Bucs’ Phillips firmly entrenched on weak side

Regardless of whether he makes a smooth transition to weak-side linebacker once the pads are strapped on in training camp, we hear the Buccaneers are committed to making Jermaine Phillips the starter at the position. Phillips is making the move from strong safety, where he was an effective run-stuffing safety for the first seven years of his career. He played in the box quite a bit previously, so the team is hoping that experience will help make him more comfortable in his new role. The Bucs don't have many options on the weak side, which led them to move Phillips there in the first place, and any struggles he might have adjusting to the new position probably won't be enough to convince head coach Raheem Morris to move him back to his old spot. Sabby Piscitelli, a second-round pick in 2007, will take over as the starting strong safety.

http://profootballweekly.com/2009/07/25/bucs-phillips-firmly-entrenched-on-weak-side

I think this is a very interesting development. Jermaine Phillips moved from strong safety to weak side linebacker. He's definitely physical and he's worked well in the box in the past. I know the team will use the Tampa 2 to a lesser degree now and is looking to be more physical as well as bigger so it makes sense that Phillips would replace Derrick Brooks, a weak side linebacker that is smaller than Phillips by about two inches.