Bucs DB Christian Izien Is Making A Name For Himself

In his debut, Christian Izien played in 36 snaps, equating to 56% of the total defensive snaps. Based on what Todd Bowles had to say after the game, it sounds like that total will continue to increase if he keeps up his level of play.

“They’re going to play,” Bowles said of Izien and wide receiver Trey Palmer. “They’re good football players, you just didn’t know their names. They’re making themselves household names right now. You don’t just make first-team nickel as a free agent without being a good football player. [Cornerbacks] coach [Kevin] Ross does a great job with him, [defensive assistant Rashad] Johnson does a great job with him. He made some great plays.”

Bowles answered that question initially being asked about both Izien and Palmer but then went on to praise the rookie defensive back in particular for being named a starter and having the talent to do so.

He has possessed that talent for a while.

The Bucs hope that Izien can play on Sunday against the Bears as he is currently in the concussion protocol, likely as a result of a big hit from Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson on his interception return. Izien missed practice on Wednesday and is status for the Chicago game is in question.

Christian Izien’s Talents Have Stuck Out For A While

Back in early July before the start of training camp, former NFL executive Rick Spielman stopped by AdventHealth Training Center and saw Christian Izien’s potential to be a breakout Buccaneer. Here was his assessment of Izien’s game then.

“Everything that you’ve seen on tape – the thing that stuck out the most on tape is his physical ability and his aggressiveness. Loves to play the game. We got a long way to go yet, but he was one of the guys that they mentioned, and the day we were down there stuck out, and he may end up potentially being their starting nickel before it’s said and done.”

Todd Bowles noticed Izien even before he signed with the Bucs as an undrafted free agent. Back when he went up to see his son Todd Bowles Jr. up at Rutgers.

“I noticed him two years ago when I went up to see my son,” Bowles said. “He just kept flashing, and I didn’t know to the extreme of what he was until I started watching film a little bit more during his senior year, and you just kept seeing the guy. I said, ‘God, this guy does a lot of things.’

“He’s very heady, number one, he’s very quick, very fast, he’s very tough, and he knows the game. To be that young and still in college and you know the game, [so] I didn’t know we would have a shot at him. Free Agency came, me and [General Manager] Jason [Licht] were talking about him, and we tried to go out and get him.”

Surprisingly enough, he was available after the NFL draft despite his consistent college production. While all four of his interceptions came back in 2020, that does not mean that he did not flash the ability to make plays. In fact, one of his better plays was a leaping one-handed interception against Nebraska.

He was asked to fill different roles on the Rutgers defense, including playing more in the nickel last season. That led to a career-high 85 tackles, and in his last two college seasons, he had 13.5 tackles for a loss.

Izien made another one-handed interception in his first NFL game, showing his craftiness in nabbing it away from Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn.

“He took it with one hand,” Bowles said. “He took it with one hand. It was a heady football play on his part. It was a crafty move for a rookie, [and] I give him a lot of credit.”

After passing his first test with flying colors, at this rate, he may just make a name for himself beyond the shores of Tampa Bay.