Story by
Tennessee Titans DB Alontae Taylor found redemption in Cincinnati
- Story by
- Tennessee Titans DB Alontae Taylor found redemption in Cincinnati
CINCINNATI — The "I'm him" tattoo on Alontae Taylor's neck is a symbol on NFL lockdown cornerbacks' persistent confidence.
But through five games this season, Taylor wasn't "him," which is modern sports slang for superstar, standout, however you want to say it.
Advertisement
Analytics showed he was one of the league's lowest-producing corners.
Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh benched Taylor because of it — for two weeks — after a poor game against the Houston Texans in Week 5. It was a stunning move considering Taylor signed for $58 million in the offseason to solidify one of the Titans' outside spots.
In a 43-36 overtime loss against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 1, Taylor took a step closer to not just being "him," but himself.
It wasn't just the fumble he forced or his two quarterback hurries and one tackle for loss.
It was Taylor's persona.
More: Encouraging signs from Titans offense that almost achieved upset | Estes
Advertisement
More: Cam Ward's career day not enough in Titans' OT loss to Joe Burrow, Bengals
Saleh has since moved Taylor to the Titans' nickel corner position. It was not a demotion, but it seemed that way, judging by the undercurrent of defiance in Taylor's first interview on Oct. 15 since he was sidelined. He needed to adjust but didn't think he was playing all that bad, Taylor said.
Taylor came clean in Cincinnati. The past few weeks have been a challenge.
It had to have been more difficult with this playing out in the Nashville area. He was born in Winchester, starred at Coffee County High School in Manchester and later for the Tennessee Vols.
Advertisement
"It was just a testament of my faith. I handled it bad at first. I was in a bad spot," Taylor said. "Talked to the people who trusted me, talked to the people who loved me. (They) kept me in good spirits. I just talked to God every day and was ready for my opportunity to be the best teammate on the field, cheer my guys on, and I feel like I took advantage of my opportunity (Nov. 1).
"Moving forward . . . In the office, whatever decision they make, I'm ready for whatever."
His play had clouded the team's defensive and financial future, and was a poor look for general manager Mike Borgonzi's reputation as an evaluator. Taylor dug deep in Cincinnati, and Tennessee (1-7) needed him to.
Taylor was on the field for 51 snaps, including 40 important ones at nickel after starter Marcus Harris left with an ankle injury and didn't return.
Advertisement
"I thought he made an impact on the game," Saleh said of Taylor.
The Titans rank 24th in the league with 233 passing yards allowed per game. Their play against the Bengals presented illusory success. Tennessee defensive backs forced four turnovers, but most came from safety Amani Hooker's career-high three interceptions.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 462 yards and five passing TDs. He also ran for the winning score. A reporter asked Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase if he and Tee Higgins were un-coverable "with the game on the line."
"They couldn't cover us the whole game," Chase said, and he was not wrong.
Advertisement
Saleh's defense has work to do. He indicated some of the Bengals' success was inevitable. They're that explosive. The Titans countered by trying to force turnovers they may not have otherwise.
Taylor came up with one of those and it led to seven Tennessee points. Saleh got creative, bringing Taylor off the edge three times in an attempt to create pressure.
Taylor cradled the ball he tipped away from Burrow while talking to reporters in the locker room afterward. Called it a "physical definition of this testimony and this journey I've been going through the past couple weeks," he said.
Taylor's story has remaining chapters but he's closer to the end than the beginning now.
Advertisement
Something about that must have clicked recently.
"This is Year 5 for me (in the NFL). What am I going to do? Keep complaining? Being mad about it?" Taylor said. "I got to adapt. I think that's the word I used when y'all first interviewed me. Like I said, nickel is a position I'm comfortable with. Just gotta learn the defense, and once I learn that I think I'll unlock some more and I'll be able to make more splash plays."
Tyler Palmateer covers the Tennessee Titans for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83 .
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans DB Alontae Taylor found redemption in Cincinnati
