For Steelers Farrior, Taylor, the work prevents the hurt

[mesaSteeler]

(There is an interview that goes with the article. See link - mesa)
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_631948.html

For Steelers Farrior, Taylor, the work prevents the hurt

By John Harris, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Last updated: 8:22 am

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fl. -- The last time Steelers defensive captain James Farrior missed a game due to injury was Nov. 20, 2005, against the Ravens.

Farrior has since made 54 consecutive regular-season starts at inside linebacker, and he has been in the starting lineup for 108 of 112 regular-season games since joining the Steelers as a free agent in 2002.

The 2008 Pro Bowler, his second election to the team, is among the most durable and productive players in the league.

Starting cornerback Ike Taylor, the Steelers' fourth-round pick in 2003, has never missed a regular-season game due to injury -- a streak spanning six seasons and 93 games. (He didn't appear in three games in 2004.)

Together, Farrior and Taylor have given the defense an ironman stability. Their ability to play at a high level in a sport in which players take a physical pounding week after week is no accident.

In addition to mandatory offseason practices and voluntary workouts with the Steelers, Farrior and Taylor schedule workouts every year at Tom Shaw Performance at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

Farrior, 34, said training in Florida is his fountain of youth.

"The better you take care of your body, the less susceptible you are to injuries," said Farrior, who led the team in tackles last season for the fifth time in six years. "We've got to give Shaw a lot of credit, having us out on the playing field, doing what we're getting paid to do. He enables us to do that."

Added Taylor, who led the Steelers in passes defensed in 2008: "That's the key right there -- staying in shape, going to (training) camp in shape. People tell me to take time off (when the season is over). My body (isn't) used to that. Once the season is over, I'm right back at it two or three weeks later."

Farrior missed two games in 2005 with a knee injury. He sat out two games in 2002 with assorted injuries (knee and sternum). Otherwise, it's been full-speed ahead for the former first-round pick of the New York Jets.

By definition, football players are expected to perform with minor injuries. Farrior is no exception, though his superior conditioning keeps those nagging bumps and bruises to a minimum.

"It's like being in a couple of train wrecks every week," Farrior said of football's physical nature. "When you get older, it definitely catches up to you. Eventually, something is going to happen. But the better shape you're in prevents the small wear-and-tear things that happen throughout the season. It helps with recovery."

Taylor said he grew up following Jerry Rice's famed offseason workout, and he took it to heart upon entering the league. Yesterday, Taylor's workout featured exercising in an outdoor swimming pool in a thunderstorm.

"(Rice) never took days off, always stayed in shape," Taylor said. "Just look at how many years Darrell Green played corner (20 seasons for the Hall of Fame defensive back). I feel like I can do the same thing.

"We're going to play in the rain. We're going to play with thunder. (Yesterday) was a great workout. That's one of the best workouts you can get."

[Preacher]

Wow. Imagine have Ike for a total of 20 years? Farrior for another 5 years?

[SteelKid212]

amazing... !!!

i wish i could train with them....

[benfan7]

wow! farrior and ike my hats off to you guys!

[Psyychoward86]

Swimming during a thunderstorm? Poor Ike musta been nipping out

[Galax Steeler]

Good to hear that these guys are working hard to stay in shape for the season.