IKE TAYLOR #24
PRO CAREER: Is a talented, athletic cornerback… impressed the coaches with his speed and size…contributed on special teams and as a kick returner and eventually worked his way into the secondary rotation in 2003.
2003: Led the team with 831 yards on 37 kickoff returns for a 22.5-yard average… also finished with 18 solo tackles and 18 special-teams tackles (11 solos)... played 12 defensive snaps in his pro debut versus Baltimore (7/9) and was credited with one pass defense… also had one special-teams tackle…returned two kickoffs for 29 yards, a 14.5-yard average... had a solid day on special teams at Kansas City (14/9) … led the team in the special-teams tackles (two solos)… returned two kickoffs for 43 yards, a 21.5-yard average... nearly broke the opening kickoff for a TD at Cincinnati (21/9), returning it 40 yards ... returned two kickoffs for a 14-yard average (28 yards) versus Tennessee (28/9)… led the team with three special-teams tackles (two solos)... nearly broke a couple kickoff returns for touchdowns versus Cleveland (5/10) - one for a career-long 53 yards and another for 38 yards… averaged 31 yards on four returns… also downed a Josh Miller punt at the one-yard line... had another solid day as a kick returner versus St. Louis (26/10)… averaged 24.2 yards on six returns (145 yards total)… played one defensive snaps… was credited with two special-teams tackles (one solo)... accumulated his most playing time from scrimmage of the season versus Arizona (9/11)… returned three kickoffs for 56 yards, an 18.7-yard average, including a long of 20 yards… finished with one solo tackle… also was credited with a solo special-teams tackle… played 44 defensive snaps... made his first career start at Cleveland (23/11) as the Steelers’ lined up in their dime defense… returned one kickoff for 23 yards… accumulated his most playing time from scrimmage… finished with three total tackles… also was credited with one pass defensed and two special-teams tackles (one solo)… logged 54 defensive plays.
