Adam Hayward was selected by the Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2007 draft when Tampa Bay still had one of the greatest Bucs to ever play for the organization, Derrick Brooks, on its roster.

Hayward would spend two seasons vying for playing time with the Bucs’ most decorated linebacker and after Brooks retired, the California native would only start six games from 2009-2011. Due to Quincy Black’s unfortunate injury, Hayward is now looking to start the final seven games of 2012.  

Since drafted, Hayward has been hardworking, and unselfish. Last August, the versatile linebacker and special teams player signed a three-year extension with Tampa Bay instead of exercising other options and possibly becoming a starter on another squad. 

Hayward has been willing to do whatever has been asked of him through three coaching staffs, but his current head coach Greg Schiano has decided the next man up to replace Black is the Portland State product. 

“[I’ve] been around a while - six years - just kind of doing whatever my job is [and] try to do the best I can,” Hayward said. “Being unselfish is the only thing that’s kept me around, so yes I play all three spots.  Dekoda (Watson) - when something happens to him I go in, when something happens to Mason (Foster) I go in, when something happens to LoLo (Lavonte David) I go in and now something with Quincy (Black) I’ve got to go in so I definitely have to do my job and play that background spot.”

Although Hayward used the term “background spot,” make no mistake – the special teams captain feels that this is his opportunity to show the league that circumstances, not ability have prevented him from being the Buccaneers’ starting outside linebacker.

“I think when I go in I perform well,” Hayward said, “It’s just when the opportunity comes knocking and whenever I do get that I feel like I play good enough to be a linebacker in this league on any team – this team, or whatever it is. 

“The way the situation is right now, that’s my role to know everything in case something happens, to go in for anybody at the drop of a dime. You know, one minute I’m playing Sam then I’ve got to switch my mentality to Mike, then next to Will, and then do whatever I can on special teams and help a lot of these young guys out.”

The opportunity is bittersweet for Hayward, who is getting a legitimate shot for the first time in his career, but it comes at the cost of the Bucs losing Hayward’s good friend and draft classmate Black. 

When asked to comment what was going through his mind when he saw Black lying motionless on the field, the upbeat Hayward became solemn and refused to talk about it. 

“No, I can’t,” Hayward said. “That’s my guy and he’s doing a lot better. I’ll just leave it at that.”

The six-year veteran put his patience into perspective and believes Tampa Bay’s defense will continue to play well despite the loss of Black. 

“Everybody wants to come into the NFL and be a starter,” Hayward said, “I came in under Derrick Brooks, so I knew from the get-go I wasn’t going to be the starter – you don’t start over a guy like that. I’ve learned a lot from him and Shelton (Quarles). That’s my role right now – I’ve got to step in and be the starter. And the best part is showing people this defense is not going to skip a heartbeat. The only thing we can do is go up and play better.”

Middle linebacker Mason Foster agrees with Hayward that the Buccaneers will move forward and feels Hayward might surprise some people. 

“Adam is a great linebacker period at this point,” Foster said, “Will, Mike, or Sam – he knows the defense inside and out. So I look for him to step in and make big plays. You know, ‘Next man up’ and I feel he’s going to take advantage of the opportunity.”

“Opportunity” and “next man up” are terms used throughout One Buc Place this season from the players to the coaching staff. Tampa Bay has now lost their fourth starter for the season due to injury, but the Bucs have worked hard and continued to move through the injury losses and have one more win in nine games this season than all of last year.  

The season-ending neck injury which has placed Black on the injured reserve has many players delicately balancing the loss of who, according to Foster, was a leader in the linebacker room with taking advantage of the opportunity for other players to step in and play. 

Third-year DT Gerald McCoy, who is a vocal leader, has the perspective that playing in the NFL is a gift and should always be cherished. 

“You have to enjoy this opportunity you have here any time you have it,” McCoy said. “This is a gift from God that we have to be able to play this game. You saw what happened to Quincy, it can happen that quick and you could be out, so any opportunity we have whether we’re winning or losing we have to see it as a privilege and enjoy it.”

Without a doubt, Hayward has been waiting for this opportunity and will play hard in his first start this season; and he will do so with the same unselfish appreciation he has had his entire career.