Zbikowski goes to Baltimore
Arlington Heights missed a golden opportunity Sunday to fill up the local government's coffers.
So many people visited the Zbikowski estate just off North Wilke Road, a police officer could have made a killing on parking tickets and the fire marshal could have written a citation for an overcrowded home.
"We've had 200 people," said Ed Zbikowski above the din that included two barking dogs. "It's just an open house."
All in honor of Tom Zbikowski, the 2003 Buffalo Grove High School graduate who went to the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the NFL draft.
Zbikowski, who was selected 86th overall, was the fourth safety chosen and the third of four Notre Dame fifth-year seniors to go.
To say Zbikowski was relieved to learn his professional destination would be an understatement. "I hadn't slept or eaten anything in 2-3 days," he said.
Zbikowski walks into a situation where the Ravens have just three safeties on their roster. Alas, the top two guys are perennial Pro Bowler Ed Reed and third-year stud Dawan Landry.
That's why, when the Ravens called the Zbikowski home a few minutes early Sunday morning to tip off everyone that Tom would be their choice, they didn't just have him speak with general manager Ozzie Newsome, new coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.
Zbikowski also spoke with special-teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg. He might compete for the punt-return job with second-year man Yamon Figurs (10.7 yards per punt return last year), or he might concentrate on being a coverage guy.
"I'll definitely be on a bunch of special teams," Zbikowski said.
He will learn more Thursday when he reports to Owings Mills, Md., for a three-day voluntary minicamp.
The Ravens will find a 5-foot-11, 215-pound guy who has been working out like a fiend with trainer John Alder in Delavan, Wis.
"I'm in tiptop condition," Zbikowski said.
Studebaker makes history: For the first time in 51 years, a Wheaton College player had his name called during the NFL draft.
Andy Studebaker, a dominant defensive end for the Div. III Thunder who'll move to linebacker in the pros, was picked near the end of the sixth round by Philadelphia.
Studebaker becomes the fourth Wheaton player to be drafted … and the first since running back Fred Brock went in the 17th round in 1957.
Free-agent scene: Rashard Mendenhall was the only Illinois player picked in the draft, but several teammates were gobbled up quickly as free agents: safety Kevin Mitchell (Washington), defensive tackle Chris Norwell (New England), middle linebacker J Leman (Minnesota) and kicker Jason Reda (Cleveland).