Since he was chosen in the fourth-round (125th overall) out of Louisiana-Lafayette, Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor has started 76 of 109 games, totaling 415 tackles with 9 interceptions and 88 passes defensed.

Taylor's 49 consecutive start streak is the second-longest in the NFL, behind only Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber, who has started 167 consecutive games.

The 6-2, 195-pound cornerback turned 30 in May, and is entering the final year of a five-year, $23.75 million dollar contract extension. While he'd like to finish his career in one place, Taylor acknowledges that he may have to move to a new team next season.

"Deep down in my heart, I want to retire as a Steeler", Taylor told John Harris of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I'm a Steeler all the way. But it's on them if we can agree — be on the same page. If not, I've gotta move on."

Talks on a new contract have not yet begun, and Taylor, who Harris reports is nicknamed "Little Rooney" due to his close relationship with owner Dan Rooney, tells the Tribune-Review that he respects the Steelers' organization way of approaching contract extensions, and has no plans of holding out during training camp.

Taylor's age makes it unlikely that the Steelers would sign him to a Dunta Robinson-sized contract extension, but considering Taylor's desire to remain a Steeler, they likely won't have to in order to keep his services. If Taylor maintains his level of play in 2010, and Dick LeBeau--who speaks glowingly of Taylor's skills in Harris' article--advocates for keeping the veteran, it's hard to envision a scenario where an amicable deal is not reached.