As an amateur boxer, safety Tom Zbikowski had more than 70 fights, but none like the one he is about to enter when the Ravens open training camp July 21.
The Ravens return two starting safeties, Ed Reed and Dawan Landry, and they really like Jim Leonhard, a fourth-year free agent added during the offseason.
The Ravens usually keep four on the roster, and if they had to start the season now, sixth-round draft pick Haruki Nakamura would probably beat out Zbikowski for the final spot.
But, because a final decision won't be made for several months, that gives Zbikowski time to prepare.
"You never know about football and where it will take you," said Zbikowski, the Ravens' third-round pick out of Notre Dame. "But I have a lot of confidence in myself, and I just plan on playing as hard as I can and letting the chips fall where they may. You want to be proud of yourself at the end knowing that you gave it your all."
His reputation as a tough guy is what drew the Ravens to him in the April draft. He had 80 tackles last season for the Fighting Irish and finished with 300 at Notre Dame.
Zbikowski not only flourished inside the box or near the line of scrimmage but also as a punt returner. He gained 757 yards on 66 punt returns and returned three for touchdowns at Notre Dame.
If he can't earn a starting role this season, Zbikowski has the ideal background to become a top special teams performer. His versatility, though, is key.
"We're not going to have the luxury for these guys playing just on special teams," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "One of those guys is going to be our No. 3 safety; the other one's going to be No. 4 or No. 5. I put Jim Leonhard in that mix, too."
Zbikowski has been steady, but not spectacular. The Ravens' scheme is different from what he learned at Notre Dame. The coverages are basically the same, but Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan gives his safeties the liberty to check in and out of plays according to the offensive alignment.
He also thinks Zbikowski needs to shed a few pounds. Zbikowski said he weighs 209 pounds. He'll be between 200 and 205 when training camp opens.
"Right now, I would say he is a little stiff, but that will get better once he gets his weight down," Ryan said. "We know he can run a straight line; now we want to see him change direction a little bit more.
