The dictionary.cambridge.org defines the ”X” factor as: “a quality that you cannot describe that makes someone very special.” During this era of professional sports where players miss entire seasons because of a hangnail (I am exaggerating now), or a stubbed toe (I am no longer exaggerating) is as common as a fat NFL signing bonus. A few of the so-called National Football League’s “marquee” athletes have physiques like Hercules, but often display hearts of Chihuahuas’.
After 12 years patrolling the NFL secondary for the Pittsburgh Steelers, cornerback Ivan “Ike” Taylor recently rode off into the glory of “Steeler-land.”
I don’t like the word retired for anyone under 40. T
here are some that are of the opinion that Ike Taylor; “as a player was very good but not great,” but for over a decade Ivan “Ike” Taylor brought a combination of size, speed and last but certainly not least the heart and psyche of one of the most fierce and feared cornerbacks that ever played in the NFL.
Good but not great, let’s hit rewind for a moment. On January 16, 2006 the Steelers were in Indianapolis to face the Colts in a wild card playoff game. Pittsburgh was clinging to a 21-18 lead with 1:20 remaining and all they had to do was hold onto the football and if all else failed, attempt a field goal that if successful would force Indy to drive the length of the field, score a touchdown, and convert the extra point to advance to the AFC title game. However, Colts linebacker Gary Brackett’s hit loosened the ball from the usually sure handed Pittsburgh Hall-of-Fame bound running back Jerome Bettis at the I yard line and cornerback Nick Harper snatched it up “broke camp” heading straight for the Steelers end zone.
Only quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s game saving tackle at the Colts 42 saved Pittsburgh from disaster. Remember these words, good but not great. Ike played a great game especially during the final Indy drive of that game and was one of the reasons that Peyton Manning had difficulty finding an open receiver and not having a lot of time to wait for a wide out to get open.
There were a few times that NFL quarterbacks may not have seemed too concerned about being picked by Ike because interceptions may not have been Taylor’s strong suit. However, many of the top wide receivers in the NFL over the past eight or nine years, fretted and were frustrated on a regular basis about his “Elmer’s glue” coverage and their lack of production when they were faced with the prospect of having to line up against one of the greatest corners in the storied history of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It has often been said that: “offense will get you to the postseason but defense will place you in the winner’s circle.”
Ike Taylor won two Super Bowls and could have easily won a third if not for a few untimely turnovers by the Steelers offense against the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV.
The Pittsburgh Steelers recognized the “X” factor and selected Taylor in the fourth round in the 2003 NFL draft though he was relatively inexperienced. Pittsburgh based their decision to select him on his tall lanky physique and his raw unbridled speed.
Ike’s uncle Herman Francois, who Taylor lived with during and after his adolescent years, recognized his potential years before anyone could consider Ike performing on a professional level. “Around the age of six, I started to notice that he had physical abilities that you don’t often see in a six year old,” Francois said.
“Just the way that he would be outside playing with the other kids, he always seemed to be a little faster. He had a presence and a physical gift that was just different than other kids. He was always a smart athlete, even from his younger years, that was another thing that made him stand out.”
Francois also recalled watching Ike evolve and grow as an athlete and a person. “In high school the coach had Ike playing defensive end up until he started his college career as well as wide receiver. He even was a place kicker,” Francois said voice gushing with pride.
“As far as football is concerned Ike was a complete athlete.”
Regarding Ike as a person Francois pointed out that it was and is all about love. “He was one of the favorite kids in the family. He rarely got in trouble as a kid. Everybody loved Ike and he returned the love. One of the reasons that he was successful in Pittsburgh for so long was because he fit into the Rooney’s system as a person and a player. He was not a troublemaker as a person and he was not selfish as a player. He loved the Rooney family and they loved him in return.”
Good but not great. If Ike Taylor could have used the “bump and run” techniques employed by the great defensive backs of the past, opposing quarterbacks would have been crying in each other’s beer.
Go research the numbers for yourself. I consider the lack of interceptions by Taylor as a non-factor because based on his “blanket coverage” on wide receivers chances are many QB’s of yesteryear would have steered clear of #24 if he could manhandle a receiver all the way down the field until the ball was thrown.
When it is all said and done as far as cornerbacks go, I’ve said this once before and it bears repeating. Defensively Heinz Field may very well be; ‘the house that Ike built’.
(The sources for this article were .pro-football-reference.com, espn.com and wikipedia.com) Aubrey
Bruce can be reached at: abruce@newpittsburghcourier.com or 412.583.6741
He is also a contributing columnist with urbanmediatoday.com
Follow him on Twitter@ultrascribe
About Post Author
