T-Jack back with a vengeance in Bucs' secondary

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not place a player on the NFC Pro Bowl squad last season, marking their first shutout since 1995, the year the Glazer family purchased the franchise.

After the close of a 3-13 slate, Tanard Jackson had ample time to dwell on the real possibility he cost himself a Pro Bowl spot because of poor judgment, rather than poor play.

Tampa Bay's fourth-year safety was forced to the sidelines for the first month due to an NFL suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

"I thought about it during the whole offseason," Jackson said. "It left a bitter taste with me. I couldn't stop thinking about how different the year might have gone for me and the team if I had those four games under my belt."

Jackson, 25, returned with a vengeance, bringing back two of his five interceptions for touchdowns and registering 85 tackles in just 12 games.

A fourth-round pick out of Syracuse in 2007, Jackson reeled off four consecutive games with a takeaway, impressing teammates and coaches with his physical play and instincts.

"T-Jack sets the tone for us as a group the way he throws his body around the football field," said fellow safety Sabby Piscitelli. "When those lights go on, he's a football player. He may not be able to tell you exactly where everybody should be, but he knows exactly where he should be."

Jackson isn't a seasoned veteran like cornerback Ronde Barber, but the Bucs regard him as another quiet leader.

A converted college cornerback, Jackson represents one of Tampa Bay's most astute draft picks of the past decade.

"He's explosive, quick to the ball and he's quite a hitter," said offensive coordinator Greg Olson, whose receivers must cope with Jackson's physicality every practice. "Making the Pro Bowl usually has a lot to do with the success of your team ... 3-13 doesn't get you very far. I think he's kind of under the radar, but if you ask the receivers in this league, they know where Tanard Jackson is every snap."

Secondary coach Jimmy Lake marvels at Jackson's unwavering focus.

"The guy brings it every practice," Lake said. "I've got a tape made up of Tanard at practice and I use it as an example for our young guys. When a couple of our rookies were sliding a bit during two-a-days, all I had to do was show them the tape of No.36."

In 2008, Jackson showed up across the board in every significant defensive category the Bucs keep. With Barber, Jackson and third-year corner Aqib Talib, Tampa Bay has three defensive backs that Coach Raheem Morris can count on to make plays, especially if a marginal pass rush improves.

Jackson plans on giving himself every opportunity to make that trip to Hawaii the week before the Super Bowl, establishing a presence on the national radar screen.

Regrets, he has a few for incurring the wrath of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Excuses, none.

"I can't describe in words how it felt to miss those first four games last year," he said. "I let all my teammates and the Buccaneer organization down and I can never get those four games back. But now, all that stuff is behind me. I've learned a lot."

Any chance Jackson and Goodell cross paths again?

"I really don't want to see the commissioner again," Jackson said, "unless he's handing us the Lombardi Trophy."