Would Ike Taylor be a better fit than DRC?
Jun 27, 2011, 9:30 PM | Updated: 10:42 pm
If the Cardinals decide to trade Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for Kevin Kolb they would be filling one hole by creating another.
Rodgers-Cromartie’s spot in the defensive secondary, though, could be filled by veteran Ike Taylor, a Pittsburgh Steelers free agent.
“If he is truly wide open to any scenario, and you look at the fact that Ray Horton has made him look very good and his defense has catered to his skill-set,” Paul Calvisi said on Sports 620 KTAR’s Sports Interactive.
Calvisi brought up the idea that maybe, after looking over the film, the new defensive coordinator decided Taylor would not only be a replacement for DRC, but an upgrade from the young corner. And, as Dave Burns mentioned on the show, Taylor’s leadership could be an added bonus.
“When it comes to mentoring Patrick Peterson, who’s a better fit on the opposite side of the field,” he asked.
If the Cardinals do, in fact, trade Rodgers-Cromartie then they would for sure be in the market for a replacement. Widely regarded as the best corner on the market, Taylor is a name that would excite fans and soften the blow of losing the former first-round pick.
However, Taylor’s strength is tackling more than coverage, as the veteran has tallied 11 career interceptions in eight NFL seasons, compared to the 13 passes Rodgers-Cromartie has picked off in just three years of work.
That does not mean one is better than the other, rather they are different types of corners. While Ray Horton may prefer the bigger Taylor, odds are he’d be fine with Rodgers-Cromartie — provided he can return to Pro-Bowl form.
