Defensive coordinator Jim Bates singled out just one Bucs player for good play during his Wednesday news conference.

That somebody was second-year linebacker Geno Hayes.

While speaking on 1010 AM on Tuesday, Hayes credited some of his success this season to film study and admitted, “Last year I wasn’t into watching film.” Hayes went on to say Derrick Brooks advised him, “The film room is your lion’s den. This is where you feed yourself.”

Hayes said this year he’s been watching film for weeks and is positive about doing so.

Now Joe can’t help but wonder how a rookie linebacker like Hayes was allowed to be a slacker in the film room apparently his entire rookie season. What was going on over at One Buc Place?

Even worse in this scenario is Hayes was placed on injured reserve for the final third of the season. Outside of rehabbing his knee, what else was there for him to do but watch film?

Add this to Gaines Adams being allowed to “boycott the squat rack” in the weightroom under the Gruden-Kiffin regime, and something really doesn’t smell right.