Tom Zbikowski Official Website

Ed Reed, the Ravens All-Pro safety returned to the starting lineup after spending a month on the sidelines.  The Ravens defense hardly missed a beat with Reed out of the lineup thanks in large part to Reeds primary backup, Tom Zbikowski.

Depth is a huge concern for NFL franchises, but Zibby showed the Ravens they could breathe a little easier should another injury hamper Ed Reed.  Zbikowski was more than able to fill the big shoes of the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

The Ravens initially felt Reed might only miss a week or two, but the injury lingered longer than the team had expected.  No worries in the Ravens defensive backfield.  Zbikowski, the second year safety from Notre Dame, filled in quite nicely.  The Ravens managed to go 2-2 without Reed, keeping them in prime position for a wild-card berth.

Against Oakland, Reed returned to the starting lineup and Zbikowski went back to his primary role on the Ravens as a special teams ace.  The Ravens held Oakland to 13 points and officially put themselves into the AFC Playoff Race.

Next for Baltimore is a Wild Card game against the New England Patriots. The Patriots will host the Ravens on Sunday, Jan. 10^th, in Foxboro for the second time this season. The Patriots defeated the Ravens 27-21 during Week 4 this season, so the Ravens will have revenge on their minds.

Although the Patriots lost slot receiver and punt returner Wes Welker with severe knee injuries last week, Zbikowski and the Ravens will still have plenty to prepare for. Tom Brady makes his receivers better and the always-dangerous Kevin Faulk figures to take over Welkers place as punt returner.  Thats a lot of unknowns that Ravens coaches are going to have to account for.