TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Bucs Look To Rookie For Safety

ADVERTISEMENT

By ROY CUMMINGS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 6, 2007

TAMPA - The more the preseason dragged on, the more Tanard Jackson made a case for being on the field - regularly. And so it seems he will be.

Though the Bucs have yet to announce all their starters for Sunday's season opener at Seattle, it looks like the rookie cornerback-turned-safety will be among those playing on the first snap.

'I don't know for sure if I'm going to start, but they've got me running with the ones right now,' Jackson said. 'The thing I do know is that I'm going to play, and that's fortunate. It's a great situation to be in.'

Jackson has been in this situation since Sunday. That's when he officially pushed former starter Will Allen to the second string and started running with the first-team defense.

The promotion is a result of his work in the preseason, which has been nothing short of remarkable, especially considering he has been playing safety for about seven months.

The switch started at the Senior Bowl in January, when the Bucs' coaches took the advice of their scouts and worked the former Syracuse standout at safety while coaching the North squad. Bucs secondary coach Raheem Morris marveled at the way Jackson took to his new position then, and he was still marveling Wednesday at the way Jackson continues to adjust.

'He's got some 'it.'' Morris said. 'And you've got to love that about him. I mean, it's hard to come into this league and play right away, and he's doing it after changing positions. But he's performed. He's played well in all the preseason games and he's been consistent. I mean, you guys keep writing about him and I keep hearing about him, so now we're going to see if he can keep doing it when there's real fire.'

Jackson, 6 feet, 200 pounds, made eight tackles and broke up two passes when the fire wasn't real. Those numbers and Jackson's attitude were enough to impress the player he's expected to start alongside Sunday.

'He's hungry and ready to work, and you've got to appreciate that coming from a young cat,' strong safety Jermaine Phillips said. 'He wants to learn and work, so he really fits in here.'

Jackson appears to be a good fit at safety, but he said he still has to make adjustments as a run stopper.

'It's a different approach from playing corner,' Jackson said. 'At corner, tackling is always an outside-in approach. But at safety, it's more downhill. You're delivering a direct hit.'

Tackling was one area where Allen struggled. This latest move may be a sign the Bucs believe he's still struggling, but Allen still figures to play a lot.

Still, there is no denying that Jackson has been a big hit.

'I'm feeling pretty good about it, but I don't want to tell my family just yet because nothing is set in stone,' Jackson said. 'But I'm feeling good, and now I just have to keep making plays. That's how you stay on the field.'

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979 or rcummings@

tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT