Two Late No-Shows, A Question Mark, And A Rising Talent Short On Stats
January 22nd, 2023
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
For those of us suffering from BFS (Brady Fatigue Syndrome), it’s only natural to focus on the rest of this roster.
It appears unlikely No. 12 will be back as a Buccaneer this fall, so let’s look at some key returning players who need to step up their game if Tampa Bay hopes to enjoy a winning season.
All four were chosen by Jason Licht within the past four drafts with premium picks. Given the age on this roster, it’s especially important for Logan Hall, Rachaad White, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Devin White to raise their performance level in 2023.
Devin White faded in a big way, explains Ira Kaufman.
We begin with Devin White, selected with the fifth overall pick in 2019. White’s pro career peaked during the 2020 postseason, reeling off a flurry of impact plays in Tampa Bay’s championship run.
But instead of using that stellar playoff effort to launch a dominant career, White has regressed. He doesn’t turn 25 for another month and he’s healthy, so there’s no physical reason White can’t get it together before potentially hitting the free-agent market in 2024. Things started off well enough as White posted three sacks and a forced fumble during Tampa Bay’s 2-0 start.
That’s the good news.
For whatever reason, White disappeared in the late stages of last season. In the final eight games, he registered a half-sack and one tackle for loss. That’s hard for Todd Bowles to stomach because White played 100 percent of the defensive snaps in seven of those eight games.
What about Tryon-Shoyinka?
The question mark is appropriate because Bowles isn’t quite sure what he’s got in No. 9.
Like Devin White, JTS was a no-show in the final eight games, covering 446 snaps. During that time, he matched White’s puny production – a half-sack and one tackle for loss. That’s not nearly good enough for the 32nd player off the draft board in 2021.
While it takes a few seasons to accurately assess a rookie class, last year’s draft isn’t exactly off to a flying start.
Logan Hall, the first player off the board in Round 2, failed to contribute much as a pass rusher or a run-stuffer. He never started a game, but played 36 percent of the defensive snaps. In that time, he finished with 2 1/2 sacks, 6 QB hits and 5 tackles for loss. His lack of production became even more pronounced once Shaq Barrett was sidelined midway through the season.
If Hall doesn’t start in Year 2, that’ll be a warning sign as big as a billboard.
Not enough in the passing game for Rachaad White, says Ira.
Finally, we come to the case of Rachaad White, chosen in the third round. While White caught 50-of-58 targets from Brady, he averaged a mere 5.8 yards per reception. Tyler Allgeier, selected in the fifth round by Atlanta, averaged 8.7 yards per catch.
As a runner, White showed some promise but averaged only 3.7 yards per carry. To be fair, Tampa Bay runners were rarely treated to sizable holes and were hit often in the backfield due to poor blocking up front.
White figures to be Tampa Bay’s primary back this fall, but a 3.7 average won’t cut it if the Bucs plan on a balanced attack.
While Brady currently generates all the attention, Tampa Bay’s young players will likely shape the arc of this franchise. Draft and development will always remain the keys to long-term success in the NFL.
The 2023 Bucs won’t be an exception.
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January 22nd, 2023 at 12:30 am
The problem is that no matter who is QB, this team has a lousy head coach. It has marginal talent overall and no direction. Bowles sucks. His defense is overrated and next season will be rough. I am getting too old to be passionate over a bad, poorly coached and underachieving team. I see casual observation until things change.
January 22nd, 2023 at 12:41 am
Iras posts are useless… on to the next
January 22nd, 2023 at 3:56 am
There wont be a winning season under blows….I’ll give it 3 years and after hes gone then maybe we’re a .500 team…is what it is.
January 22nd, 2023 at 7:39 am
Last dance, Your mommy let you on the computer? Your 15 minutes are up, go back to your room little boy.
January 22nd, 2023 at 7:45 am
Irv Coughman strikes again.
January 22nd, 2023 at 9:13 am
Licht is over rated. If Brady didn’t come here Licht would’ve been fired by now. If Bowles is going to be on the hot seat this season, Licht needs to be on the burner next to him.
January 22nd, 2023 at 9:56 am
This board has become a reflection of American society– dominated by rage and hate Very sad.
January 22nd, 2023 at 10:08 am
Budda, 90% of the commentary on here is full of hate.. the other 10% actually will sit back and let the cards fall as they will and then make positive comments.. but you are correct this world is getting really sad.. not like the generation I grew up with..
January 22nd, 2023 at 11:23 am
Lack of production = lack of motivation.
Lack of motivation = poor coaching
OR
Just perhaps there’s internal strife inside that locker room, not yet disclosed or reported ??
January 22nd, 2023 at 11:28 am
Hahaha the venom and HATE for Vinny, and Dillfer was palpable in this town, rose colored glasses as far as your generation goes 99.
January 22nd, 2023 at 11:38 am
Devin White’s regression is disappointing. He’s definitely one of the guys living off the Superbowl. JTS is just not a good football player. Hall may turn out to be okay but he got pushed around quite a bit this year.
January 22nd, 2023 at 12:37 pm
There are more questions than answers and Devin White should’ve been an answer at that position.
Perhaps more competent offensive play-calling will benefit White.
Hall and JTS should have shown us something with Barrett injured. They did not, and that is very worrisome considering their draft positions.
What will next year bring?
January 22nd, 2023 at 1:19 pm
Ira, nobody on the whole team played well last year, except maybe Winfield.
Everything was slow and awkward.
As for the rookies I think Hall will improve with some training. Godeke might be better at right tackle than guard. Otton looks acceptable for a 4th rounder. I don’t know about that rookie cornerback. Maybe next year. Camada looks good. Ko Kief has his uses.
I hope Licht has a better draft this year, but last year’s was better than it looked. Bad coaching was the problem
January 22nd, 2023 at 3:33 pm
Maybe it is time to move Devin White to “edge” rather than off the ball linebacker. He would be a terror for some OTs if he just lined up wide and rushed the qb every play. Like Dwight Freeney. Then draft Jack Campbell.
January 22nd, 2023 at 4:29 pm
What Buddha and #99 Bigfella said!
I get it though. Sports is the place where you can feel free to engage in hyperbole and ad hominem attacks. It’s far better than doing in “real” life on the job or in politics.
But I share your sentiments.
I don’t mind hyperbole all that much except when the vast majority of it is focused on negativity going forward.
Who would have given the Lions a chance this season. They ALWAYS suck but somehow managed to turn it around after seven games. I was not a believer until watching them late in the season. They have talent and I consider Jared Goff to be a genuine NFL caliber QB. Their coaching staff seemed to do the job and Dan Campbell seems to be the real deal.
Despite a 1–6 start, the Lions had a mid-season turnaround, winning eight of their next ten games. The Lions finished the season 9–8, improving upon their 3–13–1 record from the previous season. This marked their first winning record since 2017. The Lions won five out of six divisional games, splitting their season series with the Minnesota Vikings.
There is still HOPE! As Chris Thomas used to say it’s the freaking NFL…NO FREAKING LOGIC.
January 22nd, 2023 at 5:43 pm
One way to guarantee Brady will not return. Keep Todd Bowles. Would you commit the last year or two of a stellar career or to one of the losing his coaches of the past decade? Nobody with half a brain would play for a coach who completely stifled the offense just like he did the defense so that it couldn’t score except after the Bucs got down 2-3 TD’s and Brady had to take over the playcalling to make a comeback
January 22nd, 2023 at 8:47 pm
I’m so disappointed that we only got two winning seasons out of Brady. don’t get me wrong I’m grateful for the Super Bowl win but true Bucs fans know what’s coming up for our team with this coach
January 23rd, 2023 at 11:44 pm
Buddha – Agree 💯 ! Sad af to see our Bucs fan base for what a lot of them really are .. Bandwagon fans. Spoiled babies that probably didn’t watch a game before Brady came to the team. The AINTS fans don’t even talk about their team/players the way fake bandwagon Bucs fans do. Go Bucs
January 23rd, 2023 at 11:51 pm
Oh yeah , and all of you same fans said the same stuff last year . Be happy we won a Superbowl and 2 division titles in 3 years. I mean I know we had the GOAT but that doesn’t mean we were a lock to win 3 Superbowls in a row.. The dude had his life torn apart and his ex wife posting pics of her and her new boyfriend every week. I don’t think anyone else could have handled it better than he did. Go Bucs and thank you TB12 for coming to our Bucs and giving us a fun ride. Hope to have you back