AqibTalib Posts -- FanHouse

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Aqib Talib Hits Teammate With Helmet

Posted: May 20th 2009 10:05PM by Chris Burke (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers

Tampa Bay cornerback Torrie Cox is dealing with a facial laceration after teammate Aqib Talib inadvertently hit him with a helmet during the team's practice Wednesday. Hey, accidents happen, right? Of course they do.

Except that this only partially qualifies as an accident. Cox's injury came when he stepped between Talib and Bucs offensive lineman Donald Penn -- the actual target of Talib's helmet swing.

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NFL FanHouse Midseason Midtacular: Who Is The Best Rookie In the Land?

Posted: Nov 6th 2008 3:30PM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: NFL Fans

2 COMMENTS

NFL FanHouse Midseason Midtacular: because handing out awards at the halfway point in the season seemed like the right thing to do.

I can't remember the last time this many rookies made this big of an impact in just nine short weeks. We have running backs dominating their respective backfields, obscure quarterbacks on teams nobody really thought would win actually winning and even a few random positions being dominated by a first year. Unlike the fraternity house, if you're a good young stud, you can lead the group and these few have done just that, with the last winning our respective rookie of the first half award.

Matt Forte, RB Chicago -- The rookie out of Tulane basically broke waiver wires the first week with his 123 yard, 1 touchdown game against the Colts. While it took him seven weeks to break the century mark again, last week against Detroit, the tough-nosed runner has been consistent, rushing for 76 or more yards five times this season. If the Bears want to continue their dominance over the NFC North, the offense will need the mix of passing and running, with Forte getting a lot of that attention.

Eddie Royal, WR Denver -- Jay Cutler and company was pretty lucky to have Royal in the lineup with Brandon Marshall out early in the season. The first year from Virginia Tech had 146 yards and a touchdown in his first game, and has averaged 65.9 yards per game with one of the better players at his position lining up on the other side of the ball. Royal might not be a first option for a quarterback, but if he could be the Wes Welker to Marshall's Randy Moss this team will always be scary for secondaries.

Continue Reading NFL FanHouse Midseason Midtacular: Who Is The Best Rookie In the Land?

Report: Buccaneers Rookies Aqib Talib and Cory Boyd Fight at NFL Symposium

Posted: Jul 3rd 2008 6:33AM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, NFL Draft, Tampa Bay

3 COMMENTS

A fight broke out between two teammates Wednesday at the NFL Rookie Symposium, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is reporting.

The annual Symposium is supposed to be the place for the 252 rookies who were drafted in April to learn how to conduct themselves as professionals. But yesterday it was the setting for a fight between the Buccaneers' first-round draft pick Aqib Talib, and seventh-round draft pick Cory Boyd.

The fight apparently broke out during a session on personal finances Wednesday, but the two players had been jawing at each other throughout the Symposium, which began on Sunday.

Both players have been in trouble before. Talib, a Kansas cornerback, was suspended two games in 2007. Boyd, a South Carolina running back, was suspended for the entire 2005 season.

Aqib Talib Is Terrified of Your Poodle

Posted: Apr 30th 2008 11:30AM by David J. Warner (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, AFC South, Tampa Bay

1 COMMENT

The Tampa media is getting its introduction to Aqib Talib, the Buccaneers' top pick in last weekend's NFL Draft. The young cornerback seems to be saying all the right things -- how he played lots of Cover-2 at Kansas, how he and his buddies think Ronde Barber is one of the best corners in the business, how he hasn't gotten any sleep because he's so excited, and so on and so forth.

Then someone threw this question at Talib: "What scares you?"

"Animals, period. Dogs, dragonflies; I don't like no kind of animals. I don't like lizards, gators, none of that."

On the one hand, no one will ever have to worry about Talib becoming another Michael Vick. On the other hand, "no kind of animals?" Really? And why dragonflies in particular? Does he still believe the childhood myth that they'll sew up his lips?

The easy joke here is that Talib clearly enjoys plants more than animals, but given that he hasn't tested positive for marijuana in two and a half years, that's probably unfair. Instead, what the Bucs should do is hire Jack Hanna to try and cure Talib of this irrational fear -- and get it all on video. Hilarity is bound to ensue.

Buccaneers Get Cornerback, Just Not the One They Said They Would

Posted: Apr 26th 2008 5:37PM by David J. Warner (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, NFC South, NFL Draft, Tampa Bay

1 COMMENT

We heard straight from Jon Gruden's mouth that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were leaning toward a cornerback with their 1st-round pick. We knew they needed a cornerback, and Gruden even said which cornerback they would like to take, and he was available when pick #20 came around.

So of course, the Bucs picked a cornerback. Just a completely different cornerback.

Still, this shouldn't come as a huge shock to anyone. Simply put, the lack of cornerbacks taken earlier made this particular pick possible for the Bucs. Talib's stock only fell this far because he tested positive for marijuana use at Kansas and admitted as much to NFL scouts during the combine. For some teams, though, his talent on the field clearly outshines his issues off the field. Talib was a standout corner at Kansas, and some considered him the best corner in this draft.

The only question is whether this team can keep Talib away from Mary Jane long enough to make him a quality Cover-2 corner. If Mary Jane is his only problem, though, Talib might not be as big a risk as some GMs suggest he is.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Take Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas in NFL Draft

Posted: Apr 26th 2008 5:19PM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, NFL Draft, Tampa Bay

3 COMMENTS

Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib had some bad games against good opponents, including Kansas State's Jordy Nelson, who will likely be drafted later today. But I think in terms of raw talent, Talib is the best defensive back in this year's draft. I like the Buccaneers' pick a lot.

Yes, Talib was inconsistent at a position that requires consistency, but I think Talib's inconsistency was mostly the result of gambling too much at the wrong times, and a good defensive backs coach can teach Talib the right ways to gamble on the field.

Talib also has talent with the ball in his hands and has returned kicks and even played wide receiver. He should start from Day 1.

Previously on FanHouse:
FanHouse Mock Draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Select CB Mike Jenkins No. 20
Lito Sheppard Likely to End Up in Tampa?
Bucs Leaning Toward Defense in Draft Again?

Continue Reading 20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Take Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas in NFL Draft

FanHouse Mock Draft: Dallas Cowboys Select Aqib Talib No. 28

Posted: Apr 17th 2008 3:00PM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, NFC East, NFL Draft, Dallas

0 COMMENTS

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.

Since my original selection of James Hardy, it seems, was already taken at #19 by the Eagles, I walk back to the draft podium, wearing my pink Big Ben jersey with my tail between my legs and make an alternate pick (thanks to commenter "IU Class of '91" for discovering the mistake).

Earlier in our mock draft, the Cowboys addressed their running back situation by picking Felix Jones. Now they can focus on receivers and cornerbacks.

Obviously, I wanted to bring in Hardy as a big possession receiver to be the heir apparent to Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn. With nothing else striking me as a great value at receiver here, let me go ahead and grab the first real problem child off the list: Aqib Talib.

No one doubts Talib's ability. He's one of those coveted playmakers at the cornerback position. He's got decent size, outstanding leaping ability and can make a big play for a defense. At the same time, he can give up a big play for the offense. Still, he's one of those talents that Dallas needs ... and covets.

Talib's stock has fallen a bit because of his past marijuana use while at Kansas (he reportedly tested positive for the hippie lettuce three times). Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will take a chance on a kid with some character issues -- more on that later. This is such a need for Dallas that they may overlook some past mistakes to fill the void.

Continue Reading FanHouse Mock Draft: Dallas Cowboys Select Aqib Talib No. 28

NFL Draft's Best Cornerback? No One Knows

Posted: Feb 23rd 2008 6:31AM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
Filed under: NFL Draft

0 COMMENTS

Notes on a trip to the NFL Scouting Combine.

I've asked four different sources to name the best cornerback in the 2008 NFL Draft and heard four different answers: Virginia Tech's Brandon Flowers (pictured), South Florida's Mike Jenkins, Troy's Leodis McKelvin and Kansas' Aqib Talib.

Talib, especially, seems to be all over the place on draft boards; some teams have him rated as a top 10 pick and others don't have him as one of the top 50 players. I'm personally a big Talib fan and was shocked to hear that not everyone believes he's a first-round pick, but that's how divergent the opinions on cornerbacks are.

And the fact that no corneback has established himself as head and shoulders above the rest could be bad for all of them. If teams don't perceive the best cornerback as being better than the fourth-best cornerback, that could make teams in need of a cornerback decide to wait until the second round to get one.

NFL Offseason Roadmap: Detroit Lions

Posted: Jan 25th 2008 5:17PM by Tom Mantzouranis (author feed)
Filed under: Lions, NFC North, Detroit

6 COMMENTS

NFL Offseason Roadmap is a series focused on the needs of NFL teams as they begin the offseason.

1. Offensive Tackle. A disaster zone. Forget the 54 sacks Jon Kitna took last year. As terrible and incriminating as it is, it doesn't even come close to scratching the surface of all the crimes against football the Lions' tackles have committed. Running backs dream of rushing for 2,000 yards; I don't think any offensive line wants 2,000 yards of penalties in a season, but the Lions looked like they were trying hard, particularly the tackles. Jeff Backus was terrible and, when George Foster wasn't riding pine, he was worse. Damien Woody did pretty well stepping in at right tackle towards the end of the year, but he looks likely to sign somewhere else this summer. So that leaves zero NFL-caliber tackles on this squad. As for answers, well, teams don't let starting quality tackles hit free agency, so they're kinda screwed if they want experience. While their 15th pick puts them out of the running for Jake Long, they could decide to go with Ryan Clady or Jeff Otah, the next tier in this class.

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2008 NFL Draft Good Decision: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas Turns Pro

Posted: Jan 7th 2008 6:01PM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
Filed under: NFL Draft

1 COMMENT

A look at the 2007 junior class as players decide whether to enter the 2008 NFL draft.

The brother of Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib says Talib decided to turn pro after the NFL Draft Advisory Board told him that he'd likely be a second-round draft pick.

I find that shocking. I'll be absolutely amazed if Talib lasts until the second round of this year's draft. Talib is a phenomenal athlete who can contribute immediately to an NFL team and could eventually develop into a shutdown cornerback.

There may be some concerns about Talib's mental approach to the game (it seems like you can't read an article about him without learning that he was "immature" when he arrived at Kansas), but he's going to be an excellent NFL player, and he doesn't need another year of college.

See the full list of 2008 NFL draft early entries.