HAPPY RETURN

Pittsburgh, it's great to be back.

It always is comforting to return to the people and places of the South Side, Shady Side and downtown Pittsburgh.

How about the Pirates? I've got to give them some love for their winning season. They are looking really strong. I'm hoping we can make a run for the playoffs this year. What do you guys think?

Now, let's talk football. A win at home is always an awesome feeling, and to be able to contribute with an interception for a touchdown like that was icing on the cake. While it always feels great to make big plays, I know just as well as anyone that this is a "what have you done for me lately?" type of game. We have to stay consistent, and we have to continue to make influential plays each and every game day – and that's what we intend to do.

I think, as a whole, our team did great. Of course, it is preseason, so we are still getting into our groove and making strides to get better with each day that goes by. I have a really great feeling that the 2012 Steelers will be a very special team, and that this is going to be an incredible year for us and our fans. I am so impressed by the progress of the younger guys and equally as impressed by the guidance and leadership that the veterans are showing. Things are coming together for everyone, and we're having a great time out here.

We are feeling more and more like a family. There is a genuine chemistry in the locker room that has me really excited for what's to come.

I've been getting a lot of comments from fans and teammates about a video that's up on YouTube right now. Have you seen it? Do a search on YouTube for "Call Me Maybe – Steelers training camp 2012."

I think you'll get a feel for how things are when we are having fun in the locker room, how we really are a tight-knit family here. I even made a special appearance in the video; keep an eye out for my 412 T-shirt and my bright green phone. I had literally just woken up, and LaMarr Woodley asked me to be a part of this video with no rehearsals at all (if you can believe it). We had a lot of fun with it. Oh, and you can book me for future appearances and performances through my manager. No, really, don't be shy.

So, next stop is Buffalo, looking forward to seeing how much we have grown since our last game and what we will leave out there on the field. We're getting closer and closer to the season. Two more preseason games, and then it's on.

Don't forget to check back every Friday throughout the season, and you can keep up with me on Twitter during the week at
@Ike
SwagginU.

Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor is a contributor for Trib Total Media. His column appears Fridays. He also hosts a talk show Tuesdays from 2-3 p.m. on TribLive Radio.