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The middle linebacker almost invariably has the microphone implanted surgically in his head (citation needed) that enables him to hear the coach pre-snap and adjust the coverage.  Mason Foster is going to have an inadequate amount of preparation to be relied upon with such an important task, but Raheem Morris is likely to throw it at him anyway because he'll have to get used to it at some point.  The main concern is that, as MLB, the onus is on Foster to read the offense and react accordingly.  He's needed to direct the three levels of coverage on the basis of what he hears from the coaches and what he gleans from the oppositions setup.  If Foster proves disastrously unable, the helmet decor may lie elsewhere- for at least this season.

Star-divide

Barrett Ruud adroitly performed the aforementioned skills, however was crucified for his perceived deficiency in run support.  Foster stops the run well- he just has to make use of this opportunity to get a handle of the intangibles as well as dropping back.  If he fails to come around soon enough, then Tyrone McKenzie is going to be plugged in.  McKenzie is a comparable type of MLB, but he has the advantage of being a three year veteran as well as having accrued time in Tampa's system.  Should Tyrone struggle with similar tasks coach Morris is going to have a tough decision to make.  The better of the two linebackers will start, however there is a very real chance that, given their inexperience, the individual with the microphone will not be in the middle.

Geno Hayes and Quincy Black would be leading candidates for a variety of reasons.  They've got a few years under their belt and play at a part of the field with a good enough view of the offense.  Unfortunately as a Will/Sam they've never had that responsibility, and the learning curve may be a bit too steep for a younger player in such a short time.  Cody Grimm lacks the familiarity to step up to the plate in this instance as well.  Ronde Barber is by far the most senior player with an absolute understanding of the team, however as CB he's working with insurmountable obstacles.  Barber will often play close to the sideline, and that will leave him out of position to optimally see the offense while being out of earshot for other defenders to make his adjustments.  

Ultimately, if the MLB can't handle pre-snap reads, the best bet may be Sean Jones.  Jones has had a full camp and season with the team.  He's going into his eighth season (the amount of experience combined of the starting LB's and other S) and has enough familiarity to read the offense better than the four contenders who play in front of him.  Jones sits deep in the defensive backfield allowing him to see everything on both his side of the ball and the offense's.  He can monitor those who he reassigns without having to turn his back to the play, and isn't too far for the whole field to hear him after stepping in.  Furthermore, Jones will always be on the field.  If Morris takes Foster off the field on passing downs as he's planning on for the preseason, it would be highly impractical for him to have the mic.

Foster isn't going to lose his starting job outside of injury unless he redefines 'awful'.  Morris is probably going to stick with him using the microphone while Barber, Jones, and the other LB's lending a helping hand on the field.  Should Foster frustrate Morris too much, look for Jones to get a lot more responsibility.  

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It's gotta be Black, right?

Given that they’ve said he’s going to stay in in the 3-3-5 defense, my guess is Black. Hayes doesn’t seem as cerebral, and he’s younger. They just paid Black the money, he’ll get it.

What’s interesting is that Foster needs to get experience in calling the plays. So it’s almost a need for him to do it when he’s in there. So then the question remains: will Black have to have two helmets, one without the mic and one with?

by fatmosh on Aug 11, 2011 12:16 PM EDT reply actions  

Hmm, Times agrees...

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/content/challenges-come-bucs-foster-leaving-lineup-passing-situations

I don’t understand why they can’t just label one helmet as having the Mic and one as not. Even if they don’t have time to switch it out every time…

by fatmosh on Aug 11, 2011 12:38 PM EDT reply actions  

It may be a testament to the faith the team has in Foster.

Relying on Mason for two downs and Black on 3rd down in the preseason is only a temporary fix. Morris could very well have enough confidence in Foster at this point that he’s willing to leave Mason in on a few third downs starting early in the regular season.

Gene Deckerhoff is a saint.

by jarldg on Aug 11, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

They're not allowed to have two helmets with the mic on the field at the same time

So that’s out. And having to go to the sideline and switch helmets every time the Bucs go to nickel isn’t doable. They might as well just have Black run to the sideline for the play, then.

I don’t get why Black can’t be the one calling the plays anyway, though. What’s the downside there?

by Sander on Aug 11, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

There wouldn't be a problem with Black wearing the headset

I feel Jones would just be a better option with his amount of experience.

Gene Deckerhoff is a saint.

by jarldg on Aug 11, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

Black has more experience in this defense, though

But it doesn’t really matter. All that mic is used for is calling the defense. It shouldn’t really be a problem.

by Sander on Aug 11, 2011 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ultimately, Morris is still calling the plays

So it isn’t a huge problem.

Black has more experience with the defense, however I went to Jones because making the defensive adjustments is more about reading the offense. With more than twice as much time in the league as Black, Jones should be able to do that noticeably better.

Gene Deckerhoff is a saint.

by jarldg on Aug 11, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

That depends on whether or not Jones has really been involved in that

Generally, that’s not a safety’s job.

But either one would be fine. I just don’t get forcing this stuff on Foster if you’re going to have to be without a miced helmet on passing downs.

by Sander on Aug 11, 2011 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

So then the Bucs would be without a mic in the helmet 1/3 of the time?

If Foster has THE helmet and Foster is not in the lineup on 3-3-5 and 4-2-5 lineups, we don’t have a mic’d players in either of those lineups??

You’re telling me we’re playing Peyton Manning in Week 4, it’s a critical third down…Morris sees something and wants to audible but we can’t because Foster isn’t in on the play?

Making Foster the only player with a mic’d helmet and then keeping him out of 1/3 of the plays would be a disaster.

by fatmosh on Aug 11, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

The mic shuts off with something like 30 seconds remaining on the play clock, anyway

Coaches can’t audible as a reaction to what they see on the field because of that. Which is why it’s not that big of a deal – it just means that the plays have to be signalled in 1/3 of the time.

by Sander on Aug 11, 2011 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions  

Well, okay...

I just think any system that has us signalling 1/3 is silly. In a 2:00 drill the opposing offense is running a hurry up 3 wide every play and we’re sitting there like idiots trying to get the signals from the coach instead of just having them in our ear.

by fatmosh on Aug 11, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yeah, I don't get why they don't just give it to Black

Although I think (not sure) against almost all no huddle attacks most defenses go with base anyway because they don’t have time to substitute

by Sander on Aug 11, 2011 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

Psst...

…your Bucs Nation ad in your sig has a > at the end, which screws up the link.

by fatmosh on Aug 11, 2011 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

I've had that thing for months

And you’re the first to notice. I guess that speaks to how non-effective it is.

So yeah, thanks.

by Sander on Aug 11, 2011 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

Really nervous about this situation

I was in favor of keeping Ruud, at least on a short contract, and this is exactly why. I have some real questions about this defense. If they can get their act together, they could be very good. If not… well…

by aakks on Aug 11, 2011 12:44 PM EDT reply actions  

cosign

Nasty pirate zombie.. Arrgg!

by Titankillah on Aug 11, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

did i?

Nasty pirate zombie.. Arrgg!

by Titankillah on Aug 11, 2011 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

That was me.

Wouldn’t exactly characterize it as complaining though.

Am I going MAD, or did the word "think" escape your lips?

by Kilgore on Aug 12, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

Wasn't it just a couple years ago that

they had to call the plays in from the sideline anyways so really I do not see this as such a big issue just go old school with it so to speak. I honestly think that Black should be the one calling the plays anyways it doesn’t have to be the middle backer doing it. Brooks did it while he was here and he was the weak strong side backer, I stated it that way cause of the other article about how he played the weak side but had strong side responsibility.

by bdm8519 on Aug 11, 2011 5:50 PM EDT reply actions  

Foster will be ready

Raheem Morris is not stupid. The whole “take him out on passing downs” is nothing new in Tampa. Last year Hayes and Black were the LBs in passing situations most of the time. Or even Hayes and Watson. This isn’t even a topic that deserves a second thought. Every team in the league has packages that takes players in and out of the huddle. Whether it’s MLB, SS, DT, or even FS. In goalie most teams take the FS off the field. In nickel most teams take their MLB off the field cuz they have players that are better against the pass. The one and only thing I’m worried about with Foster is that base Tampa 2 where he’s gotta cover the whole middle of the field up to 35-40 yards deep.

by TheDarkLord on Aug 11, 2011 7:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

On most passing downs, the Bucs played 3-3-5 with all 3 LBs on the field

Of course every team plays with sub-packages, it’s a necessity and there’s nothing wrong that. The difference is that most teams make sure the guy wearing the mic is part of the vast majority of those packages.

by Sander on Aug 11, 2011 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

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