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Some young defenders excelling

Posted Oct 5, 2009 by Ira Kaufman

Updated Oct 5, 2009 at 02:56 PM

By IRA KAUFMAN
TAMPA—In this lost season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have found some keepers.

Through an 0-4 start, OLB Geno Hayes and CB Aqib Talib offer evidence that Tampa Bay’s 2008 draft class has the potential to be outstanding.

Hayes, a former standout at FSU, compensates for a small frame with uncanny quickness. He continually darted into Washington’s backfield Sunday, either making the stop himself behind the line of scrimmage or disrupting the play long enough for a teammate to register the tackle.

Playing the spot Derrick Brooks made famous in Tampa, Hayes has a chance to be special. He boasts solid instincts for the position and once he gains some more experience, Hayes may develop into an impact player for a young defense.

Talib has been beaten down the right sidelines for TDs several times this year, but he is a natural playmaker who is always around the ball. After missing some easy opportunities for picks in the first three weeks, Talib notched three interceptions against Jason Campbell, who doesn’t throw many picks.

Talib’s cover techniques are sound and he has the size and athleticism to reach Pro Bowl status if he keeps working on his craft. The big question concerning Talib involves his poor judgment off the field.

The Bucs are privately concerned about his penchant for finding trouble. If Talib’s as smart as he thinks he is, he’ll hang around Ronde Barber and learn how to act like a pro.