Ike Taylor

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Pittsburgh Steelers
currentnumber=24
currentposition=Cornerback
birthdate=birth date and age|1980|5|5
birthplace=New Orleans, Louisiana
heightft=6
heightin=1
weight=191
debutyear=2003
debutteam=Pittsburgh Steelers
college=Louisiana-Lafayette
draftyear=2003
draftround=4
draftpick=125
pastteams=
* Pittsburgh Steelers (2003-Present)
highlights=
* Super Bowl XL champion
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=288
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=1.0
statlabel3=INTs
statvalue3=7
nfl=TAY288150

Ivan "Ike" Taylor (born May 5, 1980 in New Orleans) is a defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. He played college football at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and was drafted by the Steelers in the fourth round (125th overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft.

College career

Taylor played college football at the University of Louisiana where he recorded 49 tackles in two seasons. He majored in psychology.

Professional career

Pittsburgh Steelers

Taylor was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round (125th overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft. During the 2006 NFL Playoffs he had key interception during the second quarter of the AFC Championship which led to a touchdown that opened a 24-3 lead over the Denver Broncos Also, in Super Bowl XL, he had an interception which stopped a critical Seattle Seahawks drive and helped seal the game for the Steelers, who won 21-10. Taylor has been acclaimed for allowing only two touchdown receptions and having a low completion percentage of 53% despite being thrown at 112 times in 2005. He is usually assigned to cover the opposing teams best receiver. During the offseason, Taylor trains with Tom Shaw in his Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction and Quickness Training Program.

In October 2007, Ike received a nomination for GMC Defensive Player of the Week after a stellar performance against the Seattle Seahawks. Ike had a recorded five tackles (three solo) and one interception in the Steelers’ 21-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Taylor’s second-quarter interception on the goal line stopped the Seahawks’ best chances of scoring all game. Taylor was part of a defense that limited the Seahawks to only 144 total yards.

Ike won Defensive Player of the Week in October 2007.

Steelers play-by-play announcer Bill Hillgrove refers to him as "I Like Ike" Taylor, especially when Ike makes a big play. Ike is also known by many Steelers fans as "Concrete Ike" because of his inability to catch an interception when the ball goes right to him. At one practice Mike Tomlin sat Ike down and showed the playing film of himself dropping potential interceptions.

He has 288 career tackles and seven interceptions for his career.

External links

* [http://www.facemeike.com IkeTaylor's Official Website at FaceMeIke.com]
* [http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/396097 Ike Taylor at NFL.com]
* [http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=TAYLOIKE01 Ike Taylor at databasefootball.com]
* [http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_388234.html Ike Taylor profile article on pittsburghlive.com]
* [http://news.steelers.com/team/player/49226/ Steelers Player Bio]