Warren Sapp: Devin White Is Collecting Hall Of Fame Chips
May 26th, 2021
Bucs legend Warren Sapp still pays close attention to his Buccaneers, even though he’s been ousted from mainstream media for more than six years.
(C’mon, Roger Goodell, you let Marv Albert back into league broadcasts after far worse lewd behavior.)
Sapp visited recently with the Are You Serious Sports podcast and was asked whether Lavonte David and Devin White are the best linebackers tandem in the NFL.
Sapp turned it into a conversation about White.
“If you can find me a faster middle linebacker anywhere on God’s green earth, please point him out,” Sapp pleaded. “Ray Lewis wasn’t even as fast as Devin White. Devin White is an animal and he [and Lavonte David] are definitely the best [inside linebackers tandem].”
Sapp ranted on (like only he can) to explain that White absolutely is a top-5 linebacker in the NFL. And when Sapp and Derrick Brooks talk about defining all-time greats, Sapp explained, for them it’s about how many years you were a no-argument, top-5 player at your position.
Collect enough top-5 years, per Sapp, and those are your chips to cash in when it comes to Hall of Fame consideration.
After White’s 2020 postseason performance, there is no doubt he is worthy of the top-5 label as fans talk football and savor their Big Storm beers all offseason.
Was Lavonte David ever a top-5 at his position? Joe would say David has had four beastly years and some that are up for debate.
Regardless, David has racked up incredible numbers and consistency through four defensive schemes in nine seasons. That’s as rare as it gets.
And now David and White approach Year 3 of their mind-blowing marriage.
Savor it, Bucs fans. It won’t last forever.
May 26th, 2021 at 6:21 pm
I remember when we picked this kid, people complaining about picking a LB instead of a edge rusher… My example was comparing Hardy Nickerson to Eric Curry, and which one lead that Bucs defense from being an embarrassment to eventually becoming perhaps the best defense in the history of the NFL.
BTW, in 2019 I believe, the Joe’s were down on David (maybe it was 2018), yet I didn’t see it, and when you ran all the stats, chasing down plays, etc, David was like the 3rd best LB in football when you counted in his production and his pass defense, which he rarely gets credit for. Even David’s “down” years have been career years for 99% of the LBs in the NFL. And don’t even get me started on the year that overrated d-bag Luke was the defensive player of the year, he wasn’t even the best LB in the NFC South that season. I’m really happy David is finally getting the credit he’s been deserved for such a long time. The guy was the only player I’ve ever seen be a 1st team all-pro and not even make the pro-bowl – not that the pro-bowl isn’t a complete joke, but still.
May 26th, 2021 at 6:31 pm
David makes Bucs Ring of Honor…..for HOF its a tough sell. I think he needs another super bowl appearance and a few more years as a top ranked defense just to make the ballot.
May 26th, 2021 at 6:46 pm
You said it Munch. David deserves to be in the HOF. Another Super Bowl knock out season his name could seriously rise.
May 26th, 2021 at 7:03 pm
Without question our entire interior defenders are incredible.
Vea, Suh, White, David, Winfield Jr. And Whitehead. I will take that group any day.
May 26th, 2021 at 7:14 pm
Devin reminds me of an old school hurricanes player.. And i can’t believe Marv Albert got his all of his jobs back after that debacle haha
May 26th, 2021 at 7:15 pm
Rod Munch you could cry about Luke Keuchly all you want. But thats the difference between one guy who is the centerpiece to a defense who was formittable year in and year out……Opposed to David who was 2nd in command to Gerald on a bottom tier defense…..and also at times was historically bad.
It also doesnt help David a bit that his defense were consistently awful at stopping the run and consistently terrible at stopping TEs………Fair or not no middle LB is going to build a great rep when you play on one of the worst all time defenses that cant stop the run or TEs over the middle.
And now on the back end of his career it sure looks like David will be overshadowed by Devin White. But all us Buc fans know David was a huge reason for our SB and the Bucs know it too and paid him as well.
May 26th, 2021 at 7:17 pm
And I meant the defense was hystorically bad. That didnt come out right.
May 26th, 2021 at 7:18 pm
It’s funny Sapp brought up Ray Lewis. Licht is obviously modeling this defense after the Ravens.
Vea – Ngata
White – Lewis
Winfield – Reed
You could predict Tryon in the draft because the missing piece was Suggs.
May 26th, 2021 at 7:20 pm
DW is a awesome no doubt about it. However, you would hope he would be considering all the all pros and HOFers is surrounded with.
Lets seem him still be awesome, god forbid, with a crappy team around him like LVD has done.
LVD is perhaps the best LB we have EVER HAD.
HOF should be calling his name one day if he can finish his career handing off the reigns to DW
May 26th, 2021 at 7:23 pm
DW is a awesome no doubt about it. However, you would hope he would be considering all the all pros and HOFers he is surrounded by.
Lets se him still be awesome, with a bad team around him like LVD did. Not that I want to see that.
LVD is perhaps the best LB we have EVER HAD.
The HOF should be calling his name one day as he hands off the reigns to DW
May 26th, 2021 at 8:52 pm
Sly-
The guy who has had a 19 sack season is not potentially suggs?
May 26th, 2021 at 9:05 pm
Found an article from the PFF tribe (who must have had a fresh shipment of peyote in that day) on the top ILBs heading into the 2020 season. Lavonte David ranked #2, Devin White unranked in their top 25.
Gee, I wonder where they’re ranked now?
May 26th, 2021 at 9:05 pm
I’m so old I remember when we picked him and some guys groaned at the pick
May 26th, 2021 at 9:10 pm
Iets Roll Says:
May 26th, 2021 at 7:20 pm
DW is a awesome no doubt about it. However, you would hope he would be considering all the all pros and HOFers is surrounded with.
Lets seem him still be awesome, god forbid, with a crappy team around him like LVD has done.
LVD is perhaps the best LB we have EVER HAD.
Nope no way!! No how!! I love LVD. He was the first jersey I bought after the alarm clock nonsense. Brooks is easily the best LB we ever had by far. Seriously dude you think a dude that’s questionable to even come close to being in the hall is better then a First Ballot Hall Of Famer? Honestly I might take Hardy in his prime over LVD but LVD speed and coverage is much more suited for today’s NFL.
May 26th, 2021 at 9:20 pm
This will be DW’s breakout year. Bank it.
May 26th, 2021 at 9:58 pm
JOE. D.white needs to be referred to as our savior. With LVD as a mentor and running mate the sky is the limit for him. He will collect a lot of hardware and cash.
May 26th, 2021 at 10:50 pm
What amazed me about White – he is even quicker to the ball than Lavonte, which is darn near impossible
But true, these two are head shoulders above the rest and the best inside duo in the league
Not sure LVD is HOF if Barber can’t get in…White has a ton of time to earn it still
May 26th, 2021 at 10:53 pm
White wasn’t in the top 30 lb ‘s through 10 games but the last 6 he played top 5 position ball. He still has work to do in coverage and work between the guards but Def can play going forward especially on angles off the tackles .
May 26th, 2021 at 11:02 pm
Nice handle Jerry Eckwood! 🙂
May 26th, 2021 at 11:26 pm
DrunkinYbor
Yup.
May 26th, 2021 at 11:58 pm
In a blink of an eye, we’ll suck again.
May 27th, 2021 at 5:35 am
Leighroy Says:
May 26th, 2021 at 9:05 pm
Found an article from the PFF tribe (who must have had a fresh shipment of peyote in that day) on the top ILBs heading into the 2020 season. Lavonte David ranked #2, Devin White unranked in their top 25.
Gee, I wonder where they’re ranked now?
Leighroy-
Answer to your question.
The PFF article that came out today ranking top 25 LBers going into ‘21 season had LVD #4 and Devin White #25.
Just ridiculous to have White 25th.
May 27th, 2021 at 9:12 am
Devin white is just different dudes
May 27th, 2021 at 10:07 am
That’s an outright embarrassment for the tribe there Stan. Just wow.
May 27th, 2021 at 11:01 am
But but but but but but, Josh Allen…..