“Whoever Invented The Game, Thank You.”
May 1st, 2019
New Bucs rookie linebacker Devin White, the anointed savior of the horrendous Bucs defense, has an energy about him that hasn’t been felt in Tampa for a while.
Joe likens it to the spirit of America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, before all the losing, injuries and unrest of 2017, followed by Jameis getting labeled as a sex offender by Roger Goodell and his NFL team of detectives in charge of alleged justice.
White’s energy is infectious. And while it’s nearly unfair to ask or expect a rookie to carry and transform a defense, maybe White has the personality and talent to do it.
It’s easy to fall in love with the interview, as the expression goes, in addition to off-the-field goodness, and forget that they mean a whole lot of nothing between the white lines. Lots of guys are great talkers and nice people. But for now, Joe’s just going to go with it. White is a lot of fun, a true breath of fresh air.
According to KTBS-TV, White already was back home in Webster Parish, Louisiana, doing community service on Monday at a local school.
The fun video via the link above shows White talking after the draft and dropping this gem.
“I’m just happy I can be a part of the Bucs man, I’m a part of the Bucs. You see this smile? This is a Kool-Aid smile, a red Kool-Aid smile. Go Bucs,” White said.
He went on to explain he doesn’t play the game for fun, he plays it out of extreme love. “Whoever invented the game, thank you.”
Joe will have a Kool-Aid smile if White is a sure tackler and can be a legitimate playmaker. Even if he’s not blitzing like many think he will be, Joe would be just fine if White can be, say, a three-interception guy with a few forced fumbles and a mountain of tackles.
May 1st, 2019 at 12:14 am
Sad to think of Jameis then and Jameis now…. Hopefully the new environment at One Buc is a little more open to young fresh leadership. Maybe Winston’s personality was a little too big right off the bat, but that was my favourite thing about him. But it seemed McCoy and company weren’t very open to the all in all the time mentality. White is of that mentality and it couldn’t come at a better time. “Every blade of grass”. Good article, Joe.
May 1st, 2019 at 12:21 am
Definitely see a bit of a difference in the maturity and demeanor between White and JW in interviews. Think that will emerge when it comes to leadership as well. White reminds me more of Brooks in temperament, hoping he’s a similar player as well and even more disruptive.
May 1st, 2019 at 12:58 am
if White is a sure tackler
—————-
Go to the tape Joe. I can’t help but to feel like we drafted Kwon Alexander sixth overall. Also can’t help but to feel like Atl, Car and NO did their best in, the draft, to neutralize our pick.
May 1st, 2019 at 1:11 am
White doesn’t strike me as the type of person to be eating W’s and other ridiculous bullish-t to try and be a “leader”. Just seems like a genuine person who has a passion for his profession. Breath of fresh air is correct.
May 1st, 2019 at 1:37 am
We drafted a young, fast Hardy Nickerson. For those of you who don’t know, Hardy Nickerson was the start of doing things differently in Tampa. No quitters allowed. That’s EXACTLY what we need.
May 1st, 2019 at 1:56 am
Db55… Kwon cant hold Devins jock strap. Devin White was a better linebacker 2 years into playing the position (hes only 3 years in btw) than Kwon will ever be.
May 1st, 2019 at 1:57 am
Blaming Goodell for Jameis being labeled a sex offender is ridiculous. Being accused of rape in college and groping in the NFL did that.
May 1st, 2019 at 1:58 am
This guy is special. I liked the pick because he was the alpha for his position both on and off the field. After I heard his interview, wow, just amazed at the personality of this kid.
Some guys like Kwon would just give these stereotypical answers that athletes say. Devin actually internalizes the question and comes up with a personable and well thought out answer off the rip. You can tell he is genuine and cerebral right away.
He doesn’t have to do anything special to lead off the bat. Just get in, work his tail off, and show everyone the standard for work ethic. It was a safe pick but I think what he brings as a person and player is more valuable than a pass rusher when isn’t a team guy.
His floor is Kwon Alexander, his ceiling is out of this world IMO, but wtfdik, right DB55?
May 1st, 2019 at 2:05 am
Kwon Alexander was a 4th round pick not 6th @DB55. Hardy Nickerson was not drafted by the Bucs. He was a 5th round pick by the steelers and signed to the bucs as a Free agent @ Michigan says.
May 1st, 2019 at 2:14 am
@BigPoppaBuc
There is nothing wrong with trying to get the team fired up. The problem with Jameis doing it was that he needed to lead by example. It would be hard to get excited for a game when the one telling you to give it your all started to throw interceptions giving the other team field position and points. I’m sure it would get old quick. He would get himself all worked up before the game even started and didn’t settle down until the end of the 2nd quarter. By then the Bucs were usually down by 10 or 14 points, sometimes more. What he needs to do is get focused before the game, maybe try meditating. Try to envision himself making plays to put the team in a position to win. Leave the cheerleading to someone else, someone on defense that is a game changer. I hope Devin White becomes that playmaker for us, we need it. We haven’t had someone with that kind of heart and talent since Sapp was here.
I hope Leftwich puts Winston in a position to be successful this year, he needs it. Jameis has thrown 88 TD’s in 4 years but has 58 INT’s and has fumbled the ball 38 times losing 18 of them. That’s 76 turnovers and ONLY 88 TD’s and we are probably going to pay him $30+ million per year soon. No wonder we have had 6 wins or less in 3 of his years here. Trust me, I know the defense has cost us quite a few games as well but damn. I wish we had gotten Drew Lock this year when he fell to us in the 2nd round for insurance. Maybe he’s not as good as I think he is but in his last 2 years in college he threw 72 TD’s and only 21 INT’s. Even if he turns out to be a bust he was worth the pick. Jason Licht has wasted 2nd round picks on worse over the last 5 years. This team is a joke and I am getting sick of it. I have been a fan since ’79 and already went through the 12 straight years of double digit loses. Don’t know how much longer I can put up with Licht and his boneheaded picks, he has no idea how to evaluate talent. This team should be loaded having a Top 10 pick in the Draft for 5 of the last 6 years and 11th in the other one. Good luck Arians!
May 1st, 2019 at 2:31 am
Yes, Devin White’s “energy is infectious’ but it’s funny Joe how you’re viewing him in comparison to how you’ve portrayed Jameis (and Kwon) when they were rookies. I’m seeing a lot of caveats that I can’t remember seeing with both of them in the past. Which seems humorous to me because Devin White has his act together better than either Jameis or Kwon did IMO.
“Lots of guys are great talkers and nice people”? Hmmm, caveat. “IF White is a sure tackler”? Yup, caveat. “Anointed savior of the horrendous Bucs defense”? Nah, not buying it Joe. Don’t lay that on Devin White like you & the rest of the media did it to Jameis. No one laid that on Derrick Brooks or Hardy Nickerson. It was a TEAM EFFORT that resulted in our defensive dynasty; but Derrick, Hardy, Sapp, Lynch all were key cogs in that wheel.
It was TEAMWORK that made it work, under the LEADERSHIP of Monte Kiffin, an unbelievable DC with a great knack for how to build a great defense. IF there’s to be an ‘anointed savior of the horrendous Bucs defense’ it’ll be Todd Bowles.
May 1st, 2019 at 2:45 am
Big Stinky … Excellent insight (and yes, Drew Lock as ‘insurance’ would’ve been nice). Great observation BTW recommending that Jameis “try to envision himself making plays to put the team in a position to win”. It works. Played hockey for 4 years in college & used to do that before each game (admittedly scored a lot more goals in my dreams, but hey, it helped). Have known a number of All-Americans in several sports in my life who used the same technique to great effect (including a couple of QBs).
May 1st, 2019 at 2:54 am
Joe in Michigan — Just to clarify, we didn’t draft Hardy. Signed him away from the Steelers.
Looking far ahead, White better be careful with being too nice and I hope he doesn’t do too many good things for his teammates. I’m sure the anti-McCoy mob is ready and anxiously waiting for a replacement to kick around.
May 1st, 2019 at 3:29 am
@Defense Rules
Thanks Brother! Yeah, it seems like Jason Licht seems to ALWAYS be one step behind building this team. Wanted Drew Lock since I heard he threw 44 TD’s last year but have been hoping Jameis would turn it around. Looks like we are going to be stuck with him at this point. Have to say you are right about Todd Bowles as well. No one player is going to change this chit show we have here on defense. Hope Bowles and his defensive scheme is the answer and hope he had some part in evaluating this draft class. Jason has NO idea what he is doing that’s for sure. Don’t know how much more I can take and about fed up with football. Better things to do with my life than be pissed all the time. It seems like I get excited every year hoping Jameis gets better and he doesn’t. Didn’t want him in 2015! We just got Glennon 2 years before that and he never had an offseason with the offense. He only had a week to prepare both times he played. Wanted to see what we really had in him. Thought we should trade the 1st overall pick in 2015 and get an extra first rounder in 2016. We could have gotten a QB then if we needed one was my thinking. Winston just turned the ball over too much in college for me and continues to do so. Not sure it is ever going to change, some QB’s just don’t have that IT factor.
May 1st, 2019 at 4:37 am
White isn’t annointed as anything with me. As Bucs fan since 1976, I don’t get excited over any player until they produce big. I still remember Derrick Brooks refusing to call Carnell Williams “Cadillac” until he earned the mantra. That is sage advice from a great player who actually walked the talk.
I’ll be White’s biggest fan when he consistently earns the stardom others are already heaping on him.
May 1st, 2019 at 6:02 am
@Joe. What does Sapp think about white???????????
May 1st, 2019 at 6:09 am
Um, yea. Thanks Defense Rules, great post. I have nothing to add after that.
If the Bucs are to re-emerge, it will be a team effort.
I cannot figure out why people have not got on board with this pick.
May 1st, 2019 at 6:13 am
White was the safest pick. Then came the typical Licht BS. I like some of the picks, but bad value overall for a team positioned so highly. Fireeeee Licht!
May 1st, 2019 at 6:20 am
@jameisAlmighty
Why do you already want to fire BA, Bowles and Licht before the season even starts? Seems a bit…sorry…a LOT ignorant to me.
You’ll likely respond, “I didn’t say fire BA and Bowles, just Licht.”
Which would demonstrate even greater ignorance because if you think BA and Bowles were Licht’s lap dogs during the draft, you’d be…well…Ignorant with a capital “I”.
Now, why exactly do you want to fire all three again?
May 1st, 2019 at 6:44 am
Licht shouldn’t get the credit or the blame for this draft…..but..
There is no question in my mind that White was the player at #5 that had the best chance of leading the defense…..when you look at the choices at 5…..White was the clear choice.
Sure, he has to prove it….but at least he has the makings of a leader and the skills to back it up on the field.
The most impressive thing to me is his unquestioned excitement to be a Buc…..after all the negativism about players not wanting to play here…..White is certainly the exception.
May 1st, 2019 at 6:53 am
Genuine is the perfect word to describe devin white.
Things come naturally to him.
He’s actually pretty funny too
He won’t need some premeditated rah rah speeches for people to follow him. Sorry joe – disagree with your comparison.
Can’t wait to see this guy play on sundays.
May 1st, 2019 at 7:07 am
Love him or hate him Jameis Winston is a baller, and I believe hell prove that once and for all this year…Dirk was doomed the moment he said “Fitzpatrick gives us the best chance to win”…
As for Devin White he was my favorite player in the draft by far; LBs rated this high rarely bust…whereas we see highly rated pass-rushers flame out frequently…
You heard it here first, this will be Lichts best draft class…
May 1st, 2019 at 7:12 am
On a side note – can’t remember where I saw it …maybe it was here
But have you seen Christian Mccaffrey lately ?
He looks like he is taking more then some protein powder.
Dude is jacked
We can only hope it takes away some of his speed and quicks
May 1st, 2019 at 7:19 am
Found it.
Mccaffrey. Main article on yahoo right now
May 1st, 2019 at 7:23 am
@Bird…
The kid got great genetics; his dad was pretty jacked up back in the day…and heard his mom was also an accomplished athlete…We have something for McCaffrey though…Devin White…
May 1st, 2019 at 7:47 am
We need to put Devin White on Mccaffery & Kamara……then Matty Ice……
We could spare him a few plays for Cammy…..
Does anyone have a clue as to how good LVD will be with White beside him?
May 1st, 2019 at 7:50 am
OneBuc55 Says:
May 1st, 2019 at 7:07 am
Love him or hate him Jameis Winston is a baller, and I believe hell prove that once and for all this year…Dirk was doomed the moment he said “Fitzpatrick gives us the best chance to win”…
.
.
.
.
the SOONER Jameis realizes he is a game manager and not a “Baller”….the better he’ll play…even then his ceiling is not even at the floor of the elite QB’s year in year out ….
May 1st, 2019 at 7:52 am
That’s right.
McCaffrey aint’ runnin around the edge this year!!!
May 1st, 2019 at 8:01 am
Once GMCs work ethic is out of Tampa we won’t have to worry about it rubbing off on white
May 1st, 2019 at 8:02 am
Let’s see what he can do before we get excited …. Bucs fans drink that kool aid too early
May 1st, 2019 at 8:04 am
Joe in Michigan we didn’t draft Nickerson … we traded for him …. you sure your a bucs fan youngster?
May 1st, 2019 at 8:07 am
Joe in Michigan we didn’t draft Nickerson we traded for him … he played in Pittsburg was drafted by the Steelers … you sure your a bucs fan?
May 1st, 2019 at 8:09 am
I swear we have some fake buc fans in this place …. you can always find the wanna bes
May 1st, 2019 at 8:19 am
I just bought 3 tickets to the 10 Nov game against KC …first game in a few years…in my old ST section 123
May 1st, 2019 at 8:30 am
I love guys with this kind of energy!!!
Just like Jameis!!!
Especially if they lead the team to 21-33 records! AWESOME!!!
May 1st, 2019 at 8:32 am
Jameis Winston should legally change his name to JAMEIS LOSETON.
May 1st, 2019 at 8:41 am
WR Scott Miller needs to use McCaffery’s trainer
May 1st, 2019 at 8:41 am
Show me on the field. The Bucs always oversell their draft picks and talk means nothing, especially from Mr Gump.
May 1st, 2019 at 8:50 am
Lol
May 1st, 2019 at 9:11 am
db55
i hear ya…..white is a great player but he has flaws in his game as well….and i agree with you regarding the division rivals draft to counter TB’s blitz happy defense…..
falcons loaded up on the oline….
panthers got oline and RB’s that can pick up the blitz(scarlett & holyfield)
saints got a smart center….
we’ll see how it goes….
GO BUCS!!!!
May 1st, 2019 at 10:01 am
Joe can you post a devin white highlights video. I was impressed with how quick he can get to the qb. Its like they say the quickeat way to a qb is a straight line and this kid doubles down on the saying. He may truly be the answer to our pass rush. I didnt like the pick at first but im starting to lean towards it now.