Sabby Time?
September 22nd, 2010Weeks ago Joe might have posted a popular farm goat photograph in this post, but Joe has evolved — slightly.
In its place, Joe has a picture of Sabby Piscitelli, the Bucs safety who steps back into the spotlight with the very sad, season-long suspension of Tanard Jackson announced today.
It’s starting to become clear why the Bucs likely kept five safeties on the roster. They probably suspected Jackson was about to feel the wrath of the NFL’s drug policy.
So all of a sudden, the Bucs are now thin at safety. Rookie Cody Grimm and Corey Lynch have much to prove, and Sabby is, well, Sabby. His gift-wrapped starting role as a third-year safety last year was a disaster. Even Raheem Morris, before the 2009 season was over, said he needed to “fix” Sabby in the offseason.
That, apparently, didn’t happen, as the Bucs signed Sean Jones to replace him and Sabby publicly moaned that the fix was in for him and his starting job.
But now it appears to be Sabby Time. Joe’s not hopeful. Joe’s got about as much faith in Piscitelli as he does Michael Clayton, who remains unemployed.
Of course, Morris could roll with Lynch or Grimm, but Joe doesn’t think the head coach will be willling to gamble with inexperience in his beloved secondary like he has been on the defensive line.
Sabby now has a second chance at his NFL career, and Joe’s about driven to prayer.
Joe wonders if the Bucs might be on the phone to old friend linebacker safety Jermaine Phillips, who, if he’s in pretty good shape, might be worth sniffing out during the bye week, which starts after Sunday’s Steelers game.
All charges were dropped against Phillips in his domestic violence case — a fact still shamefully unreported by the local media outside of Joe. And brittle bones notwithstanding, they could probably use him if Sabby looks like Sabby on Sunday.
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Seriously scares me….I would rather take a chance and see what the other 3 (Myron, Cody, and Corey) can bring to the team.
I mean its not like Sabby is an unknown entity.
With the Steelers offense in flux we can get by with anyone of them out there. That gives us 2 weeks to get a guy ready for Carson and the Bengals and then Brees and the Saints.
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:24 pm
have no confidence in Sabby. would rather test the rookies or see who is unemployed.
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:34 pm
if the ravens cut ken hamlin, i think we need to take a look on that fella
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:40 pm
@Aldo the Ravens did cut him…
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:42 pm
no more to say, just hope Dom make the phone calls!!!
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:42 pm
This might not be as bad as it first seemed(I was pissed),maybe they start working Myron Lewis in at safety. His skill set is better suited to Safety and his weakness wont be exposed there(except in experience)Biggers is going to replace Ronde anyway so why not make the most of Lewis’s youth and start getting him ready at FS or SS. We are going to need a long term solution at safety anyway I’m not convinced Grimm is going to be that guy.
The problem we are going to have this week is O-line,we also don’t have much depth.I wish we would make an offer on Mankins a 2nd or a 3rd. I know he would not be any help this week during the Bye we could get him ready down the stretch he would be a force and he would take alot of pressure off Faine and Penn.Mankins is familiar with our O-line coach Mangurian, Mankins should be able to pick up our scheme quickly(Its not like it is complex)
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:44 pm
I can see Sabby getting a shot against Pitt and then the Bucs signing someone going into the bye week.
I like the rookies, but can not see either of them getting the start.
How about Biggers starting with Talib and Ronde moving to Safety??? Most the time the one safety spot is playing what is essentially a nickel back anyway. Could extend Ronde’s career too.
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:55 pm
@JeStEr
Why would they just insert Lewis into the starting lineup?? Ronde is having a great season right now.
As for the safeties, they should bring back Philips. He could come in here and do i believe a very good job until T Jack came back (if he’s allowed back) or until we snatch one high in the draft next year, or if we get one in FA next year.
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Patrick
TJax is gone until NEXT JULY!!!
Philips would be a stop gap and who knows what kind of shape he is in… he has not played in over a year or more.
The suggestion is to put Biggers at starting CB and move Ronde to Safety. Many older CBs have done that to prolong their careers and Ronde is smart enough to do it. Biggers has showed enough to step up as well I believe.
Lewis is definately not ready but between him and Mack they could handle the nickel slot.
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Just read the post about moving Lewis to Safety… maybe for next year. I did red how he is well suited to be a safety. He is not ready right now though. hell, he has not even had a enough time at CB.
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:16 pm
I am so glad this is not a Super Bowl sniffing year. This wrinkle could be a blessing, instead of this happening at a more critical time like a big time playoff run. We will find the right guy. Just keep in mind this is one of Gru/Allens guys. So far ( fingers crossed) Dom has a pretty good nose for talented good guys. I feel bad for Tjax though, such talent all going down the drain. I do thank him for what he’s done thus far, but shame on him for what he’s done now. As for Sabby? Well…….umm…….hmm……DAMN! Sabby please just try (not too hard though).
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:16 pm
@Dave
I just remembered that we have Corey Lynch also. Maybe he can fill the hole. I think he’s better than Sabby and probably Grimm also.
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Phillips?
I heard Jermain got a job as spokesperson for Corning wear. He did a commercial saying that Corningwear was strong – moreso then his forearms!
Or did he go to work for Glass Doctors instead?
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Glass doctor’s commercial:
Call the Glass Dr’s and we’ll fix your pane faster than you can say Jermaine Phillips!
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Jermaine Phillips? Please Joe. For one thing he is a strong safety, not a free safety…and there is a big differnce in our defense. Secondly he is old and washed up and out of football. Not a good idea.
I think Corey Lynch gets the first shot at it, seeing as he has more experience than Grimm. If Lynch doesn’t cut it, I think Grimm will get a shot. If neither of them cut the mustard, then we might see Myron Lewis in 5 or 6 weeks.
If Sabby can’t handle SS, there’s noway he’ll make it as a FS. The Eagles tried Sean Jones as FS last year and he stunk, so I don’t see him moving over either.
I think Larry Asante was let go by the Browns. It might be a good idea to grab him. He;s a rook, but I’m thinking about next year and beyond.
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:25 pm
I’d hate to see Grimm get thrown in at FS honestly. I think he could be a good SS, but I really don’t think he has the speed to cut it s a FS. We’ll probably end up finding out the hard way.
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Joe here,
JDouble – Not saying Phillips would start, but if Sabby plays and tanks on Sunday, then he might be worth looking at for the rest of the season, if he’s in decent shape. They need the depth. He knows the system.
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:29 pm
I’m real excited about our other guys though. It woud be so awesome to see them all make an impact (even Sabby). My mind is on Lewis, Lynch and Biggers. Mack is cool, but since his big hit suspension I don’t think he has really “Brought It” and Grimm might be a gem in the long term.
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:34 pm
I agree with NorCalBuc, Charlie Batch and Pittsburgh are not going to be much of a problem for Sabby. Tampa will be just fine ( I hope) and we will have some time to get someone ready for the Saints and Cincy.
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Who still thinks we can take the Steelers?
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:38 pm
we can beat pittsburgh
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Maybe we should consider seeing if Dekoda Watson has the instincts to play safety. Seriously, I know he’s listed on the Bucs website as 240lbs, but he is not. He is 220-225lbs and his cone, shuttle, and forty times were all faster than TJax. It might be worth a shot.
Another guy that we might try at safety is Rico McCoy. Did we even keep him on the practice squad? Anyways, I remember reading that he was projected as a safety in the NFL because of his size. Probably worth having him play safety on the practice squad to see how he does.
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Who is older, Joe or Charlie Batch?
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Sadly, Joe wins that contest.
September 22nd, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Joe….Sabby was horrible last year, we all know that, but Lynch and Barber were both horrible their first year too….give the guy a chance brother, maybe just maybe he has used this demotion as the motivation to turn his still young career around.
September 22nd, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Joe here,
StevefromOregon – Just can’t go there. Can’t revise history. Lynch was a ProBowler at 26; Sabby is 27 and has not played well at all. No comparison. Raheem has barely even rotated him in this year, like he usually does with his safeties…Barber played very little his first season, and then became a starter in Year 2 on what was a top-5 ranked defense in the NFL.
September 22nd, 2010 at 11:21 pm
How we consider bringing back Dwight Smith?? He’s 32 and is currently a free agent. He was pretty good here in Tampa.
September 22nd, 2010 at 11:21 pm
*bout*
September 22nd, 2010 at 11:24 pm
I still can not even say his name out loud. So for those wanting to start the person whose name I can not say, please stop. He was below a starter last year and the stats prove it. Yes I know that stats are for losers but even Raheem could not “fix” him. For the love of all things good, please, no, enough.
I think Dom is checking the waiver wire and researching any FA out there but they are all stop gaps too and not much better than our backups. Looks like we just ran into another “need” for our draft next year. Good thing we weren’t gunning for a Super Bowl this year. Thanks TJax.
September 22nd, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Whatthebucs rumor was on the money back a month or so ago, and the team knew it, Tanard knew it, Sabby knew it because he was wondering why he made the team, and did 5 – 1=4 as he looked at Tanards blodshot eyes.
I think if they were going to experiment with Lewis, Watson, or anyone else it would have been done already.
Sabby, Lynch, or Grimm get the start. Would like to see Barber back there, but is he fast enough? I just don’t think he could recover from any slight mistake, not anymore.
Dwight smith, has he even played in the last couple of years? He wasn’t afraid to hit, and had some wheels.
But I really think the other 3 will get the start. Rebuild continues….No cavalry coming over the hill.
September 23rd, 2010 at 12:21 am
I guess that Sabby will probably get the start vs the Steelers.
Who knows? Raheem likes angry workers and Sabby’s pissed off.
He might do great. But…
Like TAC just said, ‘rebuilding continues.’
September 23rd, 2010 at 12:22 am
Joe say it aint so! The goat lives another day? God help us all!! Such a promising season now will see running backs and wide receivers running wild down the middle of the field with the goat chasing them from behind. This vision is etched in my mind from last year time and time and time again. It amazed me why he could not understand that nobody wants to see him play again in a Buc uniform. But alas here we are with only the goat to turn to. Dom please save us, find someone ANYONE!!!!!!!!!
September 23rd, 2010 at 12:26 am
I hear you Joe, im just not ready to give up on him yet…..unlike Clayton, I actually think Sabby can be coached up and have it translate to the field.
September 23rd, 2010 at 12:31 am
Watching Sabby last year was disgusting and I thought the dude should have been cut a long time ago, but whats done is done. Whovever gets the nod, Sabby, Lynch, or Grimm…I will be crossing my fingers and wishing nothing but the best for them. I think Sabby is garbage, but I’d absolutely love to have him prove me wrong.
I’d rather see Lynch or GRimm get the start, but I have a feeling Sabby might feel like the safest choice before such a big game, just because of experience. Who knows, maybe he’ll come out angry and have one great game before he starts stinking it up again! :p
September 23rd, 2010 at 12:42 am
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d812c4362/Sabby-Piscitelli-fumble-return
September 23rd, 2010 at 1:17 am
Common JDouble…you were do close to being nice on this one…Here’s hoping he proves a lot of people wrong.
September 23rd, 2010 at 4:31 am
This is all a Glazer conspiracy. Sabby is cheaper than T-Jac. 🙂