What to Expect From the Steelers Secondary After This Year

(Photo by Thomas E. Witte/Getty Images)

Ike Taylor, Cornerback

I still say to this day that if Ike Taylor could learn to catch the ball he would be in the Pro Bowl every year.

At 6'2", with blazing speed, Taylor is normally assigned to the oppositions best receiver.  Last year in a seven-game stretch, Taylor was matched up against some of the best receivers in the league.

In Weeks 7-14, Taylor went up against T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Plaxico Burress, Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, Vincent Jackson, Houshmandzadeh again, Randy Moss, and Terrell Owens.

In those eight games, Taylor only allowed Wayne over 50 reception yards and held all seven receivers to only three touchdowns combined.

William Gay, Cornerback

With the departure of Bryant McFadden, Gay will step into the starters role opposite of Taylor.  During an injury to McFadden last year, Gay stepped into the starters role, Even when McFadden returned from injury, he had to alternate series with Gay.

Gay is making the most of his opportunity this offseason by training with Taylor, Santonio Holmes, and James Farrior at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in Florida.

Gay said that he wants to make the most out of this opportunity, so he is training with Taylor this offseason to push himself to be as good as him.  Hopefully, he will have better hands than Taylor.

Deshea Townsend, Cornerback

At 34-years-old, Townsend is on the downside of his career.  He no longer has the amazing speed that made him a starter for much of his career, which has only been in a Steelers uniform.

Having accepted the role as the nickelback last year, he will fight for that position again this year, but may not be able to overcome the youth that has been added to the team.

One of the rumors that is going around is that Townsend will be switching to a back up safety this year.  With the loss of speed, but amazing leadership ability, it will be nice to be able to have him there if Clark or Polamalu are injured.

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