Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib has given PFT plenty to write about this year: he’s fought with a teammate, a cab driver, and reportedly cursed at his coach.
Now it’s time to give the kid his due for his play.
In a league full of zone coverages and cornerbacks that concentrate on one side of the field, Talib has taken to shadowing the opposition’s best receiver. And he’s been shutting them down.
Despite getting little or no safety help according to the St. Petersburg Times, Talib has been regularly stopping quality wideouts.
DeSean Jackson and Steve Smith were held to one catch against him. Randy Moss caught five passes for 69 yards, but Talib intercepted a pass. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel called Talib the Defensive Player of the Game last Sunday for following Greg Jennings all day and holding him to five catches for 61 yards. Talib picked off a pass against the Packers as well.
Put together a run like that on a winning team, and Talib might be getting Pro Bowl consideration.
Now we know why the Bucs have put up with his off-field issues.