Even lengthy into retirement for each males, Chad Johnson and Ike Taylor are nonetheless going at it. Responding to Johnson’s tweet about FaceTiming all of the defensive backs he performed in opposition to and stating Taylor didn’t reply his cellphone, Taylor shot again with some basic cornerback smack speak.
“I ain’t have your quantity locked in… However I did lock 🔐 you up twice ah 12 months,” Taylor tweeted again.
Oh yeah, that’s the good things.
On the sector, Johnson and Taylor have been fierce and proficient rivals. Johnson the Cincinnati Bengals star vast receiver, a six-time Professional Bowler who as soon as went six-straight seasons with 1,000-plus yards. Taylor the Steelers’ lockdown cornerback with the dimensions and velocity to tackle anybody.
In 20 profession common season video games in opposition to the Steelers, Johnson put up strong numbers – 87 receptions, 1,198 yards, and 13 touchdowns. However particularly within the period by which Taylor began whereas Johnson was a Bengal, 2005-2010, Johnson by no means had a 100-yard sport and caught only one landing go. That lone rating got here in opposition to Bryant McFadden, a play you may see right here, which occurred one snap after Taylor broke up an finish zone throw meant for Johnson. And method again in 2010, Dave Bryan wrote a deep-dive into Pittsburgh’s success limiting Johnson and WR Terrell Owens. It got here to the same lockdown conclusion.
All of that’s to say – Taylor ain’t telling no lies. Johnson was a uber-talented receiver however Taylor made him look pedestrian. In Might, Johnson gave Taylor his due, noting he was a man who backed up his speak.
“Now should you’re gonna speak it like that, now you bought to return and present up like someone that I do know,” he stated on his podcast, commenting on Joey Porter Jr.’s confidence. “There’s an incredible 24 that gave me hell for a decade straight in Ike Taylor, an incredible one. So should you gonna speak it, all you bought to do is stroll it.”
Whereas Taylor remains to be proven loads of love domestically, he’s one of many extra underrated cornerbacks of the century. Dangerous fingers and restricted interceptions saved him from receiving star recognition, Professional Bowl and All-Professional votes, by no means making both in his 12-year profession. However there weren’t many corners able to shutting down the opposing wideout the way in which Taylor constantly did. Once you have been going through Ike, it was going to be a protracted day. Simply ask Chad Johnson.
