Ike Taylor's value increases in Pittsburgh

[MadSteel]

The Pittsburgh Steelers may not admit it, but the urgency to re-sign top cornerback Ike Taylor probably increased this past weekend.

Taylor is Pittsburgh's biggest unrestricted free agent this offseason, and the team failed to land a top-rated cornerback in the NFL draft. The Steelers filled other needs in the first and second round before addressing the position.

The Steelers picked Texas cornerback Curtis Brown in the third round and Citadel corner Cortez Allen in the fourth round. Pittsburgh feels both players have potential. But based on their draft status, it's rare for a rookie taken in the middle rounds to be ready to start right away for a Super Bowl contender.

If Taylor is re-signed, this would help the transition of the younger corners. Similar to last year, Taylor and Bryant McFadden would be the starters for the Steelers, while young corners like Brown, Allen, Crezdon Butler and Keenan Lewis can compete for backup roles.

But the going rate for free-agent cornerbacks are extremely high this offseason. Oakland Raiders corner Stanford Routt recently signed a deal averaging $10 million per season, which could set the market for free agents like Taylor and Johnathan Joseph of the Cincinnati Bengals.

With those kind numbers being thrown around, there's no guarantee Taylor will return to the Steelers. If that's the case, one of Pittsburgh's inexperienced corners might have to step up into a starting role in 2011.

[url="http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/27263/ike-taylors-value-increases-in-pittsburgh"]http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_ ... pittsburgh[/url]

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Re: Ike Taylor's value increases in Pittsburgh

If Routt got $10 million per, what will Ike expect?

I know the "reports" have been "positive," but I'm not going to be surprised if we lose him.

[Shawn]

Re: Ike Taylor's value increases in Pittsburgh

If Routt got $10 million per, what will Ike expect?

I know the "reports" have been "positive," but I'm not going to be surprised if we lose him.

I do not see the Steelers paying 10 million per season let alone more. So, yes I expect Ike to be gone.

[feltdizz]

Re: Ike Taylor's value increases in Pittsburgh

If Routt got $10 million per, what will Ike expect?

I know the "reports" have been "positive," but I'm not going to be surprised if we lose him.

I don't see how the market and our recent additions are a positive when it comes to resigning Ike.

[Chadman]

Re: Ike Taylor's value increases in Pittsburgh

THe Steelers rarely lose a player they want to keep- so if the Steelers want Ike back, here's betting they'll find a way, so long as Ike doesn't price himself out of the market.

At what point does a player salary outweigh his contribution to them team?

[Shawn]

Re: Ike Taylor's value increases in Pittsburgh

THe Steelers rarely lose a player they want to keep- so if the Steelers want Ike back, here's betting they'll find a way, so long as Ike doesn't price himself out of the market.

At what point does a player salary outweigh his contribution to them team?

This is where I think the Steelers might get stuck. Will they want to sign Ike to a 5 year 50 million+ deal. How often do they break the bank for guys who are 30+ especially on long term contracts? They might be willing to work out a 3 year contract with those kind of numbers. Will that be enough for Ike?

[Chadman]

Re: Ike Taylor's value increases in Pittsburgh

So the question is Shawn- at what point is Ike 'expendable'?

Routt priced himself out of his contribution to his team- but the dumby Raiders paid it. More the fools them.

Chadman would think that Ike is worth similar money without pricing himself above his contribution. If he looks to go higher, the Steelers will probably let him be someone else's overpriced FA. And then they'll go & get a better price/contribution fit elsewhere.

Does losing Ike Taylor condemn the Steelers to a 'useless' season? Do we have so little faith that the coaches can't find an alterntive?

[Shawn]

Re: Ike Taylor's value increases in Pittsburgh

So the question is Shawn- at what point is Ike 'expendable'?

Routt priced himself out of his contribution to his team- but the dumby Raiders paid it. More the fools them.

Chadman would think that Ike is worth similar money without pricing himself above his contribution. If he looks to go higher, the Steelers will probably let him be someone else's overpriced FA. And then they'll go & get a better price/contribution fit elsewhere.

Does losing Ike Taylor condemn the Steelers to a 'useless' season? Do we have so little faith that the coaches can't find an alterntive?

I guess my question would be...who is this alternative? Because if it's not Ike, I don't believe the person to be on the roster. Who is the DB gem who is flying under the radar?

[Chadman]

Re: Ike Taylor's value increases in Pittsburgh

Not sure the starting CB's need to be 'stars'. Not even sure Ike IS a star in so much that he fits the Steelers system very well, but other teams may expect more of Taylor than he can actually give. This is still a guy that stands 10 yards off the WR a majority of the snaps. And can't catch.

As for possible replacements that won't break the bank- guys like Eric Wright, Kelly Jennings or Drayton Florence might suit. It's not like the Steelers won't have money to spend on a FA CB- they just probably won't spend way over the worth.

Chadman still thinks Carlos Rogers could fit better than most FA CB's.

[Chadman]

Re: Ike Taylor's value increases in Pittsburgh

Even a guy like Josh Wilson from the Ravens might be useful...

[Shawn]

Re: Ike Taylor's value increases in Pittsburgh

I do think that if we let Ike go, a mid tier signing will be needed. I hope we don't see much of a drop off with those kind of guys. Guess we will find out soon enough.

[Chadman]

Re: Ike Taylor's value increases in Pittsburgh

The good news is- the nickle/dime depth has been improved with Brown & Allen.

While the starting CB's may be a downgrade if Ike leaves, we shouldn't be as exposed when spread out by 3 or 4 WR's either.

The Steelers real pass coverage woes came when more than 2 CB's were on the field.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Ike Taylor's value increases in Pittsburgh

The defenses struggles came more in nickel & dime packages. Our base defense, although the #2 could be upgraded, was not the concern. I feel confident that the sub packages have been upgraded by the selection of Brown & Allen, and possibly the development of Lewis & Butler. How can you not think that any combination of two from above will not be more productive than the combination of Gay & Madison? See what I mean?

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Re: Ike Taylor's value increases in Pittsburgh

In this discussion, let's not forget the need for a FS that can cover. That is Ryan Clark's weak spot, and it needs to be addressed.

[Oviedo]

Re: Ike Taylor's value increases in Pittsburgh

The defenses struggles came more in nickel & dime packages. Our base defense, although the #2 could be upgraded, was not the concern. I feel confident that the sub packages have been upgraded by the selection of Brown & Allen, and possibly the development of Lewis & Butler. How can you not think that any combination of two from above will not be more productive than the combination of Gay & Madison? See what I mean?

Brown and Allen will never see the field except for special teams if LeBeau stays true to form. The lack of a labor agreement and the rookies' inability to get practice time and learn the playbook all but guarantees that.

I continue to hold out hope that Butler can play and I'm pretty certain that Lewis can't.

While there may be some hope for the future, I think 2011 is going to be a very tough year for our secondary. The blueprint on how to attack us is clear. Bad to mediocre teams won't be able to because they lack good QBs but play off caliber teams will probably still be able to pick us apart.