Nickel Corner Found With Christian Izien?
August 4th, 2023
“Todd, I can vouch for him! He’s no Aqib Talib.”
One mystery of Bucs roster construction is who will play nickel corner. Joe has heard names thrown out like Ryan Neal or Dee Delaney.
And Joe wrote all about the rookie favorite last week.
That’s the young man who hails from New Jersey. Rutgers, specifically. Yes, a Schiano Man. That would be safety/nickel Christian Izien.
Izien name is in Joe’s practice notes nearly every day, sometimes several times. (More than you will read Devin White.) This Izien, at times, seems to be everywhere.
Yesterday head coach Todd Bowles was asked about Izien and Bowles gushed.
“He is tough,” Bowles began. “He is quick. He is a heady football player. I like the way that he flies around out there.
“In pads, we know he can tackle and blitz. We know he is quick enough to cover.
“As he picks up the system, it will be great to see what he does going forward. We really like the guy.”
Sounds like the only way Izien doesn’t make the team is if he gets hurt or eats Bowles’ chocolate chip cookies, or he steals Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht’s keycard to the One Buc Palace executive kitchen fridge.
Bowles later said the Bucs are training Izien at nickel corner and once he gets that down, the Bucs will start cross-training him to play safety.
Do teams put in that kind of work with a guy to toss him to the streets in September? Unlikely.
August 4th, 2023 at 1:14 am
Great feedback on the deployment and depth of our Bucs Joe ! Glad to hear good stories like this , hopefully the kid turns out to be a good one
August 4th, 2023 at 1:15 am
Stop I’m getting Schiano PTSD
August 4th, 2023 at 1:29 am
Post Traumatic Schiano Disorder.
August 4th, 2023 at 1:38 am
“Hey Bill, I’m your buddy, if things don’t work out here how about using your pull to get me a job somewhere else. And to prove my loyalty to you, here’s Talib and Blount for 7th rounder and some powdered doughnuts.”
August 4th, 2023 at 2:34 am
Bowles really gushed when asked about Izien.
Rod!! You okay??
August 4th, 2023 at 3:02 am
I absolutely love to hear coaches use the term flying around. 4.42 forty but undrafted. Hope he continues to impress.
Go Bucs!
August 4th, 2023 at 4:59 am
#29 is a beast!
I watched a video from the Buccaneers official page yesterday on YouTube.
Izien looks like a linebacker!
He is thick and built like a god!
I think we found a beast at nickle.
August 4th, 2023 at 5:28 am
Say what you want about toes on the line Schiano the guy coaches fundamentals. Rudgers produces some good pro prospects mainly on defense, and in the secondary. Another UDFA might make the team. Good scouting.
August 4th, 2023 at 5:48 am
I’ve been pimping this guy along with Tucker, Jarrett, and Merriweather since they were signed. Tucker and Izien were my two top signings. Izien was all Big 10 Academic just about every year he was there. His tape is very good and he tested through the roof. Being 5’8 is what kept him from being drafted. Bob Sanders was super short too. Izien has that kind of ability
August 4th, 2023 at 6:38 am
Schiano is a solid talent evaluator and great developing college players.
August 4th, 2023 at 6:49 am
Suddenly, we may have great depth in the defensive backfield. Having safeties who can actually cover would be something the Bucs have lacked.
August 4th, 2023 at 7:16 am
More like Shiano Derangement Syndrome (SDS).
August 4th, 2023 at 7:35 am
So I guess he is a Buccaneer man. Thanks Greg for the assist!
August 4th, 2023 at 8:42 am
He’s not a starter yet unless he outplays zyon in preseason but he should finally get dee Delaney cut
August 4th, 2023 at 9:56 am
What’s this? This kid’s “draft status” isn’t 1st, 2nd or even 3rd round???? He’s an undrafted FA???? How could he be any good?? Lol
I’m pulling for the kid. He looks like a beast and as a DB who got Bowles’ attention, that’s no small praise. Bowles calling him a “heady player” also speaks volumes. You can never have too many smart players. We need depth at DB, especially corner, so if this kid can fit in multiple situations as a nickel corner or safety, all the better for us.
August 4th, 2023 at 10:21 am
Lol Rod
August 4th, 2023 at 1:53 pm
He’s only 5’8″, but he’s almost 200lbs.
4.42 is pretty darn quick for a safetyBasically, he is a mini linebacker.
August 4th, 2023 at 3:12 pm
Winfield is only 5-9.
And he was almost a 1st round pick.
Ronde was only 5-9.
5-8 for a nickle might be perfect!
He can get low and cover shifty slot recievers.
He is thick and stout, so he can cover and crush RBs.
I think he could also be a good backup for Winfield.
They have similar body types.