The Bucs’ quarterback battle is the most talked about competition in training camp. The outside linebacker spot might be the toughest area for the Bucs when it comes to making a roster decision. But the most open competition available for a starting position on the Bucs roster is at nickel cornerback.
Tampa Bay has a number of players they are testing out at the nickel, which has become the last piece of the the Bucs’ defensive puzzle. The Bucs view the slot as a starting position, so choosing who gets to run with the rest of the first-team is important.
Todd Bowles Picks A Leader For Bucs’ Slot Corner
Of the group vying for the starting slot position are rookies Christian Izien and Josh Hayes, and veteran defensive back Dee Delaney. They’ve all had their chances to start in the slot in practice, and following Friday’s preseason game, head coach Todd Bowles stated that Izien is in the lead.
“Izien was solid,” Bowles said. “He had one technical error but I thought he was solid. He didn’t get a lot of action but he did all the right things. We know what he brings to the table. I think he’s the frontrunner right now.”
What does he bring to the table? Bowles expanded upon this at the beginning of August in training camp.
“He is tough, he is quick,” Bowles said. “He is a heady football player. I like the way that he flies around out there. In pads, we know he can tackle and blitz. We know he is quick enough to cover. As he picks up the system, it will be great to see what he does going forward. We really like the guy.”
Izien has been a sponge in Bucs training camp picking up everything there is to know about playing defensive back in the NFL. There are not many better teachers out there to have than Bowles, who played safety back in the day and is responsible for molding Antoine Winfield Jr. into a top player in the league.
Chris Izien Learning At A High Rate
“It’s great. He’s a genius,” Bucs rookie Chris Izien said. “You know, defensively, how he schemes up his calls and stuff like that. Getting the chance to learn under him, I’m learning a lot of ball.”
What’s surprising about all of this is the fact playing nickel is fairly new to Izien. He’s really only been playing it for one year in his final season at Rutgers. Otherwise Izien played safety, where he is also being cross-trained with the Bucs, while Josh Hayes is being cross-trained at cornerback.
Izien is picking up the nuances of playing in the slot so quickly that he is already slated to be the favorite for a highly coveted role in the Bucs defense. Izien hasn’t won the job outright yet, but is in the lead with two more preseason games to go.
“I played the position for the first time last year in college,” Izien said. “Transitioning into the league, I’m still learning a lot. Just being comfortable learning the ins and outs of the position. Coach Bowles has done a really good job teaching me.”
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