mark's Madness: Steelers make history with worst draft pick ever". old.post-gazette.com. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
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  50. ^ Cooling, Neal (September 3, 2011). "Ike Taylor Injury: Fibula injury could keep Steelers cornerback out 2-6 weeks". behindthesteelcurtain.com. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
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  54. ^ Loop, Nate (November 25, 2014). "Ike Taylor Injury: Updates on Steelers CB's Arm and Return". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  55. ^ Wells, Adam (January 3, 2015). "Ike Taylor Injury: Updates on Steelers CB's Shoulder, Knee and Return". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
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  57. ^ "Ike Taylor NFL stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  58. ^ "Ike Taylor signs with the NFL Network". August 14, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  59. ^ Bonesteel, Matt (December 12, 2017). "NFL Network suspends Marshall Faulk, Ike Taylor, Heath Evans over sexual harassment claims". Retrieved December 12, 2017 – via washingtonpost.com.
  60. ^ Dulac, Gerry (September 11, 2009). "Titans' Johnson put an all-world move on Taylor in '08 matchup in Tennessee". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  61. The Times-Picayune. Archived
    from the original on September 1, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  62. ^ "FaceMeIke YouthFootballCamp". Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  63. ^ Baumgartner, Blake (December 1, 2023). "Notre Dame gets commitment from 4-star CB Ivan Taylor". ESPN. Retrieved December 1, 2023.

External links

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