Bucs beat writer Roy Cummings takes a break from the heat and thunderstorms to answer your questions from training camp.

Q: How is rookie Geno Hayes progressing? Do you think he will make the team?
-Russell Clark, Lakeland

A: Geno changed his number from 45 to 54. That’s probably the most significant thing he’s done here. Don’t be alarmed, though. He’s doing fine and should make the team, but he’ll have to stand out on special teams to do it. That’s where the loss of Torrie Cox helps him.

Q: Do you see any possible scenario where Chris Simms could stick around? I was thinking in my mind that it would be great for Simms to excel in camp. If he and Gruden can bury the hatchet, he could still be that QB that they have been looking for. If he can grow up a little and he and Gruden can let bygones be bygones. That would be a real great story. I guess my friends think I am crazy but I think Simms has all the necessary tools to be a successful QB in whatever systems he plays in. Am I completely bonkers?
-Thomas Bowery, New Port Richey

A: I like your scenario. I believe it’s very possible that could come to fruition. I’ll say this, no quarterback here has looked any better than Simms. He’s doing very well, actually, but we have to see him in a game to get a real read. He could get some time against Miami. I would think the Bucs would want to do that. Better to move him early if they don’t want him, than to move him late. And no, you’re not bonkers. Simms is very skilled and very capable of playing in the NFL. That’s why three teams (at least) are after him. And that’s why the Bucs are holding on to him. He’s far from done.

Q: Do you think our chances with Garcia is better than Favre on us going to the big dance since Garcia knows the playbook better? And do you honestly think Favre would be able to pick up on it rather quickly?
-Todd, Port Saint John

A: First, off, let me say this: I think the Bucs are just fine with Garcia. I’ll use last year as the best evidence of that. Now, I also believe that Favre could come here and be successful, but why bother. He doesn’t know anyone here and that could mess with the chemistry. The Bucs are concerned about that, and rightfully so. They’re also concerned that Garcia won’t hold up physically and that’s a legitimate concern. If he were to blow out a knee or something then it would make a lot of sense to go after Favre. If that were to happen, the Bucs would come up with a dozen or so plays that Favre feels he knows and can execute best and that would become the playbook for the first four games. After that they’d start adding more. So, yes, it could work with Favre. But how much better would the Bucs really be. My guess is not much.

Q: After watching some of the position drills, does Todd Wash appear to be a heavy motivation type of coach in the mold of Rod Marinelli or is he more the soft spoken type?  It’s my belief that the job he does this year is going to strongly determine how far this team goes.
-Fred Thompson, Valrico

A: He doesn’t seem to jump out at you the way Rod did or the way Raheem Morris does. But he’s good, believe me. He’s sharp and the players respect him. I could see him climbing the coaching ladder here quickly, just like Rod, Mike Tomlin and Joe Barry.

Q: Give us an update on some of the defensive guys from last years draft...Peterson, Black, Hayward.  Are they looking like guys who are developing or guys who will be one and done...like the next Ellis Wyms without the injuryies of course?
-Marc, Halifax, NJ

A: Quincy Black was one of the players we told fans to watch here because he had as good an offseason program as anyone. He’s really caught on to the system and is playing with much more consistency. He’s at a point already where I think the Bucs would feel comfortable playing him in place of SLB Cato June, should June go down or need a blow. Hayward is a step behind Black right now, but he’s solid on special teams. He should make the team. Peterson is behind Jovan Haye and Ryan Sims at under tackle. He’s learning. It’s a slow process but the Bucs always knew they would have to invest some time in him. If they’re patient, the patience should pay off.

Q: Q: We have heard a lot of how Clayton has looked good, but how has Stoval looked so far?
-Michael Singleton, Laguna, CA

A: Stovall has looked very good, but he hasn’t flashed the way Clayton has. He made a couple of one-handed grabs that were really impressive but he still needs to run better routes and do a little better job getting open. He looks a lot better than he did this time last year, when he pretty much went into a shell after learning he was the odds-on favorite to win the starting flanker job.

Q: My How do you think the carries will be split up among the running backs percentage-wise? I was thinking of drafting Graham in fantasy but don’t want to waste too high of a draft if Bennett and Dunn will get 50% of the touches.

A: Drafting Graham makes sense. He’s going to get the bulk of the workload. I really think Bennett will be filtered in here and there. Dunn will get a lot of work, about 15 touches per game, maybe more. He’ll be used a lot as a pass catcher. Can’t go wrong with either him or Graham, but I’m not sure I’d make either one my top back.

Q: Do you have any update or opinion on Josh Johnson? I’m curious on how the rookie QB is doing so far?
-Paul, St. Petersburg

A: Johnson has a very strong arm and seems to be pretty smart. I think he’s picked things up quickly here. There’s no hurry with him, though. He’s not expected to play at all this year, so don’t get too worked up if he has a good outing or a bad one in exhibition games. The Bucs, I think, have learned their lesson from the Bruce Gradkowski fiasco. That kid was thrown in there way too soon. The Bucs won’t (shouldn’t) make the same mistake with this guy.

Q: How is Dexter Jackson looking as a backup wide receiver and more importantly as our starting Kickoff return man? Also how about Antonio Bryant, is he going to be another free agent pickup bust or is he looking like the real deal at WR???
- Nick Perkins, Melbourne

A: Go back through our site and find Anwar Richardson’s story on Jackson from July 31. It was a very insightful piece about how his size is a big problem that he may not be able to overcome. I’ll put it to you this way. There was an 11-on-11 drill in which Brian Griese threw him a pass. Jackson ran a curl route and was quickly surrounded by three defenders. Griese threw the ball high to avoid a pick and Jackson couldn’t get it. A player like Michael Clayton or Maurice Stovall would have made that catch. What it says is, Jackson will have to work outside the numbers to be successful. That limits what he can do and how he can be used. The Bucs are going to have to be smart with him. They’re going to have to find matchups that work for him and he’s going to learn to take full advantage of the speed edge he has.