Need a Laugh? Check Out this Column Comparing Ike Taylor to Nnamdi Asomugha
By Jason McIntyre
"According to the numbers, Taylor was a more complete cornerback than Asomugha last season, as well as throughout their respective eight-year careers … Overall, Taylor has 481 tackles, 99 passes defended and 11 interceptions in 125 career games with the Steelers. Asomugha has 310 tackles, 54 passes defended and 11 interceptions in 122 career games. Taylor and Asomugha were selected in the 2003 draft. Asomugha was the No. 31 overall pick; Taylor went in the fourth round, No. 125 overall. Statistically, Taylor is a better player than Asomugha, despite earning half as much in 2010. "
I thought the Chad Henne comparison to Mark Sanchez on ESPN last month was silly, but his is considerably worse than that.
What in the name of Elvis Patterson is John Harris thinking? Does he really put stock in the number of tackles and passes defended a cornerback makes? Hey John, here’s something for you – did you know that in the last four years, Ike Taylor has 214 tackles, while Darrelle Revis only has 192! So what that Revis has seven more INTs in that time frame, and 20 more passes defended … Taylor took one category, it must mean they’re close!
But wait, there’s more! Deion Sanders only had 328 tackles in his first eight years in the league; Taylor had nearly 150 more! That must mean something!
Ike Taylor is a serviceable cornerback, but no QBs are afraid to throw at him. Can’t say the same for Revis, Asomugha and Sanders (back when he played). My assessment of Taylor is that he’s overrated and his many flaws are covered up by a) two good safeties; one is a Hall of Famer; b) an incredible pass rush that has ranked in the top three in sacks four of the last six seasons c) a legendary defensive guru in Dick LeBeau, and d) a QB who, if you give him two minutes left in the game, can rally the Steelers to victory and make your sloppy secondary play in the fourth quarter a distant memory.
Pittsburgh fans, what’s the over/under on dropped Ike Taylor picks in the last few years?
"He easily could have 40 or even 50 if he didn’t drop the ball so much. Taylor appears to have come to grips — pardon the poor pun — with his bad hands. He’s right about that shutdown corner business, you know? He’s usually in good position against the NFL’s top receivers. Interceptions would be nice, but it’s more important to keep the other guy from catching the ball. “Other than catching picks, I feel like I’m a lockdown cornerback for sure,” Taylor said, nodding."
Taylor’s so overrated, I thought the Steelers would take a corner in the first round of the draft. They ended up taking corners in the 3rd and 4th round. It’ll be interesting to see if they re-sign Taylor when the lockout ends.
But back to Harris. Can you believe he threw this garbage into nonsensical argument? Did Ike Taylor’s agent make him write this?
"And that doesn’t include Taylor starting in three Super Bowls — winning two — and playing in four AFC Championship Games. Asomugha has never played in a playoff game. In fact, he’s never played on a team with a winning record."
Ok, that should do it. Enjoy my two favorite Ike Taylor videos from youtube.
* Since sarcasm never translates over the internet, I used italics to convey the sarcasm.