Sabby Not A Lock To Start
September 23rd, 2010
Word flying around Bucs country yesterday, after word came that Tanard Jackson let his teammates down by getting slapped with an indefinite suspension by the NFL, is that Sabby would be the new starter.
Hold up, writes Stephen Holder of the St. Petersburg Times. He too thought Sabby would start. But after further reflection, Holder believes the Bucs may have their eyes on either Corey Lynch or Cody Grimm instead.
Piscitelli seems the likeliest option given his experience and ability to play both strong and free safety. But the potential of both Lynch and Grimm is hard to ignore, and the Bucs saw playmaking ability from both of them during the preseason. Grimm has risen to second on the depth chart behind Jackson at free safety and continues to make quite the impression on special teams. Lynch has shown he has a nose for the football with his adeptness at blocking kicks and his two-interception performance in the preseason.
General manager Mark Dominik, during his announcement of the Jackson suspension, said coach Raheem Morris would use the next couple of days to mull a decision on who will start in place of Jackson.
And truthfully, maybe that’s the right course of action. Because the more you think about, the more you realize the answer here is not at all obvious.
Joe fully endorses trying the latter two options. It’s pretty clear to Bucs fans the result if Sabby starts. Let’s see if one of the two kids can get the job done. Both seem to have more football savvy than Sabby.
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:09 am
Corey Lynch should be the choice if he is second on the depth chart.He seems to be a big time playmaker judging from his pre-season success.
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:14 am
Grimm is not ready. Lynch or Sabby
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:24 am
Grimm should be a SS, not a FS.
Lynch or Sabby.
I’m sure all three guys will be getting lots of snaps at FS today and tomorrow. May the best man win.
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:06 am
Yes! I completely agree with this post! Sure, Sabby may have “experience,” but his “experience” consisted of missed tackles, bad angles, blown coverage, etc. I remember having an “experience” watching Sabby play safety as well – having to drink heavily to make it through a game without weeping. Who cares that Sabby started for a year? He stunk! He showed no improvement whatsoever! And this offseason he proved to be a malcontent. Why would you want somebody like that on the field? Raheem should give BOTH Lynch and Grimm a shot before Sabby. They couldn’t be any worse. We know what Sabby will bring. We saw it for 16 games. And I, for one, don’t want to see it anymore.
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:30 am
I’m sorry but I don’t see anyway Sabby does not start. During the preseason there was several times that both sabby and Sean Jones were in at the same time. A Tanard less preview perhaps? It was probably a possible combination to begin with.
Sabby is a Buccaneer and frankly everyone on the team is needed to contribute. All this Sabby bashing is getting silly.
A malcontent with a chip on his shoulder and hopefully this motivates him. If not we have two weeks after sunday to see what is needed.
Yeah he sucked last year but like it or not he is on the team and now is the senior safety with the most experience in this D.
September 23rd, 2010 at 9:49 am
I think its gotta be Sabby. He played decently at the latter part of 08 but stunk it up with the bates project. Thats what everyone remembers. The Bucs have to find a way to make him play coverage and not inside the box. Put him in positions to be successful…if possible.
September 23rd, 2010 at 10:33 am
The more I think about it I think the following happens:
Lynch gets the start. IF it weren’t for the impending suspension (that the Bucs obviously knew about when they kept 5 safeties and leaked some “false” info about a TJax suspension), Sabby probaly would not have made the squad to begin with.
Lynch starts now and they will see how it goes.
In the meantime, I think there is a strong possibility that Barber corss trains to safety for the long term. he could extend his career by 2-3 more years if he does and the Bucs have better depth at CB than Safety.
I would not be surprised if barber is playing safety halfway through the year and Biggers is starting at CB alongside Talib with Lewis or Mack as the nickel.
September 23rd, 2010 at 10:54 am
Sabby struggled at Strong safety- poor tackling and bad pursuit angles. He played fairly well at free safety this preseason. He has the speed, and at his height, is a good matchup in double coverage, or the tight end. As a free safety, he’s a much better player. But I would rather see lynch or Grimm