In perhaps the least surprising development of the season, Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor revealed to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that the organization hasn’t approached him about extending his contract, which ends after the 2010 season.
“They move at their own pace,” Taylor said. “There ain’t no forcing them. They’ve been doing it for years, so why change now? I respect that.”
Taylor, 30, will do well on the open market. But he’s so close with ownership in Pittsburgh that his nickname is “Little Rooney.” So there’s a great chance he’ll ultimately stay put.
“Yeah, it’s a business,” said Taylor’s uncle Herman Francois. “But I see them sitting at the table like a family, talking and working it out.”
Steelers fans debate Taylor’s value, but Dick Lebeau calls Taylor the best tackling cornerback in the league and says he will grade out with any cornerback around. Still, he’s coming off a down year in coverage.
“I know Ike wants to be here,” Lebeau said. “And I would think that ownership would want the same thing. We would miss him if he were not here.”