Improved play sought at nickel cornerback 
Sterling Moore (25) was a starting nickel back for the Dallas Cowboys last year. Bucs Coach Lovie Smith says the 5-foot-10, 202-pound SMU product has the unique skill set necessary to be an impact player. LANCE ROTHSTEIN/STAFF By Roy Cummings | Tribune Staff Published: August 19, 2015 TAMPA — Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith cautioned fans not to read too much into the first depth chart the team issued last week. It’s clear now why Smith felt compelled to issue such a warning.Though no official changes have been made, the preseason depth chart already looks a little dated, particularly on defense, where a couple of changes are in the making.The first, of course, is at middle linebacker, where Kwon Alexander has usurped Bruce Carter as the projected starter. The second is at nickel back, where Sterling Moore is on the verge of doing the same to Leonard Johnson.Johnson came to camp as the projected starter, but after more than a week of working exclusively at outside corner, Moore is taking full advantage of an opportunity to unseat Johnson.“We haven’t been pleased with the production we’ve gotten from the nickel position,’’ Smith said Wednesday. “That’s why we’re looking at some different options. We need a playmaker there.’’Smith thinks he has one in Moore. A starting nickel back for the Dallas Cowboys last year, the 5-foot-10, 202-pound SMU product has the unique skill set necessary to be an impact player, Smith said.“We ask (the nickel back) to do a lot,’’ Smith said. “He has to be part linebacker, part safety, part cornerback. You need to have a skill set that’s pretty unique, and he has that.’’Study hallQB Jameis Winston doesn’t appear to have an off switch when it comes to studying football.“It gets to be quitting time — you know, like 12:30 or 1 o’clock in the morning — and he still wants to do pop quizzes on football,’’ said rookie WR Kenny Bell, Winston’s training camp roommate. “He’s dedicated, there’s no doubt about that.’’Bell, a Nebraska product chosen in the fifth round of the draft, once thought he was dedicated. Then he met Winston, who has prompted Bell to change his work habits.“I used to go home and look at it but not really study it,’’ Bell said. “But he’s forced me to really study. He asks me a lot of questions, so it’s been a tremendous advantage for me.“My work ethic and my dedication to the game away from meetings and away from practice, that’s where he’s impacted me the most. It’s been phenomenal. It really has.’’Glad to be hereNew RT Gosder Cherilus has long had a hankering to play for the Bucs. It’s a desire that dates to the 2008 draft, when he had reason to think the Bucs and then-coach Jon Gruden might select him.“Coach Gruden brought me in for a visit and he said, ‘Hey, we understand you might not be there for us, but if you are we’re going to grab you,’” Cherilus said.Gruden was right. Cherilus was taken 17th overall by Detroit, and three picks later the Bucs selected CB Aqib Talib.“I’ve always wanted to come here in a way,’’ said Cherilus, who was released by the Colts two weeks ago and signed by the Bucs on Tuesday. “That’s why, when we got the phone call (from the Bucs) this week, I told my agent, ‘Find a way to get it done.’” [email protected] (813) 731-8027Twitter: @RCummingsTBO
