Lansanah Forcing Foster Out?
December 9th, 2014
It appears the Bucs could be looking at Danny Lansanah at MLB in 2015.
Bucs fans are growing irritable. No, really. Joe knows this is a bit of a surprise when the likes of Josh McCown was supposed to lead the Bucs to the promised land in Arizona in February (can you imagine?).
Earlier this year, the defense was beyond a trainwreck. When a team gets chain-whipped twice in a month, one runs out of proper adjectives to describe how rotten the defense was. Let’s just say Raheem Morris was revolted.
After the bye week, the defense markedly improved (it had nowhere to go but up). Part of that was the addition-by-subtraction trade of passive safety Mark Barron to the Lambs. Another was the emergence of linebacker Danny Lansanah.
In recent weeks, Lansanah has become something of a Lavonte David, Jr. Against the Bengals, Lansanah racked up 13 solo tackles starting for the injured David. However, Lansanah’s future may not be at outside linebacker.
Per the writings of Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, it seems changes could be afoot in the defensive lineup and Lansanah will be working more at middle linebacker. That’s not just because Mason Foster is slowed with an Achilles injury; the Bucs think Lansanah could be an upgrade at the position.
Lansanah did start at middle linebacker at Detroit, and it sure seems Bucs coach Lovie Smith was expecting a little bit more from the former UFL player.
The results were not spectacular. Smith described Lansanah’s eight-tackle outing as just “OK,’’ but refused to rule out a permanent move of Lansanah to the middle down the road.
“I think you can make a case (for him),’’ Smith said. “He won’t be our (weakside) linebacker. His talents are better suited for the (middle) or the (strongside) linebacker position. And he’s had success at both of those.
“Again, we’ll find out more these next three weeks, just like we found out more about him with each week he’s played. I’ll just say that he’s a player that is part of that foundation that we’re building.’’
Here is where things get interesting. Foster is a free agent after this season. Lansanah is a restricted free agent who, per Rotoworld.com, makes about $200,000 less than Foster. There is no question there will be changes to this team for 2015. How could there not be?
It’s safe to assume that even for NFL chickenfeed, the Bucs are going to look to save cash where they can because the team simply cannot enter 2015 with the same offensive line as it has now. That means the team might just be eating Team Glazer cash to upgrade, despite last offseason’s “upgrade” of the offensive line.
Then, of course, there is David’s contract to consider. David will be entering the final year of his current deal.
December 9th, 2014 at 3:49 pm
Foster is a “thumper” but Lansanah looks to be more fluid with his movement around the field. He looks to be notably faster, as well.
I love me some Mason, but is DL can improve on his deep C-2 drops, he is an upgrade in my opinion (like that matters, haha).
December 9th, 2014 at 3:59 pm
Foster and Lansanah will both likely be resigned. Lansanah may be better suited at MLB than Foster since his coverage skills are better.
I’m not convinced yet that either will be the long term answer at MLB – but both are good Sams and it seems that Lansanah did a good job filling in for David while he was out. We may see him at Will again this week because David suffered that concussion in the Detroit game.
If Lansanah could develop into something along the lines of what Shelton Quarles was able to do when he transitioned to Mike LB – then that would be the best case scenario and 1 less position we don’t have to be concerned with – but that’s asking a lot.
I will say that Lansanah has certainly looked more and more comfortable playing in this defense and has been a really pleasant surprise this year considering he basically came out of nowhere. Nice job coach Nickerson and credit is due to the scouting dept and Schiano/Dom for plucking what developed into a good player off the Jets practice squad this time last year. Perhaps it was based on the blind squirrel theory but as often as I say Thanks Dom!! – I am actually sincere this time.
December 9th, 2014 at 4:25 pm
foster’s weaknesses will be better disguised at SAM, it’s been talked about since he was drafted by raheem but became a non-issue with schiano’s change in scheme. i don’t see foster coming back, he showed up on tape in a pretty significant way the previous 2 years and coaches running a scheme that has their LBs blitzing and attacking the LOS more have probably got him on their “sleeper” list after his down year.
December 9th, 2014 at 4:36 pm
Lovie will very likely draft a MLB with a high pick so its all up in the air anyway. He wants another Urlacher for this defense.
December 9th, 2014 at 4:37 pm
He had a pretty good game until Furia caught that TD pass in the fourth quarter when he didn’t take a deep enough drop and got himself trapped in no mans land.
Big run in that quarter came courtesy of Dane Fletcher who got horribly out of his gap.
Bucs defense played pretty well in the game but unfortunately let to many third and long situations get converted. Still, with McCoy being hobbled, Foster being out and losing Lavonte David in the fourth,the defense held up pretty well. Practically shutdown the Lions running game until that big run.
If only we had an OC like Joe Lombardi, who called a great game in order to handle our rush. Arroyo is so out of his league.
December 9th, 2014 at 4:51 pm
Boom! called it in another post! Lansanah would turn out to be a good MLB. He has the ability to stay stout in run gaps and the athleticism to cover TE’s down the seam. With a whole offseason to make the transition I think the sky’s the limit for that young man.
No need to get rid of Foster either. When he can be a big upgrade over at the SAM backer position. There are to many holes on this team as it is, to go and create more.
Let’s play out the rest of the season with that switch and see how they do. Then if they don’t adapt well you know what position to draft for!
December 9th, 2014 at 4:52 pm
ddneast Says:
December 9th, 2014 at 4:37 pm
He had a pretty good game until Furia caught that TD pass in the fourth quarter when he didn’t take a deep enough drop and got himself trapped in no mans land.
Big run in that quarter came courtesy of Dane Fletcher who got horribly out of his gap.
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Blame the big run on who the blame belongs to, Dashon Goldson. He blew that play in a big big way.
December 9th, 2014 at 4:53 pm
BucIt941 Says:
December 9th, 2014 at 4:51 pm
Boom! called it in another post! Lansanah would turn out to be a good MLB. He has the ability to stay stout in run gaps and the athleticism to cover TE’s down the seam. With a whole offseason to make the transition I think the sky’s the limit for that young man.
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Good job, I’ve been steady saying this for the past month.
December 9th, 2014 at 5:08 pm
I still think Foster is a legit LBer it’s very evident when ever he’s hurt and we can’t ever find a decent replacement. He definitely has talent and I personally think can become a pro-bowl caliber SAM on this team. I like David, Lansanah, and Foster on the field at the same time! It’s a good up and coming Trio! Plus saves us a draft pick for other much needed holes to fill!
December 9th, 2014 at 5:18 pm
Foster is a decent LB… If he is willing to sign a cap friendly contract then we should keep him… He would definitely add quality depth at LB… He is better than Dane Fletcher for sure! But so is my grandma…lol
December 9th, 2014 at 5:36 pm
Want nothing more to do with Foster. Can’t cover, overrated as a run stopper. He should not be a starting linebacker.
December 9th, 2014 at 5:49 pm
Foster can play Sam so it would be dumb to get rid of depth, design him let him play his natural position. Lovie should have already learned his lesson about unknown free agents, let a rookie develop and take his spot, this team needs smart veteran play which he brings but he just unfortunately can’t cover the deep middle but atleast he doesn’t have mental breakdowns
December 9th, 2014 at 6:05 pm
We would be crazy not to sign all three of the LBs and figure out where the best place to play them and since they can play more than one LB position what more could you want. Draft a mid to low rround LB who can learn and grow to add to the mix.
December 9th, 2014 at 6:17 pm
Brandon, was the Goldson missing the tackle. If so, then yes, you can add him to. I have no love foe that player who is just here to cash checks and impress Joe with his uber “cool” laid back demeanor on radio.
Hasn’t made a big play since he got here.
December 9th, 2014 at 6:43 pm
Depth…
December 9th, 2014 at 7:06 pm
i think foster will have offers for teams that see him as a much more critical piece than Tampa 2 SAM. if he has any kind of ambition in terms of salary and playing time he is going to look for a team that will feature him at MLB like Greg Schiano did. he’s proven that in the right scheme he is a beastly run stopper and blitzer from the Mike position, while the SAM’s job in this defense involves alot of staying in your gap so somebody else can clean up and make the tackle.
December 10th, 2014 at 12:59 am
Swap them and keep it moving —
December 10th, 2014 at 2:25 am
I’ve been pushing for Lansanah at MLB since week 2. Foster has very tight hips, below average athleticism and speed and average instincts at best. He is best suited as a 3-4 ILB, he has no business playing LB in a 4-3 defense. Lansanah, on the other hand, has very good change of direction and gap integrity and excellent play recognition. He’ll get better at ILB if he focuses on it.
I’m all for holding David (and McCoy) out for the season. I just hope they keep Lansanah in the middle to get a better look at him there.
Fletcher came from a 3-4 defense and notice how he is struggling mightily in our 3-4 scheme. We actually have pieces for a great 3-4 defense.
Lvd. Foster. Lansanah. Smith
Gholston. Spence. Mccoy
Johnson is a better 3-4 olb and McDonald can play nose or de. Gholston is a perfect 5 technique de. Don’t let Rex Ryan or Belicheat get ahold of him, he’ll be a pro bowler. Gholston will have a breakout year next year, leave and be just like Bennett.
The Bucs organization won’t admit it, most fans won’t admit it but I think it is obvious we are purposely tanking. Think about it. Lovie will not get fired his first year and sets the bar low, he gets a franchise QB and we go at least 5-11 next year and that’s an improvement, then 2016 draft he gets one more stud DL and then we are contenders.
When we drafted Pamphile and Edwards i was upset initially bc we drafted 2 project linemen but after really examining what they did, they picked 2 linemen with the most upside. Edwards can be a very good center and Pamphile is going to be a good tackle. We need to draft the meanest most bad ass guard in the second round either SCarolina’s Aj Cann or one of the FSU guards.
December 10th, 2014 at 2:29 am
Fletcher is struggling in our 4-3###
December 10th, 2014 at 2:54 am
Craaaaaaazy idea: what if we actually built up our depth. So as opposed to having a team full of backups who start, we got some quality on the bench who can sub in without that much of a drop off…. Not like Lans or Foster are able to demand some expensive contract
December 10th, 2014 at 8:40 am
@Matt
You’re playing too much Madden lol
December 10th, 2014 at 10:10 am
Matt Said:
The Bucs organization won’t admit it, most fans won’t admit it but I think it is obvious we are purposely tanking.
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Errrrr. Don’t the players have to buy in on tanking the season? Not sure they would do that. Lotta people playing for their jobs.
December 10th, 2014 at 10:10 am
Matt, the Bucs have like one or two pieces for a 3-4. Get real.
December 10th, 2014 at 11:55 am
Joe Lombardi would make a very good OC & eventually a good HC, IMHO.