Todd Bowles Expects Christian Izien To Play Monday Night
September 13th, 2025
Likely.
Last week defensive back Christian Izien was out for the season-opening game at Atlanta. That is expected to change for Week 2, Monday night at Houston.
Asked today if there is a possibility he could use both cornerback Jacob Parrish and Izien on the field at the same time, Bowles said it’s possible.
Izien is technically listed as a safety but he has experience as a slot corner as well.
“Depending on the defense,” Bowles said of using Izien and Parrish at the same time. “Parrish is a nickel right now, but ‘Izzy’ will have some spots coming in as we go forward. We have to see what the game plans look like.”
With Izien back, it appears the Bucs have a lot of depth to play with. Joe suspects that means Bowles will come with exotic blitzes or some unique coverages in an effort to slow C.J. Stroud down.
If the lone meeting between the Bucs and the Houston quarterback is any indication, the Bucs’ secondary will need all the help it can find.
In 2023, Stroud, then a rookie, threw for 470 yards in a 39-37 win. Through 33 NFL starts, Stroud’s 470-yard passing game against the Bucs is easily his career-high.
September 13th, 2025 at 3:22 pm
Not this time for Stroud.
I am looking for how well our guys execute Todd’s “exotic” defense. It is apparently a real challenge for our players. I know it frustrates some posters here to a large degree. I don’t care that much about how we do it. I want our defense to prevail.
I do expect the Texans to fight hard in their “house”. I expect us to win this one, though.
September 13th, 2025 at 3:24 pm
Kancey. Yaya. SirVocea. They need to show up.
September 13th, 2025 at 3:26 pm
LFG!! Closest thing we’ve got to a money backer.
September 13th, 2025 at 3:27 pm
Todd the genius loves him his exotics. The only ones who ever seem confused by them are our guys.
For most of the 2nd and 3rd quarters against the Fowlclams, the DBs were pretty much lined up on the receivers at the LOS, thus taking away the quick and easy passes that drives most of us batcrap crazy. Then we get the lead. Then Todd reverts to off coverage and zone and we almost lose.
But you can’t be known as a genius if you don’t draft exotics for your defense and that reputatino is very important to our guy, so…..
September 13th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
I love the quarterback coaches sitting on the couch eating Cheetos acting as if they know more than the players and coaches in the NFL.
Constantly complaining about Todd Bowles and his defense… Even though ever since he’s been here, they’ve been one of the best at points per game, which is all that matters. I don’t care if they allow 400 yards passing every game, if they keep the points to 21 points or less, they’re going win 12 or 13 games this year.
Literally every player who’s played for him and every coach in the NFL talks about how great he is as a DC, but apparently people like aqualung know better. LOL
September 13th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
allot of poor tackling vs texans in 23 most of cjs yards were after catch, bucs got this
September 13th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
That loss was shocking and a miserable experience. Baker basically wins the game and our defense gets shredded immediately for Houston to win. A truly sickening loss m
September 13th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
I see us with another slow start then we heat up and blow them out. Baker remembers he’s got to win by at least 9 points with any amount of time left. Todd will lose it for us if our defense has to stop any team with 20 seconds left.
September 13th, 2025 at 4:58 pm
This has to be the whiniest 1-0 fanbase in the nfl
September 13th, 2025 at 4:59 pm
Aqualung Says:
Todd the genius loves him his exotics. The only ones who ever seem confused by them are our guys.
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Andy Reid, who will end up in the Hall of Fame as a coach, was pretty confused about the exotics when we played the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. You remember that game when the Chiefs scored zero touchdowns?
September 13th, 2025 at 5:04 pm
I love the way the defensive backfield is shaping up!!! More talent means more depth. More health means better play! Can you say AW31!!!
There are at least 4 DB’s who show great promise and are still very green. But Parrish has really caught my eye. Winfield is back to his game changing ways but Parrish is a new heat seaking missile ready to blow up plays. EE may be the best pick but Parrish may be the steal. Add in Morrison Tykee and Izien.
By season’s end the Bucs DB’s may be the story just like the dramatically improved OL was last year.
September 13th, 2025 at 5:36 pm
What Bowels did 4 years ago in the Super Bowl doesn’t mean a hill of beans in 2025.
This is a what have you done lately league and his defensive schemes seem outdated, secondary is below average and our ILBs has been awful.
The bend but don’t break secondary doesn’t create turnovers and allows the opposing offense to gain momentum and eat up the clock.
Time of possession matters.
Turnovers matter, so let’s hope one of our defensive backs catches the damn ball as they should have plenty of chances.