It’s Official: T-Jax On Active Roster
October 14th, 2011
First, Joe must commend safety Tanard Jackson for staying in such top-flight shape during his substance abuse suspension that he can walk off the couch last Monday and be ready to play in the NFL on Sunday.
Kudos for him for staying clean through his consistent drug tests and for taking his latest second chance at his career seriously.
Per the Buccaneers official Twitter feed this afternoon, Jackson was placed on the active roster today. Allen Bradford was waived yesterday, presumably to make room. There’s no reason to think the Bucs would have activated Jackson — they had another week or wiggle room — if he wasn’t going to play Sunday.
It’s just a pretty wild concept to digest that Jackson can get back on the field successfully after all that time away and a few days of practice. Forgetting about the physical side, there’s the mental part of picking up new nuances in the Bucs’ defense and reacting during live play.
A myriad of former Buccaneers took to the sports radio airwaves this week and threw a ice water on Jackson having any kind of success on the field Sunday, if he even played so soon.
Joe hopes Jackson can shock the world.
October 14th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Its not wild at all, your being dramatic Joe.
Players miss a year all the time from injuries, and come back the next year fine all the time. Only difference is Tjack didnt miss time because of injuries, instead dope.
He can ball, hes stayed in shape, hes put on muscle. He will play fine Sunday and will be starting immediately after the bye week, if not next week.
Relax
October 14th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
that just shows you how much of a badass this guy really is
October 14th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
He will be a huge upgrade immediately over Lynch/Asante. With TJax and Jones roaming the defensive backfield I feel a lot better about the pass defense against Brees this week. Talib has had another week for his nagging injury to heal up and Ronde always defends Brees really well. Things are looking up.
October 14th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Let’s everyone just hold our tongues for now. This isn’t a topic anyone can guess on just now. If he comes back and play good then its just a PLUS, but don’t go into this game with a miracle in mind. This could be a desperation move.
October 14th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
I told yall my boy was in shape and been working out so to all the doubters wipe that smirk off your silly faces
October 14th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Good news, lets see how he plays now.
October 14th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
8I just don’t see it going well. I hope I’m wrong.
I hope T-Jax is one of the reasons Morris/Bucs got fined for contact. Perhaps T-Jax received telephone information that a playbook and film was on its way? I would love that to be true.
October 14th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
@ Paul, if he comes back and plays well its more than just a “PLUS”. Its HUGE!!
October 14th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Why would T Jax need a playbook from Rah in the offseason? he isnt a rookie or FA and were running the same system.
October 14th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Im not too worried about Tjax knowing the playbook. It couldn’t of changed that much since he was last in. Either way good or bad its gonna be nice seeing #36 out there again he’s a playmaker and a year off tjax can’t be much worse then a lynch/asante combo.
October 14th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
@Ash The playbook this year looks very different from last year. We are not running the same defenses we were when he was suspended. Hence why a playbook and film of the new plays would be of help.
October 14th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
Hey Joe,
Great work as always.
Any chance you could do a pickem each week on the site?
Of anything to compare the real football junkies picks with all the otter talking head?
October 14th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
the guy has played football his entire life. If he is physically in shape to play, he can make an impact.
October 14th, 2011 at 2:04 pm
Last year the Bucs played tons of 3-3-5 Nickles quarters and Dimes(Hence why our run stop was shoddy but our pass def was solid). This year we are playing almost exclusively 4-3 Nickle and Over/Under fronts (hence the better run def and subpar pass defense). Even when we have played a a 3-4 we generally have the blitzing linebacker on the line making it a 4-3 formation. This is very different from last years defensive strategies.
October 14th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Look, heres what it comes down to…ready or not, is he the best option? I take him over Lynch and Asante.
October 14th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
When asked if he would be mentally prepared for the game on Sunday T-Jack replied “Duude…I am like ALWAYS prepared mentally. Are you gonna finish those Doritos? Anyway, what was the question…oh yeah! Like I said, I will make sure to mentally prepare and we are gonna smoke the Saints!! Wait…should I reword that? Sorry man…we are gonna BEAT the Saints!!”
October 14th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
@Bobby lol where did you find this interview? Or are you making jokes? Either way it is funny.
October 14th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
told you he would play…sw and sk your ship has sailed stfu.Grim reaper was good but t-jax is a Little better.we will need t-jax to help stop the run as well as pass…..GO BUCS !
October 14th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Intriguing. They cut RB depth when we don’t have it to activate a guy (granted it’s TJax) they didn’t have to activate right away. Not judging, just intrigued.
October 14th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
I don’t consider cutting Bradford cutting RB depth. You could hand Okam the ball and tell him to fall forward and pick up more yards than Bradford has averaged. I do consider activating T-Jack a good move if he’s ready to play. Can’t think of a game we’ll need him more. Graham has averaged 4+ yds a carry against New Orleans so we should be fine. I’m more worried about us defensively than I am offensively. With GMC out and Foster not at 100%, who knows about Talib….I can’t think of a better time to have T-Jack back. Bradford turned out to be a mouster.
October 14th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
It’s not like he has been sitting on the couch getting stoned and eating chips (not this past year, anyways). He knows this is his last chance and he has to make it count. I’m sure he’s been training very hard every day in preparation for his first Sunday back. He is a playmaker, something this defense is desperate for. Granted, he won’t be in football shape, but you gotta start somewhere.
October 14th, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Even if Raheem personally didn’t contact T-Jacks. Don’t you think at least 1 person on this team kept him IN the loop? During the Lock out all rules were semi dropped. so he could contact other players, even practice with other players. I almost have a feeling he did just that with a DB this off season. Seeing how fast he is getting plugged in. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone kept him up to speed until the lock out was lifted. AND if this was the case. Mentally he only needs to catch up on what they are learning since the lock out was lifted. Which is about what 8 weeks worth of practices. He isn’t far behind at all. Let alone, Raheem and co. Have a rosetta stone of teaching players our schemes.
October 14th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
I still think Just having T-Jack on the field will give the D a whole new spark.
October 14th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
SW and SK don’t know all there is to know about the Bucs and the NFL?
What a surprise!
October 14th, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Bash brothers are back baby! Just think if T Jack somehow gets a pick six, what does the Tampa homecrowd do? They were so quick to insult and belittle him last year, should be interesting! I’ll be there
October 15th, 2011 at 10:41 am
I just want to see him lay someone out like he did Dallas Clark. Offenses aren’t scared of our secondary..