Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

The Bucs like to call Jermaine Phillips "Flip." The nickname is now more fitting than ever.

After spending the entire offseason getting Phillips ready to play weak-side linebacker, the Bucs are moving him back to safety, where he had spent his entire career. That's what coach Raheem Morris told the media Tuesday afternoon. That's not a result of "Flip'' flopping at linebacker. He looked good there and could go back to that spot eventually.

But this is a move of necessity. With starting free safety Tanard Jackson suspended for the first four games, the Bucs are short handed at safety. Phillips previously played strong safety, but part of the reason for his move was that the Bucs wanted to get Sabby Piscitelli into that position.

Presumably, Piscitelli will stay at strong safety. I talked to Phillips last week and he said the safety spots are pretty much interchangeable and he would have no trouble playing free safety. That's probably what will happen. The Bucs also have veteran Will Allen, who had previous experience as a starter.

But I don't think the Bucs would be moving Phillips back to safety if they weren't planning on starting him. With Phillips moving, it looks like Geno Hayes will slide into the starting spot at weak-side linebacker.