Breakout Game?
December 25th, 2020
Impact.
Man, Joe is still buzzing in his head. And no, it’s not the Crown Royal that Joe had last night.
It’s thinking of the second half that Bucs inside linebacker Devin White had on Sunday. Specifically, the fourth quarter when White went bananas and had three sacks. For the afternoon, White had 12 tackles, four tackles for loss and a pass defended.
That’s a full day.
So much so that none other than hot-dog-eating-contest-protesting, mock-draft-scowling, L.L. Bean-wearing, Second Amendment abolitionist, Mike-Florio-arguing, parrot-insensitive, chewing-with-his-mouth-open, soup-gulping, California-train-romancing, anti-football proliferation, outhouse-admiring, airline-napping, steerage-flying, Yogi Berra-worshiping, urinal-picture-taking, video-game-playing, Taylor-Swift-listening, pickpocket-thwarting, Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie-LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, craft-beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading, NPR-honk, filthy-hotel-staying, fight-instigating, barista-training, Budweiser-tolerant, baseball scorecard-keeping, pasta-feasting, vomit-dodging scrooge, Kay-Adams-following, social activist and NFL insider Peter King of NBC Sports knighted White with one of his “Defensive Players of the Week.”
Devin White, middle linebacker, Tampa Bay. I continue to be amazed that White is just 22 years old, in his second season as the nerve center of the Bucs defense. And Sunday in Atlanta was his best day as a pro: three sacks, 12 tackles, two passes defensed. He got the save in the final three minutes, the Falcons desperately trying to drive for the winning score. On second-and-10 from the Falcons’ 12, White broke through to sack Matt Ryan for a six-yard loss, putting the comeback out of reach.
Was this the breakout game Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians had warned us about for two years? Arians always said White would be a terror rushing the passer and man, three sacks in the fourth quarter, that’s big-time production in crunch time.
Joe thinks we can all agree if White has a weakness, it is in pass coverage. Tight ends eat him up. So if White has turned the corner on blitzing the quarterback, why not blitz him more and earlier in games?
The way Joe looks at it, White has a much better chance of flattening a quarterback than he does breaking up a pass targeting a tight end.
And there are few things more impactful for a defense than blasting a quarterback.
“The quarterback must go down. And he must go down hard.”
— Al Davis.
December 25th, 2020 at 8:14 am
Savior
December 25th, 2020 at 8:29 am
Keep on, Blitzen.
December 25th, 2020 at 8:29 am
i’m pretty sure bowles could have let him loose a little more this year…
of course not every game – teams will pick up on the tendencies…
but def a little more
December 25th, 2020 at 8:53 am
This is getting exciting! Our 2nd year stud coming into his own. And what’s just as thrilling…
Cue the music to Jaws…da dum…da..dum
Because while we and other NFL OC’s are focused on White…another LB is lurking behind our defensive line….and he can rip through QB’s pretty effectively himself.
LVD had 7 sacks one season and 5 another. He has talent! And combine that with JPP and Shaq and Tampa Bay is loaded with shark infested waters!
Oh and did I mention Antoine Winfield who is just the consummate playmaker..he’s going to get his just like Ronde did.
It’s not that hard to dream this season. Great QB’s like Mahomes are virtually impossible to stop unless you can keep them off balance and get them on the ground as frequently as possible. Mahomes and friends will be looking at a D with four great pass rushers and a rookie DB who may join that group. That gives us a puncher’s chance.
December 25th, 2020 at 9:13 am
Hard to believe White is only 22
December 25th, 2020 at 9:26 am
Couldn’t agree more Joe. Work to the guys strengths. Go Bucs!
December 25th, 2020 at 9:30 am
Totally agree Joe…..The way Joe looks at it, White has a much better chance of flattening a quarterback than he does breaking up a pass targeting a tight end.
And there are few things more impactful for a defense than blasting a quarterback.
“The quarterback must go down. And he must go down hard.”
— Al Davis.
If anyone remembers watching the 85 Bear defense, sacking the QB was an art with that defense. I do not want to diss Shaq or any other player, that contributes by creating pressure on the QB, but sacks and turnovers are the great equalizers in Football. GO BUCS!!!
December 25th, 2020 at 9:45 am
Before we crown a guy that can’t cover my mother and misses key tackles on a regular bases, please go watch the tape. Can we see if he can have a “good” against a team that is a contender and not in the dumpster ?
December 25th, 2020 at 10:03 am
I give props to Jason Licht. He’s had a tough road, skated through a ton of mistakes but managed to keep his job and learn. It may be finally starting to pay off for him and the Glazers as he’s fielded a solid team that’s in the upper bracket of NFL teams. Not top tier yet, but with Tom Brady they can get there quickly. I’d like to see them get to the Super Bowl this season but next season should be their year. The loss of Vita Vea was huge and is more apparent as the Season rolls on.
December 25th, 2020 at 10:10 am
Devin White is gradually getting better. He’s got one of the very best playing alongside and mentoring: LVD. LVD is finally going to participate in an honest-to-god playoff game. Long overdue and about time! Let’s get it done tomorrow. Go Bucs and LVD!! And Merry Christmas, Joes.😊🎄
December 25th, 2020 at 10:12 am
Please don’t count your chickens …. . Look at the Jets upset last week. But I hope for (and think we will see) a solid Buc win tomorrow. The stars seem to be aligning.
December 25th, 2020 at 11:41 am
Kwon who?
December 25th, 2020 at 12:44 pm
“The quarterback must go down. And he must go down hard.”
— Al Davis.
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This quote is like a comedic punch line in today’s NFL.
You fart on QB wrong and it is a 15 yard penalty. Don’t hit them high, don’t hit them low. Don’t fall on them with all your weight. Don’t graze your hand on their helmet in any way whatsoever.