Free agent Bruce Carter visits the Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are bringing in former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bruce Carter for a visit, according to Mike Garofolo. That's the second linebacker the Bucs have shown an interest in, as they've also been linked with Jacquian Williams.

Like Williams, Bruce Carter is a versatile, athletic linebacker who has played every linebacker position. Drafted in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft, he was always an explosive player, but he didn't turn into a consistent, impact defender until this past season, when he notched one sack and five interceptions in 13 games as a strongside linebacker.

It's not clear where the Bucs envision him playing. Danny Lansanah is seen as a starter at strongside linebacker, and Lavonte David isn't going anywhere either, which would leave the middle for Carter -- but that's not a position where he's excelled. Instead, the Bucs may see Carter as a strongside linebacker with Lansanah moving to the middle, or they'll just let those two players duke it out over the right to stay on the field on third downs.

Regardless, Carter has one big advantage: he played in a system very similarly to Lovie Smith's the past two years, when Monte Kiffin and Rod Marinelli ran the defense for the Cowboys. That alone should make him appealing to the Bucs, as it's become very clear that outside defenders take a while to get used to Lovie Smith's defense.