MLB Gig Carter’s To Lose
May 18th, 2015
Bruce Carter was signed specifically to play middle linebacker, Bucs LB coach Hardy Nickerson explained.
Today was the first chance Joe had to chat with defensive coaches of the Bucs since December victory in the Chase for Jameis. A lot has happened since.
One free agent the Bucs picked up was linebacker Bruce Carter. In the past, the athletic Carter has mostly played outside, where he used his playmaking skills to make a few extra shekels.
While there was speculation among Bucs fans that Carter would stay on the outside, linebacker coach Hardy Nickerson put that notion to rest today. While Nickerson was careful to point out there is no depth chart, the Bucs expect Carter to line up as a Mike linebacker when the regular season kicks off against Tennessee.
“There is no depth chart right now,” Nickerson told Joe. “Everyone is working. We are getting everyone up to speed so when it is time for us to get goign, everyone is otu there in a position to show their best and get after it.
“If you are looking at the Mike linebacker position, Bruce [Carter] was brought in as a free agent as a Mike.”
There you have it. There won’t be any monkeying around with Carter at strongside linebacker and moving Danny Lansanah inside.
Joe remembers last season both Lovie Smith defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier were lukewarm at best on the few snaps that Lansanah had inside. They believe Lansanah is best suited as an outside linebacker.
May 18th, 2015 at 1:29 pm
given his track record and previous experiments at MLB this is risky. hopefully they can claim a back up plan via the cherished first waiver wire claim.
May 18th, 2015 at 1:39 pm
I’m with tmaxcon on this. It looks like a weak spot on a defense that doesn’t have that many strengths. I am beginning to believe (more and more) that NEXT off-season is the one when we will have the most to look forward to. This train wreck isn’t going to be cleared this year.
May 18th, 2015 at 1:57 pm
If he doesn’t become injured, he’ll be fine at middle linebacker imo. His skill set fits this defense like a glove.
May 18th, 2015 at 1:57 pm
he’s fast and quick and while I have to admit he’s not all that familiar too me I much rather have him in coverage on 3rd down playing the mike than mason foster the guy we knew would get burned more than leonard johnson
May 18th, 2015 at 2:18 pm
He is used to and has been coached in the cover 2, pass-first mentality (opposite of Mason). He is athletic and has hands.
On paper, he seems to be the fit you want at MLB in the Bucs scheme.
May 18th, 2015 at 3:55 pm
I was unaware fans were asking what position he was going to play. The bucs said it at the time they signed him that he would play the mike. I’m confused some didn’t know that.
May 18th, 2015 at 4:24 pm
Maybe Mychal Kendricks will be available on the waiver wire
May 18th, 2015 at 4:47 pm
I don’t think Philly will cut Mychal Kendricks outright. They may take a 4th or 5th round pick in next year’s draft for him. He is still their best ILB. I know Chip likes D. Ryans but he is 30 years old and both he and Kiko Alonzo are coming off an major injuries.
Carter played well at Mike last year for the Cowboys and he will be the Bucs starting ILB game 1.
May 18th, 2015 at 5:32 pm
Id take that trade
May 18th, 2015 at 5:34 pm
I like Carter at ILB i jus question his ability to stay healthy
May 18th, 2015 at 8:15 pm
Wow talk about negative nellies. Here is what is possible…something that has occured before and while impressive is not like the Dolphins 72 season with no losses.
E.G. If I predict the Bucs will go undefeated and say the Dolphins did it back in 72 people could justifiably laugh at me. We’re talking once in a lifetime.
The KC Chiefs went from 2-14 to 11-5. Impressive yes but the Colts did the exact same thing the year before. Hard but certainly not a once in a lifetime thing. No reason we can’t expect the Bucs to win 10!
Shelton Quarles got CUT by the Dolphins and then played 2 years in the CFL before finally blossoming with the Bucs. No reason that Carter can’t do the same thing.
May 18th, 2015 at 8:56 pm
Keep giving these folks all the wise words Stpete,it’s obvious many of them need it.
May 18th, 2015 at 9:27 pm
I will happen here St.PetecFan but we can always hope. KC had a number of All Pros on their team but no coach or QB. First thing Andy Reid did when he came in was trade for Alex Smith. Same thing with the Colts who drafted a o ready QB in Andrew Luck.
I also hope your right about Carter being like Quarles. Quarles just needed a little seasoning and turned into the perfect MLB for the Tampa Two.
May 18th, 2015 at 9:34 pm
Agree drdneast.
I believe Fameis will be better than Alex Smith.