Potential Jet: Tom Zbikowski

I have to admit, I'm a homer for Notre Dame and loved him when he played there. The guy was a beast there, but hasn't really done much in Baltimore mostly because he's stuck behind Pollard. Still he would be a good pickup as a guy who would come in as a backup but push for a starting role and maybe steal it.

Honestly, I would not want him to walk in and be handed a starting role. If we do decide to go get a safety early in the draft and dump Leonhard, he would make a lot of sense as the guy to battle a rookie for the role and possibly steal it until the rookie gets his feet wet. Or if we bring in Leonhard again, he would be a guy to spell Leonhard and also provide insurance if Jimmy gets another injury. He will not be a

Z (cause I'm too lazy to type it out) is not a huge person. At 5'11 200 lbs he's probably at the more athletic and taller end of the safeties. He has great raw athletic ability, but the knock on him in college and so far in the pros is that he gets by just on that. Frankly, I rather have raw athletic ability at safety then a guy whose smart. (Yeah I'm looking at you E Smith). Word out of Baltimore is he is another Jim Leonhard type player, hard nosed, great on specials, but isn't a star a la Ed Reed. If we got a real FS opposite he would be a great piece to put next to him as a guy whose tough on the run, but can also provide average cover. He in essence would be a younger, more athletic Jim Leonhard with about 3 more inches of height.

A plus is that he did play under Rex his rookie year in the league so he is more than familiar with our "style" of defense. I personally believe that bringing a guy whose familiar with the system is a big bonus compared to a rookie who has to learn the playbook AND get used to the pro game. Still that doesn't make up for all his shortcomings.

He is also a solid but unspectacular return man. He would provide us another set of hands to return punts. With our problems last year bringing a sure handed guy in would make some sense. He's not flashy or makes huge returns, but with him back there, we can expect to have the ball still after a punt.

There are cons to him also. Once again, he has not gained a starting role in 3 years in the league. He has been a career backup/ 3rd safety. We do have another safety like him in Leonhard, and we would still need a good cover safety.. He would in essence be insurance piece, or a backup plan if we cannot get a better safety in the draft to replace Leonhard. He is not our answer to the problem, but should be looked at as a role player/backup/ possible successor to Jimmy Leonhard.

I say he's worth a look at, and if the price fits then go for him. There is nothing wrong with getting a good young player whose familiar with the system and more importantly fits the system. If we do go away from Leonhard, then he would be a younger version of him. We have bigger issues at the other safety position that need to be addressed first, but IMO if you can get a younger player who may upgrade your current position then sign him. Remember sometimes a little upgrade at one position can affect other positions' weaknesses and hide them.

IMO give him a look because and that position should be a second priority, once RT and FS and a backup QB are stabilized and upgraded.