Who Wins The Safety Battle?
August 24th, 2010
One of the few free agent pick ups in the offseason was safety Sean Jones. Bucs general manager Mark Dominik wanted Jones to push Sabby.
Monday, the Bucs released a depth chart that has Jones ahead of Sabby. Thing is, Joe doesn’t put much stock in that depth chart. It’s still August, remember.
Show Joe the depth chart after Labor Day Weekend and Joe will start believing.
Woody Cummings and Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune debate who will win the starting gig between Jones and Sabby in this spirited TBO.com Bucs vlog.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Sounds reasonable to me.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:16 am
If Piscitelli has to play as much as Cummings thinks, then we are screwed. I loved the “put your face on somebody” reference.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:17 am
Joe,
Didn’t Radio say he wanted to settle the position battles before the 3rd preseason game? Not to say Radio always knows what he’s talking about but I’m praying he sticks to his word on this one.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Neither particually has stood out so far, however we do have Sabby’s body of work and he is clearly still learning. Maybe this will kick him in to get in gear.
Both are going to make the team and both will see significant playing time.
My only concern is if this organization puts Jones in there because he was one of “their” pickups and not because he actually won the spot.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:37 am
I am confident the best guy will get the most playing time. There will be no time to play games like having “their” handpicked guys in there when the other is better.
Jones had better stats in starting 9 games last year over sabby which proves he should start, period. Sabby can come in later since Rah loves to use a rotation.
Lastly, how can Sabby possibly start over Jones when Jones’ strength is exactly what Sabby’s weakness is (tackling, run support)? seems like a no-brainer to me.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Pete…Remember that Morris was his coach under Gruden. He also likes Sabby a great deal, so this theory of “hand picked” vs Gruden years does not really hold water. There are still plenty of guys starting that Morris and Dom did not “hand pick”.
August 24th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Sabby was last in the entire NFL in missed tackles! It would take a miracle for him to advance to just an average player. If Jones can’t beat him out then that was just a wasted free agent pick up.
August 24th, 2010 at 11:06 am
Neither of these two guys are what most people here are looking for, and that’s the John Lynch “big-hitter”, run stopping SS. Jones is a bit better in coverage and “splash” play, ball hawking type work, and he doesn’t get caught out of position as much. That said, neither is going to make the fans happy.
August 24th, 2010 at 11:17 am
Sean Jones was a good safety couple of years back. I am surprised the safety battle is still an issue with Jones on the roster.
August 24th, 2010 at 11:48 am
The real question as far as I’m concerned is …. which one of these guys keeps their sweatbands looking perfectly symettric tiiiiiight? Sabby all the way ……
My caption to the picture of Sabby above: Dude, you reek of AXE bodyspray, get the hell away from me
August 24th, 2010 at 11:51 am
“perfectly symmetrical and tight”
Joe- hook your boy up with an “edit” button!
August 24th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Joe — no mention of Vincent starting over Zuttah? Should someone call 911? Are you laying on the floor with a blown gasket?
Joe you said this:
“Thing is, Joe doesn’t put much stock in that depth chart. It’s still August, remember. Show Joe the depth chart after Labor Day Weekend and Joe will start believing.”
Does that mean you are holding out hope that Zuttah will reclaim the starter’s position. That’s what I am hoping too. The Bucs would be better of with Zuttah perfroming well so they do not have to spend a draft pick on the line. The best thing for the Bucs is for Zuttah to win the job. Looks like our hopes may be dashed though Joe, at least according to the Bucs wesbsite:
“Morris has stated that the starting lineups for the third game of the preseason would likely be a good indication of who the team will field to open the regular season against the Cleveland Browns on September 12. The Bucs are following the preseason progression used by most teams in the NFL, giving their starters brief cameos in the first two games before leaving them in much longer in game three.”
Well, maybe there is till some hope. C’mon Zuttah!!! Please be as good a Joe thinks you are!!!
j/k Joe.
August 24th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Joe here,
JimBuc, Joe’s just happy to see you back.
August 24th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Welcome back Jimbuc!
August 24th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
JimBuc!!!
August 24th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Welcome back Mr. Jimbuc!
August 24th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Jimbuc is (deleted for offensive language. That served no purpose, Javier.)
August 24th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Jimbuc,
I have been tirelessly defending the Glazer Boys, Dom, Rah and the plan in your absence.
But these win now Gruden lovers have been wearing me out!
Glad you got my back again……………
August 24th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
JimBuc is only passing through the asylum boys. I was just worried that Joe might be in need of asssitance after the Zuttah news. I see Joe has posted an article though, so all must be well. Keep the faith Joe.
August 24th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
JimBuc:
You have been missed. Your positive energy is wanted.
August 24th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Oh… a JimBuc sighting! Almost as rare as the elusive sasquatch!
August 24th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
LMAO… Joe/Admin, I actually like the edited version better 🙂