SB Nation - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buccaneers @ Saints: Christmas Injury Report

Saintsational — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 00:26:04 -0000

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Status Report

QUESTIONABLE

WR Antonio Bryant (groin), WR Michael Clayton (knee), C Jeff Faine (elbow), S Tanard Jackson (knee), RB Derrick Ward (knee)

PROBABLE

TE John Gilmore (illness), TE Kellen Winslow (knee)

Practice Report

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday

WR Antonio Bryant (groin), WR Michael Clayton (knee), TE John Gilmore (illness), S Tanard Jackson (knee), RB Carnell Williams (not injury related), TE Kellen Winslow (knee)

Thursday

WR Antonio Bryant (groin), C Jeff Faine (elbow), S Tanard Jackson (knee)

Friday

RB Derrick Ward (knee)

FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Thursday

WR Michael Clayton (knee), TE John Gilmore (illness), TE Kellen Winslow (knee)

Friday

WR Antonio Bryant (groin), WR Michael Clayton (knee), C Jeff Faine (elbow), TE John Gilmore (illness), S Tanard Jackson (knee), TE Kellen Winslow (knee)

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Status Report

OUT

WR Lance Moore (ankle), S Usama Young (hip, hernia)

QUESTIONABLE

DT Sedrick Ellis (knee), CB Randall Gay (concussion), CB Jabari Greer (groin), LB Scott Shanle (concussion), S Darren Sharper (knee), TE Jeremy Shockey (toe)

PROBABLE

RB Reggie Bush (hamstring), T Jermon Bushrod (thumb), TE Darnell Dinkins (foot), G Jahri Evans (toe), LB Scott Fujita (knee), C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), DE Bobby McCray (back), T Jon Stinchcomb (knee), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee)

Practice Report

OUT (DEFINITELY WILL NOT PLAY)

Thursday

S Usama Young (hip, hernia)

Friday

S Usama Young (hip, hernia)

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday

CB Randall Gay (concussion), WR Lance Moore (ankle), LB Scott Shanle (concussion), S Darren Sharper (knee), S Usama Young (hip, abdomen)

Thursday

WR Lance Moore (ankle), LB Scott Shanle (concussion), S Darren Sharper (knee)

Friday

WR Lance Moore (ankle), LB Scott Shanle (concussion)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday

RB Reggie Bush (hamstring), T Jermon Bushrod (thumb), TE Darnell Dinkins (foot), DT Sedrick Ellis (knee), G Jahri Evans (toe), LB Scott Fujita (knee), C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), CB Jabari Greer (groin), DE Bobby McCray (back), TE Jeremy Shockey (toe), T Jon Stinchcomb (knee), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee)

Thursday

RB Reggie Bush (hamstring), T Jermon Bushrod (thumb), TE Darnell Dinkins (foot), DT Sedrick Ellis (knee), G Jahri Evans (toe), LB Scott Fujita (knee), CB Randall Gay (concussion), C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), CB Jabari Greer (groin), DE Bobby McCray (back), TE Jeremy Shockey (toe), T Jon Stinchcomb (knee), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee)

Friday

RB Reggie Bush (hamstring), T Jermon Bushrod (thumb), TE Darnell Dinkins (foot), DT Sedrick Ellis (knee), G Jahri Evans (toe), LB Scott Fujita (knee), CB Randall Gay (concussion), C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), CB Jabari Greer (groin), DE Bobby McCray (back), S Darren Sharper (knee), TE Jeremy Shockey (toe), T Jon Stinchcomb (knee), LB Jonathan Vilma (knee)

Week 16 Player Profile: WLB Geno Hayes

Craig T — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 21:27:43 -0000

More photos » by Chris O'Meara - AP

Geno Hayes is finding the ballcarrier with much greater ease following the Bucs' return to the Tampa Two defense. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Browse more photos »

Overview: Ah, the Tampa Two Defense. It requires a special hybrid player combining strength, speed, and explosiveness unlikely probably any other defensive scheme the NFL has even known. Explosive defensive linemen collapsing the pocket. Linebackers and defensive backs flying to the ballcarrier and gang tackling him like they were dog piling on a fumbler. Featured in that defense is a star linebacker on the weak side out of Florida State. An incredible football player capable of doing almost everything. Streaking across the field and making stops in the backfield from behind the play on strong-side runs. Making a form tackle at the line on weakside counter and misdirection runs. Defending an angle or go route on the running back and making a game-saving pass break up. To sum up the play of that ex-Seminole linebacker in the Tampa Two defense...outstanding.

So how about ol' Geno Hayes this year? ERRRRRRRRRRR---------- Now hold on just a minute, Craig... don't you mean Double Nickles, 55, Derrick Brooks? Well... yes, of course. He's arguably the greatest Buccaneer in team history. He's my favorite all-time Buc. No one did it better at linebacker in the NFL over the past 14 years than Derrick Brooks and he'll be in Canton in 5 years as the second Hall of Fame Buccaneer. We'll also certainly see "Brooks" across from "Selmon" in the Ring of Honor sooner than later. However, Geno Hayes, while not a Derrick Brooks-in-his-prime-clone by any means, is starting to play Derrick's position with surprising effectiveness of late.

Following the 38-7 blowout loss at the hands of the Saints and the demotion/firing of Jim Bates and subsequent return to the Tampa Two defense, Geno Hayes has begun to put his mark on this defense. The following week against Atlanta, he spearheaded the transitioning Buccaneer defense with 9 total tackles in holding the Atlanta running game to only 75 yards rushing, a stark comparison to the 170/game it was allowing through the first 10 games. The next week at Carolina, he made an interception on an underneath hitch pass and finished third on the team in stops with 4 before dinging up his hamstring, which caused him to miss the next game against the Jets. However, he rebounded nicely against the Seahawks making a couple of splash plays with an interception and sack of Matt Hasselbeck.

He's made quite an impression on his fellow teammate and potential Hall of Famer, Ronde Barber. Said Ronde about Hayes on Tuesday night's Total Access show (I didn't catch all of the show, but quote is per Pewter Report):

"His body movement is stellar and not many guys can move like Geno can. When he gets his above-the-neck game to the point where Derrick's was, it's going to be something special. He's got a long way to go to fill Derrick's shoes. Fifty-five was about as special at that position as you can ever be. He's a unanimous player of the decade kind of guy so it's asking a lot of Geno, but he definitely has the potential to be that guy. He's just got to fill in all the blanks to fill out what Derrick had on his resume, and Geno can do that. He's just got to spend time at it, learn to perfect his craft, learn to be a professional even more than he is, and then he'll be on his way to greatness."

For those wondering whether Ronde thinks Geno Hayes has the raw ability of Derrick Brooks, he stated:

"I think he has as much talent as Derrick."

Wowsers. High praise from a highly-regarded Buccaneer and NFL star. Let's take a closer look at what the high-praise has come from lately:

Video Highlights: This cat just brings pure speed to the table...which tends to be rather useful as a weakside linebacker chasing down the ballcarrier across the field. Strong-right one-back shotgun formation, halfback draw to the weak side of the field. As you can see, the Redskins' line blocked down to the left on the defensive line, with the center and left guard doubling Hovan and the left tackle taking on our end. Unfortunately for Washington, they didn't need to double down Hovan based on the direction the play was going. The double team by the guard left an alley for Hayes, and he made a quick, instinctive play and blew through the hole for a solo tackle in the backfield.

Next, the Redskins call an off-set I-formation offtackle lead run to the right. The entire offensive line moves to the right towards their areas in a zone-blocking scheme. However, before they can get to their area, Geno sniffs out the play and blows straight through between the center and left guard and makes a great tackle for loss on the tailback. Just incredible speed for Geno to get to the ballcarrier going in the opposite direction that far in the backfield.

Finally, Geno makes it two consecutive years of punt block success. After blocking a punt and returning it for a TD against Carolina last year, he followed it up with an athletic, splashly play in the Bucs' big win against the Packers. Trailing 14-7, Geno comes up the middle unblocked through the line and gets his hands on the ball on the run without having to dive. Typically you'll see a special teams safety or cornerback make that play, but our weakside linebacker flashed amazing speed and made the play that helped carry the Bucs to victory.

Prospects for Week 16: The Cowboys laid the blueprint to stop the Saints (and pretty much anybody) last week...get pressure on Brees with 4 or 5 guys and drop the rest into underneath zone coverage, taking away the throws over the middle to Shockey, Colston, Meacham, and David Thomas. The Bucs are certainly a base 4-3 team, but they could possibly go 3-4 on occasion and use Black (and Hayes some) as a disguised rush DE to hurry Brees. I think that would likely be Black more often than not, so that would put Hayes in zone coverage on the right 5-15 yard area and on the back in man coverage or on the backside TE. As well as he's been in coverage lately and as improved as the Bucs have been in collapsing the pocket, I think Hayes will get a pass break up or two and possibly a shot at a third straight game with an interception.

What do you think of Geno so far at WLB? Impressed? Need to see more? Think he may have what it takes to stick around at the position long term?

Buccaneers @ Saints: Game Predictions

Saintsational — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:00:16 -0000

bondcrash

Come on down and make your three predictions for this weeks Saints game against the Bucs. You know the rules.

Only two weeks left in our regular season edition of game predictions, this being the last of the 2009 year. So that means you've got to make 'em count.

Let's give a shout out to last weeks winner, bondcrash, whom I believe is our first repeat winner this year. That makes him the man to beat. Congrats go out to him, and just as a reminder, here were the three predictions that drove him to victory.

1) Lance Moore scores 1+ TD

2) Hartley nails at least a 50+ yarder

3) The two QB’s throw for 600+ yards

Score Prediction: Saints 41-27

So without further ado...Gentlemen, start your predictions.

Enjoy a Christmas Movie

bucsfandave — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:00:20 -0000

From the Football Dad’s house, we bring you great tidings of joy. Our stockings are hung, the cookies and milk await the big guy, and the presents lie neatly wrapped under the tree. So, what we like to do at this point is heat up some hot chocolate and pop in a Christmas themed movie. With that in mind, I thought I’d give you a list of my favorite Christmas movies. I must warn you, I am not too sappy, so you won’t find The Christmas Story or Miracle on 34^th Street. Plus, those were really before my time. I’ve included a mix of comedy and action films. So, walk down memory lane with me as we view these holiday classics again, after the jump.

5. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: Clark Griswold‘s holiday hijinx had me rolling in the aisle when I saw this movie. Since this movie was PG-13, I saw it before Vacation. My favorite part? Just about anything involving Cousin Eddie.

4. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas: Some of the more recent Christmas movies are fantastic, as numbers four and three on my list will prove. Since I have a seven and three year old, I watch them about 36 times a year. However, Jim Carrey’s portrayal of the self-absorbed Grinch was perfect. The movie is uplifting, appropriate for kids, and quite funny.

3. Elf.: Who doesn’t want the world’s best cup of coffee? This is Child 1’s all time favorite movie. For three months after he first saw it, every time he went to the bathroom he yelled "These toilets are ginormous!" Those kind of every day funny memories impact me more than the classics. Plus, we have our annual spaghetti with maple syrup breakfast to look forward to. Bon Appetit!:

2. Die Hard: My father was a career Army soldier, and our family lived in England in the late 1980’s. We moved to Tampa, Florida in 1989, several months after the release of Die Hard. I wanted to see that movie so bad I would record commercials on the VCR and watch them five or ten times. I had to wait until it came out on video, as going to the movies was less frequent in those days. The first time John McClain flipped off that crappy Rolex and sent Hans Gruber to his death I leapt off the couch. I used to dream up scenarios of terrorists taking over my junior high school, with me escaping into the heating vents and going "Nakatomi" on them. I’ll always have a fondness for yellow dye number five and limousine drivers named Argyle. I spent months campaigning with the Significant Other to make Child 1’s middle name Argyle. I refuse to let any of you know whether or not I was successful. At any rate, Buc ‘Em, Buubby, enjoy this one and dream of an exciting Christmas.

1. The 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl DVD: Technically, this movie takes place after Christmas, but Santa showed up to the Vet in plenty of time as far as I’m concerned. He left me two wonderful presents: the Joe Jurevicious catch, and the Ronde Barber interception. When Donovan McNabb hand wrapped that pick six to Barber, it was the culmination of thirteen years of following the Buccaneers. Thirteen years of heart ache, of hopes dashed and filled. Rooting for the Buccaneers is what we do in our family, we have since 1989. Since Christmas is mostly about family, what better movie to remember good times than our Super Bowl DVD? Child 1 even asks to watch it occasionally, and I tell stories about the Ray Perkins years, Warren Sapp falling to us in the draft, hiring Tony Dungy, shaking John Lynch’s hand at training camp, and the Super Bowl party where we jumped up and down in celebration. Merry Christmas to you, Jon Gruden. Merry Christmas to you!

Right now, our team stinks, but we are building towards that new era, toward the next title. Will this take thirteen years? I don’t know, but I think you enjoy it more when it doesn‘t happen every year, you relish the victory more. Do Yankees fans understand what a real title feels like? You can’t buy a Super Bowl, you have to build a team. You need a few breaks along the way, a few bold moves, and some genuine talent. This Christmas, watch that Super Bowl DVD and remember why we watch. This game brings us joy, but tempers us with pain. Wherever you are, please think of those abroad in service of the country, and have a great Christmas.

A Statistical Look at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense and Special Teams

Saintsational — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 12:00:24 -0000

Defensive Season Stats

	Tampa Bay	Saints Offense
Total First Downs	209	311
Rushing	67	99
Passing	124	198
Penalty	18	14
3rd Down: Made/Att	57/191	80/173
3rd Down Pct.	29.8%	46.2%
4th Down: Made/Att	9/21	5/14
4th Down Pct.	42.9%	35.7%
Possession Avg.	28:30	31:35
Total Net Yards	3955	5875
Avg. Per Game	282.5	419.6
Total Plays	838	910
Avg. Per Play	4.7	6.5
Net Yards Rushing	1411	1871
Avg. Per Game	100.8	133.6
Total Rushes	347	413
Net Yards Passing	2544	4004
Avg. Per Game	181.7	286.0
Sacked/Yards Lost	29/147	19/126
Gross Yards	2691	4130
Attempts/Completions	462/243	478/331
Completion Pct.	52.6%	69.2%
Had Intercepted	25	11

Opponent Scoring

	Saints Offense	Tampa Opponents
Touchdowns	61	42
Rushing	19	15
Passing	33	25
Returns	9	2

Score By Periods	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	OT	Pts
Saints Offense	71	170	100	139	3	483
Tampa Opponents	94	105	74	90	0	363

Defensive Rankings and Comparison

Team	Yds / Game	Yds / Play	Rush Yds / Game	Rush Yds / Play	Pass Yds / Game	Pass Yds / Play	Int. Rate	Sacks / Pass Att.	First Downs / Game	Punt Return Avg	Kickoff Return Avg	3rd Down Pct	4th Down Pct	Red Zone Pct	Goal to Go%	Points / Game	Point Diff./ Game	Yard Diff./ Game
TB	362.8	5.61	158.9	4.74	203.9	6.96	4.15%	6.34%	19.8	8.3	18.7	38.83%	64.29%	52.38%	78.26%	25.9	-10.6	-80.3
Rank	25	23	30	30	8	24	7	18	25t	14	1	21	27t	20	28t	29	28	28
NO	1	1	5	6	3	2	8	4	2	30	2	4	28	5	20	--	--	--

Individual Stats

Interceptions	No.	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
A.Talib	5	99	19.8	32	0
T.Jackson	4	67	16.8	35t	2
E.Mack	3	36	12.0	36	0
G.Hayes	2	21	10.5	20	0
B.Ruud	1	23	23.0	21	0
S.Piscitelli	1	4	4.0	4	0
Q.Black	1	3	3.0	3	0
Team	17	253	14.9	36	2

Sacks

S.White 6.5

J.Wilkerson 6.0

T.Crowder 3.5

R.Barber 2.0

R.Miller 2.0

Q.Black 1.5

R.Sims 1.0

M.Bennett 1.0

G.Hayes 1.0

G.Adams 1.0

C.Hovan 0.5

Team: 26.0

Opponent Fumble Recoveries

R.Sims 1

E.Graham 1

G.Adams 1

T.Crowder 1

S.Piscitelli 1

T.Jackson 1

A.Talib 1

G.Hayes 1

Total: 8

Field Goals	1-19	20-29	30-39	40-49	50+
C.Barth	0/ 0	2/ 2	3/ 5	3/ 5	3/ 4
M.Nugent	0/ 0	1/ 1	1/ 2	0/ 3	0/ 0
S.Andrus	0/ 0	0/ 0	0/ 0	0/ 1	0/ 0
Team	0/ 0	3/ 3	4/ 7	3/ 9	3/ 4

Punting	No	Yds	Avg	Net	TB	In	Lg	B
D.Johnson	62	2558	41.3	36.7	3	16	63	0
S.Paulescu	14	615	43.9	37.0	2	5	61	0
C.Barth	1	46	46.0	28.0	0	0	46	0
Team	77	3219	41.8	36.6	5	21	63	0

Punt Returns	Ret	FC	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
C.Smith	23	8	232	10.1	21	0
S.Stroughter	12	0	119	9.9	33	0
Y.Figurs	2	2	21	10.5	12	0
Team	37	10	372	10.1	33	0

Kickoff Returns	No.	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
C.Smith	31	902	29.1	83	0
S.Stroughter	11	324	29.5	97t	1
Y.Figurs	5	105	21.0	27	0
K.Huggins	2	52	26.0	30	0
E.Graham	2	38	19.0	21	0
M.Stovall	1	20	20.0	20	0
T.Crowder	1	11	11.0	11	0
A.Hayward	1	8	8.0	8	0
M.McCoy	0	0	0	0	0
Team	54	1460	27.0	97t	1

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all- From Buc'em.com

Niko Houllis — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 08:00:22 -0000

AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR (IT HAS TO BE RIGHT?)!!

NIKO

LEECAZ

CRAIG T

BUC WILD

UNF NOLE

PAUL MUELLER

BUCS FAN DAVE

*************************

[]

A Statistical Look at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offense

Saintsational — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:00:26 -0000

Season Stats

	Tampa Bay	Saints Defense
Total First Downs	209	271
Rushing	67	96
Passing	124	152
Penalty	18	23
3rd Down: Made/Att	57/191	72/189
3rd Down Pct.	29.8%	38.1%
4th Down: Made/Att	9/21	10/21
4th Down Pct.	42.9%	47.6%
Possession Avg.	28:30	28:25
Total Net Yards	3955	4958
Avg. Per Game	282.5	354.1
Total Plays	838	914
Avg. Per Play	4.7	5.4
Net Yards Rushing	1411	1601
Avg. Per Game	100.8	114.4
Total Rushes	347	364
Net Yards Passing	2544	3357
Avg. Per Game	181.7	239.8
Sacked/Yards Lost	29/147	30/171
Gross Yards	2691	3528
Attempts/Completions	462/243	520/295
Completion Pct.	52.6%	56.7%
Had Intercepted	25	24

Scoring

	Buccaneers	Saints Defense
Touchdowns	25	33
Rushing	4	17
Passing	17	14
Returns	4	2

Score By Periods	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	OT	Pts
Team	31	70	38	75	0	214
Saints Defense	99	80	85	34	0	298

Offensive Ranking and Comparison

Team	Yds / Game	Yds / Play	Rush Yds / Game	Rush Yds / Play	Pass Yds / Game	Pass Yds / Play	Int. Rate	Sacks / Pass Att.	First Downs / Game	Punt Return Avg	Kickoff Return Avg	Field Goals Made	3rd Down Pct	4th Down Pct	Red Zone Pct	Goal to Go%	Avg Time of Poss.	Pts / Game
TB	282.5	4.72	100.8	4.07	181.7	5.51	5.41%	6.28%	14.9	10.1	27.0	56.52%	29.84%	42.86%	55.56%	72.22%	28:30	15.3
Rank	29	27	23	23	25	27	31	14	28t	8	1	32	29	24	8	10	26	29
NO Defensive Rank	22	21	18	21	25	16	3	23	21t	25	23	--	19	19t	9	21	--	--

Individual Stats

Passing	Att	Cmp	Yds	Cmp%	Yds/Att	TD	TD%	Int	Int%	Long	Sack	Lost	Rating
J.Freeman	228	122	1412	53.5%	6.2	9	3.9%	14	6.1%	42t	16/	88	60.0
J.Johnson	125	63	685	50.4%	5.5	4	3.2%	8	6.4%	35	11/	59	50.9
B.Leftwich	107	58	594	54.2%	5.6	4	3.7%	3	2.8%	47	2/	0	71.2
M.Clayton	1	0	0	0.0%	0.0	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0	0/	0	39.6
D.Johnson	1	0	0	0.0%	0.0	0	0.0%	0	0.0%	0	0/	0	39.6
Team	462	243	2691	52.6%	5.8	17	3.7%	25	5.4%	47	29/	147	59.9

Rushing	No.	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
C.Williams	167	652	3.9	35	3
D.Ward	107	377	3.5	28	1
J.Freeman	25	156	6.2	20	0
J.Johnson	22	148	6.7	29	0
E.Graham	13	58	4.5	17	0
C.Smith	4	7	1.8	4	0
K.Winslow	1	7	7.0	7	0
B.Leftwich	6	6	1.0	4	0
B.Askew	1	0	0.0	0	0
C.Pressley	1	0	0.0	0	0
Team	347	1411	4.1	35	4

Receiving	No.	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
K.Winslow	68	752	11.1	42t	5
A.Bryant	32	533	16.7	42t	3
S.Stroughter	31	334	10.8	35	1
C.Williams	22	165	7.5	22t	3
M.Stovall	21	292	13.9	38	1
D.Ward	20	150	7.5	38	2
M.Clayton	14	204	14.6	47	1
J.Stevens	13	107	8.2	17	1
E.Graham	10	66	6.6	16	0
B.Clark	5	50	10.0	17	0
J.Gilmore	2	14	7.0	9	0
C.Smith	2	4	2.0	3	0
B.Askew	2	3	1.5	4	0
D.Penn	1	15	15.0	15	0
J.Zuttah	0	1	0	1	0
J.Freeman	0	1	0	1	0
Team	243	2691	11.1	47	17

BucShots from Week 15!

Niko Houllis — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:00:17 -0000

by Ted S. Warren - AP

Veni, Vidi, Vici. When Ira Kauffman says you did better than Jim Mora, he means it.(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

View full size photo »

Rick Stroud of the St. Pete Times says the Bucs were planning to get rid of Figurs after the Jets game.

Joe Henderson of the Trib talks about Josh Freeman's incredible poise which he calls eerie.

Ira Kauffman, the leading Bucs beat writer, talks about how Raheem got more out of his players than last weeks counterpart Jim Mora.

Jim Flynn of Pewter Report was impressed with the offense and how they rebounded from the Jets game.

Our old Buddy Joey Galloway has been Picked up by the Pittsburgh Steelers. How is that Bucs news? well...for those who still criticize Morris/Dominik for purging all the GOOD players that had us 9-7 last year, guys named June, Brooks, Dunn, Hilliard, Smith, Garcia, and Carter, Joey Galloway is currently the only one contributing on an NFL roster. OOOPS..I lied. Alex Smith has 22 yards receiving on the year for the Eagles.

Meet the Newest Arizona Cardinal: Hamza Abdullah

Hawkwind — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:30:14 -0000

The Arizona Cardinals made several roster moves in the past couple of days including cutting backup linebacker and special teams ace Ali Highsmith. Filling Highsmith roster spot and the void left by Matt Ware's injury is Hamza Abdullah. Abdullah could end up splitting time with rookie Rashad Johnson as the team's nickel safety and will also play a role on special teams. Abdullah was selected in the seventh round (231st overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spent the first couple of months of the 2005 season on their practice squad before being signed to the active roster by the Denver Broncos. During the remainder of the 2005 season and throughout the 2006 season he played primarily on special teams before starting the final eight games of the 2007 season. During that eight game stretch he logged 37 tackles and two passes defended while also forcing two fumbles.

Heading into the 2008 season Abdullah looked on the verge of a breakout season. He entered training camp as the starter at strong safety and despite a nagging groin injury he emerged from camp as the starter, at least according to the team's first official depth chart that year. With that in mind, it was a surprise when the Broncos cut Abdullah just one month later. There was some talk that his inability to stay healthy might have lead to the release and even some grumblings that his religious beliefs might have been a factor (read the comments here). Abdullah was signed by the Browns during the 08 season but never saw the field and was cut during this year's training camp after yet another injury.

What we can actually expect from Hamza Abdullah: From everything I've read so far Abdullah sounds like a typical backup strong safety. He's capable of laying a massive hit on the ball carrier or receiver but will take bad angles at times and will completely whiff on occasion when he lowers his head. He's not much of a defender against the pass, in man or zone coverage, and could turn into a major liability if forced into an every down role. Basically Abdullah sounds quite a bit like ROTB whipping boy Aaron Francisco, decent special teams player and poor defender.

---------------------------------------------------------------

In a perfect world, I'd imagine that Whisenhunt hopes that Adrian Wilson stays healthy and Rashad Johnson is able to outperform Abdullah when the defense switches to nickel and/or dime situations. Wilson is obviously a premier strong safety but with the absence of Ware they were left with no real backup candidate. Prior to this move, and perhaps even after, if Wilson were to go down I'd have to think that Rolle would move over to strong safety and Johnson would step into the starting free safety role. While it's bad enough to break in two new starters at the same time it's also worth noting that in this scenario the team would probably be forced to move Ralph Brown, or another corner, into the nickel safety or simply not use more than two safeties. Adbullah at least gives them another warm body at the safety position and, while his limitations may outweigh his abilities, he does have experience playing in this league. I highly doubt he'll be around after this season but these are the kind of band-aid fixes that teams have to make when injuries strike late in the season. Thoughts?

Seattle, Thanks for the Repair

bucsfandave — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:00:21 -0000

by Matt Rourke - AP

Is this your college girlfriend?

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Well, I needed some help. The Josh Freeman bandwagon had two flat tires and an overheated radiator. Trapped on the side of the road, my cell phone was getting no reception and the CB radio only registered a trucker named Rah and he didn’t seem too inclined to help. I was sure these troubling times would end soon. Then, Seattle AAA arrived to fix what ailed our group of Freeman supporters and get us back on the road.

Quarterbacks are funny creatures. Somewhere along the line, a parent or coach has to anoint a kid as a quarterback, and push him in that direction. Rarely, does someone play lineman in Pop Warner and then suddenly, at high school tryouts, say "I’m ready to be a gunslinger." Josh Freeman was molded to be a quarterback and it’s time for that training to kick in and start producing some top flight quarterback play. The interceptions were just a blip, right? Just a bump in the road, right? After all, we are not going to be teased for years by Josh Freeman’s potential, are we? It could be worse. We could be Philadelphia Eagles fans. Find out why, after the jump.

I can not think of a quarterback that has inspired more joy and pain to the same fan base as Donovan McNabb. There is no doubt that Donovan McNabb is an upper echelon NFL quarterback, capable of beating down average teams. But, I have to be really glad he’s not our quarterback. I mean, four NFC Championship game losses and a Super Bowl loss? Talk about unfulfilled expectations. To me, Donovan McNabb is like the very beautiful, great-on-paper girlfriend some guys had in college. Yeah, you are so psyched when you start dating her. She’s gorgeous, smart, comes from a good family. You can see the potential. Unfortunately, you two never have the kind of relationship you always dreamed about. Sure, you go to parties and go on dates, and she even invited you to a formal dance. Yep, stuck at third base. Most things with her are great, but you need it all to be happy. You thought it might happen, but then she threw up in the huddle and seemed in no hurry to get things going again. Meanwhile, your roommate is dating a girl (Tom Brady) and they spend all of their time in his room with the door closed. Every morning, they are in the shower for an hour and you have no hot water before you go to class. He may be your best friend, but right now, you hate his guts. You are thinking to yourself, how the hell did this happen to him? Why isn’t this happening for me? That’s how Eagles fans feel. Roethlisberger has two Super Bowls? And the other Manning guy? No, not Cooper. Is this ever going to happen for us? Twelve years of teasing and poor clock management and big game melt downs. Ridiculous. They even had the freaky cousin transfer (T.O.) hoping some crazy would rub off on her, but NOOOOO! Nothing. Twelve years with a top team and can’t cash in ONE SUPER BOWL!!!

Like I said, quarterbacks are strange creatures. Like any good relationship, you have to commit to it early, nurture it, hope for that to develop and ultimately pay off. I have fond memories of Gruden, but he refused to draft and develop a Josh Freeman type. I could not get that fired up for another 8-8 season under Garcia/Griese/McNown/Fiedler/Unabomber Jake Plummer. I know this year sucks. We’ve had that great college girlfriend, and it was AWESOME. Now, we are back in college again, trying to start anew. Will it work out? I see some great signs. Josh Freeman laughs at all of our jokes. He has the right moves. We’ve had some good times so far, but how will things feel when the pressure comes? Only time will tell, but I’m willing to give it a shot. Who’s with me?