Tanard Jackson, Difference Maker?
October 17th, 2011
Steve White said it. Shaun King said it. Derrick Brooks said it.
Each had significant doubts whether Tanard Jackson, who went 56 weeks without playing a football game and had a grand total of four practices under his belt, would start and/or be successful for the Bucs against the Saints.
But he did start. And he had an impact, even picking off a Drew Brees pass.
There were several strange things that happened Sunday in the Bucs win, whether it was Sean Payton getting rolled and calling plays while sitting on the bench or Bucs secondary coach Jimmy Lake going all Bill Grammatica and blowing out a knee celebrating.
But to Joe, the fact Jackson came in and it was as if he never missed a practice was the most mind-blowing of occurrences yesterday. The defense actually improved with Jackson in the lineup, so Ronde Barber told dapper Rick Brown of the Lakeland Ledger.
“He makes our defense faster,” the veteran corner said. “He makes it more dynamic. We can do a lot more things with him. He’s just a ball magnet. He’s around the ball in the run game, the passing game. It’s good to have him back. His opportunity is to our benefit.”
The more Joe thinks about it, while it’s stunning to see Jackson start yesterday, rather than throwing rose petals before Jackson’s feet, Joe is starting to believe there was such a massive hole at safety for the Bucs after Cody Grimm went down, that it allowed a guy who hasn’t played in over a year to start with virtually no preparation and be an upgrade.
October 17th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
also…. cody grimm isnt that good either, lets say he’s halfway between lynch and jackson.
October 17th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
White, King and Brooks don’t know EVERYTHING there is to know about the Bucs and the NFL?
What a surprise.
October 17th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Joe, there’s an even simpler explanation: TJax is a Pro Bowl caliber safety on a team that has nothing above average at the position, including Grimm. It’s like Koenen taking over for Brent Bowden or Robert Malone at punter. There is simply no comparison.
October 17th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
T-Jax and Sean Jones can be a very dynamic safety tandem!!! Lynch is a phenomenal special teams player but he is no starting safety, and Grimm plays extremely well and is a great tackler but he doesn’t affect the play as much as T-Jax.
October 17th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
i actually think grimm may be better than jones. when healthy
October 17th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
there shouldnt be a guy more motivated on this team than jackson. jones is solid, but i think grimm is our future strong safety.
October 17th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
The way I see it White, King, and Brooks were just wrong on this one. I’m 100% sure that if it was John Lynch or Ed Reed or any other great Safety out there that lost that much time and was able to get back on the field none of those guys would’ve been crying about not being in “football” shape and all that non-sense. If you can play you can play and that’s that. You don’t need extra time to get it or to get in “football” shape. T-Jax is not the first or the last one to do it, the only difference is that T-Jax wasn’t considered a great player and it rubbed other ex-players and haters (King) the wrong way.
October 17th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Hell yeah he made a difference!!! In a defense where all our players are dropping picks, he comes in,and the the first ball he gets his hands on the picks off!
October 17th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
Tired of the haters tjax was good even when we were terrible people make plays on cody grimm all the time.. The man made some OFF THE FIELD mistakes and has never been a problem on the field.. I’ll be wearing my 36 jersey for the rest of the year
October 17th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
What he really brings is POP back to the backend of our D. The hit he laid on Graham in the 3rd qtr left Graham running to sideline wincing in pain and trying to catch his breath. Word will spread, once again, you will pay for every catch you make and maybe for some you don’t in the Bucs defensive backfield.
October 17th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
Future safety’s Jackson and Grimm ??
I can see it
October 17th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
I didn’t think it was possible, but he proved me. He played better than before he left. The hit on Graham was sweet. I was made a believer, and have already drug my ole Jackson Jersey out. I hope he can continue his career without outside issues, because he definitely seemed to ignite the defense yesterday. He’ll, even QUINCY made a play, as hard to believe as that is !!
October 17th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
No offense to Cody Grimm, but TJack is just a different animal out there in the passing game. QBs need to watch for this guy every time they throw the ball.
I can’t wait until he gets back to game shape…Our team just got a whole lot better. Now if only Freeman would smarten up….
October 17th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
I don’t think Jackson starting right away is a knock on our other safeties. It’s just that Jackson is better. He is an excellent safety for us. He always has been. The guy just makes play after play. Not too many safeties have that kind of playmaking ability. Like Capt. Tim said, I just hope he can keep it together and stay away from the funny stuff.
October 17th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Grimm was sorely missed against the run. He is just a great tackler. Where T-Jack is an upgrade is in his all around game. He’s faster and he is a ball hawk. Definitely the best safety we have.
October 17th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
“Grimm was sorely missed against the run. He is just a great tackler. Where T-Jack is an upgrade is in his all around game. He’s faster and he is a ball hawk. Definitely the best safety we have.”
This is why I would love to see Cody Grimm put on another 10lbs or so and move to the SS spot in place of Sean Jones.
October 17th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Capt tim needs to get off Quincy Blacks back he has slipped a bit this year I think because he was calling our plays a job he wasn’t used to
October 17th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
But now that Mason Foster calls the plays Black can play free and hit hard tackle and force fumbles like we are used to seeing.T-Jack is awesome! Sean Jones is weak
October 17th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Even though I was one of the ones saying just put him out there regardless I still can’t believe he pulled it off against Drew Brees no less. A definite boost mentally and physically for our defensive backfield who was becoming very suspect. Now we can’t say our best defensive back is Aqib Talib anymore. T Jack is back!!!!
October 17th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
I knew it. INSTANT upgrade.
October 17th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
T-Jax back and with perfect timing. Keep it up
October 17th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
I called it. Said when he came back that he was gonna bring a whole new spark to the Defense. Came out and produced right away and starting a string of int through the game against one of the better qb’s in the league. Even fired up Biggers to get a int. Aqib even looked better then he has. Over all his presence just helps this team as a whole. Congratz Mr. Jackson. Keep your nose clean.
October 17th, 2011 at 8:12 pm
So much for the “experts” huh ?
October 17th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
I was one of the ones that said Tanard is so much better than anyone else we’ve had Grimm included that we would be a better team. I didn’t expect a pick yesterday though!
October 18th, 2011 at 10:18 am
What TJax did was amazing. I thought he wouold not see the field until after the bye week. The fact that the coaches started him tells me – they liked what they saw out of him, but mostly it told me the other safeties are WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY behind in the talent level.
October 18th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Anyone who thinks Grimm is better than T Jax been sitting in the same circles as T Jax puffin and passin. Grimm doesn’t come close! Grimm is only slightly better than Lynch. No offense…I like Grimm, but that’s like saying Shaun King is better than Freeman. There’s no comparison.
October 18th, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Also…Grimm is not beeter against the run than Jackson. If you put 10 more pounds on Grimm he’ll be even slower. He needs to remain the back-up.