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Bucs To Give Hayes A Chance

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 4, 2008

TAMPA - The statistics on Tampa Bay rookie linebacker Geno Hayes were enough to amaze and alarm most NFL teams:

•156 career tackles at Florida State University (93 solo), with eight sacks.

•17.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage in 2007, sixth-best in school history.

•All-American honorable mention and All-ACC recognition last season.

•Tasered once by police outside a Tallahassee nightclub in 2007.

•One arrest and charged with battery on an officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence.

•Played in 2007 Music City Bowl without being enrolled in school.

"I consider myself a real nice guy," Hayes said. "A humble guy. Very pleasant. A quiet guy."

The Bucs used this weekend's rookie minicamp to determine if Hayes is simply a 20-year-old who made some poor decisions, or a player destined to repeat history.

There is no doubt Hayes has the athletic ability to be an NFL player. He is 6-foot-1 and 226 pounds, and while many have labeled him small, Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks was listed at 6-0 and 235 last season, while Shelton Quarles weighed nearly the same before retiring.

"He's been excellent the few days he's been here," Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "He is sharp in the meeting room. We knew he had quickness, but he moves his feet pretty good. He's definitely been impressive. He really has."

Hayes' NFL body and speed are the main reasons the former Madison County football standout decided to skip his senior season at FSU.

"I was ready for it," Hayes said. "I had the heart for the game. I had the ability, the speed for it. I really knew I was ready for the game and not worried about anything else."

Although Hayes' athletic ability was not cause for concern, his character has been questioned.

Hayes was Tasered outside Potbelly's, a Tallahassee nightclub, in September and charged with assault on a law-enforcement officer, disturbing the peace and resisting arrest without violence.

According to police reports, Hayes had an altercation in the club and was trying to go back inside despite efforts by friends to restrain him. After reportedly running toward a police officer with clenched fists and yelling threats, Hayes was eventually Tasered and handcuffed.

Hayes' arrest, coupled with his questionable bowl appearance, were the main reasons it took six rounds before any NFL team gave him a chance.

"I wasn't worried about what the media was saying or what anybody was thinking. They don't know me. That didn't faze me one bit," Hayes said. "My play determined everything after the whole incident. I didn't really care what they say about me in the media. They don't know me. Why would I worry about what they say?"

Hayes does not have to worry about the media, but needs the approval of Tampa Bay's coaches to earn a roster spot.

"I believe in giving a guy a second chance, but I don't know about a third, fourth or fifth," Kiffin said. "When I was a player in Nebraska, I got suspended from a bowl game and the head coach Bob Devaney gave me a second chance and invited me back my senior year. I played my senior year, and to make a long story short, he ended up hiring me as his coach as a graduate assistant and I worked my way up. Somebody gave me a chance and I'd like to do that for Geno. Hopefully he'll turn out good and do a really good job."

Hayes' stats indicate he can be a successful football player. He just has to show an ability to be a trouble-free man.

"You got to move on. There is a new day everyday," Hayes said. "There is no reason to look in the past. You got to look to the future."

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