Christian Izien Named No. 1 Nickel Cornerback
August 27th, 2023
Rookie Christian Izien.
Congratulations to undrafted rookie Christian Izien, the speedster small cornerback out of Rutgers.
Meet your new Buccaneers nickel cornerback. He will start opening day as a key cog in the Tampa Bay defense.
For those just waking up from a long nap, Sean Murphy-Bunting plays for the Titans.
Joe likes how Izien has progressed, but he is a just a rookie and he does get beat. See last night’s opening drive. He’s not a finished product, understandably. But the talent is there on many levels, and Joe is sure every Bucs fans joined Todd Bowles in loving that fumbled Izien caused last night against the Ravens with a ball punch as he approached a receiver.
Joe is somewhat comforted knowing how well the Bucs have developed defensive backs, and because Izien has so many veterans around him.
August 27th, 2023 at 9:16 am
There should be at least 3 UDFAs that make the Bucs 53 man roster – Izien, Tucker and Jarrett.
Warner, Brown and Miller should be on the practice squad as well.
Props to our GM and scouting department – well done…
August 27th, 2023 at 9:17 am
Congrats, kid. Now show us that you’re an NFL player.
August 27th, 2023 at 9:20 am
Agreed, Marine Buc. Some of these kids look good, so far.
August 27th, 2023 at 9:23 am
Maybe Raiqwon O’Neal makes the team too, or practice squad.
August 27th, 2023 at 9:47 am
I just WISH that our DBs could CATCH THE BALL!
August 27th, 2023 at 9:55 am
That’s why their DBs. Stone hands
Another Schiano man !
August 27th, 2023 at 10:13 am
Tell em scotty
August 27th, 2023 at 10:21 am
I like him and it’s a youth movement, this is a good start at reloading the roster. Besides he can’t be worse than smb and all the slot corners we’ve had the last few years
August 27th, 2023 at 10:24 am
We’ve never had a UDFA haul like this one. With Tucker, Jarrett, Watts, and Izien, and a few others in the mix… nice work by the Bucs front office in a year they really needed it.
August 27th, 2023 at 10:43 am
Not a good look for Zyon or Delaney who have been in this system multiple years.
August 27th, 2023 at 10:52 am
Joe – what’s the status on Tucker’s injury?
Love this site and the job you Joes do. Thank you!
August 27th, 2023 at 11:32 am
Dean CD111 bunting have all turned into starters in the nfl. not to mention whitehead Edwards and Winfield. We can develop defensive backs. Wish we could do the same for edge rushers lol
August 27th, 2023 at 1:48 pm
Zyon is a boundary corner. For now he is still raw and is depth.
Hopefully he develops to be eventual replacement for Dean or Davis
August 27th, 2023 at 1:57 pm
Dewey Selmon Says:
August 27th, 2023 at 10:43 am
Poor analysis of the situation.
1. Zyon is CB3, primarily training as an outside corner and the top backup to Davis and Dean, which is a super important position given their propensity to be out with injury.
2. Outside corner is not the same as nickel back. It’s a different skillset in this defense.
3. Delaney is what he is: a capable backup utility DB who can sub at several positions when needed. He’s not a starting caliber player, and there’s no expectation that he should be.
4. Izien is actually a safety. Notice how, in Bowles defense, they’ve tended to play safeties in the nickel. It’s not a straight up cover man. They look for guys who can provide run support, blitz, and cover…
5. Izien was a draftable player. He has darn good speed, and only lacks height. His safety background and his intelligence make him an ideal candidate. We got a steal as a UDFA with him, it would appear.
So, no, the fact that Izien is the starting nickel doesn’t say anything about McCollum or Delaney.
August 27th, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Good post sasquatch
August 27th, 2023 at 2:41 pm
Give me a team of Schiano men and I’ll have him back as head coach in a heartbeat. He is a throwback that in today’s diva world is only gonna get thrown back & under the bus without a very specific type of roster. If he can find enough of his players, he’ll turn Rutgers into a competitive Big Ten team.
August 27th, 2023 at 2:41 pm
Sasquatch… exactly.
Izien is versatile, on the first drive he blitzed from the slot. He ran directly at the OL that was trying to block him, he engaged and executed a perfect spin move and arrived a split second before the QB got it out. THAT I’d why he is the winner. He isn’t perfect but he is fat, tough, versatile, and willing.
August 27th, 2023 at 2:42 pm
He also punched the ball out on a completion. He’s a heady talented player.
August 27th, 2023 at 4:45 pm
Everyone will have to be patient with Izien as he is going to make some mistakes especially early in the season. I remember when Ronde Barber first started playing and he made some mistakes and it wasn’t evident for awhile that he was going to be a good player let alone a great one and a Hall of Famer. Not saying Izien is going to be as good as Ronde but Izien may end up being a solid nickel corner.
August 27th, 2023 at 7:26 pm
A rookie free agent wins the slot start???????
August 27th, 2023 at 7:56 pm
UDFA Safety Merriweather will also make the 53 man roster.
August 27th, 2023 at 8:04 pm
David wells won’t start, but he’s one more UDFA that should make the team.