Do The Bucs Miss Devin White?
December 11th, 2023
Devin White and his future.
Look, Joe isn’t fully sure why Devin White was not in Atlanta at the Bucs big game yesterday.
Was he too hurt to get on the plane? Did he not care if the Bucs won? Was he not allowed to miss a day of rehab? Was one of his horsies sick?
Just for comparison sake, Joe did see Ryan Jensen at the game, who is on injured reserve with a wrecked knee.
Please keep in mind neither White nor Jensen were required to be there, to the best of Joe’s knowledge. Injured players usually aren’t asked to travel but they are typically welcome, especially when they are team captains like White. It just struck Joe as highly interesting, as it’s unlikely either guy will be on the Bucs’ roster next year.
Joe asked the following on Twitter yesterday. The response was close to unanimous.
Did the Bucs miss White and his injured foot yesterday?
Two weeks ago reserve linebacker J.J. Russell had seven tackles and a sack. Yesterday, reserve linebacker K.J. Britt had eight tackles and a pass defensed.
The Bucs won both games.
Only twice since Week 1 has White had more than seven tackles. In those two games, both losses, White had a sack and a tackle for loss. Nothing else.
On his podcast last week, The Sage of Tampa Bay sports, Ira Kaufman, boldly predicted White has played his last snap with the Bucs. Joe knows who Ira talks to so this had Joe’s ears perked up like a startled German Shepherd.
Joe cannot imagine that White, if healthy, would sit out the playoffs. That would be an awful look for his future team.
As for White and the Bucs, well, did you miss White the past two weeks? Joe doesn’t think the Bucs have.
Simply put, the Bucs can put the loads of cash that White demands to much better use. Who would you rather see wearing a Bucs uniform standing on the field with the defense next year, Brian Burns or White?
December 11th, 2023 at 5:21 am
He’s fancied himself the leader of the team almost since he’s been here, and second only to Brady. Always gives the last speech. And when that guy is loafing and getting destroyed and not playing intelligently, the organization I think had to make a decision to sit him, meaning not on the plane. Him as the leader should’ve died the minute he made a trade request, but his teammates like him too much. But the reality is that outside most of the Brady years, this team struggles with motivational inconsistency, & I wonder if Licht & co (even Todd, seeing how his future is on the line) thought it was enough of Devin as the spiritual leader of this group. Too many jobs are on the line, especially since Devin has essentially played himself out of one.
December 11th, 2023 at 5:38 am
KJ Britt appears to cover better than him. Lavonte David sure looked like his old self and didn’t seem to be missing a second banana.
“Was one of his horsies sick?” this made me lol 😂 . What doesn’t make me lol is that I seriously believe he loves his horsies more than he does football. The NFL has taken notice.
December 11th, 2023 at 5:53 am
I was pulling for Devin White. He dominated during the 2020 run (Shaq too). It is what it is but it is unfortunate. Makes me appreciate LVD that much more.
December 11th, 2023 at 6:41 am
So long, Cowboy! Britt played great ball and I’m sure White would have loafed on that 1st quarter play inside the 5 yard line. So White being out potentially saved the Bucs season.
I just wish the Bucs defenders could catch the dang ball. Just from yesterdays game alone I’m looking at Britt, Zyon, and as great as he was AWJ too!! Squeeze the football and that game is not even close.
December 11th, 2023 at 7:03 am
It’s all my fault. See, I bought a Josh Freeman jersey, and he flamed out. I bought a Jameis Winston jersey, and he flamed out. And, well, after the Super Bowl, I bought I Devin White jersey.
I’m sorry everyone.
December 11th, 2023 at 7:03 am
Resigning White would be dumber than drafting a kicker in the 2nd round.
December 11th, 2023 at 7:20 am
No
December 11th, 2023 at 7:21 am
Wait…… didn’t tod tell us “he is the best player on the team” what a slap to face of LVD, Mike, Wirfs, Winfield, Vita………I could go on.
December 11th, 2023 at 7:22 am
Ride the hot hand.
December 11th, 2023 at 7:25 am
Now I do believe Devin has been hurt all year remember the saints game when he got that pick and he ran out of bounce. Now last year he lost his dad so I can give a pass just like all of y’all gave Brady a pass because of his divorce.
December 11th, 2023 at 7:53 am
Not much
December 11th, 2023 at 8:01 am
We miss the “good” Devin White…..and have missed him for a while…
I hope we don’t need him but if we do, I hope he plays hard for his next contract for another team.
December 11th, 2023 at 8:01 am
We’ve seen the last of the selfish lb
December 11th, 2023 at 8:09 am
I wonder if Devin White has any idea how unpopular he is with the fan base. Or any idea how much market value he has lost?
December 11th, 2023 at 8:33 am
No, in fact the LB group played better
December 11th, 2023 at 8:43 am
Oneilbuc, you are such a joke lol make everything about something else smh
December 11th, 2023 at 8:45 am
Did Jay miss have someone die 5 years in a row? Is that why you ALWAYS gave him a pass….. wait…. I think I know why you had out your free passes smh
December 11th, 2023 at 8:46 am
Hand*
December 11th, 2023 at 8:49 am
I think White is great. I think he is worth keeping, outside of the money concerns.
But…those money concerns are exactly why I would even consider letting him go. If we can make a change without downgrading, and it is cheaper, then it makes a lot of sense to do it.
Devin White is a good player. He is not having a great year, but he is a good player. Him wanting to make more money? I do not hold that against him at all. It’s a business. I don’t consider him a locker room problem…like some here may be trying to paint him as. And NO player is Team-First. Not in reality. They all have to look out for themselves and their families.
Fans tend to raise a stink when a player wants more money…or suggests a trade if they do not see their team being able to pay them…but it really is not a big deal.
If Devin White were stirring things up in the locker room, I would want him gone in an instant, but he’s not. He’s trying to become a leader…even if his production is down.
But at this time, it is all about the money.
I would only caution putting too much faith in the backups J. J. Russell and K.J. Britt. They had good single-game performances…but that doesn’t mean they can fully take the place of White.
Also of consideration is Lavante David. We all thought he would retire last year, and he decided to come back for another year. The odds of him actually retiring this year are extremely high.
So that will create an opening next to White. Get rid of White, and both J. J. Russell and K.J. Britt would be the present projected starters next year.
Are we really comfortable with that based on single game performances?
December 11th, 2023 at 8:49 am
“Oneilbuc Says:
December 11th, 2023 at 7:25 am
Now I do believe Devin has been hurt all year remember the saints game when he got that pick and he ran out of bounce. Now last year he lost his dad so I can give a pass just like all of y’all gave Brady a pass because of his divorce.”
Oneill – maybe a one year 5 million ‘prove it’ deal. Maybe. But you know his overinflated ego won’t allow that.
December 11th, 2023 at 8:51 am
Mike C Says
“Oneilbuc, you are such a joke lol make everything about something else smh”
I don’t see where that was called for. Oneilbuc was merely stating his opinion, and it was on topic.
If anything, your comment against him was off topic.
December 11th, 2023 at 8:54 am
Simply put NO.
The Def as a whole looked better without him.
December 11th, 2023 at 8:55 am
I said he was bad news / a bad pic his rookie year and very limited skill wise !! Short arms, bad hands , no lateral athleticism etc ………. He literally has maybe had 8 good games as a Buc ……… Please Please stop saying this mirror loving , attention seeking , diamond ear flashing , horse loving, soon to be broke clown had a good year !!!
Look at Lavonte with the Clown Ass Gone !! …….
I still think his agent has one game circled for him to play but hopefully the Bucs say NOPE !!
December 11th, 2023 at 9:08 am
I miss the old DW, when he was a fresh new face to the Bucs and wasn’t making demands. He has lost focus and is not the same player. Time to move on.
December 11th, 2023 at 9:32 am
Kwon 2.No
December 11th, 2023 at 9:39 am
I feel comfortable letting White leave next year. Hopefully David comes back but if not we can draft a couple le of studs to back up Russell and Britt
December 11th, 2023 at 9:39 am
N-O spells No. White hasn’t been the same player since he first came here. LVD has been his mentor, and LVD is outplaying him. If the salary cap is as bad as I keep reading on here, no, Licht has other priorities greater than DW. ME13 and LVD deserve raises more than this dude does.
December 11th, 2023 at 9:41 am
I find it weird how personally some of you take another man’s career self interest. Sure, DW has been disappointing as a player since the SB, but come on. Your petty insults and characterizations of players and other posters is pathetic. These people don’t even know you exist yet you hurl crap at them like a chimp at Lowry Park Zoo in the 80s. Your vitriolic comments don’t make you some kind of super fan, it just paints you as a jack@$$
December 11th, 2023 at 10:03 am
P.S. I sure don’t miss DW on the field or sideline. Tabbing DW a team captain after this last off season is yet another indicator of poor judgment.
This team seems to like looking in the rear view mirror rather than ahead, through the windshield. Case in point, resigning all 22 SB starters to the detriment of future teams, this team. I know we like to proclaim they were all in for Brady, but that seems like a delinquent strategy when sed player has 1 foot out the door. Granted there were many turn of events since those signings (divorce, BA retiring, Jensen’s career ending injury etc), but a team should continue to evolve/grow, not peak, ruminate in that success, and stop looking ahead. That and all this dead cap $ is on Licht. Don’t get me wrong, I think Licht is an above average GM, but after the SB he got caught up in the moment, basked in the sun too long, and got burnt. It happens
December 11th, 2023 at 10:33 am
No, he is not missed. He will not be missed next year. Happy to have his money for Evans, Lavonte, Winfield and Wirfs, the important guys to keep. Thank you for your early efforts Devin, you helped the Bucs get a SB, good luck to you.
December 11th, 2023 at 11:26 am
“Slow” KJ Britt looks better in coverage and flows sideline to sideline despite not having White’s athletic gifts.
December 11th, 2023 at 11:53 am
White missed the last 2 games, and the Bucs won those games. Probably would’ve beaten the Colts if White wasn’t “playing” like he had money on Indy.
December 11th, 2023 at 3:22 pm
I kind of agree- but we still gave up over 200 rushing yards between the last 2 games.
And that was against the Panthers and Falcons- 2 of the worst teams in the league.
December 11th, 2023 at 3:36 pm
unbelievable Says:
December 11th, 2023 at 3:22 pm
I kind of agree- but we still gave up over 200 rushing yards between the last 2 games.
And that was against the Panthers and Falcons- 2 of the worst teams in the league.
^^^^^^^^^
Teams that run the ball, especially Atlanta. To hold Atlanta to under 100 yards rushing without Vita Vea playing was great.
December 11th, 2023 at 6:52 pm
^ @Joe in Michigan – I would agree, except let’s not forget that Atlanta was missing 4 out of their 5 starting offensive lineman. Even without Vea, we should have been destroying them at the LOS all game.
December 11th, 2023 at 9:19 pm
No.
December 11th, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Stormy. I’m not saying give him 20 million now but at a good price like you pointed out would be good!!
December 11th, 2023 at 9:58 pm
Mike C. You don’t think that him losing his dad could have played a roll in his play last year? Or are you one of those guys who don’t value the farthers in a person life which one is it ? Because I have children and I love my babies!!
December 12th, 2023 at 3:38 pm
Personally I’d prefer players not travel and stay at home and rehab. Home games, sure but away games I don’t see the point other than to be a cheerleader.
Do the Bucs miss him on the field? So far not really but considering who we’ve played in his absence the young guys did ok.
The biggest problem is how we use him. He’s not a cover guy. He’s not great stopping the run up the middle but pursues well and tackles well on the edge. He’s somewhat effective in those areas but he excels at rushing the passer. Couple that with his ability to hold the edge and contain and/or being fast enough to chase down a QB who leaves the pocket and he has the tools to be an EDGE guy.
He’s got great conditioning and doesn’t need extended breaks. Not sure what the team has in mind to re-sign him or not, but personally I think he should spend some time this off-season at Von Miller’s camp with some other pros and learn some more tricks of the trade.