Get Dekoda Watson On The Field More
September 18th, 2011
Just after the asinine lockout was over this summer, Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik signed linebacker Quincy Black to a five-year, $29 million contract, of which $11.5 million is guaranteed.
This perplexed Joe. Now in his third season as a Bucs starting linebacker, Joe rarely remembers a linebacker more invisible than Black. Bucs fans used to howl at the moon over the alleged subpar play of Barrett Ruud, despite Ruud being a strong pass defender who collected 100+ tackles a year.
Since Black was named a starter to begin the 2009 season, the only splash plays Joe remembers seeing Black make were intercepting a deflected pass at Miami two years ago and a sack against Carolina in 2010.
Well, except for one play today. Black did make a splash play in the first half, getting a tackle for a loss. That very well have been the only play Black had.
It has long stumped Joe why Black is a starting linebacker. It puzzled Joe why Dominik threw such a was of cash at the guy. After today’s game, Joe is of the mind Dekoda Watson should be the Bucs starting outside linebacker opposite of Geno Hayes.
Think about it: In just his second game after signing a windfall contract, Black was benched in the second half after Vikings running back Adrian Peterson made Black look like a statue in a park time and again.
It was no coincidence that when Watson came in, the defense changed and suddenly, the Bucs were able to stop the Vikings and get off the field.
In Joe’s eyes, Black’s position should be open for competition right now, contract not withstanding. If Watson plays better, he should be starting.
At this point, there is no justification for Black’s contract.
September 18th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
Amen Joe preach
September 18th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
Mason Foster blew up the place today, and Hayes & Watson looked impressive. I agree that those three guys have been the best LB’s so far this season. However, they aren’t going to bench Black after only a two game stretch. No way. But if by midseason those three guys continue to be the best LB’s on the field you can bet that Black will be in danger of relegation to a backup spot. Contract notwithstanding.
September 18th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
“Adrian Peterson made Black look like a statue in a park time and again”
LMAO
September 18th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
About two seconds after I say that we need Watson on the field more, the announcer goes ahead and echoes me. He’ll be a starter by midseason in my opinion, and as I said after the Pro Football Weekly video, I wouldn’t be suprised if he ended up as the defensive MVP.
September 18th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Black was the worst player on the defense today. He didn’t belong on the field. I have no doubt in my mind Dekoda Watson is a better football player and think (pray) that it is only a matter of time until he replaces Black in the lineup.
September 18th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Another boneheaded contract that makes no sense to go along with the Clayton contract. I believe this is the main reason the team is not allowed to go after FA’s. There is no confidence in them. These ridiculous contracts along with letting Caddy and Ruud go has taken the Rock star image away from Dom. He’s more like a groupie now. Having all the defensive linemen working together without a true veteren is a huge mistake as well and will stunt the growth of these players.
September 18th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Quincy Black our new Sabby the Goat.. All that speed and strength but seems to be always out of postion.. and Foster might be a man beast but he needs to learn to finish a tackle…WRAP them up.. but I like Foster and think he will learn the postion more and more each game. Still think he could have learned alot from Rudd
September 18th, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Because Geno Hayes is a free agent after this year.
Because we needed to spend money, & Davin & Quincy were good enough to keep around.
Because, watching today, I’m not sure Mason Foster is a starting middle linebacker. If you have a good guy still growing into his potential (Black) who knows the system…why not keep him around?
September 18th, 2011 at 6:02 pm
im pretty certain i have never seen a player take worse angles than quincy black. all that money didnt improve his instincts one bit.
September 18th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Not sure why the criticism of Foster. I saw him force a fumble, get a sack, shed blocks to make stops behind and near the line of scrimmage and btw……….he led the team in tackles for the Rudd lovers. He will be fine. He looks very promising in only his second game of his career. I am so willing to let him develop.
And I said signing Black to that contract was a huge mistake when it happened. He has to be the most overhyped buccaneer by the coaching staff and management in team history. Put watson on the field now!!!
September 18th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
To the posters who don’t think Foster is a starting calibur mlb, were you watching the same game as me?
Adrian stopped in his tracks when he met Foster, he dragged every other tackler for extra yards. Watch the game again..
September 18th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Jrock – Mason “Shoelaces” Foster wasn’t popping anyone in the mouth, he was caught flat-footed by Peterson, just like everyone else. He was just able to make diving lunges at AP and catch him by the shoelaces on more than one occasion to bring him down and get the “tackle”. Good news is, that’s as good or better than what we got from Ruud. Bad news, that’s about the same as we get from Grimm. I’d rather see our MLB play stronger than our FS.
September 18th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
im a fan of Watson, put Black back on special teams and start Watson
September 18th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Wow bambam, you must have just started watching bucs game this season huh?
Grimm did get a lot of shoelace tackles, that’s not his usual game though. Grimm is a “thumper” who was the hardest hitting guy on D last year before he broke his leg. As for Foster? He stood up adrian a few times, and at least made the tackle others.
Seriously, 2nd game for him vs probowl running back, he gets a passing grade from me for this game.
September 18th, 2011 at 7:12 pm
So can Rah and Dom put Black on the bench for all that money? Time will tell but what pisses me off is how this contract might effect future moves and drafts. We have done a good job building the D from the inside out. 2 DT in a Strong DT class and 2 DE in a DE class. Now in 2012 we have a monster LB class and I fear we pass on a stud because of this contract. I’d take Bufict and Te’o over Black and Hayes.
September 18th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Hear, hear. Or as they say in Rio Linda, “Word up, Son!” 58 a.k.a. “Mike Clayton Contract” needs to sit.
September 18th, 2011 at 8:26 pm
capt. stagger, contracts have never stopped dominik from making changes when needed.
September 18th, 2011 at 10:13 pm
u guys are forgetting something, theres no guaranteed money on black contract, so theres a chance to see dekoda starting
September 18th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
Aldo, did you even read the article? Black has 11.5 million guaranteed even if we cut him after the season.
September 18th, 2011 at 10:58 pm
I’ve been saying for Nine months- we will never stop the rub with Black and Hayes as our OLBs. Black should never have started in the NFL. Hayes gives you a splash play or two- but he won’t play the run either. Everyone blames the D-line- the linebackers are a bigger problem. Nine months!
Foster is a great tackler and a playmaker in the run game! Looks great. So far- no coverage skills at all. I said when they drafted Foster- he wolild be perfect at Sam- Taking Blacks spot. Our MLB has to play coverage
And we don’t anyone great at that- Haywood or Watson look like the best option.
September 18th, 2011 at 11:53 pm
Black was injured after all. I would sure hope next draft gets us a more legit SS, Sean Jones is the weak link in my opinion. I know he made a huge sack today but he needed to after the Detroit game. Hopefully T Jack makes an impact when he gets back
September 19th, 2011 at 12:09 am
Aldo, you may want to check Rotoworld.com to verify, but I think Quincy Black got 29mil, 11.5 guaranteed.
September 19th, 2011 at 6:06 am
After the Black, TrueblOod, and Joseph contracts, I finally understand! I finally realize why Dominick hates free agents. While he is some kind of Draft expert, he can’t judge Vet talent. That explains everything. The contracts for Ward, Clayton, and now Black. Mark can see of they may be good NFL players, but he has no clue if they ARE good NFL players.
Now I understand the aversion for Free agents!
September 19th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
One thing to take a 3rd round gamble on a 42-inch vertical and another to give it $11m.
Black scouting report out of New Mexico “Physically gifted” BUT “slowed through the trash or easily blocked from the action. Inefficient, does not take the best angles to the play and over-pursues the action on occasion.” Sounds about right.
September 19th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
I think it’s unfair to judge Foster against Adrian Peterson. Peterson is the best in the game and have made even the best Lb’s look foolish.
September 19th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
As for Black, I think the defense improved when he came off the field.