Hardy Nickerson talks about focus for his linebackers

No team or coach will ever gripe about versatile guys, who in a pinch can play more than one position well. That is called depth.

But if Bucs LB coach Hardy Nickerson had his way, a linebacker would never play two different positions unless absolutely, positively necessary.

“We tell the guys to focus in on one spot,” Nickerson said today at One Buc Palace. “Because that is the optimal thing, to focus on [one position]. One position is hard. Two, on top of that, is even more difficult and trying to learn all three, man, that’s a lot.

“That is something that fell on Danny [Lansanah’s] shoulders last year and he operated pretty well with it. But we would like for the guys to focus on one position. And even though they are focused on one position, [the Bucs’ defense] is taught so they understand the big picture and what is going around him.”

And there you have it. Don’t expect Bruce Carter to play outside linebacker. Don’t expect Danny Lansanah to bounce around from linebacker position to position. But do expect results.

It stands to reason if a player is more focused on one position, he will be a better and more coached-up to succeed.