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Sabby Piscatelli (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter LBH
- Start date
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
Link
It's early yet, but this is the first depth chart released. I have heard very little about this battle up to now. Piscitelli is listed 2nd, but that's to be expected right now with him being a rookie and having to learn a defense as complex as the Tampa-2. My gut feeling is Piscitelli starts at some point, but not week 1. He has to learn the defense well enough to be trusted back there.
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KellysHeroes
Footballguy
Hold on.... why is Black backing up June in the Sam? I thought he was the next Will?
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Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
I wouldn't read too much into that. It's likely because he is the most qualified backup SLB, rather than saying he can't play WLB. It seems similar to the situation with Okwo being the backup SLB in Chicago, but likely to replace Briggs next year. I would speculate that both must be better than other potential backups at covering the TE in coverage, as well as possibly being better or at least adequate at shedding blockers.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Agree. Posted much the same thing a few minutes ago in the Okwo thread. The interesting thing to me while trolling for news last week was that the team moved Nece behind Ruud in the middle. Earlier reports had Black getting snaps inside.
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
I have to wonder if the complexities of the Tampa-2 is part of the reason Nece is the backup MLB, instead of a rookie. I hope that is why, and not a question of him being able to play there effectively.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I'm no personnel or playbook smart guy, so I'm not sure. But I think the biggest differences in the Tampa-2 coverage vs more traditional 4-3 would be a quicker grasp of run-pass recognition keys and the athleticism to get back into the deep middle zone. Otherwise, the run fits should be pretty similar. So I don't think the Tampa-2 is much more complex vs another MLB position. The SLB position -- take on the blocker at the point of attack, cover this short-intermediate zone -- is definitely simpler (though not necessarily easier in every respect) than the MLB role.The article detailing Nece's switch didn't really go into the reasons, other than to suggest that Nece was unlikely to get SLB snaps and would do well to become more versatile. I'm not sure whether it's smart to read much into this with regard to Black or not. Haven't seen much since camp started on his progress.
TheGreatest
Footballguy
Just traded for this guy. 
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Last note I saw suggested that Piscitelli was impressive but unlikely to unseat Phillips by opening weekend.redman said:
good
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
I think he will start eventually, but not until he has a better grasp of the Tampa-2 defense. It is pretty complex and a lot of safeties have problems initially.
Best thought is to have both, because I am thinking whoever stats should put up solid numbers.
Best thought is to have both, because I am thinking whoever stats should put up solid numbers.
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
That's a sick team you have there.
Chaos Commish
Footballguy
I think he's scared and will be making pizzas soon.
Seriously, they were raving about him before the last preseason game and he played very poorly. I've said all along I thought him a special teamer in the NFL. From what I read awhile ago it sounded like Phillips likes the kid, is happily tutoring him, but not feeling at all threatened. Sabby says he will play and make plays, whether in the nickel or dime, which he's working for, or on punt and kick coverage.
For those who haven't watched much of him, don't let his size fool you. He is not a real aggressive player or a big hitter. On a lousy Pac 10 defense with opportunities for tons of tackles, he finished fourth on the team. He played like a free safety in college despite being used at strong and as a rover quite a bit. He has excellent ball skills and initially made waves in camp with some interceptions. That's not at all surprising. Looks like Lynch, plays like Chavous. He does have excellent straightline speed, but he isn't much for breaking, cutting, taking good angles and run support.
I believe he has the physical talent and mental edge to overcome all of my criticisms, and I own him, but I think everyone needs to get passed the size speed thing and be patient.
Seriously, they were raving about him before the last preseason game and he played very poorly. I've said all along I thought him a special teamer in the NFL. From what I read awhile ago it sounded like Phillips likes the kid, is happily tutoring him, but not feeling at all threatened. Sabby says he will play and make plays, whether in the nickel or dime, which he's working for, or on punt and kick coverage.
For those who haven't watched much of him, don't let his size fool you. He is not a real aggressive player or a big hitter. On a lousy Pac 10 defense with opportunities for tons of tackles, he finished fourth on the team. He played like a free safety in college despite being used at strong and as a rover quite a bit. He has excellent ball skills and initially made waves in camp with some interceptions. That's not at all surprising. Looks like Lynch, plays like Chavous. He does have excellent straightline speed, but he isn't much for breaking, cutting, taking good angles and run support.
I believe he has the physical talent and mental edge to overcome all of my criticisms, and I own him, but I think everyone needs to get passed the size speed thing and be patient.
I have no room to have both. I'll have to pay close attention to this and hope no ones else is.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I don't think the Tampa-2 is all that complex for a safety. A few more responsibilities for the MLB and a different skill set for the WLB and CBs, but the safeties need good run-pass recognition instincts and the ability to get to the sideline in zone coverage. That's pretty much it.
as usual from CC.There's really only one safety with big IDP upside in this class. Weddle, Piscitelli, Rouse and a few others may produce well in the boxscores over time if given the opportunity, but none are likely to become All-Pros.This is something I've just never understood...was/is Phillips so bad that they would be this quick to replace him? To be honest I just don't see it happening this year at all & unless Phillips gets hurt or just really blows it I think he's in for at least one more solid season.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
They tried to ax him during the 2006 season for the venerable Kalvin Pearson. I think he's gotten another life under the Bucs' new DB coach.
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
Link to articleAt 6-foot-3, 224 pounds, Piscitelli runs the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds.Jene Bramel said:
"Sabby can definitely run," Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber said this week at training camp. "He's obviously a good enough athlete to play the position at this level. It's just a matter of him learning how."
Piscitelli's current test is learning the nuances of the "Tampa 2," the Bucs' main coverage. It places heavy responsibility on the safeties to cover deep balls, but also requires the strong safety to charge the line of scrimmage against the run.
As a kid, Piscitelli idolized eight-time Pro Bowler John Lynch, who was the strong safety in "Tampa 2" during the Bucs' 2002 championship run.
"He's on the learning curve," Barber said of Piscitelli. "You can tell he's still green to the game. He's not regressing or anything, but it takes time."
Despite his combination of speed and strength, making up for lost time has been a long-standing challenge for Piscitelli. As a child, his parents discouraged him from football because they were worried about injuries, but at Boca Raton his physical gifts allowed him to compensate for his lack of experience.
"In high school I just relied on my athletic ability," Piscitelli said. "A lot of guys are like that, but then you get to college and you have to study.
"It's even more complex in the NFL, and you really have to know your assignments. Each coverage requires a different adjustment."
Under the watch of Beavers defensive coordinator Mark Banker, Piscitelli intensified his catch-up process the day he arrived at Oregon State. He spent countless hours studying film and added 30 pounds of muscle.
"He learned to use his body in a better way," Banker said. "In some cases his speed worked to his detriment because he'd have to shorten his stride up and help his body get in position."
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Yeah, that's pretty much what I said.
I'm not saying it's a nothing transition but I don't think it's nearly as difficult a transition as a guy like Brandon Meriweather in Belichick's crazy zone coverages or Reggie Nelson in Jacksonville's multiple coverage, interchangeable scheme. Piscitelli will need to decide run or pass and either come up to stop the run or get back to cover only 1/3 of the deep zone. Tampa and Indy run as conservative a Tampa-2 as you'll find if all goes well. The Bucs had to blitz more last year because of the loss of Quarles, Kelly, Rice, etc. but they'll run as much Tampa-2 as they can get away with.
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Illegal Pants Downfield
Footballguy
Chaos Commish said:
Love your insight, CC, but very veryChaos Commish said:
by this one - if you have thought all along that Sabby's a Special Teamer (boy does that sound like one of those corny band names), why would you spend a draft pick on him for your fantasy team?
Chaos Commish
Footballguy
Thanks and yeah, I agree those comments are fishy. Well, he went undrafted, we use fairly deep 60 man rosters until pairing down to 53, so I picked him up very cheap because...Chaos Commish said:Love your insight, CC, but very veryChaos Commish said:
Sabby will work hard. He will learn. I appreciate the measureables, but I was never giddy about them (like some during draft season) having seen him get run over by many a Pac 10 RB. He was spectacular on special teams in college, and in a sense, that leads me to believe that his lack of explosive hitting and sure tackling isn't about his willingness so much as technique. His ball skills are very good, and he has a nose for forcing fumbles (stripping the ball more than popping it out). I believe only Weddle (and maybe Josh Gattis, who I like) forced more turnovers in college. So the tangible pieces are there, the intangibles have always been impressive, and Jermaine Phillips is no hill for a stepper. I'm advocating patience is all.Chaos Commish said:
TheGreatest
Footballguy
Any Updates?
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
I haven't seen anything, and until I do, I have to assume Phillips is starting. Just my opinion.
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brakeyawself
Footballguy
Phillips has been. But Sabby was hurt a bit. Any new news? Will Sabby probably be starting by what time this season?
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
That's hard to say. Right now, Phillips is the better player. I still believe Piscitelli will play as the season goes on, but that's just an opinion. I am still very high on him long term.
Zoomanji
Footballguy
Broken footWhat kind of word are you looking for?
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
Actually, if your league has IR spots, this isn't bad, since he wasn't playing anyways. I still like him a lot long term.Well, there's one more roster spot all nice and opened up.
redman
Footballguy
Me too. I put him on IR. Now, please don't interrupt my sarcastic whining.Actually, if your league has IR spots, this isn't bad, since he wasn't playing anyways. I still like him a lot long term.Well, there's one more roster spot all nice and opened up.
Anthony Borbely
Footballguy
Me too. I put him on IR. Now, please don't interrupt my sarcastic whining.Actually, if your league has IR spots, this isn't bad, since he wasn't playing anyways. I still like him a lot long term.Well, there's one more roster spot all nice and opened up.
ATC1
Footballguy
Broken 5th metacarpal, stress fracture, Lis Franc fracture? Just seeing if homers heard anything. It could play into next year if it's serious enough, or could be lingering if it's a stress fracture.
