Comparison For Devin White Throws Off Bruce Arians
August 25th, 2021
Stumped.
You don’t often see Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians thrown a curveball.
Arians — now in his fifth decade as either a college quarterback, college coach or NFL coach — has seen damn near anything that can be seen on a football field. He always has a comeback or a one-liner.
Well, almost always.
Arians was asked yesterday to compare Devin White as a linebacker. It really seemed to throw Arians off. Enough so that it sure sounded like Arians was grasping for a name of an inside linebacker.
“Yeah, I’d have to think about it,” Arians said. “[Larry] Foote was really, really good when he was young.”
LOL Larry Foote.
Foote has become a helluva linebackers coach with Arians and was a nice player, but c’mon Bruce. Joe doesn’t think even the drunkest “Stillers” fan awash in that Iron City swill on the souf sad of Pittsburgh would try to compare Foote with Ray Lewis.
A long-time Steelers linebacker, Foote never made a Pro Bowl in his 12-year career, which ended playing for Arians in Arizona in 2014.
And yeah, White last postseason played as well if not better than Ray Lewis. Check yo’ sheet.
But then someone brought up the name of former 49ers great inside linebacker Patrick Willis. That lit up Arians.
“Yeah, Pat Willis would be a good comparison,” Arians said. “He came in and just played the game the way it was supposed to be played from Day One.
“[Willis is] probably the only one in the modern era that I can say that. There are some kids who might be doing it this year. But none that I can say came in and had the impact at inside linebacker. Outside [line]backers, yeah, there’s a bunch of them.”
Joe thinks that is a fair comparison. Willis was a key defensive draft pick that helped turn the 49ers around from being a total joke to a Super Bowl team.
Then Jim Harbaugh became drunk with power and pulled a Chucky and tried a hostile takeover of the front office. Before you knew it, Harbaugh was back in Michigan.
White really could be the next Patrick Willis.
August 25th, 2021 at 8:09 am
Good comparison!!! Patrick Willis was probably a better tackler, but less of a leader and tone-setter than Devin is. Time will tell though because Patrick made 7x Pro Bowls I believe.
August 25th, 2021 at 8:09 am
For a playoff run, White’s already been better. The 4 game playoff run eclipsed any other LB. Ever. In NFL history. Devin White won a SB.
But, players are judged over seasons not 4 game spans. So if he wants to be measured against the best, he has to deliver year in and year out for at least another 5 years.
August 25th, 2021 at 8:22 am
Haha Joe. Hard to come up with new topics right now? Last preseason game and big cuts plus possible pickups from players discarded by other teams should cheer you up soon. Hey hit the beach with some cold brews and get ready for the real season! You earned a little break time. 🙂
August 25th, 2021 at 8:22 am
Excellent comparison. I’ve been trying to think of one but couldn’t
August 25th, 2021 at 8:40 am
oh man, his run in the playoffs was so awesome. i’m glad he’s on our team.
August 25th, 2021 at 8:40 am
Jim Harbaugh = Complete Tool
August 25th, 2021 at 9:44 am
James Harrison- Steelers
August 25th, 2021 at 10:54 am
Jack Lambert is the one I think of
August 25th, 2021 at 10:55 am
Comparisons are tough. IMO, it’s too early to compare him. To be sure, he is a force. I’d like for White to eventually be the standard by which ILB are compared.
August 25th, 2021 at 12:11 pm
Willis was not even close in speed as
To me white is a bigger Brooks simple even though Brooks played outside
This kid is one in a million.
August 25th, 2021 at 2:24 pm
Check yo’ sheet!
… never gets old
August 25th, 2021 at 2:38 pm
If memory serves I believe Patrick Willis left the NFL to serve our nation as an Army Ranger, only to be killed in an unfortunate friendly fire trajedgy. W;a fever his gridiron skills this great should be remembered for walking away from football fame and fortune to give his life in service of our nation. Patriotism on that level is rare indeed. Elvis was drafted. Willis volunteered.
August 25th, 2021 at 3:41 pm
^^^ Different guy. Pat Tillman and Patrick Willis.
August 25th, 2021 at 4:02 pm
My bad, thanks for the correction
August 25th, 2021 at 4:24 pm
I’d say Lavonte David, just not as good in pass coverage.
August 25th, 2021 at 11:19 pm
Pat was slower I don’t think Pat could quite cover as much ground as David. But man he was one of my favorite players. He was a BEAST