Hayward Returns; Options Expand At MLB
August 1st, 2011
Breathe easy, Bucs fans.
The Bucs no longer have to play an inexperienced middle linebacker if they don’t want to. Barrett Ruud’s backup will be around a while.
Free agent linebacker/special teams ace Adam Hayward has inked a new three-year contract, the Bucs announced today.
Is Hayward good enough to be a starter? Maybe.
Might he be better than Mason Foster or Tyrone McKenzie? That could be a definite yes.
If nothing else, Hayward sure seems like a great role model. Joe saw him work extensively on technique with Mason Foster at Josh Freeman’s minicamp in Bradenton last month, and Hayward is a great community servant who several times talked about how much he’s learned from Derrick Brooks.
At least the Bucs have another option to fill their greatest hole.
August 1st, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Great depth signing!
August 1st, 2011 at 12:27 pm
McKenzie will start.
August 1st, 2011 at 12:30 pm
I don’t see why Quincy or Hayward couldn’t call the defense while the rook gets rotated in. Definitely a great re-sign on the Bucs part, they’re absolutely holding their word that they’ll resign their own.
Looks like our special teams is going to return to its glory days of the late 90’s as well! Now to see if Williams will be back.. I’m betting he won’t be. Any takers?
August 1st, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Cue the angries .. How could this guy be any good ??? He is not from another team … The only good FAs are other teams !!!
I did think it would have been Black or Hayward though
August 1st, 2011 at 12:35 pm
I’m good with this. HEeknows the defense and we all know it’ll be no more than a year or so.
I really hope we do not reurn the the ST glory days of the 1990s…
August 1st, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Nice to get Adam back in the Fold. He’s played well when given the chance. I’ve always thought he might crack the starting line up. Welcome back, Adam.
I hope we resign Crowder. I know it’s a crowded spot, but he’s young, and showed some talent last year.
Sounds like Caddy might not be back, but I’ll keep hoping.
August 1st, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Good. I was hoping the Bucs would resign him. I know he subbed for Black at SAM last year but he’s actually been the backup at middle linebacker on the depth chart before that so he does already know the position and he certainly knows it better than Mckenzie or Foster. One of these three guys should be able to do a better job than Ruud did last year.
August 1st, 2011 at 12:42 pm
There is a certain number 51 that was released in the northwest, maybe tampa should give him a call. Cough tatupu cough
August 1st, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Next up, Tim Crowder.
Having Hayward back is a great signing. He’s a special teams stud that can play any of the 3 LB positions. We now no longer have a gun held to our heads about who our MLB should be. I’m confident that Quincy Black or Adam Hayward could step into the Mike position and be able to call the defenses. Plus, Hayward has excellent athleticism, though he appears stiff in coverage, he moves extremely well and between him, Quincy Black, Dakoda Watson, and Geno Hayes, we have the fastest 4X100 meter relay team in the NFL (take that Al Davis), not that it will win us any games, it’s nice to know we have some speed at LB in a division where Ryan and Brees are capable of chucking it at will.
August 1st, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Crowder would be nice too but that all comes down to the Alex Magee situation. If they end up cutting him because of his weed bust then we will need one more D end behind Clayborn, Bowers, Bennett and Moore. If they give Magee a “second chance” then Crowder is the odd man out. Im going on the assumption that they would have cut Magee already if they intended too so….its not looking too good for Crowder right now. Ditto on the stylish one.
August 1st, 2011 at 12:48 pm
Kyle, Tatupu is 28 years old and has knee problems. He made the Pro Bowl his first 3 years in the league, didn’t do much the past 3 seasons. He doesn’t fit the mold.
August 1st, 2011 at 12:48 pm
Of course they could be waiting to see if they are going to resign Crowder before making the move to cut Magee.
August 1st, 2011 at 1:01 pm
I think the stylish one committed career suicide last year,boasting that he ” took it easy” during practice. Tim Crowder seemed fairly productive. Hard to see them keeping Kyle Moore over Crowder.
But, you never know . . .
August 1st, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Capt.Tim
I agree. White was enver known to be a good practice guy so even without saying as much, hi days were numbered. They want guys who are hungry all day everyday.
I also agree that Crowder is a better option over Moore but they know Moore was injured last year and might give him one more shot. Personally, I would take Crowder over him.
August 1st, 2011 at 1:39 pm
I love this move. Great depth and a could be a quality starter. When he played last year he was very physical at the point of attack and I saw him shedding blocks or taking on blocks to create the right shoot for the next tackler. I love this guy on the team.
August 1st, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Ruuds Backup…Sounds Great!!
August 1st, 2011 at 2:11 pm
I’m happy to here this. In that final New Orleans game Hayward was a monster. Deflecting passes, hurrying the QB, stuffing running plays, and blasting TEs and WRs. He would be an awesome fit at Mike.
August 1st, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Good signing, smart signing. Educated Buccaneer fans know this. Fantasy Madden geeks may not………
August 1st, 2011 at 3:29 pm
I love that management are bringing back the players that need to be here. Nothing worse then bringing in other teams used up players that was not even wanted by them. Of course there are some talatent players available each year but the others are usually flawed in some way. I like signing mid level guys because you can usually get them at a fair price without so much risk. There is going to be a number of young bucs due some big raises soon.
August 1st, 2011 at 3:51 pm
On the bright side- In Old School’s camp videos he’s claiming Kyle Moore looks good so far. Maybe there is hope for the guy. He’s got some experience under his belt and now finally has some real position coaches that can just maybe find the Tarzan hiding in that Jane.
August 1st, 2011 at 4:01 pm
Hayward was a beast against San Francisco too. He was all over the field in that game. Stuffing the run, defending the pass and even rushing the QB with authority.
August 1st, 2011 at 6:18 pm
I’m happy now. One of my favorite unsung Bucs. Dom knows he can play and he’s great in the community. This dude can hit, and will be our special teams captain now that Rich has left. He is probably one of the better linebackers on the team as well. I don’t think he’ll play Mike but he’ll get his reps and can fill in for any injured starter. Good job Dom.
August 1st, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Now lets give JJ a 3 year deal too.
August 1st, 2011 at 8:59 pm
So exciting. Hayward has been here since 2007 and what has he done?
August 1st, 2011 at 10:59 pm
He filled in for Quincy Black last year with Dakota Watson, and the defense improved. He laid the wood on numerous players. He does an excellent job on special teams too. Watch the tape Patrick.
Next Question?
No Eric, you can’t have Thomas’s bottle. He’s still sucking on it.