Not Really A Loss
March 22nd, 2014
Behold. Adam Hayward’s contribution to Bucs history.
Unless you’ve been lounging on a private island off the coast of Belize with zero access to the Interwebs or a TV (that would drive Joe to drown himself after a couple of days), you know the Bucs were really active in free agency.
Some may suggest the Bucs “won” the free agency period, though that usually is a double-edged sword, right Jerry, right Danny?
But it wasn’t as if the Bucs won at every turn during free agency as ESPN’s Pat Yasinskas points out.
Most significant loss: The beauty of this free-agency period is the Bucs didn’t really have any significant free agents of their own. They did lose Dekoda Watson (Jacksonville) and Adam Hayward (Washington). Those losses took away some of their depth at linebacker. More significantly, Watson and Hayward were regulars on special teams, and the Bucs have to find players to fill their roles.
If Adam Hayward is referred to as a loss, there is no way Joe could qualify that as “significant.” Heyward was fine on special teams, but those players are a dime a dozen. The biggest play Joe can think of that Hayward made as a Bucs linebacker was the time he got all handsy with his position coach, Bryan Cox, on the sideline.
Quick, name another play Hayward made. If you have to think or you have to access Game Rewind to answer, then that’s not how Joe defines a “significant loss.”
In 2011, when the Bucs had unquestionably the worst linebacker unit in the NFL, Hayward couldn’t beat out fan favorite Quincy Black or even Geno Hayes for playing time. Says it all.
Now with Watson, he was one of Joe’s favorites, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be missed. Watson, who personified “Buccaneer Man,” had multiple chances (and years) to win a starting job and at best he split snaps at strongside linebacker. Joe’s thinking that Watson may have been better off as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Watson made some big-time splash plays on special teams, and in that regard, he’ll be missed.
March 22nd, 2014 at 9:04 am
Joe, can you give me a prediction on what do you think the box record will be this season?
March 22nd, 2014 at 9:05 am
Well that’s just great, now we can’t trade them for Revis…
March 22nd, 2014 at 9:07 am
Ha dam joe, I’m gonna buy you a Skins Hayward jersey
March 22nd, 2014 at 9:23 am
For what it’s worth, their special teams prowess lent to many significant contributions. I can think of many memorable plays, especially Watson’s ability to get to the kicker. Although Lovie and the gang will never feel the loss, we the fans will notice that the real #56 and #57 are missing. Goodluck Adam and Dekoda!
March 22nd, 2014 at 9:29 am
Revis is certainly a loss…but, at least we were able to get 16+ players for him.
March 22nd, 2014 at 9:36 am
Washington:
Where old Bucs go to die.
They love our scraps.
Silly Raheem and Bruce Allen.
March 22nd, 2014 at 9:45 am
Nice piece Joe. Agree completely.
Might add Dane Fletcher is an upgrade over Heyward and re-signing Castillas over Watson was the right call.
March 22nd, 2014 at 10:34 am
Dane Fletcher is going to surprise some folks…
March 22nd, 2014 at 10:35 am
Fletcher is a more versatile addition than Heyward. Castillas, a healthy one that is, is more versatile than Watson.
March 22nd, 2014 at 11:06 am
But now who’s going to do a pregame prayer dance with McCoy?!?
March 22nd, 2014 at 2:56 pm
Wwwaaayyy too early to guess.
March 22nd, 2014 at 4:08 pm
I think I posted hundreds of get rid of Adam Hayward comments before he pushed Cox.
Joe you know this man!
I even said make watson a third down rusher thats it because he didnt have the brains to play any linebacker spot.
so what loss? I love what lovie&licht is doing.
Ted Larsen, Hayward, and Teo Neshiem are Gone..WOOO
WE HAVE SOME REAL TALENT EVALUATORS IN TAMPA NOW! YEAHHHH
March 23rd, 2014 at 1:48 am
Lovie and Licht were smart enough after watching the film, not to anoint Glennon as their starter–another Wooo!