Ahmad Black Isn’t Lucky
November 6th, 2012
Ahmad Black doesn’t play a lot, but the guy makes plays.
He did his thing this preseason, snatched a key interception on opening day, and Black has pressed on in ways big and small.
Against the Raiders, Black had a touchdown-saving, open-field tackle. He made an athletic leap and catch to snag a good Raiders onsides kick. That was tremendous awareness and instincts. And he had a late interception to all but put the game away.
Black has not only made rockstar general manager Mark Dominik proud as a blossoming fifth-round pick from the 2011 draft, the leader of the New Schiano Order has taken notice.
“At the beginning, ‘Oh, he got lucky.’ But when you do it over and over and over again. It isn’t luck,” Greg Schiano said last night on WDAE-AM 620 of Ahmad Black making plays. “It’s instinct and it’s a feel for that kind of thing. Ahmad is getting better and better in our scheme, and he as a great guy to learn behind in Ronde Barber.”
Joe feels best about Black’s game as it relates to the Bucs potentially moving Ronde Barber to cornerback, full-time or part-time. Clearly, Black has earned playing time, and as much as Schiano has talked about getting the best players on the field, one could think a Barber move is more likely than unlikely.
November 6th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
I hope Barron takes over Barber’s duties next season and Black takes over Barron’s current role of covering the deep middle. It will work to the strengths of both players unlike what is happening now with Barron.
November 6th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
I’ve always liked Black. I thought, even as a rookie, he should have been starting over Grimm (while I understand he gives a lot of effort, Grimm is not a special teams and depth guy at best).
Since you mentioned moving Barber back to corner, I got a side question for you Joe that relates to this. Have you heard anything about Gorrer getting on the field? I hear good things about the guy, I don’t thinkit would hurt to give home a shot. Can’t be worse than Lewis right?
November 6th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Jonny 3.3 Says:
November 6th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
I hope Barron takes over Barber’s duties next season and Black takes over Barron’s current role of covering the deep middle. It will work to the strengths of both players unlike what is happening now with Barron.
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Both safeties have been performing both roles. More often than not, Barron has played closer to the LOS. Barber has gotten many of his snaps close to the LOS when Black was in at S, so there was 3 safeties on the field.
November 6th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
People quickly forget how old Ronde looked the last couple years at corner. Ronde is playing at a pro-bowl level at safety. I think it would be foolish to move Ronde back to corner, EXCEPT in nickel and dime situations.
Nickel and Dime would be proper opportunities to give Ahmad Black his reps at safety, because in these situations, Ronde plays slot corner. Here, Ronde can excell at the level we expect of him, but he no longer posesses the speed and never had the size to line up outside against today’s split ends and flankers in the NFL.
Its a nice thought because of our lack of depth presently at CB, but I don’t think simply moving Ronde back to CB and starting Black at safety for the majority of the game is viable. If it were, it would have been done already.
November 6th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
OK, I admit I thought Black was too small & slow to play in the NFL.But I liked his instincts & play-making ability when he was in Gainesville (& I am no Gator fan). This seems to have carried over well.
November 6th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Nooo Brandon,
Keep both those guys where they are and add either of Eric Reid, T.J. McDonald, or Bacarri Rambo early and take a chance on Ray Ray Armstrong as a project late. Big hitters that can also cover. I’m feeling it!
November 6th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Sorry Brandon,
My bad. Not paying attention, my comments should have been addressed to Jonny 3.3.
November 6th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
Big Picture Guy……couldnt agree with you more. Barber is an amazing talent and player, but he just doesnt have the speed anymore to keep up with receivers one on one on the outside.
Black being mentored by Barber is an excellent situation for him and as stated earlier in nickel and dime situation, sliding Barber to slot and Black into safety is an excellent use of them both.
November 6th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Black certainly isn’t lucky, being caught by cops with weed and all.
November 6th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
I agree with Big Picture Guy. I still remember Barber trying to defend against bigger, taller WR’s and TE’s over the last couple of years and his age was showing up on the field.