Can Ike Taylor Step Up In Time

Ike Taylor has recently returned from injury. Taylor struggled Sunday verses the New Orleans Saints.  This Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals Taylor will once again be assigned to cover a elite receiver in A.J. Green.

Over the past ten seasons Taylor has covered some of the best wide receivers in the game. Players such as Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison, Larry Fitzgerald, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce just to name a few are future hall of famers. Taylor career as a starter has covered receivers one on one for most of any game.  Taylor has proven over his career that he performs well against elite competition. Taylor has never possed great hands with only 13 interceptions. But Taylor who stands at 6’1″ 191 pounds has proven to be great at run support and being physical with wide receivers at the line of scrimmage.

This Sunday Green will be looking to beat Taylor deep on a number of occasions. Taylor’s speed is not what it used to be so technique will be a key factor in this matchup. If Taylor performs well it will seriously limit a above average Bengals offense and allow the defense to blitz quarterback Andy Dalton more. In the month of December Taylor’s play will be vital to the Steelers playoffs chances. With the Steelers pass rush lacking in the past few weeks Talyor ability to cover well will allow defensive coordinator Dick Leabu to be more creative in rushing the quarterback.