Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2015 Profiles: Danny Lansanah

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers obviously have one of the best linebackers in the game and one of the best players in the game as a whole in weak-side LB Lavonte David, and they now seem to have a strong trio at the position after signing Bruce Carter this offseason. Carter, who was profiled here, is a pass coverage specialist and a possible breakout player as the starting middle linebacker in Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2.

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With Carter now manning the middle, fourth-year pro and former Green Bay Packer Danny Lansanah is now penciled in as the team’s starting strong-side linebacker, and while talented rookie Kwon Alexander will make some noise in his bid to start, Lansanah should be able to hold onto a starting gig after looking promising last season.

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The 29-year-old late-bloomer came into the 2014 season with just two career tackles in six appearances, but he left his first season with significant playing time as an 81-tackle, three-interception, and eight-PD playmaker who certainly looked capable of starting on all three downs.

Lansanah also added 1.5 sacks to further showcase his skills in the passing game, and his strong 2014 season has him in position to hold off Alexander as the team’s starting strong-side linebacker. It’s a good spot to be in due to the linebackers surrounding him. And even if Alexander is able to beat Lansanah out for the starting SLB job, the Connecticut product has shown that he’s good enough to earn playing time due to his all-around ability and the fact that he can play all three linebacker positions.

Last season, Lansanah was quietly one of the league’s better 4-3 outside linebacker against the run, as most of his 81 tackles were on positive plays for the defense. Per Pro Football Focus, he recorded 38 defensive stops and was 12th among 42 qualifying 4-3 OLBs in Run Stop%.

He benefited from playing across from Davis, who was third at the position in Run Stop%, but it’s clear that Lansanah was a strong run defender in his own right. His nine missed tackles seem like a lot on the surface, but with 649 snaps played, he was one of the Buccaneers best tacklers (which isn’t saying much, considering how many tackles David, Dashon Goldson, and young CB Johnthan Banks missed).

While Danny Lansanah showed up well against the run last season, what makes him appealing as a starting outside linebacker for the Buccaneers is the fact that he can make things happen in the passing game. Three picks and eight passes defended for a first-year starter are nothing to sneeze at, and those numbers make us wonder what could be in store for Lansanah in the passing game in 2015.

Nov 30, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Danny Lansanah (51) and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) high five against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Carter has been lauded for his potential impact in pass coverage at the heart of the Buccaneers defense next season, and the former Dallas Cowboys starter sent some praise in Lansanah’s direction this offseason, via Pewter Report’s Zach Shapiro, “Danny’s been our interception master all of OTAs. I think he (even) had one today that he dropped. He’s a great player, a guy that has a lot of experience on our team and a lot of leadership. I’m excited to play alongside him.”

It’s weird to call a 29-year-old a rising player, but Lansanah is heading into just his second season with regular playing time and put up some impressive numbers last season. He could be headed for a decreased role with Alexander looking lively, but I think Lansanah has a significant advantage over the promising fourth-round rookie. Yes, Alexander has incredible athletic ability and huge potential, but he isn’t as safe nor does he seem to be as good as Lansanah in the passing game.

I’d say that Lansanah is one of the most interesting Tampa Bay Buccaneers players to watch next season, because there’s a chance he’s the best outside linebacker you haven’t heard of yet. Assuming he starts (I like Alexander’s long-term prospects, but I’m not sold on him as a rookie starter, especially since he has to try and unseat a good starting linebacker), Lansanah could receive national recognition if he’s able to build on his quietly impressive performances last season.

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