Status of Bucs linebacker Quincy Black remains unknown

[michael89156]

Status of Bucs linebacker Quincy Black remains unknown

 By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
 In Print: Tuesday, January 1, 2013



 


TAMPA —

One day after their season ended, the Bucs started looking ahead to next season, excited about the return of three key starters from injuries.

Doug Martin, who rushed for 1,454 yards as a rookie, talked about reaching 2,000, buoyed by the fact Pro Bowl guards Davin Joseph (knee) and Carl Nicks (toe) will be blocking for him.

DT Gerald McCoy believes the pass rush will be better with DE Adrian Clayborn (knee) coming off the edge.

However, there is still uncertainty about LB Quincy Black. Black suffered a neck injury against the Chargers on Nov. 11, carted off the field after tackling RB Ryan Mathews.

Bucs coach Greg Schiano said at the time Black didn't suffer spinal damage and had "full function" with the exception of a problem with his left arm. Black has been seeing specialists, but there are still no answers.

"They are still not sure what they're doing medically," Schiano said. "He's been to some different places in the country, the finest people there are."

Black's agent, Harold Lewis, said the injury, which involved nerve damage, is not considered career-threatening.

"If in six months nothing has changed, then maybe there's a different answer," he said.

But Lewis said the recovery will be lengthy.

"The pain has gone down," Lewis said. "He's not in excruciating pain anymore. But the doctor says it just takes time to heal."



IN A RUSH: DE Michael Bennett had a career year at the best time considering he can become an unrestricted free agent. But Bennett, 27, who had a team-high nine sacks, hopes he'll return for his fifth season with the Bucs.

"I want to see what's going to happen when (Da'Quan) Bowers gets healthy, (Clayborn) gets healthy, just to see where we can be as a group," he said. "I want to be back because I've been here a long time and grown with the Bucs."

Bennett, playing with a right shoulder injury, didn't have a sack over the last three games. He said he'd prefer a long-term deal and he'd like to play with his brother, Giants TE Martellus Bennett, who also can be a free agent. He has a fan in McCoy, who said it "should be one of the first priorities" to re-sign Bennett.

"It'd be huge in us getting to where we want to be," he said.



WRIGHT update: CB Eric Wright packed up his locker, and the question remains if it was for the last time as a Buc.

Wright, who signed a five-year, $37.5 million deal last offseason, admittedly had an "up-and-down" year, which included a four-game suspension for what he said was a one-time use of Adderall. Wright was eligible to return Sunday and said he was healthy but was inactive. His suspension enables the Bucs to void $7.5 million in guaranteed salary for next season.

"I can't tell you what his future is … because that hasn't been determined yet," Schiano said.

Said Wright: "I'm under contract. So mentally, that's the way I'm going into the offseason."



MISCELLANY: McCoy said he got "emotional" in the locker room following Sunday's game, which marked the first time in three seasons he played all 16 games. "It's been a long journey," he said. "To a lot of people, it might not mean anything. But if you've never been through what I've been through, then you wouldn't understand." … WR Mike Williams plans to go up north to work out with former receivers coach P.J. Fleck, who recently took the head coaching job at Western Michigan.




Times staff writer Stephen F. Holder contributed to this report.

[Benchwarmer#1]

Please god, let this be Blacks last season in Tampa.

Although, I want him off the team, not injured.

Glad there is some good going on. I certainly hope he makes a full recovery and succeeds elsewhere.

[The Anti-Java]

If Manti Teo is there at #13, go for it.  Give Quincy an injury settlement.

[Benchwarmer#1]

I've grown more impressed with Manti as I've watched tape of the guy. Dudes a baller.

Would be a good pick up, but I think Dom would have to jump into the top ten to get him though. Good thing is, Dom does have a extra fourth to work with, so I suppose he could do so without too much cost.

Although, unless we have some backup plan to pick up a corner in the second, trade for a corner, and/or pick up Grimes, I would advise against drafting Te'o. only in that we cannot cure the cornerback problems if we're yet again stuck with talent at Wright's level at best. However, if Dom somehow managed a Grimes, Cro, Te'o deal we would be freaking set. Ha, dreams are nice.

[The Anti-Java]

I've grown more impressed with Manti as I've watched tape of the guy. Dudes a baller.

Would be a good pick up, but I think Dom would have to jump into the top ten to get him though. Good thing is, Dom does have a extra fourth to work with, so I suppose he could do so without too much cost.

Although, unless we have some backup plan to pick up a corner in the second, trade for a corner, and/or pick up Grimes, I would advise against drafting Te'o. only in that we cannot cure the cornerback problems if we're yet again stuck with talent at Wright's level at best. However, if Dom somehow managed a Grimes, Cro, Te'o deal we would be freaking set. Ha, dreams are nice.

 



Ya.... drafting Manti is based on Dom signing a good CB before hand.  Like a Sean Smith or Grimes.  Then maybe another CB in the second round.

[Boid Fink]

Teo as a Buc would be such a dream come true!

[Rusty]

Super LB core for a decade. Do it

[JavaRay]

Black is a baller.

[Behind Enemy Lines]

If Manti Teo is there at #13, go for it.  Give Quincy an injury settlement.

As great as that would be. I don't think Teo lasts until 13.  If we're going to get a linebacker I'd like to see the Bucs take Michael Mauti in the later rounds.

[JavaRay]

If Manti Teo is there at #13, go for it.  Give Quincy an injury settlement.

As great as that would be. I don't think Teo lasts until 13.

He'd be a great replacement for Foster.   But he won't be there at 13.   That meaningless win over the Falcons will haunt the Bucs for years.

[ryan24]

I don't think the Bucs should move up to take Teo however if he's there at 13 he'd be my pick. This would move Foster outside and off the field more often and probably will improve the pass defense. They can grab corners in FA and later in the draft.

[Feel Real Good]

I know Te'o is supposed to have great instincts, but usually 255 lb MLB doesn't scream adept at pass coverage to me. If we wanted a coverage MLB, we would have just picked Kuchley last draft.

[BucBalla85]

If Manti Teo is there at #13, go for it.  Give Quincy an injury settlement.

As great as that would be. I don't think Teo lasts until 13.

He'd be a great replacement for Foster.   But he won't be there at 13.   That meaningless win over the Falcons will haunt the Bucs for years.

So your one of the people who think they should have purposely lost that game? Interesting.

[The Anti-Java]

I don't think the Bucs should move up to take Teo however if he's there at 13 he'd be my pick. This would move Foster outside and off the field more often and probably will improve the pass defense. They can grab corners in FA and later in the draft.

Agree, but if he falls into their lap, go for it.

[Spoolios]

Black is a baller.

I still can't believe the Quincy Black signing.   That was about the oddest signing they have ever had.   Way overpaid.

Cut Quincy Black

Cut Black