Quincy Black’s, Geno Hayes’ Jobs Secure

June 4th, 2010

quincy black 0603There is overhaul on the defensive front.

There appears to be something of an overhaul with the secondary.

There is stability at linebacker.

This is the news from Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune. Answering a query from a fan, via the TBO.com Bucs question-and-answer feature, Cummings notes the reason the Bucs didn’t load up with linebackers in the draft is that Quincy Black and Geno Hayes will keep their starting gigs, barring injuries.

Q:Why havent the Bucs upgraded at linebacker? I can see angelo crowell stepping in and starting. Quincy Black and Geno Hayes are not good enough to start as we saw last year. Do you think they will be starting again this year?

Stefawn Brickhouse, Atlanta, Ga.

A:You’re answered your own question in a way here. Because the Bucs do intend to have Quincy Black and Geno Hayes start again this year, they didn’t feel a pressing need to upgrade themselves at LB. And the Bucs are actually very pleased with both Black and Hayes. Hayes proved to be a pretty good playmaker last year, though he does need to invest in a good alarm clock. And Black improved after the team went back to the Cover 2 scheme that he’s accustomed to playing in. If Crowell can stay healthy the Bucs believe they’ll have four starting caliber LBs — including Barret Ruud — at their disposal, and that’s before you count Dekoda Watson, whom they are very excited about. A lot of people believe Watson will quickly develop into an every-down player. If he does, Hayes and Black may have to fight to keep their starter’s jobs.

— Woody Cummings

While there may be not any movement to replace Black and Hayes in of the starting lineup, the Bucs have been stocking up on linebackers in part to build depth, with Dekoda Watson and Rico McCoy.

If nothing else, Joe expects Watson and McCoy to at least push for starting time, so long as they can make the club.

2 Responses to “Quincy Black’s, Geno Hayes’ Jobs Secure”

  1. aldo Says:

    i just wanna see ruud taking the field and doing better plays for us, lke the begining of the 08 season and i got a lot of faith i dekoda watson, he and geno will be great!!!

  2. sensiblefan Says:

    Is that a picture of Cato June?