“Dominance. Absolute Dominance.”
August 10th, 2011
Raheem Morris has shared a lot of love for his fourth-year linebacker out of Florida State over the past few days. That would be the birthday boy, 24-year-old Geno Hayes.
Asked Monday what he expects from Hayes this season, Raheem was quick to answer, “Dominance. Absolute dominance.”
Joe’s fired up to see Hayes have that kind of season. Perhaps the only player to shine during the heinous Jim Bates Experience, Hayes has mad speed, plus a growing knack for making plays, unlike Quincy Black. It’s also a contract year for Hayes, which always makes things interesting.
What especially struck Joe was Raheem expressing deep respect for Hayes at a later news conference. Raheem gushes over all his players these days — hey, why not? — but there was something special in his tone when he reveled Hayes wasn’t healthy for much of last season.
“You know I hate to even say his reason because he didn’t even tell us and he didn’t tell you guys, but he was suffering through a couple of little injuries last year. You know, he fought through them. He’s a tough kid. And he would never ever say it. He wouldn’t even say it to me. I just kinda know because I know Geno. But he felt great some weeks and he didn’t feel grat some other weeks. And it affected his play. you could see it somewhat.” Raheem said.
“But he is certainly one of the toughest guys I’ve been around when it comes to injury. He’s Ronde Barberesque when it comes to injury and talking about not talking about it. Not complaining or missing a practice or sitting down. He sneaks in the training room and gets treatment and he sneaks out. He doesn’t want to be on that list. He just doesn’t want to be one of those guys.”
Joe’s glad to hear Hayes is healthy, but that also means he’s been injury prone over his three seasons, plus the multiple alarm clock issues, a scissors-happy girlfriend and taking a cops taser to his chest.
Given his smaller size, Joe suspects Hayes will need the kind of dominating season Raheem mentioned in order to remain a Buccaneer.
August 10th, 2011 at 10:20 pm
I don’t need any splash plays from Geno Hayes. I just hope he is able to take good angles, tackle properly and bring down runners on contact, like QUINCY BLACK does.
August 10th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
I want consistency. I think Geno can be a very good linebaccker, but he needs to be consistent.
August 10th, 2011 at 11:51 pm
I read somewhere that from Football Outsiders that Quincy Black graded out highest, by far, of the Bucs LBs…and also that he was one of the tops in the league in NOT missing tackles. Now that he will be manning the MIke during nickel sets, his numbers will go up.
As for Geno Hayes, like was said, he just turned 24, yet he’s entering his 4th season. He still has a ton of talent and now he has good experience to back it up. He should shine this season. With Quincy and him manning the nickel, our LBs will be the least of our worries. I’m looking forward to seeing our 3-3-5 with Hayes, Black, and Watson in the lineup at the same time. That’s 3/4 of a 4X100 team…no other team has that kind of speed at LB.
August 11th, 2011 at 12:27 am
Go Genocide, Go! I like Hayes, and he knows Dom will show him the door this offseason and draft a replacement if he doesn’t seize the opportunity.
With that being said, I bet Hayes will be a top performer for the Bucs D this year.
I am looking forward to seeing Dakota Watson improve this year.
August 11th, 2011 at 6:59 am
Having Raheem speak fondly of a player means absolutely NOTHING! Remember how fondly Raheem spoke of Barrett Ruud?
Didn’t Raheem speak fondly of Sabby too????
August 11th, 2011 at 7:25 am
I hope Raheem is right about Hayes. Most analyst said our Starting LBers were horrible last year. They are young- guess we’ll see. I’m hoping for the best. .
August 11th, 2011 at 8:32 am
Luc ky, that is true of any coach and their current players; however, He actualy said he needed ti “fixX’ Sabby during the off season. Joe also said Morris gushes over all his players, but noted that his tone was different when talking about Geno. This one may mean something after all.
August 11th, 2011 at 9:11 am
Rah is the consumate a–licker. His name is “Geno Taze.” Apparently, he wasn’t too injured to wrestle a couple of mall caps and flop around like a fish while being tazed by TPD late last year.
August 11th, 2011 at 9:52 am
Pain is weakness leaving the body!
August 11th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Three things:
1) Quincy Black makes plays, Joe. He sometimes doesn’t but more often than not he does make them.
(and btw…it’s becoming really easy to tell the diff between the two Joes)
2) Thomas is still an idiot. How he expects anyone to believe he was smart enough to pass a bar exam is beyond me.
3) On topic, I like Hayes, but even I can see Morris is making excuses for Hayes. I wouldn’t call him injury prone as you did, Joe, but I would call him an underachiever thus far.
I’ll never understand why players allow “contract years” to effect their gameplay. I was raised to do everything to the best of my ability all the time. To me, if it takes a contract year to make a player do well, then that player isn’t worth extending. They’ll just lay down after they get that money.
A great example is Styles White. He never really got a lot of money, but he had one good year and has been riding it since. He should not even be on the team any longer…especially with the new talent we have. I expect this to be his final year if he isn’t already going to hit the road.