Rubin Overcomes Self-Doubt

[BernietheKid]

Rubin Overcomes Self-Doubt
		By Fred Greetham OBR Browns Reporter Posted Oct 31, 2010 | More The Browns nose tackle is proving he belongs to everyone, including himself.
BEREA, Ohio—One of the bright spots for the Browns has been the emergence of Ahtyba Rubin. The third year nose tackle from Iowa State has entrenched himself in the middle of the Browns defense and has been one of the reasons the Browns have been much improved against the run. He has started just 12 games in his NFL career, including the first seven games at nose tackle this season. He started the final five games of the 2009 season when Shaun Rogers broke his ankle. “Rubin has really established himself as an emerging young player,” Eric Mangini said. “He’s really stood up and he’s built on the opportunity this year.” Yet, the 24-year old Rubin admitted he had doubts when he first came to the Browns as a sixth-round draft choice in 2008. “At the beginning I doubted myself coming into the NFL and a new system,” he said. “The faster speed, but after a while you get confidence in yourself. Now, I feel I can go out and compete with anybody.” Mangini really likes the way the 6-2, 330-pound Rubin hustles to the ball. “He made a tackle 15 yards down field (against the Saints) and typically, you don’t see that coming from a guy his size,” Mangini said. “I’m really pleased with him. “I’ve only known him a short amount of time, but a lot of his plays come on pursuit,” Mangini said. “It doesn’t matter what your ability is, it’s about effort and he makes so many plays on effort. You see it a lot every week in the NFL. He’s a great example of what you can do, if you want to.” Rubin said he learned from a young age to run to the ball. “I’ve had that hustle to the ball mentality since I was a kid,” he said. “I try to use the hustle to the ball as a strength and I have carried that over to the pros. “There’s just something in me that makes me want to get to the ball.” Rubin makes a lot of tackles from the nose tackle position. He had 14 tackles in the last two games. Many times the nose tackle is spending his time occupying blockers in the 3-4 scheme. He is currently fifth on the team in tackles with 33. He also has an interception and two passes broken up. “My third year in the league I’m more comfortable after watching film and feeling more comfortable with myself,” he said. With the season-ending injury to Robaire Smith and Shaun Rogers being able to play more each week, Rubin’s play has allowed the Browns to use Rogers on the outside at end. “Shaun’s a great player, a great penetrator,” Rubin said. “He’s a big, big mass in the middle and anytime we’re out there together, we can make things happen. I just want to keep on making plays.” Scout.com: Rubin Overcomes Self-Doubt

[BernietheKid]

Rubin impresses in first half

By Matt Florjancic, ClevelandBrowns.com Staff Writer
Posted Oct 30, 2010

DL Ahtyba Rubin has excelled and impressed at the nose tackle spot this season.

When three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Shaun Rogers was lost for the season during the Browns’ 16-7 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals last November, he left some big shoes to fill, but then second-year defender Ahtyba Rubin played well in relief.

Rubin started the team’s final five games at nose tackle, four of which resulted in Browns wins, and helped limit opponents to less than 100 yards rushing in three of those contests.

In 2010, Rubin has picked up where he left off last season. He is the leading tackler among Browns defensive linemen, having registered 33 total and 24 solo tackles. Rubin has added one interception and two pass break-ups this season.

“A lot of his plays do happen on pursuit and that’s one of the things that we always talk about defensively,” said Browns coach Eric Mangini. “It’s communication; it’s disguise and it’s pursuit. Those are things that we should do every single play. Pursuit, it doesn’t matter what your ability is. You can run to the football. It has nothing to do with talent or any of that stuff; it just has to do with effort and what’s right, and he consistently does that and he makes plays.

“You see so many plays each week across the league where someone made an effort play that changes the game,” he added. “What you like about a guy like Rubin is that position typically doesn’t run to the ball that way. So, he’s a great example of what you can do if you want to do it and what that translates into in terms of production. He spoke to the team one night and he just said, ‘You guys are really important to me and
I’m not going to let you down and you can count on me game in and game out.’ He’s not a man of a thousand words, but it was sincere and it’s been backed up by what he does. You just have a lot of respect for that.”

One of the things Rubin has gotten noticed for is his ability to chase down a play from his place along the defensive line. At 6-foot-2 and 330 pounds, that is not always the easiest task.

“He’s a bigger guy, but he’s not sloppy at all,” said Mangini. “I think he’s in pretty good shape. I like to think that collectively, we are in pretty good shape. He works at it and he’ll do some extra running during practice, which helps.”

“You just have to make sure you’re in shape,” Rubin said. “It’s always a good thing, especially with me. I’m taking a lot more plays this year, so I’ve got to make sure I keep in the rotation and keep making plays, good plays.”

Though he does not have the experience Rogers and some other Browns defensive linemen have, Rubin has done his homework to make sure he is prepared before stepping across the white lines on the football field.

“In just watching film, I’m getting more comfortable in my third year in the league,” said Rubin. “I’m just getting more comfortable with myself and reacting to the ball when the play is made and just hustling. There’s something in me that makes me want to get to the ball and make the play.

“After a while, you learn to see what you’re doing and build confidence in yourself,” he added. “Now, I feel like I can go out and compete with any team out there.”

Rubin impresses in first half

[faninthehammer]

yikes, I didn't realize he was only 24. We could have a very solid NT for the next ten years from a sixth round pick. If the learning curve continues he will definitely be someone to build a line around. Kind of funny considering all the mediocre d line signings over the last couple of years.

[Enigmatic Evil]

Great article, as Rubin has been one of the true bright spots for our team, not just this past season but really for the past probably 12 or so weeks of NFL football. He finished strong last season playing for an injured Shaun Rogers, worked hard in the off/pre-season to get where he is now and I think many fans believe he will be a starter. We're worried about getting what we can for rogers, I say win or lose, we've got Rubin so we've got somebody who plays a high-calibre game to replace Rogers with when we don't have him...

We just need to worry about the DE positions, as we really need two new starters within the next 2-3 years. Coleman's only what, 31-32? We could maybe milk another year out of him but I'm not so optimistic about Robarie Smith.