Lansanah Will Be Active
July 14th, 2015
Bucs OLB Danny Lansanah will not fade without a fight.
Training camp is just over two weeks away. Joe can smell the cheerleaders’ sweat and is beginning to feel the heat of the practice fields at One Buc Palace.
As a way of sorts to get folks pumped up for training camp, Buccaneers.com multimedia maven Scott Smith has a list of four predictions..
One such prediction is to beware of throwing in the towel on outside linebacker Danny Lansanah.
During OTAs in May and June, Lansanah did indeed get a lot of snaps on the strong side, but he also played some MIKE and took part in the nickel package (which usually does not include the strongside linebacker). On the other hand, [Kwon] Alexander did all three of those things as well, adding a helpful versatility to his own set of skills. Given that [Bruce] Carter also played several positions during his time in Dallas, it seems as if the Bucs have a wide variety of options when it comes to figuring out how to get those four linebackers into the mix.
One thing was clear during those OTAs: Lansanah has no intention of being a one-hit wonder. Getting a chance to start for the first time at the age of 29, and after a four-year absence from the NFL, he scored on two of his three interceptions and ranked third on the team with 78 tackles. This offseason, he’s been leading the charge in the defense’s efforts to create more turnovers; Carter referred to his new teammate as the Bucs’ “interception master” after an OTA in June.
Lansanah is not a big talker on the field, but he seems determined to prove he can not only match but exceed his efforts from last season. The prediction here is that Lansanah makes enough plays to stand out on the practice field during training camp.
Last year, teammates’ injuries forced Lansanah into action at weakside and middle. The coaching staff of the Bucs seemed less than impressed. In fact, late in the season when Bucs coach Lovie Smith was asked about Lansanah’s play at middle linebacker, Lovie harumphed, “OK.”
But Lansanah was anything but quiet in underwear football this spring, and if there was a defensive MVP for underwear football, it likely would have been Lananah.
Yes, he has come a long way from playing in the UFL. Lansanah, 30, signed by former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik, has already made his mark with the Bucs.
Perhaps drafting a linebacker and signing a free agent linebacker was all the Bucs needed to motivate Lansanah.
July 14th, 2015 at 8:14 am
“Joe can smell the cheerleaders’ sweat…”
I thought we already talked to you about keeping a safe and respectable distance, Joe.
July 14th, 2015 at 8:18 am
A problem occurred over and over again only on this site.
July 14th, 2015 at 8:19 am
Why is that?
July 14th, 2015 at 8:23 am
One of my favorite player. I like Kwon but he’s an unproved commodity. Let him earn its spot.
July 14th, 2015 at 9:22 am
The D made several mental mistakes in the fourth quarter last yr that led to some close losses. I think that this yr the entire D is going to be much more in synch than we were last yr. I was watching the GB game with a Packer fan and he kept looking over at me and saying ” Man you guys’ Defense is Bad Ass at times.” He is right. When everyone is on the same page we were a pretty formidable D, minus the pass rush of course. I think we will be Much improved
July 14th, 2015 at 9:40 am
Buc a New
Excellent points!
I don’t see how anybody cannot root for Lansanah. I do not know him personally but his story is just compelling.
Out of football and saves his career at the last moment at the age of 29. Who doesn’t love the story of a guy who simply does not give up, keeps on plugging and then late in life (in NFL years) he finally makes it.
You just gotta love this story!
Go Danny. You might become one of my favorite players this year.
July 14th, 2015 at 10:42 am
If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck..You’ll know the rest. He made plays all last year. He was in Joe’s mini camp notes all offseason. He just has great football instincts which is something you can’t teach.
July 14th, 2015 at 11:51 am
I thought he outplayed Casillas last year in training camp and pre-season.
Finally got a chance to play!
tickrdr
July 14th, 2015 at 12:07 pm
I concur great points Buc
July 14th, 2015 at 1:30 pm
I look for our D to be absolutely NASTY this year. Lots of gang tackling, forced fumbles, swarming to the football. I used to liken the old 2002 Tampa 2 D to a swarm of bees. There was so much happening so fast out there I don’t know how anyone had any success against us. We have many of the components to replicate that now- especially with fast linebackers.
If we stay in our lanes, and let Lavonte spy him, I’ll bet Mariota has less than 20 yards rushing week 1.
July 14th, 2015 at 1:48 pm
PocketPirate if he plays week one my guess is he won’t finish the game. Someone do me a favor and please cut and paste this for a later time.
July 14th, 2015 at 4:39 pm
i’m gonna go on record and say we will be slightly confounded by mariota Week 1. this isn’t the 2002 defense that’s been dominating together for 3 or 4 years, this group will still be refining their gap discipline. vince young, mike vick, RG3 all took people by surprise and didn’t ultimately flame out until they paid a physical price for their sandlot playing style and were forced to actually run the plays as designed
July 14th, 2015 at 4:43 pm
Remember the Pittsburgh game? Le’veon Bell was going to signal a first down when Lansanah grabbed his arm and threw it back to his side? That is the kind of juevos this team needs. The comment on the Green Bay game is dead on. The defense played great and the same with the Pittsburgh game was that this team has the ability to play and win with any team in this league. It is time they all get an attitude and play like the winners they are. All the talk about Lansanah fighting for a spot is sediment. I look for Lansanah, David and Alexander to be the starter by mid-season. Th
July 14th, 2015 at 9:03 pm
Pick6 you really believe a rookie QB is about to confuse this defense in year two of this scheme opening week of the season. Really? Wow. Did you see him against Ohio state bro
July 14th, 2015 at 10:49 pm
I wanna hear back from you pick6. I have something else I wanna add.
July 14th, 2015 at 11:56 pm
Smell the cheerleaders sweat?
Lol sad thing is i’m sure there are people that actually is appealing to lol.
Disgusting indeed ahahaha
July 15th, 2015 at 9:54 am
1sparkybuc – I have the same issues…..only with this site.
July 15th, 2015 at 6:50 pm
Pick6
At this point we might not even see Mariota in a Titan uni by opening day. The contract negotiations have now been drug out to a point where it could get dicey.
If Mariota is not under contract by the open of training camp there’s real trouble in Nashville. Obviously a rookie, and one coming from an offense designed for collegiate success, making the transition to snaps under center, plus the normal challenges for any rookie including Fameis, will be insurmountable if Mariota actually starts missing practice reps. He needs EVERY rep he can get.
July 15th, 2015 at 8:19 pm
Danny Lansanah will have a better season this year, he’s hungry for some money. When you have bounced around like him and never really made any money, that’s all the motivation you need. And Kwon Alexander is a better fit at ILB, and Bruce Carter is probably fit at the Sam position.