Jordan Whitehead, A Dirk Koetter Special
April 29th, 2018
You know where Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter was on March 21?
Joe is quite sure.
According to a report in the Elwood City Ledger in Pennysylvania, new Bucs fourth-round pick Jordan Whitehead, the safety out of the University of Pittsburgh, said he spent time at his school with Dirk Koetter and a Bucs secondary coach.
That Whitehead was selected by the Buccaneers didn’t come as a surprise. Tampa Bay met with Whitehead at the NFL Combine and also attended Pitt’s Pro Day. Having had a chance to explain his end of the story for why he was suspended for the first three games of his junior season, Tampa Bay felt comfortable in selecting Whitehead.
“They came down and watched film with me. I got to meet the DB coach and the head coach,” Whitehead said. “It’s really hard to judge a guy based on the off the field stuff that happened in college. So getting to meet with the coaches and explain myself and show them who I really am, it definitely helped a lot.”
Koetter makes his share of scouting trips to see prospects and talk, but certainly Koetter isn’t at most Pro Days.
Joe’s playing an educated guess here; Koetter was awfully impressed by Whitehead, Darrelle Revis’ cousin, and how he was able to present himself like a guy who could contribute in a hurry.
April 29th, 2018 at 6:04 pm
The more tape I watch on Jordan Whitehead, the more I wonder what the eff Licht/Koetter/Smith saw in this guy that made them think he would be a better pick than Shaquem Griffin.
It’s such a mystery to me. I hope I’m the wrongest I’ve ever been about a player, but I have no clue as to why they drafted this guy in the 4th round. His tape suggest he’s maybe worth a 6th.
Honestly though I like his tape as a running back is better than his tape as a safety.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtvdHSsHZXs
Shaquem Griffin is all over the field at all times and he never lets up. Like the energizer bunny he keeps going and going. Very disappointed in this pick.
Rant over.
April 29th, 2018 at 6:13 pm
Hard to understand how Tampa would take a chance on this kid with baggage, yet ignore Guice ?
April 29th, 2018 at 6:13 pm
Anyone have any idea who our PR/KR might be?
April 29th, 2018 at 6:17 pm
I like Whitehead. Good pick. As far as a PR/KR, maybe the UDFA RB from Duke.
April 29th, 2018 at 6:23 pm
Nice pick up…I really love this draft, great job by our Jason Licht and the scouting department…
April 29th, 2018 at 6:30 pm
Whitehead’s issue sounds episodic; Guice’s issues sound more like character flaws. There’s also a lot less to lose on Whitehead than where Guice would have had to be taken.
April 29th, 2018 at 6:35 pm
Hopefully they know what they’re doing, if Chris Conte continues to be the starter the Bucs are in a lot of trouble.
April 29th, 2018 at 6:43 pm
We might actually see what Conte can do with the QB running for his life. Our secondary has been hung out to dry.
April 29th, 2018 at 6:45 pm
Is Whitehead the punter Joe wanted?
April 29th, 2018 at 6:46 pm
A guy who gets hit with an assault charge is much less likely to backslide than a guy with a substance abuse problem. Those tend to resurface much more often.
April 29th, 2018 at 6:51 pm
Also, we can be critical about Coach K in a lot if areas, but you can’t question his work ethic.
April 29th, 2018 at 7:06 pm
What I love are the yahoos on this board criticizing a pick based on online highlights instead of trusting guys who scout these guys for a living. Sure it is as much art as it is science but you can’t see character and drive by watching videos. I’m betting no one posting on this site is going to work as a scout tomorrow.
April 29th, 2018 at 7:23 pm
That’s cool how scouts can never be wrong.
I was against vh3 at the time cause I thought he was slow and small
And I was against drafting Roberto when we had major defensive line issues and it was the deepest d line draft ever.
But hey I’m not a pro scout.
Trust me on this Anthony Averitt from bama was taking the pic after this guy.
Mark my word he will be in the pro bowl in 3 years while this guy will struggle to be on a roster.
April 29th, 2018 at 7:26 pm
@SCBucsFan
And what exactly was it that led you to believe that I was looking at highlights?
I was watching game tapes and came away thoroughly unimpressed.
April 29th, 2018 at 7:28 pm
Destinjohnny Says:
April 29th, 2018 at 7:23 pm
That’s cool how scouts can never be wrong.
I was against vh3 at the time cause I thought he was slow and small
And I was against drafting Roberto when we had major defensive line issues and it was the deepest d line draft ever.
But hey I’m not a pro scout.
Trust me on this Anthony Averitt from bama was taking the pic after this guy.
Mark my word he will be in the pro bowl in 3 years while this guy will struggle to be on a roster.
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Wow.
Now do all the times you were wrong.
Just for posterity, of course
April 29th, 2018 at 7:30 pm
And like destinjohny implied, Scouts themselves are wrong all of the time.
It’s fine that you don’t trust your own eyes or football acumen, but I do and think that we made a huge mistake picking this guy instead of Shaquem Griffin.
April 29th, 2018 at 7:33 pm
I was wrong about Winston
I thought he would be around the 25th best qb
Turns out he is the 14th best
April 29th, 2018 at 7:47 pm
What a bunch of nattering Nancy’s…
get on
or get off…
April 29th, 2018 at 7:53 pm
Destinjohnny send the Bucs a resume you sound like you would be perfect
April 29th, 2018 at 7:56 pm
The whole process of the draft seems to be tough for Tampa fans because College Football is such a big deal in FL. You gotta give credit to TAmpa fans for being much more educated about prospects then the average fan, also grateful for sharing their knowledge on message boards like this.
Some seem to get pompous with their opinions, however, and seem to forget how much of a crapshoot the draft really is. There is a lot a team play with these kids. Mere talent isn’t the only factor. What’s between the ears often matters more and if these kids don’t have much work ethic and are ready to bust their ass and hone their crafts they often bust.
April 29th, 2018 at 8:00 pm
All opinions aside I can never understand why Tampa fans sometimes dont support a drafted player. Last year lots of fans were against, and even seemed angry, about the Justin Evans pick. I just don’t get why they wouldn’t support him. He’s a Buc for crying out loud!!!
April 29th, 2018 at 8:03 pm
Destin has only been wrong about one player. Well why didnt you say something? The new york jets could use your keen eye for talent. What a piece of work.
April 29th, 2018 at 8:06 pm
@ jimmy jack
Many bashed the beckwith pick as well. One poster a few weeks ago admitted to not even knowing who beckwith was but bashed the pick anyways. How can you bash what you dont even know about? Only tampa fans
April 29th, 2018 at 8:17 pm
Maybe just maybe the league had a wink, wink deal with Seattle not to draft Griffin, so he could play with his brother in Seattle? Just saying BlakeBucsfan…
April 29th, 2018 at 8:18 pm
Well Webster, it’s not worth the argument really. These fans could come back saying how they hated othe4 picks, like VHIII or Arygaryayo for example.
I just can’t understand how they can bash our own players before they ever see 5hem play.
Hey, I’m all for bashing Vernon or Gholston or whoever else deserves it. But these young kids have a career in front of them and it starts with pewter. Why don’t they have 100% support from the fans?
April 29th, 2018 at 8:18 pm
Oh and i am still waiting to see the gm that hits on every pick. Even belichick has cut 2nd round players within 3 years because they suck. Its not an exact science. The key is hit on more than you dont. Licht is good in that area.
April 29th, 2018 at 8:20 pm
Over the years I was less supportive of our draft picks when Bruce Allen and Dominick were running the war room. I just had no faith in those guys.
Licht has proven a lot more worth when it comes to the draft. I’m excited for all the players we selected.
April 29th, 2018 at 8:25 pm
I was wrong about wanting culverhouse to draft bo Jackson.
I didnt think he wouldn’t spurn the NFL
April 29th, 2018 at 8:27 pm
@JimmyJack
As of right now, the only basis we have to judge these picks is their college tape and athletic measurements.
What I’ve seen on tape from Whitehead doesn’t impress me at all. He makes the occasional good play, but he doesn’t flash and doesn’t seem to have very good instincts.
Like I said I hope I’m wrong, but right now my eyes and gut feeling tells me that we picked the wrong guy.
April 29th, 2018 at 8:31 pm
Hey man if you’re right you’re right. And there will be plenty of time for you to gloat about it once you’re proven right.
Unnecessary to rag on one of our Buccaneers in the meantime. Most all of the fanbase has his back and rooting for him.
GOO BUCS!!!!
April 29th, 2018 at 8:57 pm
If 4 of these players turn out to be great/good/solid contributor regardless of position then the draft was once again a success. Thats all you can ask for. Oh and you know licht has found one or two udfas as he has always done. Dont forget he plucks guys off other team’s practice squads. This roster is not a finished product.
April 29th, 2018 at 8:58 pm
I just read a draft profile that said if he was bigger and not for the off the field he would of been a sure fire first rounder. He plays bigger. He has versatility, can be a return man , play defense and run gadget plays , had over 8 yard per a carry average running. What more do you want in the 4th round?
April 29th, 2018 at 9:30 pm
I can see why Koetter likes him. Wrote previously today (Grading the Bucs … 11:44 AM comment):
“Bucs don’t have the fastest corners in the world, and having safeties behind them with speed is a definite advantage IMO. Whitehead’s a little smallish for a safety (5’10” 198 lbs) but he’s faster than any of our corners (4.45 in the 40). Plus the things I’ve read about him say that he’s physical (233 tackles in 3 yrs despite missing multiple games for arm injury in 2016 & 3-game suspension to start 2017).”
April 29th, 2018 at 9:34 pm
Whitehead will be a great d-back maybe the best in this draft.
April 29th, 2018 at 9:44 pm
@Defense Rules
Speed matters very little when a safeties instincts and coverage ability are both suspect.
Hope I’m wrong as wrong can be.
April 29th, 2018 at 10:21 pm
This was a head scratcher for me in the 4th round I thought Kyzhir White or Josh Sweat would have been a better selection.
April 29th, 2018 at 10:57 pm
Most of these picks don’t make sense. But the one i can’t figure the most, a fat bucket of lard over the most athletic guy in the draft.
Derwin James
2018 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
April 29th, 2018 at 11:27 pm
The Bucs seem to be looking for hard hitting players who aren’t afraid to tackle. Even the offensive players they selected are tough or nasty. If the guy can stay healthy, the six rounder from Wisconsin could be a gem.
Kyzhir White lacks speed and can’t cover that well. More suited as a linebacker / safety kind of like Mark Barron except he’ slower than Barron.
Josh Sweat has already had a couple of knee injuries and he slow getting off the ball according to most scouts, that’s why he lasted until the 4th.
I would say from the 4th round on, it’s all in the eye of the beholder!
April 30th, 2018 at 12:06 am
Glad to see coach Koetter get involved with the draft. I kind of think it’s unfair that head coaches aren’t 100% involved in player decisions, but their job performance is based 100% on the performance of the players they are given. Now, let’s hope Whitehead makes the team on his own merit and not because the coach is protecting his pick.
April 30th, 2018 at 12:09 am
Yo guys chill I’d take Jordan Whitehead over Shaq Griffin anyway I like Shaq a lot hes so fast but yo this kid is really athletic for his size and he can ball Im telling you he plays good on offense to when he gets the ball he was rated higher then Barkley coming out of highschool and guys he has 2 hands….and I literally loveee Shaq Griffin but guys I’d take this kind of athleticism in the 4th to he’s a 4th round pick he’s not perfect but he’s got potential he plays mean to and guess what that’s what this draft was about tough physical mean players vita…meanest player in the draft…M.J. and Carlton? M.J. is rocked up strong as hell and physical as hell and Carlton has a mean attitude doesn’t backdown for nothing likes to press the hell out of guys st the line both those guys don’t take a play off cappa are you kidding mean as hell and Ronald jones is a finesse runner but for his size he runs guys over to we might be the meanest team in football now this draft was freaking awesome
April 30th, 2018 at 3:13 am
I have never watched Jordan Whitehead or Shaq Griffin play one down. I have been busy in other areas of my life.
I am going to take what Kstoges said under advisement as it were.
I do have faith in a broad sense in Licht because I am comparing him to various GMs that I have followed since about the mid-70s. (Tex Schram for example)
In the end, he will be successful or he will be fired. That is the nature of the beast.
I independently arrived at Vita Vea as one of my favored 5 list for the first round. All I will say now is that I favored him over James before the draft. I suppose it could be tracked via all the comments I have posted since January. (Maybe, the NSA, the CIA or the FBI could pull it together for you if needed. 😵)
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Go Bucs!!!!