Whitehead “Jumps Out”
June 13th, 2018
Special talent
There’s a lot of promise among the rookie defensive backs prowling the fields at One Buc Palace.
Frankly, the Bucs need at least one cornerback to be solid in a hurry. But it wasn’t a corner turning Joe’s head at minicamp practice today.
Fourth-round pick Jordan Whitehead, Darrelle Revis’ cousin, was really impressing Joe. The young man has true juice, and he carries himself with a swagger that’s not forced or manufactured in any way. He’s just one of those rare, real alpha dog kind of dudes.
Whitehead is new to Bucs practices after sitting out nearly all spring practices with an injury. But he’s made a fast impression.
The quickness appears to be at another gear, maybe even more than Justin Evans. Whitehead flashed it plenty of times, including in the back of the end zone today on tipping a pass picked off by safety Isiah Johnson in second-team duty.
Joe asked Dirk Koetter today what stands out about Whitehead so far, and the coach went right to the flash.
“His quickness is the thing that jumps out. You know, he plays safety but he probably moves a little bit more like a corner, but he does pack a punch like a safety,” Koetter said of Whitehead. “We’ll see more when we get the pads on. I wish we could have had him for more practices. But his quickness is definitely what stands out.”
It will be very interesting to see how Whitehead develops — and how quickly. Would Dirk Koetter dare to start him and Justin Evans in the Superdome on opening day.
Joe hopes the learning curve is fast for Whithead. The Bucs need all the playmakers they can get in September.
June 13th, 2018 at 4:24 pm
Great News!
June 13th, 2018 at 4:27 pm
I’ve been curious to see what he looks like, so appreciate the observations. Sounds like he could be a potential starter for us at some point in the season, though I wouldn’t expect him to start in Week 1.
June 13th, 2018 at 4:31 pm
I think he is a starter. Great draft move.
June 13th, 2018 at 4:34 pm
Quicker than Evans?…….wow….because Evans is sneaky quick. And, I hear for a small guy, he is a thumper.
June 13th, 2018 at 4:38 pm
great work joe…..if he’s even with the other thru TC and preseason, start him….let him take his lumps early so by week 8 he’ll be comfortable and confident….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
June 13th, 2018 at 4:40 pm
Heard nothing but good things about this guy since I started looking into him after the draft. Quickness and punch sounds like a good safety. Hopefully another one of the young guys coaches and players sound like they’re truly praising.
June 13th, 2018 at 4:49 pm
Video, please?
June 13th, 2018 at 4:49 pm
4th round pick? Could he be another 4th round gem ala kwon by jason licht? The fact that he is revis cousin should only add to his knowledge of playing at this level as revis im sure is a great sounding board for him. Lets go whitehead!!!! True buc fans are pulling for you.
June 13th, 2018 at 4:50 pm
I usually say pump the brakes on this kind of stuff, but hey this sounds like pretty good news. Certainly the guy has all the pedigree in the world. Let’s hope he lives up to the hype.
June 13th, 2018 at 4:54 pm
Whitehead was standing out????
He must have been next to CConte!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep fixing the “real” problem!!! The roster!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!
June 13th, 2018 at 4:56 pm
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who am I ??????????????
June 13th, 2018 at 4:58 pm
Well when u have players like Conte and Tandy u don’t have to do too much to stand out. Just stay on your 2 feet and u already surpassed both them on depth chart
June 13th, 2018 at 5:03 pm
bunch of backups
you need playmaking studs as your starters
first 2 picks in your draft must be 7 year starters and playmakers
*the top playoff teams every year has the most number of playmaking stars in their teams
2017 draft will be known for bypassing derwin james and Derrius Guice…
2 all pro playmaking starters for the next 7 years minimum
Kobe Faker
June 13th, 2018 at 5:06 pm
Which is more important safety or corner? Can elite safety make up for poor corners?
June 13th, 2018 at 5:11 pm
This is great news. My big concern with these young players is keeping them focused on their future and staying out of trouble. I know the NFL does their symposium but there needs to be more. Young players need big brothers on the team. Not to party or spend money but to help them get better, be wise with their money and learn that nothing good happens at 2am. Uber when you drink. Don’t go out alone, get a wingman. Put a GoPro in your carb. Learn the Gray man principle because attention draws a bad element. People will try to take advantage of you everywhere because you’re a professional athlete. These things can’t be emphasized enough and if followed will lead to business and financial success. That is all. Go Bucs!
June 13th, 2018 at 5:12 pm
Safeties are about quickly parsing information and properly reacting. Reading and reacting to the offense. We will see what the young man will do in the preseason. Conte, gets a ton of hate but he is solid in coverage. However, his run fits are Sabby like. Sometimes I would swear he just does whatever Kwon does. Tandy reads the plays great, just lacks the athleticism.
Whitehead will have his chance.
June 13th, 2018 at 5:15 pm
There are always late round gems and hopefully they found one.
June 13th, 2018 at 5:18 pm
I always liked Dakota Watson and Rachel Watson. Dakota impacted a number of games through his hard work and determination. He was primarily special teams but always gave it 110%. Loved that guy
June 13th, 2018 at 5:25 pm
The possibility of getting TWO starters out of Stewart, Davis & Whitehead has me super-excited. Bucs desperately need the Secondary help.
June 13th, 2018 at 5:30 pm
BTW, the possibility of having a rookie start at outside corner, another rookie start at safety, and a 2nd year player start at the other safety is kinda scary. BUT … Brent Grimes can keep them all squared away I’m confident.
June 13th, 2018 at 5:41 pm
LaMarcus…..Got any cash???? Bet the Rookie is behind Tandy when opening day comes around!!!!! He needs to follow Tandy around and learn how to become a Pro. Tandy plays in 16 and they go 9 $ 7. Sits and watches in 17 and goes 4 & 11. Smith and Koetter have awaken to that and realize their ass and jobs are on the line. Tandy plays in 18. Get back and Hollar at me!
June 13th, 2018 at 5:56 pm
@DR
How may games Old man Grimes playing this year? 12 at the most? too high?
Another year and absolutely no accountability of Klueless offense scheme and playcalling
Why is NFL offenses all applying the short passing game and far away from the long vertical offense similar to Klueless offense?
Do you know 1 of the major problems of this long timing offense that Klueless uses. It is the health of the QB. Does the Sheep know what actually happened last year
JW3 and his shoulder/body wont make it again in this Klueless offense
and the Klueless apologist Koolaid keeps flowing and flowing
June 13th, 2018 at 6:12 pm
We got a starter here. This young man was one of the very best to come out of western Pa. There is a long list of great players from there. Look it up. Joe Namath, Dan Marino are a couple. He is considered that good. Wait and see.
June 13th, 2018 at 6:33 pm
This kid is special. Not only will he start sooner than later, he’ll get offensive work somehow as well. Check this guy’s video’s on youtube. He’s real.
June 13th, 2018 at 7:03 pm
Conte and Evans > Evans and Whitehead
Obviously long term Whitehead will be better, but Conte absolutely needs to be starting opening day.
June 13th, 2018 at 7:03 pm
*Goes back on Youtube to see more of his highlights *
June 13th, 2018 at 7:10 pm
Whitehead should play RB, he’s def should be the returner. I think his skills on O are better than his def.
June 13th, 2018 at 7:14 pm
I agree with Touchdown………..Whitehead may be the future but the main reason people don’t like Conte is he was always hung out to dry with a POOR pass rush.
June 13th, 2018 at 7:16 pm
I’ve said it hundreds of times….some of these players are plug and play …their that damn good! Don’t hold them back !!! Training Camp will separate the boys from the men… I TRUST IN THESE NEW ALFA DOGS! I’m looking for big turn over in our secondary!!!
June 13th, 2018 at 7:22 pm
Hey Lamarcus…..You got any cash? Bet when season starts Whitehead is behind Tandy on the Depth Chart. Whitehead needs to follow Tandy around and learn how to be a Pro. Tandy played 2016 and we went 9 & 7. Tandy watched from sidelines 2017 Bucs went 5 & 11. Koetter and Smith know there ass is on the line so Tandy plays in 18. Come back at me. I may be wrong but I may not!!!!
June 13th, 2018 at 7:30 pm
This is very exciting…For the love of Pearl…no to Conte. With this line our rookies will shine.
#TRENCHWARFARE
#noExcuses
June 13th, 2018 at 7:44 pm
Practice Notes! Practice Notes! Practice Notes! This whiskey can’t compare to Practice Notes!
June 13th, 2018 at 8:00 pm
So we can develop linebackers and safeties just not corners? Lol ok I promised I wouldn’t make fun of you anymore for thinking Ryan Smith and javien Elliott should have developed into starters by now.
Love to hear it but to me in a training camp ones of these rookies will have to stand out against the titans in joint practic enot this same offense they’ve seen since rookie camp
June 13th, 2018 at 8:11 pm
Whitehead should play rb and definitely be the returner. His skills on offense are greater than on def. the kids can straight up fly.
June 13th, 2018 at 8:38 pm
Love the optimism and I am with you but like we have seen in the past it is easy to look good against below average players! (32nd ranked D) So if players are looking good I am probably going to curtail my enthusiasm until pre season when we go against someone like the Jags.
June 13th, 2018 at 9:27 pm
Kobe … I’ll put Grimes down for 14 games; might even play all 16. Remember, he was hurt pretty bad BEFORE the season started last year.
Koetter’s under a lot of pressure to produce this season obviously. He’s stubborn, but he’s not stupid by any means. On offense he’s got TWO good QBs to work with, PLENTY of weapons … and an AVERAGE (at best) OLine. Bucs’ offense need to score better than 20 pts/game or he’ll be out of a job regardless of what our W-L record is. IMO Dirk’s made some bone-headed decision in the past that’ve cost us games (playing Martin as much as he did? Letting Jameis play with a bum shoulder? to just name a couple).
Smitty’s defense WILL do better this year, but Dirk’s offense HAS TO step up if we want to have a winning season. If the defense can get down to 20 PPG average, and the offense can get up to 25 PPG average we’ll have a chance to go anywhere from 8-8 to 11-5. But those are big IF’s.
June 13th, 2018 at 9:29 pm
Why did Dirk say Justin Watson will have a lot of catching up to do? Is he missing time and if so why?
Could you get anything on this?
June 13th, 2018 at 9:44 pm
Tandy man
I’ll bet my house, Polaris slingshot, can am trike with 20 in profiles and my arse that Tandy is not that good man for pro player
Tandy is a smart guy I get it and had on the best safety runs this team has had in awhile but don’t get ahead of yourself
June 13th, 2018 at 10:04 pm
@ Joes……….you guys shouldn’t drink as much as I do on a work day. Not good for business. 🙂
June 13th, 2018 at 11:12 pm
Buc realist –
“Keep fixing the “real” problem!!! The roster!!!!!!!”
What does that even mean? Isn’t drafting a DB attempting to fix the roster?
June 14th, 2018 at 12:36 am
Joe, can you please start a new policy of banning all the provocative morons/trolls.
Realist is not a realist at all. He’s a blindb narrow-minded moron.
This is by far the best roster the Bucs have had in our entire history.
June 14th, 2018 at 12:38 am
Obviously typo… Anyway, we are potentially one of the strongest/most-talented rosters in the NFL…. (Potentially)
June 14th, 2018 at 6:52 am
@BucEmUp Says: Why did Dirk say Justin Watson will have a lot of catching up to do? Is he missing time and if so why?
He has been sidelined with a hamstring injury at the rookie mini-camp. Should be back by training camp. Probably held out for precautionary measures.
June 14th, 2018 at 7:25 am
Teacherman said it first!
Jordan Whitehead is the next Honey Badger.
FS/Nickle/Slot corner
This guy, barring injury, will become a Pro Bowler!
I have said it since day one.
He was one of the highest ranked recruits in the country but he stayed in state to play for Pitt. He played for weak teams so he didn’t get a lot of attention.
But he is a stud! Just wait!
June 14th, 2018 at 7:42 am
LaMarcus. That’s funny man!!! Done got all that stuff. Except I ride an American Iron Horse with 2 wheels instead of them Old Man 3 Wheel Trikes, so can’t take that bet!!! All I’m saying is Tandy should be the man based on past performance. Hell Evans can’t tackle my Mam Maw so they better get somebody back there that is in position to make plays and Tandy study’s his ass off and is always prepared come Sunday. People refer to him as not being athletic enough. He has something going on or the Bucs wouldn’t have signed him now his 3rd time. SMith and Koetter aren’t total stupid, he plays in 18. With all we have added there is NO MO Excuses!!!!! We got as good a shot as anybody this year!!! GO BUCS!!!! I may be wrong but I may not!!!!
June 14th, 2018 at 10:36 am
Any insight on Igwebuike??
June 14th, 2018 at 1:34 pm
Tandy man
Man these 3 wheel trikes are fun and the only thing my wife let’s me have instead of a 2 wheeler since my wreck.
I’m going to look up what the Iron is
Tandy is ok man just there is a reason is the NFL and a reason he doesn’t start. Smart guy Tandy is and he is better than that tj Ward and conte
June 14th, 2018 at 1:35 pm
Aww damn. Yea u don’t want the my trikes that Iron looks like beauty. Lucky you
June 14th, 2018 at 4:35 pm
LaMarcus I would like to show you it to you I really think you would like it!!!! It is a beautiful Motorcycle. Has a 2500 $ paint job on it. Anywho have a great night and I will see you down the road on JBF!!! GO BUCS!!!!!
June 15th, 2018 at 6:33 pm
Whitehead was rated higher than Barkley coming out of high school…he’s a max prep number one….so toois VH3 III :p
June 17th, 2018 at 9:54 pm
If Justin Evans should get hurt Whitehead has the speed to play Free Safety too. He can even run the ball in the end zone for the offense with his wonderful quickness. I loved what I saw on his film. He needs to go with Tandy to watch film to learn the opposing teams’ plays so he can make even more interceptions. Unlike James, Whitehead produced last season. James didn’t. Those who think he is great were basing it on his combine stats. He didn’t get picked until 17 in the first round so 16 other teams weren’t fooled including Licht. Whitehead will be a stud Strong Safety and because of his smaller physique he won’t draw the penalties James will either. Whitehead is a great find by Licht. And Tandy is the Captain on Special Teams and is plenty athletic too but past Buc Coaches goofed by not making him a starter long ago.