Christian Izien Motivated By Competition
August 8th, 2024
Defensive back Christian Izien.
Christian Izien isn’t going down without a fight.
Last year the Schiano Man was an UDFA rookie signing from the New Jersey football powerhouse known as Rutgers. Not only did Izien come to training camp ready to ball, he earned a starting gig as a nickel corner.
Something about him apparently didn’t impress Todd Bowles as the Bucs went out and drafted a guy in the third round they expect to play nickel corner, Georgia product Tykee Smith.
Joe remembers the night Smith was drafted, a Bucs fan Twittered out how the Bucs have a new thumper in the secondary. Izien retweeted that missive saying (Joe is paraphrasing here) in so many words, Bring it!
And Izien has shown little to no desire to give away his starting gig.
“I can’t control who the team drafts,” Izien told Joe this week.
What he can control, Izien said, is that he busts his tail each day in practice and forces Bowles to keep him on the field.
While he has had limited snaps with the first team this summer, Izien has had a strong training camp. Joe hasn’t seen the guy get burned yet. Oh, a receiver (Chris Godwin, for example) will make a play on Izien but it’s not like Izien is out of position.
Joe has seen Izien give up a couple of plays where he had really good coverage. Hey, sometimes you have to tip your cap to the other guy. They get paid to make plays, too.
So Joe asked Izien if it was motivating when he learned the Bucs drafted Smith.
“One hundred percent,” Izien said. “One hundred percent. It motivates me every day.
“Just having someone in my spot is definitely motivating.”
How much playing time Izien will get is currently unknown.
“I haven’t really spoken with [Bowles] about a rotation,” Izien said. “I just come out here day by day learning safety, playing safety, playing nickel. Doing everything I can to give it all I’ve got.”
Good attitude. Izien wants to cross-train to demonstrate his value if he can’t keep his starting gig.
Izien’s play in training camp (and Joe didn’t think Izien was that bad last year when you consider he was an undrafted rookie) is a big part of why Joe is beginning to believe the Bucs have a deep stable of defensive backs.
That’s something Joe never expected to type after Carlton Davis was traded.
August 8th, 2024 at 7:36 am
Izien is a competitor! He fought in games last year and he fighting in camp. No splash plays yet from Tykee but give him time… Injuries happen so depth is great. Who knows, maybe Bowles will get both guys on the field together.
August 8th, 2024 at 8:02 am
I’m at a loss as to exactly WHAT deficiency Todd sees in him, the guy killed it last year
August 8th, 2024 at 8:16 am
Beeej Says:
August 8th, 2024 at 8:02 am
I’m at a loss as to exactly WHAT deficiency Todd sees in him, the guy killed it last year
—
after like week 3 he disappeared
August 8th, 2024 at 8:26 am
Along with your training camp notes, Izien comes across positive, motivated, shows strength, and wants to cross-train. What’s not to like! Possibly Coach Bowles sees more that we are not seeing and hearing.
August 8th, 2024 at 9:59 am
So many still don’t get that JL & his staff are very good at PICKING TALENT, but TB & his staff are equally good at DEVELOPING TALENT. It takes BOTH elements to win, and JL & TB complement each other very nicely in that regard. Players like Izien (undrafted) & McCollum (Rnd 5) are pretty good testaments to that.
August 8th, 2024 at 10:56 am
Love this dude. Really agree about our secondary. Stump Neal is history and was horrible – shockingly so.
August 8th, 2024 at 11:43 am
NFL Reality
“You’re only the guy until I find someone better to replace you.”
-Raheem Morris (while Bucs HC)
Welcome to the NFL
August 8th, 2024 at 1:18 pm
Love this guy, he just goes out and does whatever act of him. very understandable of the bucs to go out and get more bodies at the defensive back positions because of football injuries, Izien shouldn’t take it as a disrespect, just go out and get better every day to your job and everything else will fall in place Todd Bowles knows what he has… Don’t wanna let this guy go.
August 8th, 2024 at 1:49 pm
This is great. It pushes both of them to be better. That’s why I think for a team to stay in the playoff hunt each year it’s pivotal to have competition at all levels and positions of the team.
August 8th, 2024 at 2:52 pm
We have by far the deepest group of nickel corners in the league
August 8th, 2024 at 3:51 pm
Our secondary looks to be greatly improved this year. An embarrassment of riches. Most concerned about line play on both sides of the ball. Can’t wait to see the rookies compete this weekend. Hopefully they’ll get some work against the Cincinnati starters.
August 9th, 2024 at 7:56 am
I’m an Izien punter. Could it be possible that Licht/Bowles drafted Smith to challenge Izien further cos Bowles sees something in Izien? Plus, competent depth never hurt.