Rising?
January 23rd, 2015
Is LB Danny Lansanah a rising player?
It’s hard to find something positive about the Bucs’ last year. The team stunk up the joint (but did win the Chase for Jameis).
Oh, there was rookie wide receiver Mike Evans. After that? Well, trying to find another positive is sort of like Joe staring at an empty beer bottle after last call.
Recently, in a “Stock Watch” feature on ESPN.com, Bucs scribe Pat Yasinskas believes one of the risers is linebacker Danny Lansanah.
Danny Lansanah: A journeyman who spent time in the United Football League, Lansanah ended up as the starter at strongside linebacker. He also got some playing time in the middle when Mason Foster was injured. With Foster’s future in Tampa Bay unclear, Lansanah could make the switch to the middle. At worst, he’ll be back starting on the strong side.
Was Lansanah a great story from last year? Sure was. And he was an upgrade over Jonathan Casillas at strongside linebacker, that’s for sure. After that, Joe isn’t so sure Lansanah is that coveted.
Late in the season, when Mason Foster was injured, Lansanah got a test drive playing middle linebacker. Bucs coach Lovie Smith seemed lukewarm at best when asked to grade Lansanah’s performance. Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier suggested Lansanah is much better at outside linebacker than in the middle.
It seems obvious the Bucs are looking to replace Foster, whether in the draft or free agency. If the Bucs strike out in both areas filling that need, then, perhaps, Lansanah will move to middle linebacker, but it doesn’t seem like that’s a desired option.
And let’s not forget Lansanah was benched late in the season for an undisclosed violation of team rules. The last players slapped like that by Lovie were Casillas and Mark Barron, and both were shipped out. So Lansanah, it seems, enters the 2015 offseason on the Mike Williams Watch List.
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:11 am
I’m with Gruden on not wanting the Cover 2. Period.
It takes an elite MLB and LDE. We have neither.
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:11 am
I’m with Gruden on not wanting the Cover 2. Period.
It takes an elite MLB and RDE to edge rush. We have neither.
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:15 am
MLB is a position that will be a top priority for Lovie…..if the right player is available look for him to be our second pick.
As for Lansanah….I think he stood on a table and yelled an obsenity….but Lovie has finally learned that it was a meme, so he’s OK with it now…
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:15 am
russian senior dating….MMMMMM
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:20 am
The chase for Jameis? Doesn’t even rhyme? I don’t it.
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:23 am
My personal fav would b to sign Justin Houston n free agency n draft Erick Kendrick 2nd rd 2nd pick our defense would b solid. On O draft Winston 1st oline 3rd round sign upati or another solid lineman and we’d b golden
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:24 am
Man I caught so much crap for saying foster was below average especially in lovies d.
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:25 am
Re-sign Foster. He is serviceable at worst after having been in 3 different defenses in 4 years. Draft his competition and we maintain depth while continuing to improve.
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:25 am
I’d love to have Perryman on this team. Hard hitting instinctive guy who has speed to cover and defend the
run. Would be a good use of second rounder or trade up into the 1st and get him.
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:30 am
Elite DE yes…. Shelton Quarles played the Cover2 MLB position about as good as anyone but in no way would i call him an Elite MLB.. Just needs to be able to cover in the midldle of the field.. the Will is the LB that needs to be elite and that is already in place.. Need to get stronger at Saftey and the obvious, DE.. McDonald was probably our only solid FA signing from last year and i like him next to GMC..
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:31 am
foster is too thick to cover in MLB role.
I remember liking this guy early when he played last year and getting blasted for it.
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:37 am
I agree that we should keep Foster if we can sign him cheap enough to justify him being depth….
After the Chase for Jameis daily articles….if we sign him Joe can change it to “Watching out for Winston”…
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:37 am
The Bucs need to pry McClain away from Dallas. Dallas will have Dez and Murrary to worry about first.
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:40 am
Foster was an OLB in college, he’s been out of position since the day he got here.
If half of the high-priced free agent bums played half as good as Lansanah, this team wouldn’t have been so dad-gum UGLY to watch…..
Simple as that…..
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:50 am
The perfect fit for the middle is Daryl Washington from Arizona. He’s coming off a suspension and probably could be obtained relatively cheap. At minimum he effectively and efficiently hold the position down until someone is groomed.
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:51 am
What would happen if we played to what our players could do? Seems to me this is something like saying I am going to drive like I have an automatic shifter when I have a stick, doesn’t work as we say for a while.
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:51 am
And let’s not forget Lansanah was benched late in the season for an undisclosed violation of team rules. The last players slapped like that by Lovie were Casillas and Mark Barron, and both were shipped out. So Lansanah, it seems, enters the 2015 offseason on the Mike Williams Watch List.
And you think he is going to want to draft Jameis?
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:58 am
Resign foster ! New coach next year will not be running a dinosaur defense.
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:04 am
Brad —
It does not matter what Lovie wants even though he is in charge / final say. Lovie needs to win and Jameis his best chance of saving his job. Look what Lovie and his choir boys did this year made a horrible team worse.
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:27 am
@Biff Barker actually if you look after the bye we had a top 10 defense in PPG allowed and yards allowed with that’s right you guessed it THE TAMPA 2. And before you say anything about 4th quarter leads, do you really expect a defense to hold an offense scoreless for a whole quarter in today’s NFL when your offense is constantly going three and out or turning the ball over? Nope but you’ll spout some nonsense but that’s cool because it’s obvious you’re either not paying attention or just don’t understand football.
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:27 am
Jameis is his best chance of saving his job…………………………….LOLOLOLOLOLOOLOOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL>OLOL>OLOLOL>OL>OL>OPLOPLOPL>OPLOLOLOL>OLOL<OLLLL
I just spit my coffee all over the screen!!!
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:29 am
Amazing how the guys we under-invest in, we put at positions on the field they can succeed at. But the guys we over-invest in, we put at positions they’re forced into.. And next year our second best LB won’t be on the team bc he’s playing out of position… luh dem Bucs
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:31 am
gatrbuc17 — I’ll buy you a #5 Jameis bib to prevent the next accident on draft day!!! LOL… We will see only time will tell but Lovie needs Jameis more than Jameis needs Lovie. Mark my words! call me a fool now buy me a beer later. LOL…
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:33 am
@tmaxcon
A dinosaur defense that after the bye was top ten while constantly being on the field. It’s so obvious you guys have never played any level of competitive football because you don’t understand the game. You just see things and spout off analytics based on emotion.
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:35 am
Whocares92 —- SCOREBOARD!
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:35 am
Whocares92 — with the new rules the bend don’t brake is much more of a gamble. period.
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:36 am
biff barker Says:
January 23rd, 2015 at 9:11 am
I’m with Gruden on not wanting the Cover 2. Period.
It takes an elite MLB and LDE. We have neither.
————
When did Gruden say this?
BTW, the Tampa 2, if that is what you’re referring to, needs an elite under tackle, an elite RDE, and an elite Will LB. It requires a Mike LB that is strong in coverage, 2 CBs that can and will defend the run and have ball skills, a versatile SS that can play both the run and pass. It require elite players for EVERY defense to play well. The Tampa 2, not more than any others. BTW, 5 teams ran the T-2 this past season, 3 of them won their divisiions and made the playoffs, one is going to the Super Bowl.
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:40 am
Apparently I am in the minority. I really liked what Lansanah brought to the table. I think there is certainly a lack of talent in front of him on our putrid D LIne but I saw some good qualities out of Lansanah. He has great hands. Dude had 3 picks. 1 behind Banks for the team lead. That’s right. 2nd most int’s on the team came from a LB. He had 81 tackles and 1.5 sacks and started only 11 games. He might not be Clay Matthews but I really think he’s absolutely solid. We would be absolutely idiotic to spend our 2nd round pick on a LB in my opinion. It’s about 6th on our needs list. Our 2nd round pick should be spent on the best O Lineman or D Lineman available. Preferably O Lineman. Improve that pass rush and then let’s judge the LB’s because they were already decent with no pass rush last year.
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:44 am
@tmaxcon- I respect your observations and before the bye our D looked horrible but they improved light years after the bye. The only thing that I would point out is I believe a strong run game helps the Tampa 2 defense by controlling clock and staying on the field ie.Dallas this year. I hope Koetter can do what he did in Jacksonville and Atlanta. I think having an offense that puts points on the board will make our defense play harder. You could see at the GB the frustration they had when they kept holding that potent GB offense but our O repeatedly put them in bad situations.
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:47 am
@Brandon exactly but all they need to hear is someone say it’s outdated once and then they take that as fact. It helps support their argument that Lovie is incompetent even though I don’t think that’s true. This team needs continuity now that Dominik and Schiano are gone. All those horrible Allen/Dominik drafts have really hurt this team.
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:48 am
@ Brandon. Thank you for bringing up the fact that Seattle uses the Tampa 2. As a matter of fact Carroll learned it directly from Monte Kiffin. There’s nothing at all wrong with our defensive scheme. There is something very wrong with the lack of talent on the D Line. Not the LB’s and not the secondary. Everything revolves around getting pressure in this scheme. If you can’t get any then there are many soft spots in the zone that QB’s can pick you apart with. That’s what has been happening to us. Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas would not be the studs they are today if they had our D Line in front of them.
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:51 am
When Lovie and Licht break half this board’s hearts and pass on a QB and trade down a bit.
We get Andrus Peat at LT and then move up a few if needed from that 34th spot, easy if we trade the #1 and pick up Denzel Perryman!!!
I’m a Cane hater but you gotta give props where props are due. Perryman is supposedly too short. Can you say London Fletcher. Short guys have Napoleon complexes and Perryman is no exception. He is HUNGRY to stuff that short talk up everybody’s posterior.
This has been linked before but it’s worth another look. See how much ground he covers and of course what he’s famous for….HITS!!! He trucks people regularly the kind of hits that fire up an entire defense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZbhgf33sg
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:54 am
A Rookie QB with Numerous off the field issues as well as poor decision making on the field that is coming from a system that has yet to put a successful QB in the NFL is Lovies best Chance?????????????
God help Lovie
LOL Tmaxcon
January 23rd, 2015 at 10:57 am
I think Seatlle runs more of a cover 3 if I’m not mistaken.
January 23rd, 2015 at 11:06 am
Ok a real wet dream for bucs free agency grabs would be N. SUH (DT), j. Houston (DE), J. Pierre Paual(DE) and A. Cromartie. Then pick James Winston first pick and then focus on the O-Line and another speedy WR. VJAX isn’t getting any younger and would like him to teach the rookie WR how he did with Evans to put this team back from the shadows of despair.
Now if you guys don’t mind. I have to change my boxers. This wet dream was amazing.
January 23rd, 2015 at 11:17 am
Why do people want Suh we have a better player in McCoy
January 23rd, 2015 at 11:41 am
Whocares92: wow man. Really. I’m talking about having both gmc and Suh on the front with a wet dream of JPP and Houston at the ends.
January 23rd, 2015 at 11:46 am
Brandon, Gruden was critical of the C2 during one of the MNF games this season. Cant remember which.
My take is pretty much what tmaxcon is saying. The D gets gassed late in games playing the bend and don’t break strategy. It’s is designed to work with a ball control offense too. Dallas and Demarco Murray had good success this season. They had the OL in place.
C2 is too susceptible to TE’s and slot guys playing beyond the seam IMO. The new rules wont let the safeties enforce a no fly zone there either. QB’s are getting the ball out more quickly and negating the rush.
Old school, well understood, easy to attack. But hell, it’s all Lovie knows.
January 23rd, 2015 at 12:00 pm
Yeah but they both play the same position in our D. And plus I like Clinton McDonald, we can’t have both of the highest paid DT’s on our line when we don’t have any edge rushers besides Smith.
January 23rd, 2015 at 12:03 pm
Biff Barker if it doens’t work then how do you explain that after the bye week we had a top ten defense for points allowed and yards allowed? Seriously if it doesn’t work how did we have a top ten defense after the bye with no help from the other side of the ball? Our offense was a joke who couldn’t sustain drives of put points on the board which puts our defense in horrible positions. Yet we still managed to get better and grow into a TOP TEN DEFENSE with injuries all over.
January 23rd, 2015 at 12:09 pm
Will you guys still hate Lovie if we reach the playoffs this year when we have an actual offense? And I promise you our O-line will be better with an actual system. On the NFL level the schemes are supposed to be very complex with a lot happening on each play. Play design needs to work on all levels for success, and not having a real legit playbook ruined our blocking schemes. There are a lot of concepts and audibles that need to happen on the o-line based on how the offense is set up and what the defense is showing.
January 23rd, 2015 at 1:57 pm
Resign Foster. He’ll be cheap, and he would be great depth at the very least. Just don’t promise him a starting role.
And KEEP THE COVER 2!!!!
Sorry, Biff, but its the thing Tampa can do best. We may need a couple more pieces, but it’ll come. And when it does, we’ll have the best defense.
January 23rd, 2015 at 2:14 pm
@Whocares92
Yes, Seattle does do a lot of Cover 3 looks but that is an off-shoot of the Tampa 2 anyway. The use of the LB’s is the main difference between the 2. It may be easier to say that a 4-3 defense is still very much used successfully in the NFL. It may not be precisely the Tampa 2 but Cover 2 and Cover 3’s are still both with a 4-3 alignment. Regardless of Cover 2 or Cover 3, the LB’s need to be able to cover which isn’t always the case in a 3-4 alignment. No defense works without everybody doing their jobs. Every defense has it’s weaknesses. Those weaknesses can easily be exploited without pressure from the D Line. That’s problem #1 for our defense. Our D Line doesn’t create enough pressure and that’s where the concentration needs to be this off-season/draft. I thought the Back 7 played very well especially considering this lack of pressure. There’s no way this regime should get a LB in any of the early rounds. The QB, O Line and D Line are far greater concerns. I’d prefer to get a safety than a LB anyway.
January 23rd, 2015 at 4:43 pm
So let me get this right, we all agree that the Bucs offense was terrible and sabotaged the entire season, right?
January 23rd, 2015 at 11:48 pm
Anyone who thinks Lovie wants a hulking, power run-stuffing, blitz-crazy middle linebacker over a middle linebacker who can cover the pass first, keep-a-dreamin.’
That’s why Mason Foster is likely gone: Because he doesn’t cover downfield very well.
January 24th, 2015 at 10:44 am
Foster will end up on a 3-4 team. The Bucs will not be willing to pay what he will be offered elsewhere. We need an upgrade anyway. An improved pass rush will make the back 7 better every time so priority 1 on defense should be DE. I believe Goldson will be gone as well.
January 24th, 2015 at 12:56 pm
Dom missed on Keuchly!!!
We had a shot at the perfect MLB for cover 2.
Aaaaahhhhhh
Mark barron??
Mark barron??
Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!
January 24th, 2015 at 10:10 pm
@teacherman…
Why would he draft a cover 2 MLB when Schiano’s defense didn’t require one?