Steelers rookie Grant focuses on improvement, not replacing Taylor

Associated Press

LATROBE, Pa.

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Doran Grant is well aware that his No. 24 previously belonged to recently retired cornerback Ike Taylor for more than a decade.

He doesn’t give much thought to it though. Grant is searching for daily improvement during his first training camp and wants to do enough to eventually become a mainstay in the Steelers secondary like Taylor before him.

“I’m feeling good, feeling more confident,” Grant said. “I think it’s going pretty solid. I want to just keep learning every day and coming out to work.”

During offseason workouts, Grant got a chance to work with Taylor, who won two Super Bowls during a 12-year career with the Steelers.

“You listen to him because he’s been around so long and has a lot of knowledge,” Grant said. “If you get that knowledge, you have to take it and run with it.”

Grant hopes to flourish during his rookie season and the Steelers want to see the same after they selected the Ohio State player in the fourth round of the draft.

His addition is part of a face-lift in the secondary, which was overhauled with injured second-round cornerback Senquez Golson and seventh-round safety Gerod Holliman in part because the Steelers finished 25th in the league in interceptions. It was also done out of necessity following the retirement of Taylor, Troy Polamalu and the loss of Brice McCain in free agency.

Grant is a welcome addition to a group highlighted by Cortez Allen, William Gay, newly acquired Brandon Boykin and Antwon Blake among others.

“He’s a very smart player, he’s physical and he’s fast,” Blake said. “His development is going pretty well for a rookie.

“I’m just looking forward to seeing how he can continue to improve every day.”

Grant, a co-captain on last year’s national champion Ohio State team, started 15 games at cornerback. He was a first-team all-Big Ten selection, finishing second on the team with five interceptions.

Grant already displayed his ball-hawking abilities during training camp practices, as he twice jumped routes and picked off passes, returning the interceptions for would-be touchdowns.

“Big plays happen when guys are where they’re supposed to be, when they’re supposed to be there,” Grant said. “When you’re at a certain spot on the defense, you’re going to make a play.

“You have to make sure you’re doing the right things to get you to that spot.”