Was Devin White Just Worn Out?
November 4th, 2022
Zapped last week?
We’ve all seen the loafing play from Bucs inside linebacker Devin White against the Crows.
More important, Warren Sapp saw it and went on Instagram and podcasts to make sure so many other people knew about it.
Yesterday, White respectfully disagreed with Sapp’s assessment. And Jeremy Fowler of BSPN has been digging and he believes White wasn’t loafing as much as he was out of gas.
The Bucs are concerned by a defense that’s underachieving and just let the Ravens run for 7 yards per carry last week. The problem is, there are no easy fixes right now. Defensive backs Antoine Winfield Jr. and Carlton Davis III could be out again this week, and Sean Murphy-Bunting has been in and out of the lineup. The Bucs are hopeful Akiem Hicks returns this week, which would be huge. And, yes, they need more out of Devin White after a rough outing and examples of lackluster effort against Baltimore. But I get the sense after asking around that his issues were more end-of-game fatigue than not trying. Let’s see how he responds this week.
Well, on the play Sapp pointed out, the Bucs were still winning the damn game. So it wasn’t that late.
Joe isn’t doubting White was gassed. The Bucs offense had five possessions in the middle of the game from the second quarter into the third quarter where they gained just one first down. Aside from that drive, it was three three-and-outs and one four-and-out.
When an offense is that inept and the defense is getting pounded by the run with a quarterback who is lightning fast, of course guys are going to get wiped out on a warm Florida night.
Why Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich is still employed is a mystery worthy of a “Law and Order” episode.
November 4th, 2022 at 9:04 am
When was the play where the Ravens center pushed him 15 yards downfield then pancaked him? Third quarter?
So a professional NFL linebacker who is either bored or gassed…
Our offense blows, but damn so did the ones played with 55 99 and 47 for the most part. They kicked a$$ game in, game out.
November 4th, 2022 at 9:09 am
Hes probably worried about a new 100 million dollar contract instead of winning the game.
November 4th, 2022 at 9:09 am
The Ravens used the triple option ( Jackson could hand off, run or pass) in the 2nd half based on his reads and Bucs didn’t have the talent or the coaches didn’t have a plan to stop it. Whether White was gassed or not gassed wouldn’t have made much difference.
You’d think the offensive coaches would look at the tape of teams using successful, imaginative run plays to generate a running game – or maybe Godwin could show Fournette how to stop being hesitant.
November 4th, 2022 at 9:21 am
So I can loaf and get bored will stay home and watch the game on tv this Sunday.
November 4th, 2022 at 9:23 am
Lets cut the BS excuses please.
November 4th, 2022 at 9:27 am
Pride didn’t stop him from loafing but sure did stop him from just owning it when the media asked. Maturity concerns…
November 4th, 2022 at 9:28 am
Box of rocks!
Replace him next draft
November 4th, 2022 at 9:32 am
Don’t believe your lying eyes, Guys. All is well.
November 4th, 2022 at 9:37 am
Jeremy Fowler … ‘The problem is, there are no easy fixes right now.’
B-I-N-G-O ! We have a winner. Better coaching might help use semi-talented players more effectively, BUT … those players are still only semi-talented. Bucs have to heal up to be competitive. Especially now that our illustrious GM let the trade deadline slip past without even a Bucs’ whimper.
Getting Hicks back on this DLine MAY be huge, IF he’s really healed up; can’t go very far without good wheels. Getting Winfield & Davis back would also prove to be huge, again providing that they’re really healed up. Would love to have SMB back, but he seems to miss more games than he makes.
Defense will need to really step up here in the 2nd half of the season, and without Shaq that’s a tall order. Personally I’d put Hall out on an edge (DE/OLB role) & see what he’s got out there. He’s listed as 6’6″ & 260 lbs (although he must be heavier than that to play inside). He’s still too light for an interior DLineman IMO, but is an ideal size for a DE/OLB who has some quickness (which apparently he does). I’d guess that he’s closer to being around the size that JPP was (6’5″ & 275 lbs).
In any event, we’ve got to find a way to get this run defense humming again. It’d be nice if LVD & White stepped up more than they have, but if players are out of condition (which is what Fowler is implying), they won’t magically get back into condition in a week or two. Yes that’s on the coaching staff, but much more-so on the players themselves. These guys are paid big bucks to play a game, and not being in condition to play it well is inexcusable.
November 4th, 2022 at 9:40 am
Devin White and most everyone on our team soon showed their poor physical conditioning, as the game went on.
Jeremy Fowler of BSPN has hit the nail on the head regarding Devin White being out of Gas.
Plus, the play by play team in the Ravens game really pointed this out as well.
When a football player is physically exhausted, they make mistakes, and tackle poorly, if they tackle at all.
November 4th, 2022 at 9:41 am
Devin White and most everyone on our team soon showed their poor physical conditioning, as the game went on.
Jeremy Fowler of BSPN has hit the nail on the head regarding Devin White being out of Gas.
Plus, the play by play team in the Ravens game really pointed this out as well.
When a football player is physically exhausted, they make mistakes, and tackle poorly, if they tackle at all.
I keep triggering the duplicate content detected filter, for some reason.
November 4th, 2022 at 9:42 am
Leaders lead by example. Loafers make excuses. This team is full of pretenders still living off the SB. I’d rather see the Bucs go 6-11 with a bunch of hungry less talented players than with this cast of underachievers.
November 4th, 2022 at 9:45 am
He was just bored is all.
November 4th, 2022 at 9:57 am
Take another look at that play…..Chris Simms did an analysis…..it showed 4 Buc defenders on the sideline missing tackles…
It showed Devin White “jogging” about 20 yards away from the play which should have been over…4 times.
I agree, Devin White has had his moments….but I give him a pass on that one.
He was out of the play.
Keep in mind Devin White was the Defensive Player of the Month in the NFL for month one….and there’s only been two months…
November 4th, 2022 at 10:07 am
@TBBF
JTS was further away from the play and ran past White while in pursuit of the ball carrier. It worst, White was actually gassed, but optically it just looks bad for one of our fastest players to have his teammates darting past him to close in on a play. Pair the optics of that, with Whites bordem gaff and he’s kind of set himself up for the critiquing and questioning of his effort on that particular play. Doesn’t define the player until it becomes habitual, which I don’t see happening.
November 4th, 2022 at 10:15 am
Missing tackles can be exhausting! He’s like a 6 year old running around the field. Completely clueless. Bad draft pick. He peaked his rookie season.
November 4th, 2022 at 10:19 am
Devin White is is “just another guy”. Greatness does not dwell within him. Our loss.
November 4th, 2022 at 10:22 am
I do believe the defense was gassed after the pitiful offense but that doesn’t change the fact they are not conditioned properly and that is COACHING!
November 4th, 2022 at 10:38 am
He’s been about as useful and Joe Tryon Shoyinka.
Add Leftwich for a trio of never was, has been and the loser.
November 4th, 2022 at 10:42 am
He was just bored, it’s all good.
November 4th, 2022 at 10:54 am
Guess he used too much energy celebrating because even I was exhausted just watching it
November 4th, 2022 at 11:13 am
If he’s gassed at this point in the game and at this age, maybe he retires soon 🤣
November 4th, 2022 at 11:15 am
White hasn’t had a great year.
Pivotal game, crucial down. Team needs a spark.
It was not a great look.
November 4th, 2022 at 11:27 am
Until he proves he’s at least better than Barrett Ruud or Mason Foster i lost hope because Kwon is way better than him. I got lower my expectations for White
November 4th, 2022 at 11:52 am
White was tired of getting manhandled by Linderbaum. Getting pushed 15 yards downfield and pancaked is almost worse than loafing.
November 4th, 2022 at 12:43 pm
I think they need to protect him a little better. Get a d lineman to take up the guard so he can run freely
November 4th, 2022 at 1:09 pm
Defenses get tired when the offense is not on the field long enough. That was the case in that game.
November 4th, 2022 at 1:32 pm
Yeah, he’s definitely a Pro Bowl level celebrator!!!!
November 4th, 2022 at 2:36 pm
simple ; he’s out of shape.. he would not pass Army test to run a mile in 8 min–they don’t condition players at camp cupcake…
November 4th, 2022 at 2:56 pm
This is constant BS putting things on defense, who played at least 80 snaps vs the Ravens without an ounce to catch their breath for the Bucs going for the 3 and out record
November 4th, 2022 at 6:37 pm
Not only are they soft and undisciplined, and don’t know their assignments, they are out of shape as well.
Way to go Toad’s Bowelswich.
November 6th, 2022 at 4:07 am
Whites very poor overall play concerns me more than loafing away from the play…. but for those of you defending the loaf… please stop.
I played the game and your motor doesn’t stop till you hit the sideline!!! Period end of story!!!
November 6th, 2022 at 4:20 am
I realize the NFL is a bit different because of the size of today’s players
But for those of you making excuses that the defense was exhausted. That does not wash with me. When I played we practiced hard so that when the games came they were actually easier Physically than practice.