Pete Carroll: “What A Story He Is Going To Be”
March 31st, 2025
Joe must issue a disclaimer with this report out of the NFL annual owners meetings in Palm Beach.
Iconic Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, now the new Raiders head man, is always filled with positive vibes.
But it did seem like Carroll this morning at the AFC coaches breakfast had a little extra juice when talking about his new inside linebacker: former savior Buccaneers LB Devin White. Las Vegas signed him this week on a one-year deal.
Last year, White was a midseason Eagles castoff who was a bottom-of-the-roster guy in Houston and was often inactive there.
“Devin White, you know, what a story he is going to be. Man, he’s a fantastic addition to our team,” Carroll said today after noting he loves signing players with something to prove.
Joe is intrigued by what happens next with White, mostly because the Bucs entered this offseason with a yawning need at inside linebacker.
The Bucs went out and signed veteran LB Anthony Walker Jr. on the cheap at the request of Lavonte David. Houston did the same with tackling machine E.J. Speed, though for a fatter one-year deal.
There were other signings at the position, too, but White landed in Vegas at 27 years old with the blessing of Tom Brady and former Bucs assistant GM John Spytek.
Carroll said he will give into his new players and find out what makes each guy extraordinarily unique and maximize it. If Carroll’s energy and embrace can’t revive White, Joe’s not sure anything will.
March 31st, 2025 at 3:48 pm
When I see such a dramatic drop off, I assume it is an injury, but not all injuries are physical, which sounds like a Yogism. I agree, if anyone can address the mental side of the game, it’s Pete Carroll.
March 31st, 2025 at 3:57 pm
He won us a ring and was incredible during that Super Bowl run despite missing the Washington game. If you win a ring for the Bucs I will always root for you.
March 31st, 2025 at 4:01 pm
White will get lots of opportunities based on his athletic traits. Could be a big addition for the Raiders and just like most bucs fans I will be following him.
March 31st, 2025 at 4:12 pm
Just get his head straight and he may be a phenomenal signing. He quit on the Bucs, but I’m still rooting for him to do well.
March 31st, 2025 at 4:37 pm
@Runstuffer,
I agree with you and hope he does well. He played an instrumental role in getting us a Lombardi trophy and I’m glad the Bucs drafted him.
That said, I’m also glad the Bucs got rid of him when they did. He became a cancer in the locker room, burnt his bridge as he left Tampa, and his career continued on a downward trend from there.
If Pete Carroll can help Devin extricate his head which appears to be stuck up his a**, it will be good for the NFL.
March 31st, 2025 at 4:39 pm
Well, if anyone can get Devin White to play football instead of contemplating his own greatness, it’s Pete Carroll. I’m not actually rooting for White, to be honest as he flaked on us.
March 31st, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Yeah if this guy can’t get excited about football again playing for Pete Carroll and Tom Brady, then there is no hope.
March 31st, 2025 at 4:43 pm
LOL.
The Bucs let him go after being replaced by KJ Britt.
Then the Eagles let him go halfway through last season.
Then he signed a vet minimum deal to play in LV…
Notice a trend here?
March 31st, 2025 at 4:51 pm
This feels like Spytek’s first big mistake. He had to know what a problem DW was towards the end of his time with the Bucs. He also has to know that DW is not a guy who really loves playing football. If he knew all of that and still signed him-then shame on him. If he let Carroll talk him into it-then double shame on him.
March 31st, 2025 at 4:54 pm
DW45… Going, going gone! Too bad he doesn’t play baseball!
March 31st, 2025 at 5:12 pm
a-bomb Says:
March 31st, 2025 at 4:51 pm
Taking a chance on a guy without any big guaranteed money is never a mistake. If it’s no working out, they can just release him. Nothing is lost. I mean, it’s really a no-lose situation.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:23 pm
If Carroll fixes him everyone here will scream we should have hired Carroll.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:24 pm
What he did in the Superbowl can never be forgotten.
I’d say he was every bit as responsible for that win as TB12 was.
Defense wins championships and boy did he show up on defense that day.
I’ll always be a fan of his no matter how bad the ending was in Tampa.
If we can’t win it all I hope he wins it all with the Raiders.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:31 pm
Carroll is a positive talk motivator trying to get the best out of White, so too early to read much into this yet.
March 31st, 2025 at 5:43 pm
Good fortune in Vegas, Mr. White. Thank you for your Time as a Buc.
Carroll, in my opinion, is a good coach. White will be well-coached and will add new tricks to his skill set. It’s a win-win for Carroll and White.
March 31st, 2025 at 6:29 pm
Pete can confident him up all he wants ……… White couldn’t tackle a decent teenage running back one on one and certainly can’t cover an average T end . Can’t Catch, doest knock anyone backwards, easy to throw over , heavy live game feet, below avg hands and doesn’t shed blocks well ( although he did get slightly better at that) …….. He Can run down hill through a gap and make a tackle with the the best of them , pretty smile, nice diamond stud earrings.
March 31st, 2025 at 6:43 pm
If White and Tryon suddenly flourish, it will confirm what many suspect about our defensive coordinator and his pattern of launching players on a regression curve.
March 31st, 2025 at 7:11 pm
Pete sounds pretty excited about White considering Diva only being able to secure a 1 year – Vet min deal…. Next step down the ladder is out of the league – So I guess there’s nowhere for White to go professionally but “up”…. He either ‘succeeds’ in Vegas this year or its back to the horsey barns full time for the rest of his life – which seems like something that Devin is almost yearning for….
He just won’t be able to play horsey farm at the luxurious level he was expecting when he thought he was worth every bit of $100M…..
The Raisers were like – meh – we’ll take a chance on you for 1% of that…. LOL
March 31st, 2025 at 7:38 pm
Wish 45 the best… I believe in 2nd chances… In White’s case his 4th chance… Hope he has a good year…
March 31st, 2025 at 7:43 pm
Wish the kid the best…. Hope he figures it out….
March 31st, 2025 at 8:04 pm
White at the right price is a solid starter. It’s really about his attitude and expectations. In Tampa it seemed he had soured with the team and doubtful any price would have kept him around. Hopefully he’s matured and appreciates the opportunity to play.
March 31st, 2025 at 8:37 pm
Devin White couldn’t cover a tackling dummy standing in the middle of the field.
And after he magically caught it, DW couldn’t tackle him.
The dummy would then score.
March 31st, 2025 at 8:38 pm
I believe in him. TB12 and Pete Carroll- two winners. They will help him get straight.
March 31st, 2025 at 9:26 pm
White is like the Ex wife who all of the sudden looks hotter wit her new man…
March 31st, 2025 at 9:34 pm
White had nothing to prove when we didn’t sign him? He got a prove it contract with philly, then Houston gave him a shot. He proved he wasted two opportunities last season. Good luck with him Pete.
March 31st, 2025 at 10:22 pm
Devin White has a lot of potential and upside. I don’t think any single person can deny that potential is there. I think we also used him somewhat incorrectly. It seems like to me he wanted to rush the passer and be an edge rusher instead of play ILB. Anyways it doesn’t matter really good for Devin, but he has more Tj watt to his game instead of LVD. We have all realized that and moved on. It’s certainly a nice addition for the raiders. They need all the help they can get.
March 31st, 2025 at 10:24 pm
If White hasn’t learned any lessons and is the same meat whistle he was for the Bucs, he probably won’t make the team.
March 31st, 2025 at 10:48 pm
I wish him luck. I also think he was misused and is an example of a coaching trying to make a player fit his system rather than fit his system to the player.
April 1st, 2025 at 1:37 am
I would love to see Devin White resurrect his playing career before he calls it quits. He had so much potential, but it seems that his early success in Tampa was his downfall. I keep waiting for his ego to totally surrender after the humiliating outcomes in Tampa and Philadelphia so that he can make a triumphant comeback. Hopefully Pete Carroll, who has a knack for getting the most out of players, can help him do it.
April 1st, 2025 at 3:19 am
I like Carroll but come on dude! I could be way wrong but Diva is gonna have to do alot of improving to even make it out of camp. If Carroll is just gonna use him as a blitzer? Yeah he could see some degree of success but as an every down backer? Nah I don’t think so.
Go Bucs!
April 1st, 2025 at 7:19 am
There’s a reason he didn’t start for Philly, but I wish him the best.
April 1st, 2025 at 7:26 am
You can look at tape all day but nothing sticks out about a guy more than standing on the sideline watching him wreck your offense during a game.
2022 in Germany White had 8 tackles (7 Solo) and 2 sacks vs SEA and was the best defender on the field.
Last season he was with Philly for depth and they cut him to add elsewhere on the Roster. Based on the results they made the right choice.
Carroll and Brady have been around pretty good Linebackers and Defenses in their time and to want White says plenty. At the bare minimum it feeds into his ego and the Raiders could get some good years out of him.
April 1st, 2025 at 7:40 am
I am intrigued too. Sounds like Pete and the move will be a perfect fit for Devin. Wishing him the best too.
April 1st, 2025 at 8:06 am
Dude was never the same after his father was killed.
April 1st, 2025 at 10:09 am
Aqualung my friend,
I feel you’re Debbie Downer,
You poor old sod you see,
It’s only me….
April 1st, 2025 at 2:09 pm
White fell off the cliff after losing his Dad. Well, he just got a substitute in Carroll. I predict White will have a bounce back year no less than Reddick’s
April 1st, 2025 at 8:56 pm
Devin was too busy reading his press clippings as opposed to getting his head in the game. Hopefully he reverses that trend as he has the physical ability to be one of the best.