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Rookie Life: Ex-Lobo Quincy Black is gaining attention for Tampa Bay

By Iliana Limón
Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Ex-Lobo Quincy Black (right) defends a pass bobbled by Buccaneers teammate Anthony Becht. Black was Tampa Bay's third-round draft choice this summer after flashing remarkable athleticism at the NFL Combine. "I thought it would take Brian Urlacher about four years to really get adjusted and make it to the Pro Bowl, and he ended up doing that a lot faster," UNM head coach Rocky Long said. "I have the same kind of confidence in Quincy."

Cliff McBride/Tampa Tribune

Ex-Lobo Quincy Black (right) defends a pass bobbled by Buccaneers teammate Anthony Becht. Black was Tampa Bay's third-round draft choice this summer after flashing remarkable athleticism at the NFL Combine. "I thought it would take Brian Urlacher about four years to really get adjusted and make it to the Pro Bowl, and he ended up doing that a lot faster," UNM head coach Rocky Long said. "I have the same kind of confidence in Quincy."

The Black file

Full name: Quincy Booker Black

Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Position: Linebacker

Number: 58

Size: 6-2, 227 pounds

NFL preseason stats: Six tackles in two exhibition games playing outside linebacker and on the special teams unit.

College highlights: Led the Lobos and ranked among the top 10 nationally in tackles with 114 during the 2006 season. Black also broke up four passes, snagged three interceptions and forced one fumble. . . . Earned first team all-Mountain West Conference and honorable mention All-American honors from CollegeFootballNews.com his senior year. . . . Two-year starter who transferred to UNM as a sophomore.

TAMPA, Fla. — The television reporter asked Quincy Black if he would grant an interview.

Black, standing in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers crowded home locker room after his first NFL exhibition game, looked confused.

He turned and saw he was standing in front of veteran linebacker Cato June's locker. Black smiled and gently told the reporter, "Oh, I'm not Cato June."

The reporter replied, "I know. We want to talk to you, Quincy."

Black arched his eyebrows and said, "Quincy? Quincy Black?"

The reporter reassured him one more time. "You're doing a good job, and we want to talk with you."

Black is learning to deal with a lot more attention as a rising star for the Tampa Bay defense.

"He's a real humble guy, and I don't think it's sunk in yet that people want to talk to him about doing a good job out here," said linebacker Adam Hayward, a fellow rookie who hails from Portland State.

You can't really blame Black for finding life in the spotlight a little jarring.

He has been overlooked every step of his football career.

Black wasn't recruited out of high school and struggled to find a good fit in junior college.

He wasn't heavily courted coming out of junior college, but he was satisfied with a good offer from the University of New Mexico.

And he wasn't rated an elite draft prospect his senior season, but Black's athleticism was impossible to hide at the NFL Combine.

Tampa Bay snagged him in the third round of the 2007 Draft, with coach Jon Gruden praising his ability to play any of the three linebacker spots and on the special teams unit.

"It's kind of strange to have people say good things about you when you're pretty used to being ignored," Black said. "I'm really happy here and just trying to help this team. I want to keep them happy."

Black has lived up to the expectations, with six tackles in two exhibition games. He is listed as the second man on Tampa Bay's depth chart at outside linebacker, making him a major part of Gruden's push to add more teeth to the Bucs' defense.

Just in case he wasn't enough of an asset on defense, Black was quick to offer his services on the special teams unit. He began his pro career in an exhibition against the New England Patriots, racing down field during a kickoff.

"That was such a rush, being out there for that first play," Black said. "I'm not going to lie and play it cool. That was a dream come true. That was really special."

It was one of the few times Black would indulge the idea that he was part of something special.

He often downplays his new career and job security, reverting to his old underdog mentality.

Although he acts like he could be cut at any moment, Black's contract clearly spells out his long-term role with the team. He signed a four-year deal worth nearly $2.5 million and snagged an $825,000 signing bonus.

"That contract doesn't really guarantee anything, and it really isn't that much money," Black said, shrugging his shoulders.

He paused for a moment, then grinned sheepishly.

"Wait, I can't say that. It means a lot. That's a whole lot of money. I just don't want to think about it too much so I can stay hungry and focused."

UNM coach Rocky Long isn't worried Black will flame out after fighting hard to land his big break in the NFL.

"I thought it would take Brian Urlacher about four years to really get adjusted and make it to the Pro Bowl, and he ended up doing that a lot faster," Long said. "I have the same kind of confidence in Quincy. I think he's going to have a long, successful pro career."

Hayward said Black is earning respect from his teammates by displaying his fierce work ethic.

The two players, who were foes when Hayward played at Portland State and Colorado State, have become close friends. They were roommates at rookie camp and have stayed close at training camp. The rookies encouraged each other as they soaked in Tampa Bay's popular, but complex, Cover 2 defense.

"We both came from really small schools, mine even smaller than his, so we understood we had to work hard every day to prove ourselves," Hayward said. "We have spent a lot of time together studying the playbook."

The rookies also have bonded beyond football.

Both players have overcome a series of personal tragedies, including the deaths of their mothers.

"I think we're both pretty private guys, but we were able to open up and lean on each other since we've both been through a lot," Hayward said. "We just understand each other.

"But it's not all doom and gloom for us all the time. Most people don't realize it, but Quincy's a really funny guy. He tells jokes all the time."

Hayward did his best to keep Black smiling during his first NFL post-game interviews.

Black grinned, finally looking a bit more comfortable in the role of rising NFL star.

"I'll get used to all of this eventually," he said. "Right now, I think it's better that I'm not. It means I work harder and enjoy it all a lot more."