Devin White Has Improved In Pass Coverage
October 10th, 2023
Playing the pass.
If Bucs savior inside linebacker Devin White had a vulnerable element to his game, it was pass coverage.
This used to be a very sore subject for White. In man-coverage, he did OK. Maybe good. But in zone coverage, well, let’s just say White needed some work.
Apparently, that has changed this season.
Speaking yesterday at One Buc Palace as the Bucs got back to business following their bye weekend, outside linebackers coach Larry Foote was asked about White’s pass coverage.
Foote gave White props saying his defense of play-action is one reason why the Bucs are 3-1.
“The first quarter [of the season] – we did the breakdown, we just self-scouted – he was doing a great job,” Foote said. “As middle linebackers, you want to eliminate those play actions and the easy seam balls that get a chunk and get the offense going. He’s doing a good job.
“As a linebacker, you’ve just got to feel it, you’ve got to see it. Sometimes offense, they’ll tip it. He’s doing a good job of growing into that. [He doesn’t] get fooled – it’s easy. So far, in the first quarter of the season, we haven’t [given] up that chunk play.”
That’s good to know. Joe always felt that White’s pass defense was really dragging him down. That doesn’t seem to be the case any longer.
If White can continue cover well in the middle of the field and the Bucs can buckle up on their run defense, this defense could spark a run of victories.
October 10th, 2023 at 12:26 am
I have a feeling that our offense and defense are continuing to improve and will peak at the right time
October 10th, 2023 at 12:35 am
“Devin White Has Improved In Pass Coverage”
From what – terrible to just sub-par….?
Just because his coach said something positive doesn’t mean its time to declare “problem solved” Joe….
I’ve seen White get burned in “coverage” a few times already this year – so let’s not get all giddy with the high fives and the ass slaps just yet.
I know Sir Dennis has been nursing a bad hammy for an unusually long stretch but I’d still bet good $ that Dennis is better in coverage – right now as a rookie – than White will ever be……
October 10th, 2023 at 1:42 am
I think if Foote is just going by chunk plays he is missing the boat. Teams can go up and down the field on zero chunk plays.
Go Bucs!
October 10th, 2023 at 1:50 am
So has Shaq.
October 10th, 2023 at 2:02 am
Maybe this is a reason Bowles said White might be an MVP of the team this year. We haven’t seen a Vikings type game, but we also haven’t said, “Man, White sucks in coverage “, like years past. He has been injured as well.
Hopefully, he is good to go this week, because we need another Minnesota performance from him.
October 10th, 2023 at 7:14 am
Still waiting on the physically dominant version of Devin White we got in the 2020 playoffs when he was a sideline to sideline monster, shed blocksand overpowered people. When I saw San Francisco bully Dallas Sunday night I couldn’t help but think that Fred Warner is basically what I thought Devin White would be
October 10th, 2023 at 7:59 am
Devin White is an above average linebacker, but he’s not a top 10. He has not shown any justifications for the money he wants. It would suck losing him next year but money can be spent elsewhere for a better cause. If Licht does his research, White can easily be replaced in the offseason or draft.
October 10th, 2023 at 8:25 am
That’s good to hear. DW45 is a beast at rushing the QB. Send him lol
October 10th, 2023 at 8:35 am
After what White has gone through in his personal life, some of you on here need to cut him some slack. Dumbos. Plus, he’s playing injured. Let’s see what goes down Sunday. BTW, keep an eye on the weather.
October 10th, 2023 at 9:52 am
Pickgrin is right on the money….anyone who saw Fred Warner on Sunday witnessed a real “SAVIOR ” LINEBACKER! 45 is not even close to that level and there are many more throughout the league who perform more consistently and on a much higher level…..he’s still not a top tier player but we are still waiting…just don’t hold your breath!!
October 10th, 2023 at 10:26 am
I’m with Pickgrin on this one.. no high fives or ass slaps yet.
October 10th, 2023 at 10:56 am
What are people watching or obviously not watching !! Did you peeps miss the national media coverage of Bucs players loafing and quitting during the Eagles game , well guess who !!
He’s not a top 10 middle LB , watch the guy , he literally is top 10 i😆 worst in the league getting off a block , no wonder Bowles schemes to keep him clean . ………. Please Licht Trade him !! If it’s even possible !! He’s a first rate cancer !! When he leaves you will hear it , all the players see the film 👀
October 10th, 2023 at 11:08 am
Devin’s attitude and effort have been fantastic! I really appreciate the energy he’s bringing.
October 10th, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Pickgrin Says
“Devin White Has Improved In Pass Coverage”
From what – terrible to just sub-par….?
.
I don’t believe he has been as bad as you think. Yes, he needed to improve in areas, but overall he’s been reliable. Again, in my personal opinion.
October 10th, 2023 at 2:08 pm
“Did you peeps miss the national media coverage of Bucs players loafing and quitting during the Eagles game?”
I didn’t see it, but I’m going to have to call a red flag on that. This team doesn’t quit.
October 10th, 2023 at 2:09 pm
And he is not a cancer either. On that…I’m going to have to just say you are wrong.
October 10th, 2023 at 11:14 pm
Bonzai Says:
“I don’t believe he has been as bad as you think. ”
Dude – Devin White was TERRIBLE in coverage last year.
Here’s a quote straight off the PFF website
“White’s 44.9 coverage grade in 2022 was one of the lower marks of any off-ball linebacker in that category”
White has a 53.8 overall grade for 2023 which is not good. Can’t see his coverage grade (without paying) but its obviously still lower than 50 since the other 2 categories are run defense and pass rush – both of which he’s obviously better at than coverage….
For comparison – LaVonte David’s 2022 coverage grade was 88.0 – the 2nd highest in the NFL – and LD54 was also rated the 2nd best off ball LBer in the NFL overall as well.
Devin White was rated 26th best….
Yea – Yea – I know – PFF grades are suspect – but what else is there to go by? Besides the eyeball test which matches up from my perspective….
Bottom line is Devin White is not very good in coverage and that’s being generous….
Dude isn’t even earning the $11.7M he’s getting this year but was demanding a trade in the off season because he wanted $20M… SMH…..
October 12th, 2023 at 3:43 am
Pikgrin nailed it yall!
Go Bucs!