DJ Swearinger Eager for Fresh Start, Hopes to Bring Versatility to Bucs By Jenna Laine Bucs/NFL Insider May 19, 2015, 13:08 PM 
Last week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed safety D.J. Swearinger off of waivers from the Texans. On Monday, he met with the media for the first time since arriving in Tampa Bay to give his initial impressions of the Bucs and how he hopes to contribute. He also discussed his departure from Houston. Did it come as a surprise to him, as a former starter, that he was waived?D.J. Swearinger admitted he was surprised the Texans cut him, but he’s eager for a fresh new start in Tampa Bay.Swearinger, a former starter, admitted that he was surprised he got cut. The Texans had reportedly attempted to trade him but couldn’t find a willing trade partner.“I didn’t see it coming like that, but I did hear trade rumors and it was what it was. I’m just seeing it as a plus for me,” Swearinger said. “If I leave, it is what it is – somebody else gets a great player.”He admitted that a chance of scenery has been good for him, although he does have some familiarity with a few guys on the team, including safety Major Wright.“I think it’s a plus for me to get a new start. A new city, new coaches, new players around me and just to start over again, I think that’s a big key for me and it’s something that I’m looking forward to.”He said he prides himself on his versatility and hopes to bolster a group of safeties that has seen a lot of turnover in the last few months with the departures of former seventh-overall pick Mark Barron and former All-Pro Dashon Goldson.“I’d say in any defense I’m able to adjust — whether it’s blitzing, whether it’s covering, whether it’s making tackles, whether it’s knocking the ball out, forcing turnovers, leading the defense, making calls for the defense and recognizing formations — I think I have an all-around game.”The Bucs like their safeties to be interchangeable at both strong and free safety and he has no problem doing that.“My last few years, I did both in Houston. I see that as something that’s a strength of my game. Coming out of college, I played all over – corner, nickel, dime, free and strong – so that’s something that I think was one of my strengths.”Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is excited about the possibilities of having the former second-round pick.“I had a chance to watch him on tape during his time with the Texans. You can see that he is a football player. He is a guy that makes a lot of plays. He’s an excellent blitzer,” Frazier said.“That’s one of the things that really stuck out to me. He is one of those guys that’s really quick getting from point A to point B. He seems to be a bright football player as well.”VIDEO link
