Ed Thompson: You have to be excited about how this season is going for
both you and the Pittsburgh Steelers…
Ike Taylor: Oh yeah, I can't complain. Defense is playing well,
offense is playing well.
Thompson: You're on pace to tie your single-season tackles record.
What's going on that's putting you around the ball so much?
Taylor: I'm just playing within the defense. I'm trying to get better
every game, coach put me in some good situations, put the secondary in some good
situations. And we're just taking it from there.
Thompson: You have seven passes defended already despite usually
matching up with the opposing team's number one receiver each week. How do you
feel about going up against that level of talent week after week?
Taylor: That's something you look forward to, it comes with the
territory. That's a challenge week-in and week-out, just trying to be a complete
corner. If I can help my team, that's what I'm going to try to do.
Thompson: You're on pace to set a career best single-season interception
record. Is there anything that's coming easier to you out there or that you're
doing differently?
Taylor: Coach has put me in good
positions. So I just make plays
when I can.
Thompson: Pittsburgh's defense is leading the league in so many
categories, including fewest passing yards allowed. That's a real credit to
what you and that Steelers secondary is accomplishing out there on the field.
What's been the difference this
year?
Taylor: We're hungry. There's really no other big difference.
Everyone just
came in with a little bit different attitude and a sour taste in their mouth
from last year. We have a new coach and we just want to get back to where we were two
years ago.
Thompson: You recovered a fumble against Cleveland last week. Talk about what
happened on that play…
Taylor: I just ran to the ball. Coach always emphasizes run to the
ball, eleven guys to the ball. James Harrison knocked the ball out and I
just picked it up.
Thompson: What did you do that helped you shut down Braylon Edwards,
holding him to just one catch last week?
Taylor: Just a lot of film study. I'm getting wiser and learning a little bit more each and every game we play.
It's just putting it all together and trying to go out there on Sunday and put it on
tape.
Ike Taylor forces a fumble by Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
AP Photo/Paul Connors |
Thompson:Your head coach Mike Tomlin made this comment about you this
week,
"He's willing to do on a day-to-day basis what's needed to become a great
player." You two have obviously connected…
Taylor: Yes sir, from when he got the job I talked to him the first
day. And he told me some things I needed to work on and what he'd expect from me. I
took that in stride and I've just tried to make myself a better person and
better player.
Thompson: With the success of your defense, you and some of your
teammates have to be thinking that you'll get strong consideration for the Pro
Bowl this year.
Taylor: Hopefully the fans (with their votes) will help get me there,
but at the same time, it's my play that has to get me there. But honestly, as
long as we're winning games it really don't matter.
Thompson: You have the Jets this weekend. What's jumping out at you about
their receivers?
Taylor: Laveranues Coles, of course. Their quarterback is bringing
another dimension to the offense — he's a lot
more mobile than we thought he was. We have respect for how they play.
Other
than their game with New England, they've been in just about every game.
Thompson: What about their running attack? What will you have to be watching
for?
Taylor: Big plays. The way they run the ball, they stick their feet in
the ground and get one cut and try to get the big explosion. That's what we
have to work on and understand. Like I said, the film shows how many games
they've been in.
Thompson: Is there anything you'd like to pass on to the Steelers fans
at this point in the season?
Taylor: I want to tell everyone, for the Steelers and myself, I love
you all. The Steelers nation is a big nation and worldwide. I heard about
it before I came to Pittsburgh, but now I've seen
in person how many fans we have. And I just want them to know I appreciate it.
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