Nakamura & Zibikowski

[Marc2k6]

If you are wondering why we did not resign Jim Leonard, Nakamura & Zbikowski could have been a big reason why. Check out the tape, tell me what you think and your concerns.
Nakamura
[url="http://bearcats.fandome.com/video/88513/Haruki-Nakamura-2007/"]http://bearcats.fandome.com/video/88513/Ha...-Nakamura-2007/[/url]

[url="http://bearcats.fandome.com/video/91715/Haruki-Nakamura-2007/"]http://bearcats.fandome.com/video/91715/Ha...-Nakamura-2007/[/url]


Zbikowski
[url="http://irish.fandome.com/video/78482/Zbikowski-Highlights/"]http://irish.fandome.com/video/78482/Zbikowski-Highlights/[/url]

[url="http://irish.fandome.com/video/75755/Zbikowski-Highlights/"]http://irish.fandome.com/video/75755/Zbikowski-Highlights/[/url]

[ItFigurs16]

Marc the Nacamora links arent working

But man Zibby was a beast at ND. I knew he was good by seeing how he played in camp last year. I can't wait for him to get out on the feild this season. No one is going to want to pass on us with Reed and Zibby back there. Thanks Marc for showing the naysayers why we don't need Leanord.

[bossman419]

Oh and Landry is just chopped liver? Come on he was stellar his rookie season and was praised by harbs for his work ethic and progress last year, i am genuinely happy to have him back this year. Remember Leonhard was the backup at the beginning of the season.

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='bossman419' post='174158' date='Mar 29 2009, 06:25 PM']Oh and Landry is just chopped liver? Come on he was stellar his rookie season and was praised by harbs for his work ethic and progress last year, i am genuinely happy to have him back this year. Remember Leonhard was the backup at the beginning of the season.[/quote]

Nope! This is not about Landry, he is the man if he is able to make a full recovery. This is about why the Raven's did not feel the need to resign J. Leonard.

[neepo13]

I dont think we didnt want him back. Surely we could have used him, I think Ozzie knew that Jim wanted to be the guy and he wouldnt be given that opportunity here because of those two and Landry.

[ItFigurs16]

The release of Leanord was out of respect for him because there was no way he could have had a starting position with the return of Landry and with Zibby, and Nakamora. Harbs knew Leanord would be happier somewhere he could start. End of story.

And no, Landry is not chopped liver, he is a beast. I am hopeing he can come back 100% this season.

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='ItFigurs16' post='174165' date='Mar 29 2009, 07:21 PM']The release of Leanord was out of respect for him because there was no way he could have had a starting position with the return of Landry and with Zibby, and Nakamora. Harbs knew Leanord would be happier somewhere he could start. End of story.

And no, Landry is not chopped liver, he is a beast. I am hopeing he can come back 100% this season.[/quote]

I respect him, but with these 2 on the team, I did not see the need to spend 4 or 5 Mil to keep Leonard.

[Alexir]

As great as Jimmy played last year, Zbikowski is much better. I think Ozzie did a great job drafting Haruki and Tom. I wish leonhard the best but we definitely didn't NEED him in Baltimore. It would have been more of an insurance to have him but we are fine with the guys we got now.

[ItFigurs16]

I still don't know how we landed both Zibby and Nakamora. They are both beasts. Ozzie is the man!

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='ItFigurs16' post='174172' date='Mar 29 2009, 07:51 PM']I still don't know how we landed both Zibby and Nakamora. They are both beasts. Ozzie is the man![/quote]
I do not know either. Did you see Nakamura battling Ray Rice?

[ItFigurs16]

[quote name='Marc2k6' post='174174' date='Mar 29 2009, 07:56 PM']I do not know either. Did you see Nakamura battling Ray Rice? [/quote]
Yea man I thought that was pretty epic. I bet those guys talked about that last season lol.

[BloodRaven]

I like them both, but it seems like Nakamura needs to work on fundamental tackling. Big hits are only good if they actually connect.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='BloodRaven' post='174203' date='Mar 29 2009, 09:34 PM']I like them both, but it seems like Nakamura needs to work on fundamental tackling. Big hits are only good if they actually connect.[/quote]

I saw Nakamura make some solid wrap-up tackles on special teams but he does go for the hit a lot.

[Black&Purple]

Hightlights of both them have already been posted, the reason why is obviously because we have depth, but also because he would have gotten starter money.

[Sizzle]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' post='174207' date='Mar 29 2009, 09:49 PM']I saw Nakamura make some solid wrap-up tackles on special teams but he does go for the hit a lot.[/quote]
What? no you are wrong. I remember nakamura missing a tackle on cribbs and he took it for a TD. I think his problem is he goes up top and doesn't really have the strength to take down guys.

[Mahatma_Sloth]

[quote name='Sizzle' post='174228' date='Mar 29 2009, 09:20 PM']What? no you are wrong. I remember nakamura missing a tackle on cribbs and he took it for a TD. I think his problem is he goes up top and doesn't really have the strength to take down guys.[/quote]
from what i remember of that return about 5 diffrent guys didnt have the strength

[Mahatma_Sloth]

Zib is to Jim as Mason s to Clayton, but i think Zib is stronger than Jim. Or did they not look alike on those punt returns?

Nak has the smarts speed and toughness. I see comparisons of intuition to Reed( i am not saying hes anywhere near him in overall tallent). i remember Reed saying( dont have a link but it was the eagles behind the bench) that Nak was the one who called the o formation that got him the longest pick 6 ever. which meens that could of easily been him(dont know bout the return though)

[TSizzle00]

[quote name='Marc2k6' post='174145' date='Mar 29 2009, 06:02 PM']If you are wondering why we did not resign Jim Leonard, Nakamura & Zbikowski could have been a big reason why. Check out the tape, tell me what you think and your concerns.
Nakamura
[url="http://bearcats.fandome.com/video/88513/Haruki-Nakamura-2007/"]http://bearcats.fandome.com/video/88513/Ha...-Nakamura-2007/[/url]

[url="http://bearcats.fandome.com/video/91715/Haruki-Nakamura-2007/"]http://bearcats.fandome.com/video/91715/Ha...-Nakamura-2007/[/url]


Zbikowski
[url="http://irish.fandome.com/video/78482/Zbikowski-Highlights/"]http://irish.fandome.com/video/78482/Zbikowski-Highlights/[/url]

[url="http://irish.fandome.com/video/75755/Zbikowski-Highlights/"]http://irish.fandome.com/video/75755/Zbikowski-Highlights/[/url]
[/quote]

Wait in the Nakamura video did we just see him blow up Ray Rice at the goal line LMAO!!

[TSizzle00]

[quote name='Marc2k6' post='174174' date='Mar 29 2009, 07:56 PM']I do not know either. Did you see Nakamura battling Ray Rice? [/quote]

He blew Ray Rice up at the goal line!

[T-Sizzle55]

First off, thank you for this thread.

Haruki and Tom were great pickups in the draft. They are great backups and dominate on specials teams. I remember Rex Ryan liked having two guys with fighting backgrounds, Haruki's in Judo and Tom's in boxing when he said, "We call them the mixed martial arts safeties. We might not be able to cover anybody, but we're going to beat up somebody."
These two guys should get a lot of consideration and praise for the way they played for us last year when they took the field. They improved tremendously during the course of the season and I can't wait to see them next year. I am one of the few crazy people who actually looks forward Pre-Season games. Why? Simple, #1 it's the mark of NFL football finally returning and #2 we get to see guys on the field who don't normally get a lot of time in regular season games. We get a glimpse at our young players, draft picks, and other guys who give us invaluable depth.

[T-Sizzle55]

I knew about Haruki Nakamura because I went to WVU and when we would play Cinci, they always bragged that they had the best safety in the Big East. He is still thought of as the best safety in Bearcat history. I didn't watch every Rutgets game, so I wasn't as much of an expert on the guy and I didn't fully understand why the Ravens would take a kid who (at that time) was slightly undersized. I watched his highlight film Titled: "Haruki Nakamura's Ultimate Highlights" on YouTube.com When you come to 3:11 I knew why we picked him. He flew to the ball like a heat seeking missile and gave rediculous hits going full speed.

[url="http://bearcats.fandome.com/video/91715/Haruki-Nakamura-2007/"]http://bearcats.fandome.com/video/91715/Ha...-Nakamura-2007/[/url]


I also knew about Tom Zbikowski who was a more popular name at that time as Notre Dames's playmaking returner and defensive team captain. He was one of Notre Dame's top playmakers and found his way to the endzone by returning kicks, punts, INTs, and fumble recoveries. He's a physical athlete who likes hitting people right in the mouth so much he was an amature boxer since the young age of 10 years old. He was pretty good at it too with an amature record of 75-15 in the heavyweight division. On June 10, 2006, Zbikowski made his professional boxing debut at Madison Square Garden where he made short work of his opponent defeating Robert Bell by TKO within 49 seconds of the first round. Tommy Z is a heavy hitter, now laying haymakers on our opponents and fits nicely on our team. Afterall, Harbaugh's motto is "Hitting, We like hitting. We prefer hitting."

Tom has also faught for charity raising $40,000 for several charities including the Tommy Z9 Foundation to fight cystic fibrosis and coach Charlie Weis' Hannah & Friends. I also remember a good story about Zibby that got him some notoriety at the combine. He wasn't just known for his freshly cut mohawk, but when he yelled at strength and conditioning coach John Lott during his bench press. When Tom was on his 8th repetition Lott had the foolish idea to yell, "UP! UP! Come on, Rudy!", at the part-time boxer. After Zbikowski finished putting up 24 reps (one of the best at the combine by a safety), he yelled right back at Lott, "Don't call me that again!"

[url="http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/storage/paper660/news/2007/03/07/Sports/Football.Zbikowski.Fights.In.Match.To.Help.Charity-2761874.shtml"]http://media.www.ndsmcobserver.com/media/s...y-2761874.shtml[/url]

They are both definately Ravens!

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='T-Sizzle55' post='174304' date='Mar 30 2009, 11:04 AM']When Tom was on his 8th repetition Lott had the foolish idea to yell, "UP! UP! Come on, Rudy!", at the part-time boxer. After Zbikowski finished putting up 24 reps (one of the best at the combine by a safety), he yelled right back at Lott, "Don't call me that again!"[/quote]

Yeah, I would have been mad about that to. Rudy? I would have said get on bench Bobby Boucher and see how many you can throw up!

[slugz1]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX6Zbfu5T9c&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX6Zbfu5T9c&feature=related[/url]

[slugz1]

[quote name='Sizzle' date='29 March 2009 - 11:20 PM' timestamp='1238383241' post='174228']
What? no you are wrong. I remember nakamura missing a tackle on cribbs and he took it for a TD. I think his problem is he goes up top and doesn't really have the strength to take down guys.
[/quote]


i think the kicker took his legs from under him.

[BloodRaven]

Its hard to grade them based off one season but here are a few things to consider...

Nakamura played just over double the snaps as Zibby, and 72 snaps in coverage compared to Zibbys 19.

But, in special teams coverage Zibby made 18 tackles and missed ZERO whereas Nakamura made 9 tackles and missed 6.

That tells you the coaching staff believe Nakamura is better than Zibby in coverage, but also shows that Zibby is a better tackler.

Future SS and FS right there.

[Camcamthecoachingman]

I can't wait to see these guys really breakout nationally this year. We already know they're both a problem in their own respect, but wait til the world finds out.

[PIG 20]

People forget that if Landry never went down last season, Leonhard would have seen very limited playing time.

Good for Jim to go and get his contract and starting role with the Jets but I have a feeling that its going to be a long season for Jets fans this year!

The three teams in their division are better than them. I would be surprised if they didn't end up in last place.

Its about the Ravens system, not so much the individual.

I really think Haruki and Tom will do just fine filling in. Not to mention that one of them will see more playing time with Corey Ivy not coming back next season! Thank god for that!

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='PIG 20' date='27 July 2009 - 10:42 AM' timestamp='1248705755' post='210401']
People forget that if Landry never went down last season, Leonhard would have seen very limited playing time.

Good for Jim to go and get his contract and starting role with the Jets but I have a feeling that its going to be a long season for Jets fans this year!

The three teams in their division are better than them. I would be surprised if they didn't end up in last place.

Its about the Ravens system, not so much the individual.

I really think Haruki and Tom will do just fine filling in. Not to mention that one of them will see more playing time with Corey Ivy not coming back next season! Thank god for that!
[/quote]
Yeah, I think these 2 guys will be knocking guys out this year.

[Ed_Reed20]

I really enjoyed watching Zib and Haruki on special teams last year and even when they came in on certain packages. I can't wait to see what they do this year.