Jordan Whitehead 2.0
July 30th, 2024
Prime safety Jordan Whitehead.
Joe thought it stunk when safety Jordan Whitehead bolted the Bucs after the 2021 season.
Whitehead was looking to get paid. The Bucs, at the time, didn’t have the scratch to pay him. But as we all know, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht wanted him back. Whitehead also wanted back to his Super Bowl team as he still kept in contact with the Bucs.
This past offseason the time was right for both parties. The Bucs had the money available and Whitehead was a free agent.
Yesterday, Todd Bowles said the Whitehead he sees on his roster now is a better version of himself.
“You can tell his footwork has cleaned up quite a bit,” Bowles said. “Even before he left, we were hesitant playing him on third downs. Right now, I wouldn’t even hesitate.
“He looks great out there. He has a great intelligence of the game and what we’re trying to do. Him and [Antoine Winfield] try and disguise all the time and they’re becoming interchangeable that way.
“[We are] very happy with where he is right now. … It feels like we got him right in his prime right now.”
The cool thing about Whitehead is he isn’t shy about sticking his nose into a guy’s chest. With his thundering hits, that tends to jar the ball loose. And we all know how much Bowles covets takeaways.
Yeah, Joe knows it is early, way early. Too early really to make sweeping conclusions. But through five practices, Joe has noticed cornerback Zyon McCollum getting better and better.
If McCollum can play just above average ball, the Bucs secondary could go from a low rung on the NFL ladder to one of the best.
Who has a better group of safeties? Dean, when healthy, can cover. He just can’t pick passes (which is not a cardinal sin in Joe’s eyes, just an irritant).
The key to this secondary may hinge on how well McCollum transitions from backup to starter.
July 30th, 2024 at 2:34 am
Tavierre Thomas and Bryce Hall for depth, plus Tykee Smith out there giving Izien competition. Honestly, I’m liking our backs room a lot. I keep seeing names pop up in Joe’s camp reports.
July 30th, 2024 at 4:37 am
I think you’re spot on in this one Joe. Whitehead and Winfield may make up the best safety pair the league. But the key may be how much better McCollum’s coverage skills have developed. Really excited to see how Izien improves, he was a great surprise last season. Add in Tykee Smith, Thomas and Hall and we’ve got some great depth on the backend.
July 30th, 2024 at 6:52 am
Shock the world this season boys!
July 30th, 2024 at 7:32 am
The only reason why Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl was because of their Defense and Jones.
With a better defense the Bucs could have a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl.
July 30th, 2024 at 8:06 am
JTS and Logan Hall need to go to today. I’ve lost hope on these chumps.
July 30th, 2024 at 8:19 am
Sounds like he had to go to the Jets to get proper coaching !! Not Not proper knowledge or information but proper Coaching !! I love the way these coaches call them selves out and are kinda entitled like government , they don’t even know it …….. No Shame No Blame
Oh lordy you just can’t make this stuff up !! Yes Jason L he left your team to get coached up !!
This isn’t the first example we have heard of ;this training camp . The Good news is , we now have disciplined experienced players leading the players and coaches !! Go Bucs !!
July 30th, 2024 at 8:57 am
I remember him causing the fumble at the beginning of the 2nd half of the NFC championship game against the Packers. Great play and it’s good to have him back.
July 30th, 2024 at 9:35 am
The D needs to be noticeably better this season, for any deep dive into the playoffs. It’s time for the younger guys to rise up and play as well as/better than the seasoned vets! Everything seems to be coming together! The secondary has all the right pieces to make it one of the best!
July 30th, 2024 at 9:36 am
All these DB’s need is plenty of JUGGS work and a PASS RUSH, and they will create some turnovers.
Can someone challenge Hall for some playing time, especially on third down? I’ve liked Greene, can he come back from his injury last year? Can Brewer or Banks step up to get some snaps on 3rd down?
Win and J-White need a nickname for the two of them if they blow up like we think!
July 30th, 2024 at 10:17 am
“Whitehead was looking to get paid. The Bucs, at the time, didn’t have the scratch to pay him.”
I don’t think that is entirely accurate …
“With Jordan, it was a mea culpa,” Licht said, via the Tampa Bay Times. “We had to draw the line at some point. And I made a mistake. I’m glad we got him back. It was a mistake that I regretted the minute we let him walk.” -Licht
It’s my understanding Licht let him go because he thought they could do better. The Bucs picked up vet Logan Ryan who was rated so much higher. Ryan was okay but old, so they got Ryan Neal who’s PFF rating were tops in the league, but he was awful. Whitehead petitioned to rejoin the Bucs in the offseason. He tweeted his desire to return.
July 30th, 2024 at 10:35 am
@Sly
When you stop and think about it, we couldn’t replace what we had in Whitehead w/Mike Edwards, Keanu Neal, Logan Ryan, nor Ryan Neal. I’m not even calling Jordan by his name anymore, he’s been aka’d as “Tone Setter” from Pittsburgh in my own mind. The fact he’s come back as the player we know, and now improved in coverage, I’m expecting he & Winfield to be able to play games with opposing QBs pre & post snap.
July 30th, 2024 at 12:29 pm
Exkwood – right on about coaching – more precisely, the lack of it.