Happy With Devin White
August 7th, 2019
Coach is happy.
Once in a while Joe is asked why he hasn’t written much about first-round pick Devin White.
It is simple; in training camp, you have to stick out or flash to be noticed. Joe cannot laser focus on one player without missing the play or the big picture.
Joe had been told by someone who would know that White was practicing lights out. Joe rarely saw anything (save for an occasional blitz when he forced America’s Quarterback Pro Bowler Jameis Winston into a hurried throw). That was until Saturday when White was playing sideline to sideline and had two strong plays to bring down ballcarriers.
So even though Joe is seeing few splash plays from White, Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians assured the pen and mic club yesterday that White has made strong progress for a rookie.
“I couldn’t have asked for any more,” Arians said. “He knows what he’s doing, he’s playing fast, he’s playing physical. He’s running the whole show.
“He’s not missing checks. Deone [Bucannon] has helped him a little bit now, Lavonte [David] helped him a little bit. He’s doing fine.”
This is good to know. Sadly, White might have to start NFL adulting much sooner than expected. The Bucs’ already shaky defense’s best players are out for an unforeseen amount of time with knee issues, linebacker Lavonte David and defensive lineman Vita Vea. And of course, Jason Pierre-Paul. The Bucs are going to need White to step up more than ever.
August 7th, 2019 at 5:09 am
Probably not the best thing to suggest the situation may demand adulting from a guy who hasn’t yet played a snap. There is no such thing as “fair” on that stuff, but we should not be unreasonable in expections or hopes. This, especially when there are still plenty of veterans around him that need to step it up. It’s good he’s not referred to as “savior” here though. Make him earn it. Do we have our next Derrick Brooks type of unique player. I hope so. But it took a while for Brooks too. Let him learn while the veterans lead, and let them all notch it up with David and vea out at the moment.
August 7th, 2019 at 5:40 am
One month to go until our first game. LOTS of good stuff can happen in that one month. Little things like getting LVD & Vea back, adding 1-2 quality veteran OLinemen and MAYBE another quality RB, lots of experience gained by our youngsters in practice, etc, etc. One month is a looong time considering that the season only lasts 4 months … plus our turn in the playoff barrel of course.
August 7th, 2019 at 5:53 am
We already have barber rojo Ellington and bruce Anderson. I don’t think we have room for another rb. It might be smart to keep both kickers at this point. Santos is on a 3 year contract plus hes been hitting his chip shots. Gay is shaky on his short kicks but hitting the impressively deep ones. If we cut either one they could be signed by another team. Santos doesn’t qualify for practice squad but gay does. If another team loses their kicker to injury or they just plain sh the season a potential rookie would draw interest. We don’t need another rb. Agree on the oline tho.
August 7th, 2019 at 6:08 am
I disagree with keeping 2 kickers…..but it is a reasonable thing to do…..it does make some sense.
I think it would be a luxury as it is to keep 3 QBs on the active roster.
The problem with keeping 2 is that you are sending a message to the rookie that he has a problem….I would rather send the message that “we trust you”….sure, he will miss…..most all do from the new Xtra point distance…..but his value on long kicks is substantial.
August 7th, 2019 at 7:23 am
“Shaman Kobe Faker had a revelation last night…
Runningback Dare Ogunbowale is going to be great for us this year and be our top runningback during the season”
Kobe Faker
August 7th, 2019 at 7:54 am
When will Jameis start “NFL adulting” as the #1 overall pick?
Does that start this season? Let me know. Thanks!
August 7th, 2019 at 10:28 am
Well he’s already America’s quarterback and pro bowler. What more do you expect?
August 7th, 2019 at 4:55 pm
Snook that was funny