Rookie wins starting job at safety
By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
Published September 7, 2007
TAMPA - The Bucs were won over by the playmaking ability of rookie Tanard Jackson, who will start at safety in Sunday's opener at Seattle.
Jackson, 22, is a converted cornerback with speed who isn't afraid to gamble on occasion to create turnovers. He is expected to replace free safety Will Allen.
"I knew I had the opportunity to play, now it's just up to me," Jackson said after practice Thursday. "Obviously, they've seen that I've worked hard and put myself in this position. Now it's about production and making plays. If you're producing and making plays out there, you'll stay in that spot, and that's all I'm trying to do right now."
Jackson, a 6-foot, 200-pound fourth-round pick from Syracuse, reminds players and coaches of another converted cornerback, Super Bowl XXXVII MVP Dexter Jackson.
"I love the fact he's out there," cornerback Brian Kelly said. "I told him the other day, 'It's good to have a guy who has some cornerback skills, a cornerback mentality, a la, Dexter Jackson, some guys that have a history of playing the corner position.' They know what me and Ronde Barber and Phillip (Buchanon) are thinking. So that's going to help us out a lot back there being able to make some plays."
Case in point. Safeties had two interceptions last season, by Jermaine Phillips in the same game against Cleveland. Those are Phillips' only picks in two seasons. During that stretch, the cornerbacks have accounted for six.
"We're taking a calculated risk on having guys back there who have no problems making plays," Kelly said. "They've got the speed to make plays, and they can recover if they make a mistake. I think that's what we've got right now."
In fact, the team could have as many as six on defense who weren't Week 1 Bucs starters last year: Jackson, ends Gaines Adams and Kevin Carter, tackle Jovan Haye and linebackers Cato June and Barrett Ruud.
STEVENS UPDATE: Tight end Jerramy Stevens missed a second straight day of practice attending his DUI trial in Scottsdale, Ariz. A verdict could be reached today.
FLAG DAY: The Bucs raised a 4,000-square-foot flag outside the training facility as practice concluded. "That's the biggest flag I've ever seen, and it just goes with the facility," coach Jon Gruden said. "Everything that the Glazers do is going to be the best in the world. They're going to be on the cutting edge. When it comes to facilities, when it comes to flags, it's going to be first class. That's an awesome sight there. I think I can probably see that from my house."
Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@sptimes.com.