Todd Bowles: Replacement For Jordan Whitehead TBD
November 26th, 2024
Christian Izien’s play has made Todd Bowles smile too.
While Todd Bowles wouldn’t say yesterday in his day-after presser that Bucs safety Jordan Whitehead is done for the year with a pec injury, credible sources such as Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports have reported Whitehead’s season is done.
No one from the Bucs has pushed back on Schultz’s report or anyone else reporting this.
Bowles was asked who will replace Whitehead. Bowles said he wasn’t sure. It likely will be a committee of players. Or, as Bowles said, a situational player, depending on down, distance, score and, of course, who is playing well.
Bowles did seem to give a lot of credence to the idea that second-year defensive back Christian Izien could be Whitehead’s replacement.
Bowles spoke highly of Izien’s play this season.
“He’s probably the quickest one from A to B, as far as getting – when a quarterback is releasing the ball to when a receiver is catching it, he can take off right away,” Bowles said. “He’s a very sure tackler that way. His vision is expanding, it’s been very good for us in the underneath coverage as well as some of the zone stuff back deep.
“He’s excelled in coverage for us.”
Of course, there is always the option of recently returned Mike Edwards, who the Bucs brought back last week. Bowles told Dan Lucas of WFLA-TV Channel 8 getting Edwards on the field against the Giants was “huge” in helping out the defense.
Whitehead wasn’t playing terribly but there were times Joe wondered how motivated he truly was. Simply put, Whitehead isn’t the same player he was when he previously played for Tampa Bay.
November 26th, 2024 at 3:15 am
Izien has made a lot of game changing plays in very little time. He can get out of position by that will come with more PT. Whitehead’s injury has a silver lining.
November 26th, 2024 at 3:28 am
I mean Izien is Omari g better balm than Whitehead anyways
November 26th, 2024 at 5:26 am
I sadly agree too that Jordan didn’t seem the same coming back.
Izien is perfect as his replacement.
November 26th, 2024 at 7:08 am
The reason Whitehead tore his pec is because he grabbed instead of sticking his head in someone, and making a hard tackle. That’s not what you want in a safety. You want a guy who’s going to deliver a blow. Whitehead has been shying away from that all year. Good we have Edwards now, no excuses. We played one good defensive game against a very bad offense. Long way to go.
November 26th, 2024 at 7:57 am
As always, next man up. Someone gets an opportunity to prove themself.
Best wishes to Jordan.
November 26th, 2024 at 8:14 am
Whitehead has been a player coach on field Watch Izien next Sunday against Canales. Plus, we are finally getting healthy again.
November 26th, 2024 at 8:24 am
Like izzy
Hopefully tykee gets back also cuz that kid can plsy
November 26th, 2024 at 10:20 am
Whoever it is, they will make sure to leave whoever they’re not covering at least 15 yards clear so as to not let anything over their head.
November 26th, 2024 at 11:18 am
Jordan Whitehead gave it his all.
I hope he heals quickly.
But it’s Iziens time to shine.
He’s an outstanding tackler. He hates to lose like Kancey and David.
I love the video when we lost to the chiefs in OT. Kancey and Izien looked PISSED.
Lavonte David is 1 in a million. We need players who HATE losing.
Izien, Bucky, Kancey and McCollum hate losing. They are our the next generation of true hearted Buccaneers like Brooks and Alstott. Dunn and Lynch. Barber and Sapp. Brian Kelly and D Jackson.
Anyway.
Izien is a ball player. He needs to stay on the field. He is more dynamic than Whitehead.
With Edwards? We have the dime package I want.
Tykes Smith, Izien, Winfield, Dean, McCollum and Edwards.
With Lavonte as the lone LB. On 3rd downs.
I like it!