Taylor, Steelers Combine to do the Right Thing

I’ve yelled at Ike Taylor through my television screen as much if not more than any other Steeler over the last decade.

A dropped interception here and a blown coverage there (not always his fault by the way) had me at times wondering if things could possibly get any worse.

Yet today, I couldn’t be more pleased to say that I’m glad Ike Taylor will be in Pittsburgh at least one more year.

Taylor and the Steelers agreed to a one-year $2.75 million deal last evening that saves the organization $4.25 million.

With the release of LaMarr Woodley yesterday and other contract re-structures, the Steelers should be under the cap by roughly $7 million.

In the end, Taylor knew he really didn’t have any leverage. Either take the pay cut or be released. Most likely learning from James Harrison’s situation last year, Taylor took the pay cut and chose to remain a Steeler.

For all of his dropped interceptions, Taylor has been a constant at the cornerback position for the Steelers. He has certainly had his share of ups and downs but every cornerback in this league does.

I anticipate Taylor remaining the starter at one corner while Cortez Allen will hold down the other with William Gay being a possible alternative.

Remaining a Pittsburgh Steeler was important to Taylor and I believe it was important to the organization as well. His relation with Dan Rooney is well-documented and his work ethic is unrivaled. He has stayed true to himself and has never tried to be anything that he wasn’t.

I will continue to scream at Ike Taylor every Sunday but I’ll be a little happier to do so.

Marc Uhlmann writes for and co-owns www.steelcityblitz.com. Follow him on Twitter @steeldad and follow the website at @SCBlitz. He can be heard Mondays on Trib-Live Radio at 730pm ET talking Steelers and is a blogger for ESPN 970 in Pittsburgh.