Thread: Biggs: Bears sign LB Geno Hayes

Depth indeed.....

From PFT -
Bears sign Geno Hayes

Posted by Josh Alper on April 19, 2012, 12:05 PM EDT
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A day after adding Chilo Rachel to their offensive line, the Bears have added to their linebacker corps.
Geno Hayes, formerly of the Buccaneers, has agreed to terms on a contract, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Hayes, who doesn’t turn 25 until August, replaced Bucs star Derrick Brooks in the starting lineup in 2009 and started 42 games for Tampa over the last three years. He got dropped from the starting lineup late last season and finished the year with 64 tackles.
Hayes fits the profile of what the Bears are looking for at outside linebacker, although it’s unclear if the team views him as a potential starter. Biggs wonders if he might push Nick Roach on the strong-side, but the Bears were in need of an experienced backup so Hayes would fit if he’s in that role.
There’s been talk about the Bears grabbing some linebackers in the draft to add some youth to a group that’s on the older side. They could still do that, but Hayes’ acquisition gives them a bit more flexibility than they previously had in that department.

Originally Posted by bmarshall15

I would've liked Rocky McIntosh a bit more. But Hayes was my second pick. I guess it was an alright pick-up.

I read up a little more of this kid last night. It's kind of surprising that TB let him go. He's been a real "playmaker" his entire career including in college. The only real rap against him is his size but he's pretty much a pure WLB so in the Bears scheme that's not as important as range and tackling ability and he had both.

When we let Iwuh go after his injury last years we lost the only real experienced backup we had at WLB and also a good ST guy. My take on it is Hayes is a guy that can fill both of those roles.

Originally Posted by VJ18

You cant tell me that we have all that much cash left... i still think they plan of dumping Forte

Forte wouldn't have anything to do with this VJ. His money is already "on the books" and until we sign him to another deal it doesn't come off. I'm not certain the Bears cap was reported correctly a few weeks ago when it was said to me $3.8 mil. I had it over $8 mil. If you subtract about $4 mil for signing draft picks it seems to me that may be where that $3.8 mil figure came from but those contracts don't count against the cap until they're signed which won't be until June or July.

Besides these one year deals aren't all that expensive. TB tendered him last year for a little over $1 mil so you can probably guess what he's getting this year is in that neighborhood. Not a bank breaking deal.

Hayes can be a disruptive blur, but he's got to be more disciplined. He often relies on speed to compensate for poor pursuit angles. He's not bad, but McIntosh would've been a better choice imo.

I'm happy with this move and I'm a little surprised that TB dumped him. He's got talent, no doubt. And whatever he lacks I'm confident the bears and our pro bowl starting LB's will help him improve and make him even better. Our team is great and with LB's. Our history is a testament to that.