Can Devin White Raise Up Lavonte David?
April 26th, 2019
Inside linebacker Devin White is here to not only lead the Buccaneers defense but, frankly, he’s here to save it.
The Bucs drafted him because they believe he’s a generational talent capable of driving the stalled bus out of the Mike Smith ravine on the side of Dale Mabry Highway.
It’s a big task for a 21-year-old to bear.
Well, general manager Jason Licht made it clear last night that White will have help. It will come in the form of Lavonte David.
“I couldn’t think of a better person to be his big brother here,” Licht said of David. “I don’t think Devin needs to learn how to be a true pro, but he needs to learn how to maneuver through the NFL, the training camp, the toll that it puts on your body, things like that, and I think Lavonte is the perfect guy.”
David has grinded through 105 games and has only missed five games in seven years. Joe is very confident David can guide White through the physical aspects of the game and will serve as a good role model.
On the flip side, Joe hopes White can inspire David. Yeah, Joe said it.
The new blood on this defense must find a way to stomp the stink of losing from the guys who have endured too much of it and might be so mentally beaten down they can’t recover.
Joe’s not singling out David. He’s not alone among those who could be in that boat. Losing is contagious and for some players it can become chronic.
Kwon Alexander was an inspirational figure in the Devin White mold, but he really didn’t make those around him better. Hopefully, the Bucs have found that with the No. 5 overall pick last night.
April 26th, 2019 at 10:51 am
Kwon does all he can with what he has and I truly admire that. White doesn’t have any of those limitations. Lets just keep him out of camaros for the rest of the summer.
April 26th, 2019 at 10:52 am
It all starts with reducing the SOUL-CRUSHING MISSED TACKLES.
How many times have we seen the Bucs force a 3rd down only to give up a 1st down on a missed tackle?
April 26th, 2019 at 10:54 am
Yeah I talked myself off the ledge last night… no doubt the kid is gonna be a good player… but damn, in a rare but stacked DLine class the Bucs take a MLB… idk i hope I’m wrong about Allen and Oliver… and congrats Mr. White.. Hopefully you’ll make us forget about passing on Keuchly…
April 26th, 2019 at 10:59 am
Well if Mr Ice Cream is still here dancing in Kamonos then not sure the locker room culture is changing yet.
OL + Edge or DL in R2/R3 please
We should be able to get a very high upside 3-4 OLB/DE still top of R2 (Jaylon Ferguson / Chase Winovich / Jachai Polite)
or an instant starter on the OL (Jawaan Taylor / Cody Ford / Elgton Jenkins / Dalton Risner / Erik McCoy)
I just worry that we can’t get both because all those guys likely gone by R3
April 26th, 2019 at 11:02 am
Devin White is ABSOLUTELY the most Impactful Player & Person that we could have added to our team last night!
Thanks for the neutral article, Joes.
You guys will be won over by D White very quickly…
April 26th, 2019 at 11:02 am
I see the shift change occurred at jbf HQ. At least this White article isn’t complaining that he doesn’t play DL….
April 26th, 2019 at 11:07 am
If I were Bucs I would target OL in R2 – because I think there will be a run on OL & S much more than edge & DL.
Think about it – teams ignored OL/Secondary in R1 for the most part to go after DL/Edge. They are less likely to double down in R2 with the value they can get in the secondary & OL.
I mean I have no idea; but I’d just think there’s a better chance of an edge rush / DL prospect falling to R3 than one of these instant starters on the OL…
It’s also possible – depending on how it falls – that we could trade back into the middle of R2 and still get one of these OL guys, while adding a 3rd rounder or something. Maybe get someone to come up for a QB
April 26th, 2019 at 11:08 am
White and LD54 together is going to be one hell of a duo for the next couple years. I’m glad we have David to help mentor our high 1st rd pick at LB. And yes – White can definitely help LD raise his game from what we’ve seen the last couple years.
Really hoping Beckwith can get back on the field this year as well. Cinchy too.
If we can get both those guys back healthy – then the Bucs are LOADED at LBer!
April 26th, 2019 at 11:08 am
Boy am I glad the Bucs drafted somebody who can tackle the wide-open receivers down field after they haul in comfortably thrown passes from an untouched quarterback. He’ll keep some 15yd gains from becoming 50yd gains for sure. Just what we needed!
April 26th, 2019 at 11:10 am
Pickgrin Says:
April 26th, 2019 at 11:02 am
I see the shift change occurred at jbf HQ. At least this White article isn’t complaining that he doesn’t play DL….
The shift has to change….before White makes it obvious……credibility is at stake.
I have still yet to see anything from the Joe’s about White’s speed……he is faster than our CBs & Safeties…….think about that.
April 26th, 2019 at 11:12 am
Also another spin on this to feel better
The Jags & Bills historically are bad teams like us and make bad picks all the time so maybe it’s a sign Allen/Oliver were overated lol
not really but whatev.
Allen didn’t look like the next Von Miller to me on film. He doesn’t really bend and is a bit tall / angular and as some have pointed out here he is basically a pure speed rusher who got a lot of sacks on blitzes where he wasn’t touched. But he still looked the perfect part of a great 3-4 OLB/DE.
Still I won’t be shocked at all if Brian Burns is the better pass rusher. Man I HATE when our rivals take FSU players I love lol.
April 26th, 2019 at 11:13 am
Next picks should be:
OG/T
CB
RB
DL
OG/T
In THAT order
Go Bucs!!
April 26th, 2019 at 11:14 am
White will be a motivational force for the defense for sure, beyond just LVD…
Tonight, Licht should try to secure Cody Ford top of second based on value, if not trade back in 2nd, pick up extra 3rd and 5th, then target McGovern or Risner bottom second, Lonnie Johnson and David Montgomery as targets early 3rd, maybe Pratt in 4th round, Renell Wren also late 3rd early fourth.
Value, team needs, scouting grades about right on ALL those.
Get it done Licht! Just don’t take any, any players from the Gators…lightweights and worthless at NFL level every time.
April 26th, 2019 at 11:16 am
Picking White was the best move. It is saying to JPP and Carl Nassib that they trust them. Let Nassib build on a stellar year last year and see if he can become that sturdy 7-10 sack guy you need, and, if he does, cut McCoy next season and pay him the dollars GMC would have earned.
If McCoy returns (which I believe he does) you will have a decent starting line in Nassib, Pierre Paul, Vea, McCoy and Gholston. Bowles defense uses interior d-linemen as oline fodder to clear up space for agile LINEBACKERS to make plays. Manbeast Vea will command double teams freeing up either McCoy, David or White. It will also leave Nassib and JPP with 1v1s on tackles. Once the oline get too smart on that, then you blitz David and White. Pass rushing is a game long chess match that requires multiple components, not just one early pick.
This defense has its warts for sure, some that will not be dealt with this year. The defensive rebuild will, in my opinion, take two years, but they do not have to be the second coming of our early 2000’s defense in 2019. All they have to be is middle of the pack in pass defense while maintaining a solid run defense and we will see more wins this year I am sure.
April 26th, 2019 at 11:16 am
Can Lavonte raise up Devin White is the more appropriate question! Or, can Todd Bowles’ scheme raise up (bring back) Lavome David (think 2012 under Schiano’s attacki g style)? I see a resurgent year for Lavonte a d a Pro Bowl if we can get to at least 9-7.
April 26th, 2019 at 11:22 am
I totally expected one or two articles about how upset Joe was with the white pick. I would have respected it, whatever.
But you’re acting like a weirdo dude. Not many people agree with you. The overflow of negativity is ridiculous and makes me want to not come to this site anymore.
But I’ll be back tomorrow. Sigh
Just cool it with the hate, dude. Most people love this pick including professionals. You’re in the minority, Joe.
April 26th, 2019 at 11:30 am
I believe the #5 overall player should have been at an impact position not an ILB which are a dime a dozen, so far not impressed with bucco Bruce Arians. I pray for the Bucs sake he isn’t a huge bust, which he has the potential to be ILB in a 3 4 are not impact players
April 26th, 2019 at 11:31 am
lol go to another site if Joe’s opinion bothers.
I’m here to change Joe’s mind:
Top contracts handed out in FA this year to defensive players:
#1. Trey Flowers – EDGE (top 6 per PFF) – $18M per year avg
#2. CJ Mosely – INSIDE LINEBACKER – (top 22 per PFF) – $17M per year avg
Hm.
#3. Zadarius Smith – EDGE (#33 per PFF) – $16.5M per year
#4-6. Collins/Matthieu/Thomas – top SAFETIES – $14-$16.M per year
#7. Anthon Barr – OFF BALL LINEBACKER – $13.5M per year
#8. Kwon Alexander – BELOW AVERAGE LINEBACKER – $13.5M per year
So 3 of the top 8 contracts in 2019 FA went to off ball linebackers in Mosely/Barr/Kwon, and those linebackers are being paid more than premier Safeties in the NFL.
The Steelers proceed to spend a 1st, 2nd, AND 3rd round pick to get the SECOND best OFF BALL LINEBACKER in the 2019 draft.
The NFL is absolutely valuing off ball linebackers at a higher value than they ever have; and it absolutely seems to be related to the changes in NFL offenses.
Maybe all these teams are wrong to do that – but it’s not like the Bucs are in some realm of crazy with this pick. It actually lines up with league wide trends and allocations of resources.
GO BUCS
April 26th, 2019 at 11:40 am
I don’t get why some people here get so butt hurt over what the Joes write about??? If you don’t like it then don’t read it or at the very least keep your whiney posts to yourself. . . some of you guys sound like little biotches. . .
If you want to bi**h about something bi**h about some of the stupid crap from TmaxiePad. . . there is some epic stupid there
April 26th, 2019 at 11:41 am
So excited to see LVD and Devin next to each other. Even if we have been a God awful defense for many years now, LVD has been the best player on this defense since his arrival in the NFL.
Two speed demon LBs blitzing up the middle behind Vea and both good in coverage??? White was definintly the right pick for the position we badly needed.
April 26th, 2019 at 11:45 am
Yes, this is the type of article I expect from Joe. Well done!
April 26th, 2019 at 11:47 am
yeah, looks like a lot of fans were good with running Joe Dirt back out there at ILB. Love the pick, hopefully Beck & Cinchy comes back healthy and Spence is reinvigorated by coaching and playing the right position. Would like one of those o-linemen if Jaylen Ferguson is not available. Would not be surprised if the pick is a CB though.
April 26th, 2019 at 11:53 am
Lord Corn- You can already see the culture changing. With coaching and the right players, it will mitigate that “losing culture” from permeating. GMC, if here, will just have to shut up and play or get the heck out!
Getting the right players should help elevate everyone’s game, including the new FAs.
Buc fans SHOULD be excited!
April 26th, 2019 at 12:45 pm
GMC should be told take a 8 million pay cut or get cut no ifs ands or buts and give an answer now before today’s draft starts
April 26th, 2019 at 12:47 pm
Jaylon Ferguson next or Greedy Williams–BA will keep him motivated to make his share of tackles
April 26th, 2019 at 12:48 pm
I am bucsfanman!!! And the 90% bandwagon fans and haters that post on this site will jump on if BA and staff can put this team together.
April 26th, 2019 at 1:23 pm
@Jeff
“ILB which are a dime a dozen”
Jeff have you ever heard of the word hyperbole. That kind of wild exaggeration doesn’t really further your arguments…in fact it diminishes them.
So what must you think of the Steelers and their defensive views…as Lord C pointed out…
“The Steelers proceed to spend a 1st, 2nd, AND 3rd round pick to get the SECOND best OFF BALL LINEBACKER in the 2019 draft.”
And of course when judging picks strictly by “positional value” you must be blown away by the Lions pick of a TE in the top ten with Oliver still on the board. It was the highest a TE has been picked in over 20 years.
Does everyone here know what the Butkus award is. Some of the denigration of White makes me wonder.
“When a player receives the Butkus Award he will know two things. First, he is recognized as the best of the best linebackers in America. Second, and in the long run most important, he will understand that this recognition brings a responsibility to serve others by giving back.”
Dick Butkus
April 26th, 2019 at 3:42 pm
Unless David moved to corner there literally is nothing he could do to turn the defense around. When you have garbage like Ryan Smith and Chris Conte starting, you’re going to have the worst defense in NFL history – and when those two were on the field, the Bucs literally had the worst defense in NFL history.