News: Pittsburgh placed defensive back Ike Taylor (ankle) on injured reserve Wednesday. Taylor was injured Week 13 against Baltimore. He is done with a right fibula injury.
Analysis: Taylor had not missed a game since 2004 before sitting out with his injury. Now, his season is officially over with one game left to play. The veteran only had 32 tackles on the year to go along with one pick and was considered a low-end option in deeper IDP formats.
News: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday cornerback Ike Taylor will be "out at least a couple weeks" because of a right ankle fracture. Cortez Allen will start in Taylor's absence,
Analysis: Taylor has been a symbol of durability for Steelers. He has started 135 straight games, but that streak will end Week 14. Taylor is one of those players that is more important to his real team than Fantasy owners. He has marginal Fantasy appeal when healthy.
News: Steelers defensive back Ike Taylor left Week 13 against the Ravens with a right fibula injury. Taylor suffered the injury in the first quarter of the 23-20 win and could miss up to 2-6 weeks with his ailment, according to multiple sources.
Analysis: Taylor hasn't missed a game since 2004, but that streak appears to be over now. Still, the veteran only has 32 tackles on the year to go along with one pick and should be considered merely a low-end option in deeper formats when healthy.
News: Pittsburgh defensive back Ike Taylor recorded his first interception of the season in the Week 9 win over the Giants in New York Sunday. Taylor picked off an Eli Manning pass in the game and added seven tackles. Four of those tackles came on solo stops for the Steelers in the winning effort.
Analysis: Taylor has recorded just 27 tackles this season so he's not a big-time producer in that department. Seeing as he has no sacks and Sunday was just his first INT of the year, Taylor has low-end Fantasy value in IDP formats.
News: Pittsburgh defensive back Ike Taylor turned in a decent performance during Thursday's Week 6 contest against the Titans. Taylor registered a season-high six tackles, including five solo and also deflected two passes in a 26-23 defeat.
Analysis: Taylor had just 10 tackles entering Thursday's game as he was able to show some productivity for the Steelers in Week 6. He has five pass defended through his first five games and is considered as a low-end option in deeper Fantasy IDP formats heading into Week 7 at Cincinnati.
News: Pittsburgh defensive back Ike Taylor garnered two pass defended but was held without a tackle during the Steelers' 27-10 win over the Jets in Week 2. Taylor has now deflected at least one pass in each of the first two games of the season to go along with two tackles.
Analysis: Taylor's tackle production took a major drop last season and the veteran corner appears to have stumbled to another slow start in that category. But he continues to hover around the ball and has tallied four interceptions that past two seasons. Consider him a low-end option in Fantasy IDP formats despite remaining in the starting lineup.
News: Pittsburgh DB Ike Taylor notched a team-high seven tackles, including six solo stops, during the Steelers' 29-23 loss to Denver in the AFC Wild Card Playoff on Sunday. Taylor, however, failed to take down Demaryius Thomas during his game-winning 80-yard touchdown catch in overtime.
Analysis: Taylor's total matched his highest output during the regular season as the veteran cornerback experienced a sharp drop in production. The 31-year-old managed just 44 tackles with two interceptions, and should be considered a marginal option in Fantasy IDP drafts next season.
News: Steelers DB Ike Taylor recorded his first interception of the season in Week 12 against the Chiefs. Taylor stepped in front of a Tyler Palko interception in the first quarter to squash a Kansas City drive. He finished with four tackles and a pair of passes defended in the 13-9 victory.
Analysis: Taylor has started all 11 games for the Steelers, but up until Sunday hadn't done much. He only has 30 tackles on the season and now an interception to go with them. With the playoffs fast approaching in most leagues, Taylor should only be starting in the deepest of IDP formats heading into Week 13.
News: Steelers DB Ike Taylor (thumb) indicated to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he thinks he will play in the team's opener against the Ravens. Taylor was scheduled to have the pin removed from his injured thumb on Tuesday. When asked if he was playing in Baltimore, he smiled. "That's up to coach (Mike Tomlin)," Taylor said, "but nine times out of nine ..."
Analysis: Taylor has been practicing on a regular basis, but has been doing so with a cast on his arm. He has been dealing with the injury since the team's first preseason game on Aug. 12. Fantasy owners should anticipate him playing without much limitation, though he is just a low-end option in IDP leagues. Taylor underwent surgery on Aug. 18.
News: Steelers CB Ike Taylor deferred to coach Mike Tomlin Monday, who announced a day earlier that he expected Taylor to get a pin removed from his broken left thumb Tuesday and then start Sunday. But Taylor on Monday kept assessing his chances of playing in Baltimore as “nine times out of nine. . . .”
Analysis: Taylor continues to endure the painful healing of a thumb he broke Aug. 12: “I missed, like, two days of practice. Other than that, I’m good. Running with pain, dealing with the pain, you just get your body mentally tough. This is just a different obstacle to me.” Fantasy owners should anticipate him playing without much limitation, though he is just a low-end option in IDP leagues. Taylor underwent surgery on Aug. 18.
News: Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor underwent successful surgery on Tuesday to repair his broken left thumb. Taylor injured the thumb in the first quarter of Pittsburgh's 16-7 loss to the Washington Redskins in the preseason opener last Friday. He had a pin inserted into the hand during Tuesday's procedure, but felt well enough to join his teammates for lunch.
Analysis: Taylor anticipates returning before the Steelers open the regular season at Baltimore on Sept. 11. The 31-year-old Taylor signed a four-year, $28 million contract last month to remain with the Steelers. William Gay will likely start in Taylor's place on Thursday when Pittsburgh hosts Philadelphia at Heinz Field. Taylor is at best a late-round Fantasy option on Draft Day.
News: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said CB Ike Taylor will have surgery on his broken left thumb Tuesday. Taylor sustained the injury early in Friday's preseason loss at Washington. Tomlin was vague on how long Taylor will be sidelined, but the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting approximately three weeks and that Taylor should be ready by the regular-season opener.
Analysis: Taylor is one of the more underrated cornerbacks in the NFL, and he gets lost in the superstars of the Steelers defense at times. He has been a productive tackler over the last six seasons, chipping in with the occasional interception as well. Taylor is good enough to be considered a low-end option in IDP leagues, provided he gets healthy once the season starts. Select him with a late-round pick on Draft Day.
News: Steelers owner Art Rooney II told KDKA-TV that CB Ike Taylor broke his left thumb during the team's preseason game at Washington on Friday. Taylor will likely be able to play by the Sept. 11 opener at Baltimore. And, for a cover guy known for dropping balls and missing chances at INTs, it shouldn’t alter his game.
Analysis: Taylor has the potential to be a usable Fantasy DB but needs to be on the field making tackles to do that. Fantasy owners shouldn't spend anything more than a late pick in the deepest of leagues on Taylor.
News: Multiple sources report the Steelers have agreed to re-sign DB Ike Taylor. The deal is a four-year contract.
Analysis: Taylor has been a staple in the Steelers' secondary for years. He gets a decent amount of tackles and pass defenses, but since Taylor doesn't get a lot of interceptions he has marginal Fantasy appeal on Draft Day.
News: Steelers DB Ike Taylor intercepted QB Drew Brees in the second quarter of the Week 8 game at New Orleans. He was in cover-3 and split the difference between two WRs and baited Brees into throwing it up the seam before he got his hands on it. He added four solo tackles on the night.
Analysis: Taylor is emerging as a good, physical corner in the NFL who is getting much better at defending the pass when the ball is in the air. He could be a Fantasy sleeper moving forward.
News: The Steelers had several players do well on defense Sunday against the Ravens. LB LaMarr Woodley had 10 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. LB James Farrior had eight tackles and an interception. LB James Harrison had five tackles and a forced fumble. DB Ike Taylor had two tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery. DL Ziggy Hood had two tackles and a sack and a fumble recovery.
Analysis: The Steelers have several standout players in IDP leagues. Start all your regulars in Week 17 at Miami.
News: Steelers DB Ike Taylor totaled two assisted tackles and one interception during a Week 14 win against the Cowboys. It was his first pick of the season.
Analysis: Taylor has been a pretty good shutdown corner in 2008, but still doesn't get a lot of interceptions. He remains a low-end Fantasy DB.
News: Steelers DB Ike Taylor set a new career high in 2007 with three interceptions. He also scored a defensive touchdown with one sack and one forced fumble. He also added 80 total tackles (69 solo).
Analysis: Taylor is a No. 3 DB in IDP leagues and should continue to put up solid numbers in 2008.
News: Steelers DB Ike Taylor put an exclamation point on the team's Week 16 win against the Rams with a 51-yard interception return for a touchdown in the final minutes of the game. Taylor finished with five tackles. He now has 71 tackles and three interceptions in 15 games.
Analysis: Taylor is having another solid season, but since he doesn't rack up a lot of interceptions, he is merely a low-end Fantasy DB heading into Week 17 against the Ravens.
News: Steelers DB Ike Taylor's left knee injury, which forced him to miss some of the second half Sunday against Jacksonville, is "really minor," coach Mike Tomlin said.
Analysis: Expect Taylor to play at St. Louis and consider him a No. 3 DB in IDP leagues.
News: Steelers DB Ike Taylor had six tackles Sunday against the Jaguars before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury.
Analysis: Taylor is a No. 3 DB in IDP leagues and is worth using in Week 16 at the Rams if his knee doesn't stop him from playing.
News: Steelers DB Ike Taylor had seven tackles Sunday at New England.
Analysis: Taylor is a No. 3 DB in IDP leagues and should not be used in Week 15 against Jacksonville.
News: Steelers DB Ike Taylor had one tackle but recovered a fumble Sunday against the Browns.
Analysis: Taylor is a No. 2 DB in IDP leagues and is worth starting in all leagues in Week 11 at the Jets.
News: Steelers DB Ike Taylor had five tackles Sunday against the Bengals.
Analysis: Taylor is a No. 2 DB in IDP leagues and should be used in Week 9 against Baltimore.
News: Steelers DB Ike Taylor had five tackles and an interception Sunday against Seattle.
Analysis: Taylor is a No. 2 DB in IDP leagues and is worth using in Week 7 at Denver following the Steelers bye in Week 6.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Steelers CB Ike Taylor is off to a fast start in 2007 under new head coach Mike Tomlin after former coach Bill Cowher benched him last November. Taylor is tied for second on the team with 12 tackles, has a sack and an interception.
Analysis: Taylor might be in for a career year under Tomlin and Fantasy owners need to track his progress. Right now, he is a low-end Fantasy DB, but he might develop into much much.
News: The Steelers allowed 221 yards of total offense and only seven points in Week 1 at Cleveland. LB James Harrison, DB Ike Taylor, DB Ryan Clark, LB James Farrior, LB Clark Haggans and DL Aaron Smith all had a sack. Taylor and DB Deshea Townsend added an interception each. DB William Gay, DB Bryant McFadden, and Smith had a fumble recovery as the Steelers totaled six sacks and five turnovers against the Browns.
Analysis: The Steelers looked good, even if it was against a sub-par offense in Cleveland. They'll look to keep the momentum going in Week 2 vs. Buffalo and remain a must-start defensive unit in all formats.
News: In less than a year, Ike Taylor went from being a Super Bowl star who signed a $22 million contract extension to being on the end of the Pittsburgh Steelers' bench, a cast-off figure in a forgettable season. With a new coach in charge, Taylor is starting again at cornerback - and, in his mind, is back where he belongs. "I didn't drop off in nothing," he said Wednesday. "Not in my confidence at all. It happens like that. Any cornerback can go from the top to the bottom, it happens. The wide receivers get paid to catch the ball, too. That can happen to anybody."
Analysis: Taylor had a disappointing 2006. He dealt with concussions and was benched for poor play. Taylor appeared in 11 games with 69 total tackles (62 solo), two interceptions and 16 passes knocked down. In 2005, he was a monster Fantasywise, so consider him a low-end sleeper that should start the year on the Fantasy bench.
News: Steelers DB Ike Taylor had a disappointing 2006. He dealt with concussions and was benched for poor play. Taylor appeared in 11 games with 69 total tackles (62 solo), two interceptions and 16 passes knocked down. He is excited about new coach Mike Tomlin, who has a strong reputation as a DB coach.
Analysis: "The feeling I had last year, sitting all those games, I don't ever want to have that feeling again," Taylor said. "I know what I can do. Coach told me he knows what I can do. I need to just start dominating." That's good news for Fantasy owners. Consider Taylor a low-end No. 2 DB with the chance to have his stock improve.
News: The Steelers DST had no sacks or turnovers against the Bengals. LB James Farrior had five tackles. DB Troy Polamalu had two tackles. DB Ike Taylor had six tackles. LB Larry Foote had three tackles. LB Joey Porter had one tackle.
Analysis: The Steelers DST will be a low-end No. 1 option in 2007.
News: The Steelers DST had two interceptions and a fumble recovery against the Ravens. DB Troy Polamalu had eight tackles. LB James Farrior had eight tackles. LB Joey Porter had seven tackles. DB Bryant McFadden had five tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception. DB Deshea Townsend had two tackles and an interception. DB Ike Taylor had three tackles. LB Clark Haggans had four tackles.
Analysis: Consider the Steelers a No. 1 DST option for Week 17 against the Bengals and use all regular IDP players as needed.
News: Notable Steelers defenders from Week 15 at Carolina include: LB James Farrior (eight total tackles, sack), LB Larry Foote (five total tackles, sack), DE Aaron Smith (three tackles, sack), DE Brett Keisel (1.5 sacks, three tackles), LB Clark Haggains (three total tackles, one-half sack), CB Ike Taylor (two total tackles, interception) and DB Anthony Smith (two total tackles, interception). LB Joey Porter had one tackle.
Analysis: Of these defenders, Farrior, Foote and Porter are worth using in IDP league play vs. Baltimore in Week 16.
News: Taylor (concussion), who was probable due to a concussion, is active for Week 13 against the Buccaneers.
Analysis: Taylor is not a recommended Fantasy option in most IDP leagues even though he is playing.
News: Steelers WR Willie Reid (foot) is questionable, while LB James Harrison (ankle), WR Sean Morey (toe), LB Joey Porter (elbow), DB Ike Taylor (concussion) and LB Clark Haggans (hip) are listed as probable for Week 13 vs. Tampa Bay.
Analysis: Haggans, Taylor and Porter are the only injured Steelers worth using for Fantasy purposes in Week 13. Both are listed as probable, so they will likely play. It is safe to ignore the other injured players at this time.
News: Notable inactives for Week 12 include: Steelers' QB Brian St. Pierre (No. 3 QB), WR Willie Reid, WR Walter Young, RB Duce Staley and DE Rodney Bailey. CB Ike Taylor has been benched; Deshea Townsend and Bryant McFadden will start. WR Hines Ward is active. For the Ravens, CB David Pittman, CB Derrick Martin, RB P.J. Daniels, RB Cory Ross, WR Devard Darling, TE Daniel Wilcox and DE Dwan Edwards. LB Ray Lewis is active.
Analysis: Keep all inactives benched or off Fantasy rosters in Week 12.
News: The Steelers DST gave up 31 points against Denver. DL Aaron Smith had six tackles and a sack. LB James Farrior had 12 tackles. DB Troy Polamalu had two tackles. LB Joey Porter had three tackles. DB Ike Taylor had five tackles. LB Clark Haggans had eight tackles.
Analysis: The Steelers DST is worth using as a No. 2 DST for Week 10 against New Orleans with the way the Saints offense is playing. Use all IDP players as needed.
News: Steelers DB Ike Taylor (quad) is listed as probable for Week 7 at Atlanta.
Analysis: If you league rewards for pass deflections, then Taylor is about the best Fantasy player on the market for that. Otherwise, he will get you a lot of tackles but the interceptions probably won't be there. Consider him a No. 3 DB or decent bye-week replacement until he provides better stats on a weekly basis.
News: Notable defensive performances for the Steelers in Week 6 include: SS Troy Polamalu (10 total tackles, interception), CB Ike Taylor (six total tackles) and LB James Farrior (six total tackles). Steelers LB Larry Foote had three assisted tackles.
Analysis: All of the above players are strong options in IDP leagues. Keep them active when they play at Atlanta in Week 7.
News: CB Ike Taylor has not played particularly well, but he's still knocking down passes more than anyone on his team with four. Last season he led the NFL with 25 passes defensed.
Analysis: If you league rewards for pass deflections, then Taylor is about the best Fantasy player on the market for that. Otherwise, he will get you a lot of tackles but the interceptions probably won't be there. Consider him a No. 3 DB or decent bye-week replacement until he provides better stats on a weekly basis.
News: CB Ike Taylor had his first interception but he otherwise did not play well for the third consecutive game in Week 3 vs. Cincinnati.
Analysis: Taylor was a stud last season but seems to be on the decline. Consider him a No. 2 or 3 Fantasy DB for now.
News: The Steelers got six sacks, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries against the Bengals. LB Larry Foote had nine tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. DB Deshea Townsend had seven tackles, an interception, sack and fumble recovery. LB Clark Haggans had five tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery. DB Ike Taylor had an interception. DE Aaron Smith had five tackles and a sack. DE Brett Keisel had a sack.
Analysis: Analysis: The Steelers are off in Week 4 and face a tough matchup in Week 5 against San Diego. Still, they create plenty of turnovers and sacks, so start them every week.
News: Steelers CB Ike Taylor is second on the team with 13 solo tackles.
Analysis: Taylor is a good No. 2 CB in all IDP leagues, but he will be tested this week against the Bengals.
News: Cornerback Ike Taylor signed a four-year contract extension Sunday with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a signing that assures the Super Bowl champions that they won't have any unrestricted free agents after this season. Taylor's deal runs through the 2010 season and would be worth $22.5 million if he plays through the final season, plus incentives. He receives $6.4 million in guaranteed money.
Analysis: Taylor, a fourth-round draft pick in 2003, has played in two AFC championship games and one Super Bowl with the Steelers. He also won a starting job over two higher draft picks, Richard Colclough and Bryant McFadden. Consider him a good No. 2 Fantasy DB.
News: CB Ike Taylor, who is a restricted free agent, appears to be heading back to Pittsburgh after not receiving any offer sheets from other NFL clubs. He has officially re-signed his tender offer.
Analysis: Taylor was thrown at a lot last year, which made him a primo Fantasy defensive back. He should be just as busy in 2005, so consider him a good No. 2 Fantasy DB for 2006.
News: Steelers CB Ike Taylor had a mammoth 2005, registering 75 solo tackles, an interception (plus a second in Super Bowl XL), two fumble recoveries and a whopping 23 pass deflections (best in the NFL). He was obviously thrown at a lot in 2005, and made the most of it. He ranked higher than almost every DB in Fantasy leagues. It should come as no surprise that Taylor will be a restricted free agent this offseason.
Analysis: The three-year veteran started 15 of 16 games this season and will certainly have the chance to do it again in 2006. However, don't expect him to walk away with 20-plus pass deflections in '06. Consider him a good No. 2 Fantasy DB.
