Derrick Brooks Details A Devin White Improvement
January 20th, 2021
It is often said that savior linebacker Devin White is a work in progress when it comes to pass coverage.
It’s not any kind of insult, just a reality for many 22-year-old linebackers. And frankly, that’s what the film has shown over White’s two-year career.
Legendary Bucs linebacker Derrick Brooks has a close relationship with White, who has accepted and welcomed Brooks’ mentoring.
Brooks shares little about their personal chats, but Brooks did reveal on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week that he and White have talked a lot about zone spacing. It’s been a weakness of the Bucs defense but it is improving.
“Devin White’s strength from Year 1 to Year 2 is he’s gotten better at understanding zone spacing,” Brooks said, explaining that spacing his key to manipulating quarterbacks and making them think your defense is in man coverage when you’re really playing zone.
Improved zone spacing, Brooks said, has been a key to Tampa Bay’s recent revival.
“Really the last three weeks of the season, that underneath coverage has really started to show that, and it showed well against New Orleans,” Brooks said. “Now the difference going into this week is Aaron [Rodgers] looks to throw the ball deeper and more downfield than that 8-to-12-yard window. So they’re going to have to extend those zones a little bit deeper. You never know, play a little more man than they’re used to because of what Aaron is doing right now at the quarterback position.”
You can always count on Brooks for cerebral Xs and Os.
Can White play the game he did in New Orleans up in Green Bay on Sunday? Joe’s not expecting that. But Joe is expecting the Bucs to put up 30 points, and for enough splash plays from White, and many other top defensive talents, to take home a “W.’
January 20th, 2021 at 10:34 am
Don’t forget LVD. DB knows who he is, and how much he’s helped White.
January 20th, 2021 at 10:39 am
Let’s gooooo!!
Bucs 27-21 in a nailbiter
January 20th, 2021 at 10:41 am
This is the advantage of making the great players Bucs for life.
Please do this with Evans, Godwin, Donovan Smith, Wirfs, Winfield, and Devin White.
January 20th, 2021 at 10:54 am
devin white was a savage on “mic’ed up”…
i think he got the saints players all shook and flustered…
even cam brate was baffled on the sidelines…
he ran his mouth on them hardbody and backed it up…
he was ready to put saints in bodybags
January 20th, 2021 at 11:51 am
Devin brings the swagger to this D. Woooooooooo!
January 20th, 2021 at 12:27 pm
damn that was good…
GO BUCS!!!!!
January 20th, 2021 at 12:54 pm
White is fairly fresh thanks to COVID protocols. He should be a monster of the midfield again.
January 20th, 2021 at 1:09 pm
Last week I wrote the D has to put bodies on the ground.
If they sworn the ball bodies will be flying. If they have a yellow/green jersey if front of them BANG there on the ground.
Take lingerie has to be much better.
GO BUCS. SMASH ASS FOOTBALL
January 20th, 2021 at 1:44 pm
^^^ cane someone translate this?
January 20th, 2021 at 2:08 pm
This game reminds me of the Rams Conference Championship game (Bert Emmanuel catch) where we smashed them in the mouth all damned day. Need a repeat, and Suh is in Aaron Rodgers head big time…..can’t wait!
Pistol
January 20th, 2021 at 10:09 pm
Bucs 70 Pack 66
I think I’m kidding but I’m not sure. Both QB’s can move a team and both teams have great receivers.
January 20th, 2021 at 10:57 pm
Take the W home, don’t eat it right away!
January 21st, 2021 at 11:17 am
Good article!! White has for sure gotten better at defending the pass!! Much better! … But his strength is wrecking ball, crash the line, hit the QB, stuff the run….. I hope they play to his strengths most the game!!