Backup safety and kick returner Tom Zbikowski has reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts.
The fifth-year safety will be reunited with former Baltimore defensive coordinator and Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano, according to Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune. Former Ravens defensive end Cory Redding signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract to join the Colts on Wednesday, making Zbikowski the second Baltimore player to follow his coordinator to Indianapolis.
Much like fellow reserve safety Haruki Nakamura, who signed a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers earlier in the day on Friday, Zbikowski’s departure is more about a desire to earn more playing time than it was about money. A third-round pick in the 2008 draft, Zbikowski made 14 career starts in his four seasons with the Ravens, including filling in for the first six games of the 2010 season while All-Pro safety Ed Reed was on the physically unable to perform list due to a hip injury.
Zbikowski began the 2011 season starting at strong safety opposite Reed before a concussion sidelined him for two games and he was replaced by Bernard Pollard. The former Notre Dame product became the team’s primary kick returner late in the season.
His departure now leaves special-teams contributor Emanuel Cook as the only reserve safety remaining from last season’s roster. The Ravens claimed Cook off waivers from the New York Jets in late November last season.
An Illinois native, Zbikowski will now have the opportunity to play closer to home as well as compete for a starting job in Indianapolis.
