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See You Ike: Why There Will Be No Tears Shed When the Pittsburgh Steelers Fail to Sign Ike Taylor
AUTHOR: Craig
From m.browsebiography.com
I guess ‘fail’ is too strong a word of negative connotations towards the Steelers to use when Ike Taylor finally signs with another NFL team this year. I would describe it more as a ‘choice.’ There’s been a strong outcry from many in the media and across the Nation that the Steelers defense is scuuuhhhrewwwd if Taylor discontinues being a part of this team. But if Taylor really wants to stay, he’ll stay won’t he?
With free agency on the horizon now that the lockout appears to be nearing its long and drawn out end, Taylor is beginning to voice his feelings on the matter. In an article on NBC Sports Pro Football Talk Mike Florio reports that Ike is hinting towards his indifference on continuing and potentially finishing his career in Pittsburgh.
I see myself being anywhere I need to be. Wherever you put me, I’m going to make home….I just leave it up to my agent and Pittsburgh.When it comes down to getting serious, I’m sure my agent is going to call me. Other than that, he’ll let me know when the time is right. ~ Ike Taylor
See, its words like those that do not instill any kind of confidence that Face Me will be lining up for the Steelers next season. Taylor is already envisioning himself as what it would be like to play for another team in another city. And even though the Steelers ‘say’ they would love to have Taylor returning, they have a consistent track record with how they deal with free agents – avoid bidding wars.
Taylor’s words are either going to fall on deaf ears at the front office or they are only stacking a case against the Steelers making an offer Taylor would even consider. I don’t believe the FO feels threatened by Taylor’s outward position of ‘I’m going to test the market for my worth.’ His attitude is poor and is not making the FO’s heart swoon during this offseason.
The cornerback said in an interview on Jim Rome is Burning back in May:
“I need that market value. I work so hard. I’ve been through so much, I feel so unappreciated, feel so underrated at my position, I feel like it’s my time to get my worth, in whatever city that’s in.”
Unappreciated? By whom? Underrated? Ike, you may be pretty good, but you don’t instill fear in receivers or offensive coordinators around the league. You are getting paid as ‘pretty darn good.’ Just because you are the best on a team, does not mean you are the best in the league. You got paid $22.5 million over 5 years with a $6.4 million signing bonus – that same season you were benched. Benched. What super kick ass corner gets benched in their career? Sounds like you’ve had your worth over those 5 years. I like Ike – he IS very good and plays hard. And, he cares deeply about winning the small battles on the field as much as the bigger battle to get to the Super Bowl.
Testing the market will probably work out well for him, but mainly because there is such a need at corner this year by many teams.
Let’s look back at a guy who did a hometown discount and it worked well for him – Jerome Bettis. Here is a player that was loved by Steelers Nation and admired by his teammates and coaches. Bettis was a hard worker, a damn good player and well liked.
And, he knew a championship team when he saw one. Bettis realized that the Steelers gave him the best chance to win that elusive Super Bowl before he retired. And so, he took less money.
Ike already has two Super Bowl rings with the team. He has that claim. He’s taken less money before, and now that he’s earned those championships, he wants the paycheck to go along with the bling. Even though the Steelers probably have one of the better chances of making it back over the next several years, he still wants the money instead.
What he doesn’t realize is that he’s made his worth here in Pittsburgh – 8 seasons with the Steelers, numerous AFC championships and two Super Bowl victories. Taylor is admired by his teammates and adored by many in The Nation. In fact, he’s so admired that his free agency has created quite a fuss. What Taylor fails to realize is that he could end his career as a Steeler and be beloved by Steelers Nation forever and always.
Taylor reminds me of someone from back in 2007. This person said at one point:
I’ve done my piece. I’ve done my time. I’ve done everything I can for this organization. I’ve lived and breathed Steeler football for nine years and gave them everything I’ve had and helped them win a Super Bowl. In my mind, I’ve earned the right to be treated fairly.
Who said that??? Alan Faneca. Faneca did not make nice with the FO several times during that offseason. He wanted the money, but didn’t get the offer. So, he signed with the Jets and got his huge contract. He lasted two more years in the NFL. Being cut by the Jets, then signing with the Cardinals. He also missed out on another Steeler Super Bowl ring. When he retired, many said that they wished he kept a better attitude during that offseason and finished his career as a Steeler. Many say good riddance – hmmm, not so admired forever and always…
Things don’t look well for Ike Taylor and his options for returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers. I will be very surprised if he returns. I think the Steelers are emotionally prepared for that. Fans should do the same. No tears. For his sake, I hope that Face Me Ike doesn’t end up like former teammate Faneca. Then again, when you allow your loyalties to hit the free market over being a Pittsburgh Steeler, deep down I hope that he signs with the Raiders…
[url="http://nicepickcowher.com/2011/06/26/see-you-ike-why-there-will-be-no-tears-shed-when-the-pittsburgh-steelers-fail-to-sign-ike-taylor/"]http://nicepickcowher.com/2011/06/26/se ... ke-taylor/[/url]
AUTHOR: Craig
From m.browsebiography.com
I guess ‘fail’ is too strong a word of negative connotations towards the Steelers to use when Ike Taylor finally signs with another NFL team this year. I would describe it more as a ‘choice.’ There’s been a strong outcry from many in the media and across the Nation that the Steelers defense is scuuuhhhrewwwd if Taylor discontinues being a part of this team. But if Taylor really wants to stay, he’ll stay won’t he?
With free agency on the horizon now that the lockout appears to be nearing its long and drawn out end, Taylor is beginning to voice his feelings on the matter. In an article on NBC Sports Pro Football Talk Mike Florio reports that Ike is hinting towards his indifference on continuing and potentially finishing his career in Pittsburgh.
I see myself being anywhere I need to be. Wherever you put me, I’m going to make home….I just leave it up to my agent and Pittsburgh.When it comes down to getting serious, I’m sure my agent is going to call me. Other than that, he’ll let me know when the time is right. ~ Ike Taylor
See, its words like those that do not instill any kind of confidence that Face Me will be lining up for the Steelers next season. Taylor is already envisioning himself as what it would be like to play for another team in another city. And even though the Steelers ‘say’ they would love to have Taylor returning, they have a consistent track record with how they deal with free agents – avoid bidding wars.
Taylor’s words are either going to fall on deaf ears at the front office or they are only stacking a case against the Steelers making an offer Taylor would even consider. I don’t believe the FO feels threatened by Taylor’s outward position of ‘I’m going to test the market for my worth.’ His attitude is poor and is not making the FO’s heart swoon during this offseason.
The cornerback said in an interview on Jim Rome is Burning back in May:
“I need that market value. I work so hard. I’ve been through so much, I feel so unappreciated, feel so underrated at my position, I feel like it’s my time to get my worth, in whatever city that’s in.”
Unappreciated? By whom? Underrated? Ike, you may be pretty good, but you don’t instill fear in receivers or offensive coordinators around the league. You are getting paid as ‘pretty darn good.’ Just because you are the best on a team, does not mean you are the best in the league. You got paid $22.5 million over 5 years with a $6.4 million signing bonus – that same season you were benched. Benched. What super kick ass corner gets benched in their career? Sounds like you’ve had your worth over those 5 years. I like Ike – he IS very good and plays hard. And, he cares deeply about winning the small battles on the field as much as the bigger battle to get to the Super Bowl.
Testing the market will probably work out well for him, but mainly because there is such a need at corner this year by many teams.
Let’s look back at a guy who did a hometown discount and it worked well for him – Jerome Bettis. Here is a player that was loved by Steelers Nation and admired by his teammates and coaches. Bettis was a hard worker, a damn good player and well liked.
And, he knew a championship team when he saw one. Bettis realized that the Steelers gave him the best chance to win that elusive Super Bowl before he retired. And so, he took less money.
Ike already has two Super Bowl rings with the team. He has that claim. He’s taken less money before, and now that he’s earned those championships, he wants the paycheck to go along with the bling. Even though the Steelers probably have one of the better chances of making it back over the next several years, he still wants the money instead.
What he doesn’t realize is that he’s made his worth here in Pittsburgh – 8 seasons with the Steelers, numerous AFC championships and two Super Bowl victories. Taylor is admired by his teammates and adored by many in The Nation. In fact, he’s so admired that his free agency has created quite a fuss. What Taylor fails to realize is that he could end his career as a Steeler and be beloved by Steelers Nation forever and always.
Taylor reminds me of someone from back in 2007. This person said at one point:
I’ve done my piece. I’ve done my time. I’ve done everything I can for this organization. I’ve lived and breathed Steeler football for nine years and gave them everything I’ve had and helped them win a Super Bowl. In my mind, I’ve earned the right to be treated fairly.
Who said that??? Alan Faneca. Faneca did not make nice with the FO several times during that offseason. He wanted the money, but didn’t get the offer. So, he signed with the Jets and got his huge contract. He lasted two more years in the NFL. Being cut by the Jets, then signing with the Cardinals. He also missed out on another Steeler Super Bowl ring. When he retired, many said that they wished he kept a better attitude during that offseason and finished his career as a Steeler. Many say good riddance – hmmm, not so admired forever and always…
Things don’t look well for Ike Taylor and his options for returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers. I will be very surprised if he returns. I think the Steelers are emotionally prepared for that. Fans should do the same. No tears. For his sake, I hope that Face Me Ike doesn’t end up like former teammate Faneca. Then again, when you allow your loyalties to hit the free market over being a Pittsburgh Steeler, deep down I hope that he signs with the Raiders…
[url="http://nicepickcowher.com/2011/06/26/see-you-ike-why-there-will-be-no-tears-shed-when-the-pittsburgh-steelers-fail-to-sign-ike-taylor/"]http://nicepickcowher.com/2011/06/26/se ... ke-taylor/[/url]
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