Unlike most modern-day athletes, rookie cornerback Bryant McFadden has an appreciation for the sport in which he competes and its history. That was apparent the first day he reported to training camp at St. Vincent College and announced he wanted to be a cornerback in the reckless mold of Dick "Night Train" Lane."

	Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor goes one-on-one coverage with the receiver during morning practice yesterday. Click photo for larger image. LOOKING AHEAD What: Steelers' preseason opener. Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles. When: 8 p.m. Monday, Heinz Field. TV: ESPN. Related coverage No progress, but Steelers, Ward talk Steelers Notebook: Hampton goes full speed full time

Lane, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, played 16 years before McFadden was born.

"I'm impressed he knows 'Train,' " said defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who played with Lane on the Detroit Lions. "I'll be more impressed if he plays like 'Train.' "

McFadden, the Steelers' No. 2 draft pick, said he wants to play with the abandon of Lane and the tenacity and aggressiveness of Jack Tatum, a combination that would make him, oh, say, the biggest impact cornerback to hit the National Football League since Charles Woodson.

For now, though, he is one of three young cornerbacks trying to fit into the Steelers' nickel and dime defensive packages. And he is part of the trio of kid corners hoping to play well enough possibly to replace veteran Willie Williams at left cornerback.

The Steelers will begin the season with Williams, who is 34 and entering his 13th NFL season, as the starter. But that could change as the regular season develops, and McFadden, Ike Taylor and Ricardo Colclough -- all high draft picks -- are waiting to step in.

"Coach is pushing us to push the veterans ahead of us for playing time," said Colclough, a No. 2 choice in 2004.

That was certainly the objective when the Steelers moved up in the draft last year to take Colclough and one of the reasons LeBeau rotated him in the nickel and dime packages as a rookie.

But Taylor, who played only one year at cornerback before being drafted on the fourth round in 2003, has bounced back from his early season demotion last year to pass Colclough on the depth chart.

And the Steelers did not hesitate to take McFadden, a tough, physical cornerback from Florida State, in the second round.

Now, all three are jockeying for position in the secondary, and Taylor is the early front-runner. He has been the starter at right cornerback the past couple days while Deshea Townsend recovers from an Achilles tendon injury.

	Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Rookie defensive back Bryant McFadden keeps his eye on the receiver in a morning practice yesterday. Click photo for larger image.

"Ike's really showing that being in the defense a couple years makes you more comfortable," Townsend said. "He's always had the talent. I just think it's being more comfortable and learning how to be a corner.

"He hasn't been playing the position that long, but you have to be able to play the position mentally and physically. He has to get the mental part down, and this year he's really showing he has the mental aspect."

Taylor was a tailback as a junior at Louisiana-Lafayette before being switched to cornerback his senior season. But the Steelers liked his speed and the way he went after the ball, skills he has displayed through the first two weeks of camp.

Colclough hasn't made the leap the coaches often look for in second-year players, but part of that is because he has missed several days this week with a hip flexor injury. Colclough returned to practice yesterday afternoon, but he might not play in the preseason opener Monday night against Philadelphia.

"I'm farther along than I was last year," Colclough said. "Last year was kind of a learning experience, and my body sort of slowed down with the long season. This year, I know what to expect."

The player who ultimately could provide the biggest impact is McFadden, whom the Steelers had rated as the 21st-best player overall in the draft. LeBeau not only likes his physical skills -- McFadden is big, tough and can run -- but he is impressed with his maturity and willingness to learn.

"If he continues to keep his head on straight, he could be a corner for a long time in this league," Williams said of McFadden.

Maybe for as long as Dick "Night Train" Lane.