Jan. 4, 2008
UPDATE – Former University of New Mexico linebacker/safety Quincy Black will make his NFL Playoffs debut on Sunday when his Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the New York Giants at Raymond James Stadium. Black, who was selected in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft, could see a more significant role on Sunday with starting strongside linebacker Cato June battling a foot injury. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. Mountain and the game will be televised live on FOX.
Tampa Bay (9-7) won the NFC South division for the first time since 2002 – the season the team won its only Super Bowl. The Buccaneers and Giants (10-6) haven’t faced each other since 2006.
Black has played in all 16 games during his rookie season, primarily on special teams before getting significant time on defense during the final two weeks of the regular season. He has recorded with 24 tackles, including 18 solo, and forced two fumbles.
The Chicago native played three years at New Mexico and earned first team all-Mountain West Conference honors as a senior in 2006 after leading the team with 114 tackles from his hybrid linebacker/safety “Lobo” position. Black also had three interceptions, including an 88-yard return for a touchdown, and four pass break-ups.
Black earned his degree in University Studies from UNM in Dec. of 2006.
Former Lobos Brian Urlacher, Ryan Cook, Hank Baskett, Terrance Pennington and Robert Turner wrapped up the 2007 NFL season last week.
The ninth overall pick in the 2000 Draft, Urlacher notched 123 tackles, five sacks and a career-high five interceptions in his 16 starts for the Chicago Bears. The 2005 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and six-time Pro Bowl selection also had an 85-yard interception return for a touchdown in a week 16 win versus Green Bay.
Cook, a second round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2006, started all 16 games at right tackle and helped pave the way for Offensive Rookie of the Year Adrian Peterson and the league’s top-ranked rushing attack. Minnesota just missed the playoffs after posting an 8-8 record.
Baskett, who came into the league as an undrafted free agent in `06, played in all 16 games on special teams and reserve offensive duty. The Clovis, N.M. product finished with 16 receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown, along with five tackles.
A seventh round pick of the Buffalo Bills in ’06, Pennington signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons midway through the 2007 season. He went on to play in five games at both offensive tackle and guard before being placed on injured reserve on Dec. 26.
Turner spent the bulk of his rookie season on the New York Jets practice squad after joining the team as an undrafted free agent in the summer of ’07. He was called up to the Jets’ active roster on Dec. 19 and rotated in at left guard in the final two games versus Tennessee and Kansas City.