devans
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Is it is possible that the tiny trace detected could be a remnant from the smoky atmosphere in the Ravens locker room?
Tommy Zbikowski, S
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whiteathlete33
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Will this be the year Tommy Z finally starts? Let's hope so. From Weenieworld:
Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura are the leading candidates to start at strong safety.
Dawan Landry bolted to the Jaguars in free agency, leaving a hole next to Ed Reed. We consider Zbikowski the favorite as he has starting experience from last season when Reed was hurt. It's a position battle to watch as Landry was able to rack up 111 tackles from the spot last season.
Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura are the leading candidates to start at strong safety.
Dawan Landry bolted to the Jaguars in free agency, leaving a hole next to Ed Reed. We consider Zbikowski the favorite as he has starting experience from last season when Reed was hurt. It's a position battle to watch as Landry was able to rack up 111 tackles from the spot last season.
Electric Slide
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Tommy Z has played well every time he has subbed in. I hope he gets the job and is able to pull off some picks which make the highlight real like he was able to do so frequently in college. I also hope he can keep his cool and not rack up personal fouls like his tackle out of bounds on Hillis.
It seems the only way White defensive players gain a favorable reputation is by making lots of big plays and/or thundering hits. They can make 10 tackles a game, but the only thing the DWFs will remember -- and the boob tube will show -- is the play where a White guy was juked out of missing a tackle or took an improper angle.
ALBINO RHINO
Newbie
agreed, Ruud set the season record for tackles, but all I ever hear is that he can't take on a blocker.
Scott Shanle is like this for the Saints, he just makes tackles and does his job and everyone hates him despite the coaches coming out and giving him awards (mainly the defensive coordinator) AND the adored "super star" Jonathan Vilma saying that there would be no way he could perform at such a high level without the help of Shanle. Hes had over 100 tackles each season, but ESPN hasn't listed him as having over 100 tackles, just the team who goes over the film. I have complained to espn several times about their tackle statistics after it listed Kyle McCarthy with less than 100 tackles for his senior season when he did get 100+ tackles. It now says
*Defensive statistics are not considered official, for college players but not for pro players.
"but all I ever hear is that he can't take on a blocker." Thats what they say about Shanle, that he can't shed blocks but its not true. Its the commentary and a few White hating msg board posters that puts these ideas in dwfs heads. Most aren't paying attention to the game to where they notice stuff like this, yet they repeat it to make it sound like they know something about football. Last time I checked, you need to be able to take on blockers in order to put up 100 tackles 2 seasons in a row.
Tommy Z could make more highlight plays than Ed Reed if hes the starter, big hits and interceptions but I am not sure if thats our biggest problem. The media would still find something negative to say about him. If he intercepts a pass and takes it 40 yards they would probably say "if that was Ed Reed it wouldve been a touchdown", they did for Gerhart on his first big run. Jonathan Vilma is a small linebacker with less than average speed for his position, but he just makes solid tackles, not many big hits or flashy plays. Talking to Saints fans you would think he is a god and many dwfs rate him as one of the top middle linebackers in the game.
Also looking forward to Tommy play this year, he would be one of the top in the game along with Weddle. I wonder what a White safety would have to do in order to jump ahead of Troy P and Ed Reed in the minds of dwfs. I am guessing 9 interceptions and tons of big hits which honestly I think he is capable of with the front 7 the Ravens have. He would have to repeat it multiple years for them to accept it but not even Reed has had back to back seasons with 9 interceptions.
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looks like Tommy is gone... let's hope he gets a chance to compete for a starting spot somewhere.
The Ravens are expected to let S Tom Zbikowski walk in free agency.
They'd prefer to re-sign fellow free agent Haruki Nakamura. Zbikowski was bounced out of the starting lineup by Bernard Pollard in 2011, and the fact that he missed multiple games with a concussion won't help his free agent stock. The Notre Dame alumnus has managed two career interceptions in 53 games.
The Ravens are expected to let S Tom Zbikowski walk in free agency.
They'd prefer to re-sign fellow free agent Haruki Nakamura. Zbikowski was bounced out of the starting lineup by Bernard Pollard in 2011, and the fact that he missed multiple games with a concussion won't help his free agent stock. The Notre Dame alumnus has managed two career interceptions in 53 games.
Woody
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Random thought, but I would really like to see Zbikowski go to the Texans. Their starting SS seems very mediocre and Zbikowski is a natural FS, which would be a great fit as the Texans will be playing most games with the lead and the other team throwing the ball. If he started, the Texans would start 6 whites!
Tommy should thrive in Indy.
Colts Molding Their Defense to Be Feared
When you move to a new city to coach a new team, you try to instill your knowledge among the players as fast as possible. You bring a different style and attitude to the organization, in hopes that the players will buy into your system and philosophy. One way to achieve that goal is to find players that are an extension of the coach. When situations happen on the field, you feel confident that it will be handled the right way.
This player also brings attitude, toughness and a will to win. The Indianapolis Colts have found a player that they can rely on to carry the same values as their head coach. Tom Zbikowski has signed a new contract with the Colts, which makes him the second Baltimore Raven to come to Indianapolis via free agency to join their former defensive coordinator.
As I have mentioned before, the Colts need to change their entire organization. Jim Irsay has done that with the front office moves and changes to the coaching staff. Now Coach Pagano has made the same kind of moves. He wants to bring in a different style of players who have been here before. Pagano coaches tough, smash-mouth style football and he needs players that are the same. With the moves that have been made in free agency this year it is proven that he is changing the landscape of the Colts. Expect to see many more moves that represent the head coach and what he brings to the team.
Tom Zbikowski brings toughness, knowledge and the ability to change the attitude on the defensive side of the ball. The Ravens were successful with their defensive scheme and how they used players, especially their safeties and Pagano was the mind behind the idea.
Everyone wants to find the “Ed Reed†of their defense, one that can make plays and can put fear into offenses. Zbikowski is a dual threat because he can also return kicks, as he did for the Ravens in 2011 with a 23.2 yards-per-return. He will be lined up next to Antoine Bathea and the duo should be quite productive. Zbikowski is great at stopping the run, so expect to see him in the box on certain plays.
There were other safeties in free agency who were better options, but considering what the Colts have done this off-season this makes perfect sense. The Colts have signed either low-end free agents with something to prove or guys near the end of their career that can help the younger guys learn.
Coach Pagano was extremely excited to add Zbikowski to the Colts saying, “Tom is a very dedicated and fiery player. His competitiveness drives him to perform at a high level, and his aggressive style of play parallels the attitude we’re looking for from the defensive unit. We’re very excited Tom will be joining the Colts this season.â€
As the Colts rebuild their team, they are doing it with quality players who respect and understand what Coach Pagano is trying to do. Colts fans should be very excited about this move and should look forward to seeing what he can do in a Colts uniform.
They hired the right general manager and with his changes the future is looks bright.
http://www.rantsports.com/indianapo...lis-colts-molding-their-defense-to-be-feared/
Colts Molding Their Defense to Be Feared
When you move to a new city to coach a new team, you try to instill your knowledge among the players as fast as possible. You bring a different style and attitude to the organization, in hopes that the players will buy into your system and philosophy. One way to achieve that goal is to find players that are an extension of the coach. When situations happen on the field, you feel confident that it will be handled the right way.
This player also brings attitude, toughness and a will to win. The Indianapolis Colts have found a player that they can rely on to carry the same values as their head coach. Tom Zbikowski has signed a new contract with the Colts, which makes him the second Baltimore Raven to come to Indianapolis via free agency to join their former defensive coordinator.
As I have mentioned before, the Colts need to change their entire organization. Jim Irsay has done that with the front office moves and changes to the coaching staff. Now Coach Pagano has made the same kind of moves. He wants to bring in a different style of players who have been here before. Pagano coaches tough, smash-mouth style football and he needs players that are the same. With the moves that have been made in free agency this year it is proven that he is changing the landscape of the Colts. Expect to see many more moves that represent the head coach and what he brings to the team.
Tom Zbikowski brings toughness, knowledge and the ability to change the attitude on the defensive side of the ball. The Ravens were successful with their defensive scheme and how they used players, especially their safeties and Pagano was the mind behind the idea.
Everyone wants to find the “Ed Reed†of their defense, one that can make plays and can put fear into offenses. Zbikowski is a dual threat because he can also return kicks, as he did for the Ravens in 2011 with a 23.2 yards-per-return. He will be lined up next to Antoine Bathea and the duo should be quite productive. Zbikowski is great at stopping the run, so expect to see him in the box on certain plays.
There were other safeties in free agency who were better options, but considering what the Colts have done this off-season this makes perfect sense. The Colts have signed either low-end free agents with something to prove or guys near the end of their career that can help the younger guys learn.
Coach Pagano was extremely excited to add Zbikowski to the Colts saying, “Tom is a very dedicated and fiery player. His competitiveness drives him to perform at a high level, and his aggressive style of play parallels the attitude we’re looking for from the defensive unit. We’re very excited Tom will be joining the Colts this season.â€
As the Colts rebuild their team, they are doing it with quality players who respect and understand what Coach Pagano is trying to do. Colts fans should be very excited about this move and should look forward to seeing what he can do in a Colts uniform.
They hired the right general manager and with his changes the future is looks bright.
http://www.rantsports.com/indianapo...lis-colts-molding-their-defense-to-be-feared/
Tommy Z was released by the Colts after one season as a starter.
Old Scratch
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Colts are black and getting blacker.
Zbikowski signs a one-year contract with the Bears, who now have Chris Conte, Brandon Hardin, Tommy Z, and I believe Craig Steltz is still with them. Four White safeties on an otherwise overwhelmingly black team that parted ways with Brian Urlacher the other day, strange.
2 of those guys could start at corner and 2 at safety, I know it will never happen but I can dream. The question in my dream scenario is would you start Tommy Z at corner over Hardin or Conte? He could do it, but those guys have experience playing corner in college. Tommy was supposed to be a lock in at corner at Notre Dame and put at Safety.
Its a damn shame to have 4 White safeties on one team. All of those guys are capable of starting somewhere.
Awake in America
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I don't know if it's good or bad that they are all on the same team. If two start, and one is the nickleback, it might serve a purpose. Imagine the wailing of the DWFs if 3 white players are in the secondary to cover the super athletic athletes at receiver!!!! They won't be allowed to give up so much as a single 1st down.
Periodically an NFL team collects a cluster of White talent at safety or wide receiver. I can't remember a single instance where it ended well. Denver during the Mike Shanahan regime at one time had the likes of Ed McCaffrey, Patrick Jeffers, Keith Poole, Travis McGriff, and one or two others I can't recall at the moment, all on the roster at the same time or nearly the same time. McCaffrey did become a starter, a revelation at that particularly dark time in the league for White receivers, but the rest were all misused and cast(e) off.
The Rams under Mike Martz had several White safeties (including Jason Sehorn at the end of his short career), but they were backups and worse other than Adam Archuleta.
Unless the Bears new head coach Marc Trestman is somehow different from the rest of the coaching fraternity hive, the Bears' assembly of White safeties will not end well other than for one of them, most likely Conte as he's already an established starter.
The Rams under Mike Martz had several White safeties (including Jason Sehorn at the end of his short career), but they were backups and worse other than Adam Archuleta.
Unless the Bears new head coach Marc Trestman is somehow different from the rest of the coaching fraternity hive, the Bears' assembly of White safeties will not end well other than for one of them, most likely Conte as he's already an established starter.
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Colonel_Reb
Hall of Famer
My fear is that all those talented White safeties are going to get buried on the depth chart, and possibly behind each other. The Bears have already said goodbye to Urlacher and now I think they are going to screw even more White defensive players. I hope I am wrong.
how is this any different from the dozens and dozens of affletes that show up out of shape to camp? get arrested for duis etc, still get multiple changes to start, they just don't come out with the truth and many are doing worse than drinking.
he stated he enjoyed the first two years in the NFL and college ball/high school much better. Perhaps he was tired of sitting on the bench and realized there was more meaning to life than playing a game (most of it special teams, he proved he could start the 4 games he got to start in 09 with 2 picks 4 pass deflections).
The comments are stupid, "throwing away talent, what a waste", he saved his money and is becoming a firefighter when he is set. Probably burnt out by the time he got to the Colts. I remember reading about his dad driving him across the country having him race top sprinters to prove he was athletic
he was screwed over the day Notre dame converted him to safety from cb after he was promised to compete for corner, they switchd him like a day after he got there.
it sucks but we can't expect every White athlete to serve racial apprenticeships , many knowing they are good enough to start but only being special teams guys to be perfectly content and give it their all.
being given a golden opportunity would be for him to be drafted in the 1st or 2nd where he should have been taken, and given the chance to start from day one.
he stated he enjoyed the first two years in the NFL and college ball/high school much better. Perhaps he was tired of sitting on the bench and realized there was more meaning to life than playing a game (most of it special teams, he proved he could start the 4 games he got to start in 09 with 2 picks 4 pass deflections).
The comments are stupid, "throwing away talent, what a waste", he saved his money and is becoming a firefighter when he is set. Probably burnt out by the time he got to the Colts. I remember reading about his dad driving him across the country having him race top sprinters to prove he was athletic
he was screwed over the day Notre dame converted him to safety from cb after he was promised to compete for corner, they switchd him like a day after he got there.
it sucks but we can't expect every White athlete to serve racial apprenticeships , many knowing they are good enough to start but only being special teams guys to be perfectly content and give it their all.
being given a golden opportunity would be for him to be drafted in the 1st or 2nd where he should have been taken, and given the chance to start from day one.