Another Ascending Sophomore
August 9th, 2024
Cornerback Josh Hayes.
The Bucs are loaded with second-year players.
Why? Because they won the NFC South last season with 13 rookies on the opening-day roster, plus a bunch on the practice squad.
That’s one reason there’s so much quiet confidence at One Buc Palace. Internally, team officials see the development and depth. Outside in the national media wasteland, the concept of nearly all those rookies significantly improving in 2024 hasn’t been easy to grasp.
You know, these are the same people who believe injured Kirk Cousins is a borderline legend, Raheem Morris is an iconic leader of men, and the Falcons defensive front magically will be OK.
One of the many second-year Bucs rarely talked about is cornerback/special teamer Josh Hayes. He was a sixth-round pick out of Kansas State.
Bucs fans will see plenty of him tomorrow night at the preseason opener in Cincinnati.
Hayes has flashed in training camp this summer, including an interception on Wednesday.
“We think Josh Hayes has taken a real big step right now. He’s playing very well,” Buccaneers GM Jason Licht told the Ira Kaufman Podcast yesterday.. “…This is the most excited I’ve been about the depth of young talent we’ve had in the secondary.”
The exciting part about Licht’s comment is that he wasn’t asked about Hayes. Licht just volunteered that Hayes is shining.
He also said second-year defensive back Christian Izien, last year’s primary nickel cornerback, has been playing very well at safety in training camp, which gives the Bucs even more depth.
Special Guest Jason Licht On The Ira Kaufman Podcast; Plus Ira Talks Saturday’s Bucs-Bengals Game, His Birthday Party & More
August 9th, 2024 at 11:30 am
You know, just as odd as all the people who believe injured Kirk Cousins is a borderline legend. Raheem Morris is an iconic leader of men and the Falcons defensive front magically will be OK.
Are those fans that read training camp notes believing that all the Bucs rookies and 2nd year players will be studs in the league.
August 9th, 2024 at 11:32 am
It’s been a while since the Bucs had a seriously bullet-proof secondary…
August 9th, 2024 at 11:38 am
rooting for him
August 9th, 2024 at 11:40 am
Depth Baby I’ll take it !
August 9th, 2024 at 11:44 am
Rooting for Josh who is the nephew of the late former Buc LB Geno Hayes. Go Bucs!
August 9th, 2024 at 11:48 am
just yesterday i was thinking hayes is probably the least discussed buc, but he’s a great story. i remember on draft day it was a shocker, unheard of player basically, then research indicated local ties. who is responsible for finding hayes when nobody else had him on their radar?
August 9th, 2024 at 11:58 am
Hayes was great in special teams last year. I hope he progresses to some snaps on defense.
August 9th, 2024 at 12:05 pm
Excited that some of our later round picks are developing……..Zion, Hayes, Durham Palmer & Hopefully Dennis will have big roles this year. And Ramirez would be a bonus….
August 9th, 2024 at 12:19 pm
Just read that the Bills are offering Kair Elam and a 6 for JTS!! This trade would shore up our secondary even more.
August 9th, 2024 at 12:20 pm
No irrational exuberance.
August 9th, 2024 at 12:41 pm
Love stories about fringe players. The American dream. The underdog story. Just awesome stuff!
Unfortunately, with this story all I can think is …
“Willie Mays Hayes. I run like Mays and hit like Hayes.”
“You may run like Mays, but you hit like …”
August 9th, 2024 at 12:54 pm
The only way I’ll believe this secondary is improved is to see it on the field. Not sure if it is the scheme or the players but as a fan I’m sick of seeing receivers run wide open all day through these soft zones and passive coverages.
FIX THE SECONDARY
August 9th, 2024 at 1:11 pm
Just the replacement of Ryan Neal will help a lot. Zion McCollum is likely to be a slight upgrade. Pass rush is sounding improved even with injuries. I’d say we are sittin’ pretty.
August 9th, 2024 at 1:17 pm
Speaking of tomorrow night’s game, is there any information on where we can view it. Especially on the Atlantic side of the State?
August 9th, 2024 at 1:18 pm
I like to hear it. We need to keep drafting well!
August 9th, 2024 at 1:28 pm
I really like the way this team is shaping up. Obviously still some questions but my major concern is injuries and consequently depth.
At the start of this off season I thought depth might be the Bucs greatest weakness. I too had forgotten about all the young rising talent on this team.
I’m not ready to call depth a major strength but at least it no longer has me anxiety ridden..
August 9th, 2024 at 1:59 pm
The secondary should be fine but… It all depends on Yaya, Braswell, Kancey, VEA, etc. getting pressure consistently
August 9th, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Elam for JTS would be a huge upgrade for the Bucs.
August 9th, 2024 at 3:02 pm
we need more depth on the PASS RUSH
August 9th, 2024 at 3:16 pm
I’d take anybody right now over Tryon. Even the homeless guy.
August 9th, 2024 at 3:57 pm
Glad to see Josh Hayes showing up, and great to see Izien’s name showing up in the practice recaps over and over again.
With the rare exception (like Winfield), most DB’s take a year or two to develop, so if these guys are flashing, that’s great news.
August 9th, 2024 at 4:01 pm
Of course. Hayes and Ramirez are Polk county boys
August 9th, 2024 at 5:31 pm
Jason Licht has really blossomed into the Team MVP. Ever since hiring Bruce Arians, Licht has been on a roll. It’s almost like everything he touches turns to gold. I wanted him fired, and he probably deserved it in 2018-19, but he’s learned from his mistakes and grown exponentially. Go Bucs!!
August 9th, 2024 at 5:35 pm
I’d like to Jason Licht move into a Chairman type roll and promote John Spytek to GM before we lose him.
August 9th, 2024 at 5:45 pm
@GP. I have looked all over and have found no way to watch the game (in Arkansas). I am desperately hoping to find a radio station it will be on, but won’t know that until game time.
August 9th, 2024 at 6:14 pm
More great news Joe, about the secondary, and these guys are fast man, have a little nack for finding the ball especially Izzy, he had some fun last season. Did I mention when YaYa went down that that is why I don’t like when they start talking things into existence. Now 2 online guys have fallen. It’s not just the Bucs either it’s spread all around. It really sucks when they’re young and everyone is all excited and this happened. Go Bucs!!!!
August 9th, 2024 at 10:28 pm
Slumps
August 9th, 2024 at 10:29 pm
13+
August 9th, 2024 at 10:33 pm
Ok, bizarre. This website prevents any post that includes the word that comes between freshman and junior, starts with an S and ends in more.
I tried three times to be sarcastic about 13+ possible slumps, typically known as s more slumps…and the posts were sent into the clouds.
Joe, really have such sensitive word bans? Why this one?
August 9th, 2024 at 11:43 pm
Naa. Jason isn’t excited to see these players on the field because preseason games are worthless.
Darcy Glazer under center! Come on!
August 9th, 2024 at 11:57 pm
before I pat anybody on the back I need to see an actual running game
2 of the worst in NFL history b2b is embarrassing on so many levels
let’s see it on the field first
August 10th, 2024 at 10:48 am
cricket – aren’t they gonna be on buccaneers.com or something?
August 10th, 2024 at 10:49 am
too weird wallflower
August 10th, 2024 at 10:51 am
another thing about drafting hayes, there were still names on the board that were very enticing, far more known commodities, it took cahones to take hayes there.