Tom Zbikowski Is Not A PR

[Marcus]

I don't understand why we're not using Josh Wilson or Bryan McCann as punt returner. They both are fast and explosive. I thought that was why we brought in McCann because he's not going to get that much playing time at CB. Also I understand not risking injury to Wilson because he's our nickel CB but at the same time Zbikowski is our starting Safety right now.

[ravenaddict]

Based on Zibby's performance last night, it's hard to disagree. But obviously the coaches had him in there for a reason.

[FlaccoFlicker]

Well they thru McCann on the inactive list last night.I don't know but after last night,as much as I like Zibby in the secondary,PR was not his strong point last night.That near safety had my heart pounding.And did Wilson een get in the game last night?

[edreedfromtheu]

Ummm. you need you RELAX. He made one horrible decision. Other than that, he's been solid in returning last year and this preseason.

But really, PLEASE relax. ANYTHING is better than [b]chris carr[/b] back there. So count your blessings.

I do agree though, that I thought Josh Wilson would get many more chances to return kicks. Perhaps that changes going forward.

[TSizzle00]

Not sure what Zibby was thinking running backwards after catching the ball at like the 10 yard line. He does not have the burst to make up for going backwards. I like Zibby but man that return was terrible.

[FlaccoFlicker]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1284471957' post='476519']
Ummm. you need you RELAX. He made one horrible decision. Other than that, he's been solid in returning last year and this preseason.

But really, PLEASE relax. ANYTHING is better than [b]chris carr[/b] back there. So count your blessings.

I do agree though, that I thought Josh Wilson would get many more chances to return kicks. Perhaps that changes going forward.
[/quote]
I think Carr did ok last year,sure he called for fair catches when he should have ran,but hell whenever he did run it back for a decent return our ST would get some stupid penalty to bring it back.He was safe with the ball
The one horrible decision could have cost us that game last night.I won't hang Ziby out to dry,Live and learn.

[Perfekt]

im still shocked they made him return the kicks and punts when we needed him on defense. i thought our ST was our major downfall yesterday. if i had to point out one area to fix it would have to be ST. we won but im not happy with how we did it. really had me ready to smash my tv.

[Guest RBates]

Zibby should not be returning kicks if he starts safety. Period!!!! He's not good at it at all, and our special teams other than Billy Cundiff looked like it needs work. Those punt returns looked way to easy.

[MKdave]

He made that horrible decision, also had a couple of bad reads and didn't look especially elusive. I wouldn't really wanna see him try it again until Ed gets back. We don't need to be risking our starting FS when we have guys that can PR better.

[lowrider]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1284471957' post='476519']
Ummm. you need you RELAX. He made one horrible decision. Other than that, he's been solid in returning last year and this preseason.

But really, PLEASE relax. ANYTHING is better than [b]chris carr[/b] back there. So count your blessings.

I do agree though, that I thought Josh Wilson would get many more chances to return kicks. Perhaps that changes going forward.
[/quote]
Chris Carr did a very good job as pr the second half of the year. It took him a little while to get comfortable.

My initial response to the game was to say, Zibby played terrible and doesn't deserve to be a punt returner. But then I just thought about how Carr got better towards the end of last season. Same could happen for Zibby. He had a good run to start but it just went downhill. We will see

Parmele did a good job just for the record.

[Gtown Purple]

I'll agree that zibby didn't look comfortable. He's definitely got some things to learn. I hate seeing returners try to reverse field and give up ground, especially on punts. The fastest route from point to point is a straight line. get up field, make a move or two but keep your momentum forward.

[Jamal]

I love Zibby, but that was one of the dumber plays I've seen on ST's.

[Runnin Raven]

I brought this up before as a topic. The play by Zibby was just a huge mental gaffe. I think he learned his lesson. I really would prefer having someone who is NOT in the starting secondary as PR.

[PuRock]

Zibby is in there because he can catch the ball back there. Zibby made one bad mistake and is getting killed for it, reasonably so.

I expect that as long as Zibby is catching the balls and not turning it over he will remain back there for a little while.

He won't make that mistake twice, he's a smart dude.

[BloodRaven]

No starters please, that includes Wilson if he's our nickel.

[SnOoPy]

Zibby was trying to be a play maker. We got lucky with that one..

[Perfekt]

thats my thoughts as well. why would we risk a starter on ST when we have lost countless players because of it. thats all we need is for zibby to get hurt before reed is healthy. stupid move by the coachs.

[T-Sizzle55]

[quote name='Marcus' timestamp='1284471066' post='476503']
I don't understand why we're not using Josh Wilson or Bryan McCann as punt returner. They both are fast and explosive. I thought that was why we brought in McCann because he's not going to get that much playing time at CB. Also I understand not risking injury to McCann because he's our nickel CB but at the same time Zbikowski is our starting Safety right now.
[/quote]


I love Zibby to death and we can all agree he is a playmaker and proved since his days at Notre Dame he is a weapon with the football, but I don't want our starting safety returning punts!! Josh Wilson is one of the best return men in the league, but at KR. Bryan McCann looked really good returning punts for the Cowboys. If a safety should be returning punts it's Haruki Nakamura! (As you can see I'm a fan!) He's a special Teams Ace!! He proved he can move with the football when he rushed the ball 51 yards during the Skins pre-season game which was 1 yard shy of being a TD! Plus, he used to return punts as a Cinci Bearcat.

PS: Nakamura played in the slot in our nickel defense all night and held Jerricho Cotchery to two catches and 18 yards. Josh Wilson, Chris Carr and Lardarius Webb might see time at nickel as well. Bryan McCann might see time as a Dimeback, but he looks to simply be depth. He's last on the depth chart which would make sense to give him an opportunity to be our return man. Bryan McCann ran a 4.28 at his Pro-Day and said to be the fastest player of the 2010 class. How Al Davis didn't draft him in the 1st round we'll never know! lol

[Perfekt]

i agree we have to much depth to risk getting a starter hurt. i love Zibby an dont mind him playing ST but not risking him while reed is out.

[Crax]

David Reed made a good play on ST's. Why don't they have him doing PR.

[hawkprey]

Zibby should be our punt returner for midfield punts when the opposing team kicks from well within their own territory. Think of the return Jim Leonhard had on us. That's what Zibby can excel at. He's good in space but he doesn't have the skill set to make him a guy who can take it to the house from our goal line. For that we need an explosive runner.

I'm really hoping Webb can play ST. He was probably our most valuable special teamer, especially on coverage.

[Renediffie]

That mistake was unforgivable. Besides that he should have called fair catch on the next one as it could easily have cause a fumble. I dont see any reason to keep him down there.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Crax' timestamp='1284480335' post='476657']
David Reed made a good play on ST's. Why don't they have him doing PR.
[/quote]

Because he isn't a punt returner. He didn't return punts at Utah and was never in the running for punt returning duties during camp.

Josh Wilson isn't a punt returner either. He hasn't returned a punt in his NFL career and didn't do it at Maryland.

Zibby tried to do too much last night and was victim of some good punt coverage but I think he should get another shot unless the team wants to activate McCann.

[Marcus]

[quote name='T-Sizzle55' timestamp='1284478742' post='476627']
I love Zibby to death and we can all agree he is a playmaker and proved since his days at Notre Dame he is a weapon with the football, but I don't want our starting safety returning punts!! Josh Wilson is one of the best PRs in the league and proven. Bryan McCann looked really good returning punts for the Cowboys. If a safety should be returning punts it's Haruki Nakamura! (As you can see I'm a fan!) He's a special Teams Ace!! He proved he can move with the football when he rushed the ball 51 yards during the Skins pre-season game which was 1 yard shy of being a TD! Plus, he used to return punts as a Cinci Bearcat.

PS: Josh Wilson would be our Nickelback until Webb comes back. Then Chris Carr or Webb will play nickel. Bryan McCann might see time as a Dimeback, but he looks to simply be depth. He's last on the depth chart which would make sense to give him an opportunity to be our return man. Bryan McCann ran a 4.28 at his Pro-Day and said to be the fastest player of the 2010 class. How Al Davis didn't draft him in the 1st round we'll never know! lol
[/quote]

I meant to say Wilson is our Nickel not McCann lol. I do understand Harbaugh putting in Zbikowski for security reason because he's a sure handed guy. But when we needed a spark from our special teams I was sure that we would have see Wilson back there.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Marcus' timestamp='1284484386' post='476740']
I meant to say Wilson is our Nickel not McCann lol. I do understand Harbaugh putting in Zbikowski for security reason because he's a sure handed guy. But when we needed a spark from our special teams I was sure that we would have see Wilson back there.
[/quote]

Wilson isn't a punt returner though.

[CorvusCorax]

Way too early in the season to be calling for Zibby's head on punt returner. He'll learn from him mistakes.

Carr did as well so let's not hang him out either.

Man what's up with all this hate? Chill out guys it's the first freaking game. Be glad we won.

[Shawn`]

[quote name='CorvusCorax' timestamp='1284485712' post='476792']
Way too early in the season to be calling for Zibby's head on punt returner. He'll learn from him mistakes.

Carr did as well so let's not hang him out either.

Man what's up with all this hate? Chill out guys it's the first freaking game. Be glad we won.
[/quote]

Could you imagine this forum if we lost the game? Anarchy

Zibby didn't do a good job last night returning, in fact he pulled a Devin Hester, running backwards and sideways instead of down the field. It cost us that possession and in a game like that it could have been the game decider, luckily it wasn't.

I wouldn't rule him out of the PR spot for good because of that though, he'll improve over the season, or until Webb gets back.

[ravensfan160]

A safety on that play and we lose by one not the other way around. We were a foot away from disaster.

[ellicottraven]

Bottom line is Zibby is a good football player. The great thing about our team is we have options at PR. Importantly we won the game and found out we can try out either Wilson or McCann the next game - so why fret and fume?
One bad play does not a Zibby make folks!!!!

[ellicottraven]

Bottom line is Zibby is a good football player. The great thing about our team is we have options at PR. Importantly we won the game and found out we can try out either Wilson or McCann the next game - so why fret and fume?
One bad play does not a Zibby make folks!!!!