The Reason The Bucs Have So Many Linebackers

Just heard that the Bucs are lining up in the 3-4 defense for the first day of minicamp (quasi-confirmation here.) My understanding is that this will help get Jamie Winborn on the field more often, which is a great idea. Of course the Bucs will play mostly out of the typical 4-3, but the fact that they will switch it up from time to time is good news for a defense that grew stagnant last year.

Will Gaines Adams line up as a DE in the 3-4? As a speed rusher, he's not ideal for that alignment. Kevin Carter and Jovan Haye have more mass would fit better in the 3-4. So, let's see... up front we have Carter, Chris Hovan and... umm, Simeon Rice still? He's another speed rusher but is almost too good to keep off the field. That'll be a tough one. LOLB would be Patrick Chukwurah, who has been working almost exclusively at DE this offseason, but is one of the fastest players on the front line and would most definitely be a great fit for OLB in the 3-4. ROLB could be Quincy Black, who easily has the speed to rush from the outside or drop into coverage (but at 227, is he too small for OLB?) The interior guys could be some combination of Derrick Brooks, Jamie Winborn, Cato June and Barrett Ruud. Awesome. I'll keep you posted as I learn more.