Is Geno Hayes The Teams Best Linebacker?

[swashbuccaler]

Geno Hayes is a keeper.
He keeps getting better and is the heir apparent to the great #55.

Yeah Yucc, I'm high on Geno Hayes and have noticed his outstanding progress this year. If we stick to the defense we're running now, he's perfect for the job and quite possible our best young LB, yes.

When I met Geno.. I did the ass kissing move of telling him I thought he was the reincarnation of Derrick Brooks.. He got a kick out of it.. (BTW, I realize that I probably shouldn't of told him that lol)

[Garv]

Geno Hayes is a keeper.
He keeps getting better and is the heir apparent to the great #55.

Yeah Yucc, I'm high on Geno Hayes and have noticed his outstanding progress this year. If we stick to the defense we're running now, he's perfect for the job and quite possible our best young LB, yes.

[yuccaneers]

Based on the way the season has gone very little attention has been given to the teams second youngest player and the teams youngest defender. He has amassed 122 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 12 quarterback pressures, 2 interceptions, 7 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble, & 1 fumble recovery. Statically Hayes ranks 2nd on the team in tackles, 1st in tackles for loss, tied for 4th in sacks, 4th in quarterback pressures, 4th in interceptions, 3rd in passes defensed, tied for 3rd in forced fumbles, and tied for 1st in fumble recoveries.

What our your thoughts, has Hayes surpassed Ruud and could Hayes be the teams best defender?

[s0uthFLbucfan]

Geez, i knew the kid was having a good season...but thats a BEAST season right there lol

[swashbuccaler]

Nice stats for a pretty good 2nd season for Geno..

Hopefully he keeps it up..

[John Galt?]

Looks like Ruud has hit his ceiling, while Hayes is just getting started.

[BuccinTex]

I'd say yes he's been our best LB this season.   He's been fast and made good decisions.

[Garv]

Geno Hayes is a keeper.
He keeps getting better and is the heir apparent to the great #55.

Yeah Yucc, I'm high on Geno Hayes and have noticed his outstanding progress this year. If we stick to the defense we're running now, he's perfect for the job and quite possible our best young LB, yes.

When I met Geno.. I did the butt kissing move of telling him I thought he was the reincarnation of Derrick Brooks.. He got a kick out of it.. (BTW, I realize that I probably shouldn't of told him that lol)

LOL, well it's hard to ignore the similarities between Geno and the rookie DB of year's ago. The speed, size and nose for the ball, etc.

[swashbuccaler]

Geno Hayes is a keeper.
He keeps getting better and is the heir apparent to the great #55.

Yeah Yucc, I'm high on Geno Hayes and have noticed his outstanding progress this year. If we stick to the defense we're running now, he's perfect for the job and quite possible our best young LB, yes.

When I met Geno.. I did the butt kissing move of telling him I thought he was the reincarnation of Derrick Brooks.. He got a kick out of it.. (BTW, I realize that I probably shouldn't of told him that lol)

LOL, well it's hard to ignore the similarities between Geno and the rookie DB of year's ago. The speed, size and nose for the ball, etc.

Exactly.. The thing that reminds me the most of Derrick is when he is able to fly in the backfield and gobble up the HB's for a loss..

[BucNasty24]

I think Geno is without a doubt our best LB this year, but those stats are ridiculously inflated.  Nfl.com has him at 86 tackles.  I've heard of teams inflating tackling stats, but that is ridiculous.

[jlr0714]

He has really come on this year.   Early in the season it seemed he was out of position quite a bit, particularly in pass coverage.  The system Bates installed didn't seem to suit his skill set - he has really prospered and blossomed since Morris reinstalled the Tampa 2.  He is now playing much more instinctively...the exciting thought it he is likely to continue improving.   Black has also picked up his play the second half of the season.   Now if we could get a headhunter at Mike, we'd have one heck of a linebacking corps.    I think Barrett is a good backer...but I want someone great in the middle.

[Madman]

Geno is a playmaker. Great speed and instincts. Definite keeper.

Now if he can just get to games on time.

[BuccinTex]

I think Geno is without a doubt our best LB this year, but those stats are ridiculously inflated. �Nfl.com has him at 86 tackles. �I've heard of teams inflating tackling stats, but that is ridiculous.

Perhaps the NFL.com stat is just for solo tackles and the Bucs just list all tackles.   It's the only way I can explain the huge difference.  

[Pick6]

definitely ahead of the rest in splash plays, i was surprised to learn he has as many tackles as he does - i think he's blocked a kick or punt this year also

hopefully our goal of getting bigger on defense doesn't compromise his role.  frankly, i don't see how we can consider getting bigger at LB....black is a big dude and if he's replaced it's not much of a size upgrade;  ruud & morris seem to have excellent chemistry with playcalls and pre-snap adjustment (raheem discusses that almost weekly since calling the defenses); and hayes is probably the most talented of the group.....unless we rotate ruud to the SLB position in some packages and get a thumper in the middle for those situations, our LBs will not be much bigger than they were this year

[ryan24]

Yes. Get him a Bus schedule.