83-Steelers-43
12-01-2006, 06:59 AM
Steelers Notebook: Ravens defeat a blur for Taylor
Friday, December 01, 2006
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Cornerbacks are often told they should have short memories. Ike Taylor, though, took it to the extreme.
Taylor does not remember a lot of what happened in Sunday's 27-0 defeat in Baltimore, even though he played extensively in the nickel and dime defensive packages.
That's because Taylor developed a mild concussion from a hit he took on kickoff coverage to start the second half. Taylor said he was aware of what was happening in the game and didn't develop loss of memory -- a post-concussion symptom -- until afterward.
"Some parts of it I remember, but not everything, though," Taylor said. "I knew I was out there when I was out there, but there's not a whole lot I remember."
Taylor was benched and replaced in the starting lineup by Bryant McFadden against the Ravens. He played most of the game in the sub packages and was not listed among the injured after the contest.
However, in his Tuesday news conference, coach Bill Cowher said Taylor had a concussion.
"It came on afterward," Taylor said.
Taylor is not expected to start in Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Heinz Field. But he is listed as probable and will play.
Still not ready
Punt returner Willie Reid, who has missed the past seven games with a midfoot sprain, is listed as questionable on the Steelers' injury report. It is unlikely he will play against the Buccaneers.
Reid has resumed light running but said he has not taken part in any team drills or special teams preparation.
"I ran on it a little bit last week, but nothing much this past week," said Reid, the team's third-round draft choice. "We're just making sure everything stays together. I've come a long way from where I was. I don't want to take any steps backward."
Reid was injured Oct. 8 in San Diego, the only game in which he appeared this season. He returned one punt for 11 yards and one kickoff for 19 yards before going out.
"It's a tough injury, but it happens," Reid said. "You just deal with it. I'm taking it as a positive. I'm getting a chance to see everything from a different perspective, see how everything works, learn the offense more. I'm trying to do as much as I can not being out there."
Ballot box leaders
Safety Troy Polamalu and guard Alan Faneca are the leading vote-getters at their respective positions among fans for the 2007 Pro Bowl.
Polamalu, who is expected to miss the next two games with a sprained medial collateral ligament, has accumulated 197,448 votes at strong safety; Faneca has 139,366 votes. Fan balloting will continue on NFL.com or via Sprint and Nextel wireless services through Dec. 12.
Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning leads all NFL players with 721,342 votes.
Quick hits
C Jeff Hartings (knee/probable) and OLB Clark Haggans (hip/probable) returned to practice and will play against Tampa Bay. ... Because the Steelers play Thursday night, Cowher's weekly news conference has been moved from Tuesday to 11 a.m. Monday.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06335/742658-66.stm
Friday, December 01, 2006
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Cornerbacks are often told they should have short memories. Ike Taylor, though, took it to the extreme.
Taylor does not remember a lot of what happened in Sunday's 27-0 defeat in Baltimore, even though he played extensively in the nickel and dime defensive packages.
That's because Taylor developed a mild concussion from a hit he took on kickoff coverage to start the second half. Taylor said he was aware of what was happening in the game and didn't develop loss of memory -- a post-concussion symptom -- until afterward.
"Some parts of it I remember, but not everything, though," Taylor said. "I knew I was out there when I was out there, but there's not a whole lot I remember."
Taylor was benched and replaced in the starting lineup by Bryant McFadden against the Ravens. He played most of the game in the sub packages and was not listed among the injured after the contest.
However, in his Tuesday news conference, coach Bill Cowher said Taylor had a concussion.
"It came on afterward," Taylor said.
Taylor is not expected to start in Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Heinz Field. But he is listed as probable and will play.
Still not ready
Punt returner Willie Reid, who has missed the past seven games with a midfoot sprain, is listed as questionable on the Steelers' injury report. It is unlikely he will play against the Buccaneers.
Reid has resumed light running but said he has not taken part in any team drills or special teams preparation.
"I ran on it a little bit last week, but nothing much this past week," said Reid, the team's third-round draft choice. "We're just making sure everything stays together. I've come a long way from where I was. I don't want to take any steps backward."
Reid was injured Oct. 8 in San Diego, the only game in which he appeared this season. He returned one punt for 11 yards and one kickoff for 19 yards before going out.
"It's a tough injury, but it happens," Reid said. "You just deal with it. I'm taking it as a positive. I'm getting a chance to see everything from a different perspective, see how everything works, learn the offense more. I'm trying to do as much as I can not being out there."
Ballot box leaders
Safety Troy Polamalu and guard Alan Faneca are the leading vote-getters at their respective positions among fans for the 2007 Pro Bowl.
Polamalu, who is expected to miss the next two games with a sprained medial collateral ligament, has accumulated 197,448 votes at strong safety; Faneca has 139,366 votes. Fan balloting will continue on NFL.com or via Sprint and Nextel wireless services through Dec. 12.
Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning leads all NFL players with 721,342 votes.
Quick hits
C Jeff Hartings (knee/probable) and OLB Clark Haggans (hip/probable) returned to practice and will play against Tampa Bay. ... Because the Steelers play Thursday night, Cowher's weekly news conference has been moved from Tuesday to 11 a.m. Monday.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06335/742658-66.stm