More Needed From Devin White
September 26th, 2021
Joe got used to seeing Devin White dominate during the final three games of last year’s playoffs.
The Buccaneers’ Super Bowl champion savior linebacker was a manbeast, shot out of a cannon after two weeks off on the COVID list.
He’s a big reason the Bucs won the Super Bowl and the sky is the limit for the 2019 first-round pick.
But through three games this season, White doesn’t look like the same player who was rolling around in confetti at The Licht House in February.
Yes, White is good and special, but Joe and loads of other Bucs fans are counting on him taking a step forward this season and so far Joe isn’t seeing it. And Joe’s not seeing a lot of leadership on defense from anyone.
Some fans will find this unfair, but Sage JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman and others were barking this summer about White making his mark this season and becoming an unquestioned All-Pro while grabbing full control of the Bucs defense as its unquestioned leader.
That’s not what’s happened through three games.
Joe’s not blaming White for what ails the Bucs defense, but the Bucs are going to need White to elevate his game big-time if the secondary can’t fix itself and heal, and older defensive players can’t kick their games up a notch in a 17-game season.
Joe hopes to see a monster game from White up in New England next Sunday.
White’s the kind of player who can put a defense on his back a few times a season.
It’s time.
September 26th, 2021 at 8:12 pm
Burn the pewter jerseys. We can’t perform wearing those 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
September 26th, 2021 at 8:13 pm
We need more out of the front 7, period. Outside of Vita Vea there just isn’t enough consistent pressure. Given that state of the defensive secondary, this team needs more out of the front 7. It’s not like they have the quality to play much nickel or dime for pass coverage.
September 26th, 2021 at 8:15 pm
The defensive scheme is just plain awful. Standing pat on defense was a huge mistake. New blood brings fire and hunger to a team. They look complacent through the first three games. It’s only game 3, but it’s never too early to course correct. Sherman needs to be signed tonight. And will someone wake up the D line.
September 26th, 2021 at 8:16 pm
Maybe Devin can ride his plush horses around and play connect 4 to solve the problem?
September 26th, 2021 at 8:17 pm
White’s trying to move up in weight class
September 26th, 2021 at 8:21 pm
No Pass Rush and sub par Secondary, it is like fighting with both hands tied behind your back. Ugly to watch
September 26th, 2021 at 8:23 pm
Overall, totally disappointed on the Defense. Looks like Todd Bowles did not prepare them at all.
September 26th, 2021 at 8:23 pm
Someone ask Bruce if leaving Tampa 18hrs before kickoff was the dumbest thing he’s done since today’s gameplan
September 26th, 2021 at 8:23 pm
Best MLB I saw today plays for the Saints.
September 26th, 2021 at 8:27 pm
When the opposing QB can find an open receiver with his eyes closed, it doesn’t leave a lot of time for the rest of the defense to do anything.
There hasn’t been time for a delayed blitz, or even any defensive stunts, but White does need to run more than his mouth.
September 26th, 2021 at 8:28 pm
We need a whole lot more than improved play by Devin White…..did Shaq play today?
September 26th, 2021 at 8:29 pm
Not gonna make any excuses for him but, there really isn’t a whole lot a middle linebacker can do when the guys on the outside are getting torched all game long. Devin White us the least if this teams worries in defense.
September 26th, 2021 at 8:32 pm
White does this alot!! I said this before: This is the Devin Doo doo that shows up time to time. For a guy that talks alotta trash like DW…I expect he backs it up. All this ” Im the best linebacker” from him needs to stop if he disappears in games. Yes I know he had a good playoff run
September 26th, 2021 at 8:33 pm
White has been a decent player this year. Not what i wanna be saying about a #5 pick in year 3.
September 26th, 2021 at 8:33 pm
I’m a big fan of White, he’s been a disappointment so far this season. 100% agree with Joe, Ira and everyone else that said White was going to that next level this year….. that hasn’t happened at all. It’s not all on him, but if you’re gonna talk as much as he does you better back it up. The whole D seems like they’re starting from scratch again this year. They can’t get to the QB at all. Sherman ain’t gonna fix this. Arians and Bowles are gonna have a late night
September 26th, 2021 at 8:34 pm
I can’t remember if it was White or Lavonte that said the defense was going to be “special” this year. Really? Granted, the injury bug that was largely kept at bay last year has struck with vengeance this year, but that doesn’t excuse the lackluster play on the defensive side of the ball. They better get their act together, and quickly, or prospects of another SB run will quickly disappear.
September 26th, 2021 at 8:35 pm
Whole defense needs to wake up. I get there are injuries, but this is ridiculous. No pass rush, I get teams are using quick passes, but today Stafford had all day to throw. Just extremely disappointing. Had high hopes for this group.
September 26th, 2021 at 8:35 pm
I don’t want ANYONE to get Covid (deadly virus). But I wish D White was ON the Covid list!
September 26th, 2021 at 8:44 pm
Yall notice how when Devin White drops into coverage it’ll be a receiver within 3 to 4 yards of him and he will see them but he will sit there and cover dead Gras staring at the qb the qb will then throw it to that receiver then he runs over there! Smh
September 26th, 2021 at 8:45 pm
He’ll trip on his dingaling periodically on the way to a stellar career.
September 26th, 2021 at 8:46 pm
I agree. There is no quick fix. Yes we need CBs but that isn’t helping our pass rush. Obviously teams figured out Bowles and he needs to find new ways to blitz or get pressure on Qbs cause what he is doing isn’t working. Needs to disguise things better. Stafford knew what we were doing based on formations. I feel like that’s our kryptonite with the run game as well. Personnel and bringing Brate off the line of scrimmage immediately tells teams it’s a run and Rams were on top of it the few times we tried to run
September 26th, 2021 at 8:56 pm
All of the LBs were missing in action. Shaq, Devin, even LVD were non factors.
The Dline is getting zero pressure and those aren’t all quick passes. 1 meaningless sack a week ain’t gonna cut it.
Obviously the secondary is a disaster but i’m really disappointed in Winfield. Really thought he was going to be special but he looks like he’s been living off last year.
September 26th, 2021 at 8:58 pm
It’s simple, the no taunting rule, talking has been a part of D. White’s game since entering the league, should that be the only thing that pumps him up, nope, he’s a professional, but take away a guys ace in the hole, it’s a different game
September 26th, 2021 at 8:58 pm
I am a big time Devin White fan and think he has potential to be a legend in Tampa Bay. I look for him on every defensive play and unfortunately I really do agree with Joe on this. He can/should be a game changer on defense and it seems like he disappears on drives that march down the field on us. He looks like he did during his first 8-10 games as a rookie. Tough game today but I’m confident he will get it right.
September 26th, 2021 at 9:05 pm
REALLY seems like our opponents’ game plans have taken our vaunted MLB’s out of the picture
September 26th, 2021 at 9:05 pm
And i seen Devin White bounce off 2 tackles today and gagged up extra yardage. It was probably more if you really studied the film.
I was looking for White to step up and lead us today. Major dissapointment.
September 26th, 2021 at 9:07 pm
Did you see Woods shove White out of the way and catch a 3rd down?
Cmon man.
September 26th, 2021 at 9:09 pm
Was average today… Nothing more.
September 26th, 2021 at 9:10 pm
total liability in pass coverage
September 26th, 2021 at 9:18 pm
Unfortunately, White has been a total liability in pass coverage and almost zero impact on his blitzes so far. Shaq was also completely MIA today.
September 26th, 2021 at 9:18 pm
Was it White that said he wanted DPOY honers this season??
September 26th, 2021 at 9:24 pm
NE i think so and Shaq said he wanted to proove he was an elite passrusher as well. So far both have looked like basic role players for us. Nothing special.
And White is suposted to be our leader. Kinda fitting a not special leader is leading a lousy defense.
September 26th, 2021 at 9:38 pm
Did White play today? Did David? I don’t recall seeing them on the field.
September 26th, 2021 at 11:06 pm
When White was effective last year he was blitzing. This year he’s done that seemingly rarely. Remember, last year, we all agreed, White is best going forward, so blitz, blitz and then blitz some more – instead Bowles is doing what he did most of last year, and that is put him into coverage where he gets taken advantage of.
Bowles has done a terrible job so far this year putting his players in a position to succeed. Just like he did last regular season. Said it all off-season, but the Bucs defense got hot in the playoffs, just like Mike Smith’s defense got hot at the end of 2016. That hot streak did not mean the Bucs would be a top defense this year, and as we can see, they are not. This is an average to slightly above average defense that will rack up stats vs bad teams.
September 26th, 2021 at 11:49 pm
Teams have caught up with Bowles defensive scheme and they know where the weaknesses. Just like other teams have figured out the Chiefs offense making Mahommes throwing interceptions here and there.
September 27th, 2021 at 1:12 am
What are you talking about lavante had a good game devin white looks like he needs to slow down his over aggression is getting him in bad spots far to often he knocked Carlton Davis off coverage wtf last game he plowed through lovante
September 27th, 2021 at 1:56 am
I agree, if you are looking to be amongst the best linebackers our team has ever had, you need to consistently make big plays like Brooks and Nickerson did in their heydays. No turnovers or sacks through three games is very Barrett Ruud like. Barrett was average and played average. There is nothing average about Devin and we’ve seen him just wreck game plans. It’s like our whole defense is just missing something so far that goes beyond the lack of corner talent. Work your magic Bowles!
September 27th, 2021 at 2:30 am
Defense looks out of sync, they look like they’re just waiting for someone else to make the play…. or maybe hoping Brady scores more points than the other team.
September 27th, 2021 at 8:25 am
White has been quiet
So has winfield. I thought both guys would continue their great play
Something needs to change fast
Brady cant throw for 400 and 4 every game