“You Can See That His Play Speed Is Picking Up”
November 27th, 2021
Devin White’s coach speaks out
Perhaps Buccaneers savior linebacker Devin White had a slower-than-expected start to this season because he simply was playing slower than expected.
That was the implication from Buccaneers inside linebackers coach Mike Caldwell. He joined the Buccaneers Radio Network this week and was asked about White’s surge in play over the past two games against Washington and New York.
“Just the consistency. You can see that his play speed is picking up,” Caldwell said.
Joe found it interesting that “play speed” was mentioned. Joe wouldn’t have thought that through eight games White, at 23 years old, was missing a gear that he had last season.
Caldwell talked about how he’s steadily working on “formation recognition” with White. He explained that White needs that part of his game to be more second nature, “like I’m opening the door to my car.”
Yes, it’s Year 3 in the Bucs defense for White but he’s still a young player. For Joe, Caldwell’s comment conjured memories of young Lavonte David changing defenses after just two years under Greg Schiano, and then again after two years with Lovie Smith. David might say that White has had it easy under Todd Bowles since 2019 and with a veteran by his side.
Caldwell said the biggest growth for White is leadership.
“Now, everybody looks to him as that guy,” Caldwell said. “He puts that on his shoulders and he is carrying it for us as a defense and for the team.”
Caldwell conceded that David “is the No. 1 leader” and White’s strength in that area is his daily energy.
As for Sunday, Joe is concerned about White’s new quad injury. If he plays and is at, say, 85 percent, that would eat into the increased “play speed” Caldwell referenced.
November 27th, 2021 at 10:02 am
Play speed means grasping the defense & playing w/o thinking. He’s had a different role this season with all the DB’s hurt
November 27th, 2021 at 10:15 am
Damn Pete, most honest comment ive read from ya yet lol
November 27th, 2021 at 10:27 am
Right play speed is recognition. How fast he reacts to formations. Slowing down his natural physical speed may help him, he’ll see more instead of just bull rushing.
November 27th, 2021 at 10:35 am
I thought I was seeing a slow Devin – this confirms it. Certainly wasn’t slow against the Giants. His disruption of Daniel Jones on 4th down was a thing of beauty even if Jason Garrett was a moron.
November 27th, 2021 at 10:36 am
Devin White…..Grizzly……Jameis found out…….
That quad will slow him down…..if he doesn’t, he may injure it further and that would be costly.
November 27th, 2021 at 10:38 am
Such a strange player!!
November 27th, 2021 at 10:46 am
Defense took a big step forward lat week , but this game is much better chance at a ” statement game”. Stop Taylor for under 80 rushing. Wentz rarely throws a pick , however he has fumbled 6 times , so a strip and score would obviously be huge. Getting off to a fast start is imperative. i see it as Bucs 31 Dolts 17.
November 27th, 2021 at 10:51 am
can we have a staff member install a couple of huge juggs of tryptophan laced gatorade on the colts sideline during pre game warm ups…
dress in colts team sideline gear and do the do…
or at least deliver a thinly waisted, huge juggs bimbette to my hotel room near the stadium…
thank you ahead of time
November 27th, 2021 at 10:57 am
Adam, great ideas, you should be on the Bucs payroll!
November 27th, 2021 at 11:04 am
Devin White 40 time is 4.42. He is used to running full speed when trying to make a tackle. Therefore, if there is a chance he will make his quad injury worse when running full speed he should not play.
November 27th, 2021 at 11:14 am
I wonder how much of it has to do with all the injuries on defense, mainly CBs and LVD, which have caused him to play a lot more coverage
November 27th, 2021 at 3:32 pm
Pete nailed it pointing out Devin’s added responsibility with the back end so injured. BA referenced this earlier in the season when asked about Devin’s lack of production. SMB is back and he’s freed up to go make plays.
November 27th, 2021 at 4:39 pm
Who was the defensive leader of the great Bucs first SB defense.
Derrick Brooks? Probably. Warren Sapp…perhaps…John Lynch…maybe..Ronde Barber? Even Shelton Quarles had great leadership talent.
Point is there is room for more than one leader on defense and as we saw back in the day the more the merrier.
I think this defense is similar. Who is the leader our ILB’s…JPP?…Suh? I think Winfield is coming on strong with his play and of course there’s Shaq and others.
The Bucs are not lacking for leadership on either of the ball that’s for sure.
November 27th, 2021 at 8:30 pm
Carson Wentz how can he throw an interception when he only throws the ball 10 times a game and honestly Wentz was never good anyways. Also nobody can run against the BUCS so J. Taylor can’t win the game by himself. He might get about 80 yards if he’s lucky. But if our defense is probably gonna have 5 turnovers and 5 plus sacks. I’m thinking the bucs are going to be on FIRE the Last 7 games OFFENSE AND DEFENSE. SUPERBOWL BRADY vs bellycheck..
November 28th, 2021 at 8:10 am
Another words, he’s not the brightest bulb in the batch, and it’s going to take time till he reaches his full potential.