Christian Izien: 'I Just Want To Dominate' As Bucs’ Slot CB

Looking at his production, Christian Izien fared well for himself during his rookie season. He appeared in all 17 regular season games and recorded 65 total tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. When watching him game in and game out, what stood out about Izien’s game is how he goes all out – every play.

He hustles to get to the ball regardless of the situation, and that is a characteristic that stands out. Izien filled an important part of the defense as the nickel corner, which allowed Antoine Winfield Jr. to take his playmaking abilities up a level back at safety after playing Izien’s role in the slot during the 2022 season.

Even as he was still learning the intricacies of Todd Bowles’ defense, the rookie from Rutgers held his own in coverage and run defense. The mental aspect of getting things down was huge for him.

“I would just say on a mental aspect, just learning the calls, and I was just talking to one of my other teammates just about like, ‘Shit, in Week 4 I was running a call in the game,” Izien told Pewter Report. “I thought I was running it wrong; I didn’t even know I was running it right.’ Just the growth from there, learning the entire playbook, and getting to a point where I understand [the jobs of] other people around me and how I can help myself play my position better.”

His collegiate experience helped him a great deal in his transition to the NFL. At Rutgers, Izien was a four-year starter who held down the backend of Greg Schiano’s defense. Max Melton, one of Izien’s old Scarlet Knights teammates, recently gushed at the Senior Bowl about how much of a natural leader he is.

“[Christian] Izien is a natural leader,” Melton said. “Izien actually reminds me of Michael Jordan. He’s not going to always tell you what you want to hear. He’s going to keep it a hundred with you all the time.”

Let’s just say that time at Rutgers where he played a great deal at both safety spots helped him become a key player who knows his responsibilities.

“It helps me a lot,” Izien added. “Just playing for four years and seeing the whole field, having those responsibilities, and knowing what’s going on on both sides. It kind of keeps that in my mind when I’m going through my pre-snap process of just looking at the other side. Having an idea of what’s coming to my side maybe, something that’s happening on my side, and vice versa. It helps me a lot in that aspect.”

Christian Izien Held Down The Hardest Job On Defense

Christian Izien held down an important job on the Bucs’ defense as the slot corner. Playing there, one has to be quick at reacting to his matchup. They not only have to know where their assignment is going, but they also have to be one of the most cerebral players on the team and understand where their teammates are.

Playing in the slot also determines a quarterback’s decision-making, so being able to disguise within the defensive formations is vital for putting himself and others in a position to make plays. Izien knows that doing all of this is not easy.

“I don’t think people in the real world understand how complicated and difficult it is to play slot corner,” Izien said. “You see a ball caught on someone – you see a ball caught and you think it’s the end of the world when in reality, sometimes it’s the best thing for a defense.

“There’s so much space to cover and I believe I have the hardest job on the defense. I understand that and I work on my craft because I know how valuable my position is. How good my play and my pre-snap disguise could be to make a quarterback’s decision post-snap.”

What aided Izien throughout his rookie season was learning from veteran cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean over some sessions of film study.

“Looking at film and letting film dictate how you place things,” Izien added of what his time with Davis and Dean taught him. “Those guys are a step ahead on plays and giving me tips and stuff like that. They’ve been really insightful throughout the whole season of what to look for playing certain teams personnel-wise so they’ve been really good.”

When starting to look at his plans going into this offseason, Izien is focused on gaining an edge.

“Playing such a decisive position as nickel, there are a lot of quick movements. Watching a lot of film just to give me a step, an edge, or find something in my game that I could work on and just be better. Always reaching to be better.”

Christian Izien Wants To Be “The Best Slot Corner In The Game”

Christian Izien does not only want to get better, he wants to be the best. Maybe there is something to say about Max Melton’s comments after all. Izien spent the year getting comfortable and learning his role, but his goal heading into next season is to make more plays and make the most of the chances he gets.

“It’s going to be a huge jump,” Izien said of how much he is going to grow with a full NFL offseason. “I have the highest expectations of myself next season. Some people think I over-met my expectations or I overdid my expectations but I think I had opportunities this season starting. Making more plays, and that’s something I do – I feel like I’m a playmaker and I’m a difference-maker in the game.

“So dissecting the film this offseason, honing in on my skillset, and now knowing what coach expects of me and what he wants of me. I just want to dominate, I want to be a dominant player in this league. I want to be the best slot corner in the game.”