“I Just Don’t Think He’s The-Take-On Guy”
April 12th, 2023
So how good is Buccaneers savior linebacker Devin White?
A former running back, a guy who paid close attention to the Bucs during the Tom Brady years, shared his opinion.
James White played six seasons in New England with Brady and is a renowned Super Bowl hero up there (Ira has a not-so-secret crush on the guy). Since retiring last summer, White often has been a co-host on SiriusXM NFL Radio, as he was this morning.
James White talked about Devin White wanting to be traded from the Bucs, per yesterday’s news, and noted the Bucs could be losing an excellent player but not a do-everything, all-world guy.
“He affects the running game, I just don’t think he’s the-take-on guy, which there’s nothing wrong with that,” White said. “Not every linebacker … if you get a hat on him, then the offensive line is probably winning. But it’s hard to get a hat on those guys; it’s really tough for these linemen to block these fast linebackers, guys who can shoot the gap and avoid these blocks. Linemen, they’re not built to play in space. And [White] is great at diagnosing plays and just getting to the ball, and I think that’s what makes him special.”
Co-host and former NFL defensive back Solomon Wilcots agreed with the premise that Devin White isn’t a guy who can shed an offnesive linemen. Both retired players likened White to a less football-smart version of Luke Kuechly.
Wilcots said Devin White is probably an $18 million-per-yer linebacker on the current market, not the $20 million guy he likely thinks he is, aka Roquan Smith territory.
Joe knows White is an excellent linebacker who can be more consistent and dynamic. And Joe thinks it’s a little odd that White wants to break the bank after not leading the Bucs in tackles last season.
That honor went to Lavonte David.
Ira Kaufman Takes An Extremely Deep Dive Into All Things Devin White Wanting Out Of Tampa, And More
April 12th, 2023 at 3:32 pm
Good luck to him in his future. Glad he came through during the super bowl run. Now time to move on. Trade him for a 2nd round pick. Relieve a little cap pressure.
April 12th, 2023 at 3:45 pm
DW is already out of position with his contract tactics
Bye bye
April 12th, 2023 at 3:52 pm
I wonder if a trade could be a draft day surprise.
April 12th, 2023 at 3:53 pm
No way we get a second, the bears got a second and fifth for Smith. It’s too bad for us. Devin has been productive and can get better.
April 12th, 2023 at 4:01 pm
You and your horse can giddy up down the road. This shows you are not a team player. Just another me first diva.
April 12th, 2023 at 4:02 pm
A first seems unrealistic. A 2nd would be great. A 3rd + 4th would be good, too.
Bucs need to rebuild the trenches. White can help with that.
April 12th, 2023 at 4:04 pm
If White does not want to be a Buc then use him as trade bait and get maybe a 2nd rder and a 4th or 5th.
April 12th, 2023 at 4:04 pm
For sure he has pooped in the punch bowl. There is no loyalty to the team or the fans. You have to get rid of a guy like that. Buc fans would boo him. Dump him for whatever picks you can get.
April 12th, 2023 at 4:06 pm
I know Devin is hated by most fans because, well these are Bucs fans and they always have to have a Buc to hate. From G McCoy to D Smith to D White, and once he’s traded it will be someone else. I will say that in Giant land they are salivating at the prospect of getting White. All you guys acting like he has no trade value are just haters. Probably have to get rid of him now but they will probably get a late first or 2nd round pick if they do move. Unfortunately we will probably use that pick and get a LB less talented than him.
April 12th, 2023 at 4:08 pm
Not sure there is a market for a 1-yr rental ILB in exchange for a 2nd. But a 3rd this year and a 3rd next year. Maybe.
April 12th, 2023 at 4:08 pm
If DW plays for the Bucs, he’s going to want to ball out for a contract year in free agency and a contract for him at even say $12M/year would likely net the Bucs a 3rd or 4th round comp pick. A team would need to start there at the bare minimum and since they would be asking for the rights to the player for an this season on top of that, I think a 2nd is reasonable considering he’s a very marketable, popular player (regardless of how you feel about his on field play). Roquan has been better, so he nets the extra 5th rounder. Maybe a high 3rd would be palatable too for Licht & team. DW in a contract year is likely a very valuable 1 season for a contender even before extension talks.
April 12th, 2023 at 4:10 pm
Gerald McCoy Jr…
Who’s hungry for soft serve ice cream?
April 12th, 2023 at 4:11 pm
Another wasted pick by someone who is known to waste picks! Looks at the 2019 draft class, anyone of those top DE’s could have really helped us out right about now (Ferrell being the exception)
April 12th, 2023 at 4:16 pm
“if you get a hat on him, then the offensive line is probably winning.”
How many times did we see this dude on skates. Offensive lineman know they can get hands on him and be effective. With the season he had last year it was a stupid time to request a trade
April 12th, 2023 at 4:36 pm
Why doesn’t he want to play for the Bucs? Could it be coaching?? White lacks basic techniques that the majority of NFL linebackers find subliminal. With all his athleticism if he were coached better and worked on his bad habits he could be a premier LB in the league.
April 12th, 2023 at 4:45 pm
Shake and bakeer….the truth is not hate!!!! 45 is an average LB with speed…watch game replays an it’ll tell you the truth and set you seevthat he’s a very overrated player…pro bowler my a$$. And Joe, he’s fsr from a savior LB
April 12th, 2023 at 4:46 pm
I grew up in Pittsburgh during the Super Bowl years. I get that today’s game is different, but there remains a MLB mentality of toughness. Can you compare 45 with Jack Lambert? Hardly. Or how about the Bears’ Singletary? Again, hardly. Or as was mentioned in the article, Kuechly? Nope.
45 is an athlete playing MLB. He simply doesn’t have the MLB mindset. $18-20 million? Nah. That’s highway robbery
April 12th, 2023 at 4:47 pm
Lavonte David, is the “top dawg” of Bucs LB’s
Has there been one better, for the Bucs? I’m just curious.
April 12th, 2023 at 4:54 pm
Trade Devin White, to somewhere like Chicago.
Where it’s really cold, and the team eternally sucks, lol
April 12th, 2023 at 4:55 pm
Just my $.02
April 12th, 2023 at 5:05 pm
I bet LD54 is pissed. David has spent years in the bottom of the NFC south but still showed up every Sunday and balled as a team first guy. Now, this joker thinks he is bigger than the team. See ya!
April 12th, 2023 at 5:27 pm
I’ve seen it with my own eyes, offensive lineman driving White back like he was on roller skates
April 12th, 2023 at 5:32 pm
For all you outside of buc land, you must understand, evidently someone put copious amounts dummy pills in the water and it’s reflected in the naive comments in this public forum. Not everyone hates devin white here by a long shot.
April 12th, 2023 at 5:38 pm
@Crazyhorse, as a kid those Steeler teams were my favorites and arguably the best ever. Jack Lambert had a life size QB of Roger Staubach on his garage he attacked. Jack Ham, Ernie Arrowhead, Joe Green, LC, Blount. They were so much fun to watch and that was the defense. Not even going to get into the offense lol. What a dynasty
April 12th, 2023 at 5:40 pm
He isn’t near as good as he thinks he is. He had 100m in his head before the draft and probably won’t settle for less than 5/20m. Not worth it
April 12th, 2023 at 5:42 pm
Devin White is a beast, but he lacks brains. He will never be great for that reason alone. Luke Kuechly did get hurt too much but he was so intelligent and always ahead. Devin White was great in the Super Bowl run but he got a big head and gets owned all too often by good players. He was a top 5 pick? You need to get some value if you ship him off.
April 12th, 2023 at 5:53 pm
Devin White, not the sharpest hook in the tackle box?
April 12th, 2023 at 5:58 pm
I would trade him to move up in the 1st
April 12th, 2023 at 6:06 pm
This is what the NFL scouts at the Combine listed as Devin White’s weaknesses heading into that year’s draft:
Instincts are very average
Can be fooled by key fakes and misdirection
Coaxed out of position two different times by the same run play versus Alabama
Diagnosis can run behind
Too many false steps in initial movement
Gets caught behind climbing linemen and doesn’t always fight to disengage
Not a natural knee-bender in space
Running backs consistently finish under his pads
Take-on technique needs plenty of work
Uses shoulder challenges with hands as an afterthought
Misses tackles when footwork and scrape balance get too loose
Hard flows to sideline lack leverage and patience
Relatively unchallenged as a coverage option
Has Devin White improved on any of those things?
NEfan and others were blasting Devin White and the Bucs defense all season in 2020 before they got it together at the end of that season and went on a magical run to win TB12’s seventh title and the Bucs second Super Bowl Championship.
Other than that magical 3 game run, when has Devin White been the equal of Bobby Wagner the last two seasons?
The answer is never, and PFF has him graded as the 74th best LB with a 43.7 defensive score = an F grade on their report card.
He’s got too many bad habits that he hasn’t fixed. He thinks he is better than he actually is. That = uncoachable.
April 12th, 2023 at 6:08 pm
i can’t believe i’m saying it, but trade this guy…
yeah unload him because by the time he’s 28-29 it’s a wrap for him…
he’s being mentally beat rn, and when the physical slippage begins he quickly falls into mediocrity at best…
also he’s blessed to play next to lvd, who has somewhat mastered the position…
pencil in a scrub next to him and it can get pretty hairy out there for dw…
maybe trade him now, or during the season to a desperate team before the deadline…
say a cj mosely goes down for the season and the jets are in the running for the division with rodgers and all, they become desperate at lb…
there are cards to play here…especially if we aren’t looking like a potential 10 win team around the trade deadline
April 12th, 2023 at 6:34 pm
Devin White is the equivalent of Jameis Winston.
1st round talent with bad habits.
Just like Jameis, White is un-coachable to correct those bad habits.
April 12th, 2023 at 6:48 pm
The Bucs will not trade him. They’d be lucky to get a 4th round pick. If they keep him and he gets signed elsewhere next year it’s my understanding that they’d get a 3rd round comp pick.
R. Smith got a 2nd round pick how do people they white with one year left on his contract is worth a 1st rounder?
April 12th, 2023 at 6:55 pm
He’s a faster Kwon but Kwon played with heart and up to his ability
April 12th, 2023 at 6:56 pm
Not even the best linebacker on his current team, yet he wants to be paid like the best linebacker in the entire league.
SMDH. Lavonte is probably p!ssed! after how much he stuck his neck out for White over the years.
And don’t get me wrong, Devin has the physical abilities to be one of the best LBs in the game… but 4 years in the league… and HE STILL CANT PROPERLY TACKLE!
April 12th, 2023 at 7:02 pm
Trade him paying him what he thinks he’s worth will cause Bucs to lose either Winfield or Wirfs time to get what can for him
April 12th, 2023 at 7:12 pm
Looks like… #45 jumps out of position, bolts quickly across the field towards $20M and misses the tackle… or all this is smoke.
April 12th, 2023 at 7:15 pm
The bucs couldn’t get any value at trading him he is not going to bring in a second round pick probably not even a third round pick to be honest, best bet is to let him play out his 5th year and then part ways at the end of the season if they still can’t see eye to eye on a long term deal.
April 12th, 2023 at 7:28 pm
I’m tired of this team letting go productive players and over paying guys based on potential. White didn’t play like a #5 overall pick last year. 2020 the guy was all world. But we haven’t seen Devon play up to his potential since the playoffs in 2020. If he’s so elite he should be worth a 1st rd pick. Teams should be clamoring. Guess what maybe a high 2nd.
April 12th, 2023 at 8:07 pm
“Great at diagnosing plays”
BS. He’s great at running right past, or not running at all. He couldn’t diagnose a TE pass pattern to save his life.
April 12th, 2023 at 8:21 pm
Is White $18 million per year better than a 2nd or 3rd round rookie LB in this draft? Thats the only question that needs answering.
And I think clearly, the answer is no.
White is very good, not great. White also plays the least important position on defense.
Wouldnt you rather have that $20 million to spend on 1 or 2 edge rushers, DT, even 2 guys in the secondary?
April 12th, 2023 at 8:41 pm
Why is Devin White holding his nuts in the picture you posted above, Joe?
Is it because he just got his nuts busted in your comments forum?
April 12th, 2023 at 8:43 pm
DW is not a very smart man Jenny. He went to LSU which is a step below Alabama. I’m glad he has a positive self image though
April 12th, 2023 at 8:58 pm
I wish D. White luck but like K. Alexander he is pricing himself out of what the Bucs view his value.
April 12th, 2023 at 9:01 pm
Keeny said – “Is White $18 million per year better than a 2nd or 3rd round rookie LB in this draft?”
The answer clearly is “yes”, he’s certainly worth more than the Bucs could draft at that position. It’s a very thin year at LB in the draft.
That said, he’s not worth much more than half what he thinks he is worth, is clearly not a real teammate and is a me-first guy.
If they can get anything for him, I’d dump him. Let him be some other team’s ego problem, suffer a little now at the position and get a real replacement in the 2024 draft, when we will have a few less dire need positions to fill.
April 12th, 2023 at 9:07 pm
I would rather pay White big bucks than Winfield, who seems to be getting banged up a lot lately. Small fearless safeties don’t last. Put White on the edge and let him get 15 sacks.
April 12th, 2023 at 9:17 pm
LaVonte is so underrated. White’s ego and persona is bigger than he is as a player at this point in his career.
April 12th, 2023 at 9:33 pm
Here’s what I would do with this situation…..ignore it for now. He can lay on the floor and kick and scream as much as he wants. He’s under contract.
Focus on the draft. We’re thin at LB and probably need to draft someone for depth anyway. That player will likely be starting the season after this next. If someone offers a 2nd or 3rd during the draft then some consideration needs to be made, otherwise let him walk next offseason and get the 3rd or 4th round comp pick that hopefully comes from him.
He’s not a $20 million dollar linebacker right now. He shows flashes occasionally, but it’s not consistent enough. He either doesn’t have a great feel for the game, or he freelances way too much.
April 12th, 2023 at 10:10 pm
jugheadfla Says:
April 12th, 2023 at 4:11 pm
“Another wasted pick by someone who is known to waste picks! Looks at the 2019 draft class, anyone of those top DE’s could have really helped us out right about now (Ferrell being the exception)”
Expect most of the Bucs fans on this site (Except DR) were asking for us to get rid of Donovan Smith and draft Jonah Williams OT from Alabama. Licht’s pick was way better than that one.
April 12th, 2023 at 10:11 pm
Bingo! Crazyhorse54 ain’t so crazy. Sounds about right to me
April 12th, 2023 at 10:44 pm
Damn so many fans could do just as good as Licht with all the help he has. It comes down to are the Bucs a middle linebacker away from the Super Bowl? No so if not and your are gonna have a down year this is the time to reup your roster. The organization probably doesn’t believe they’ll have a down year but that is ignorance because I mean last year was technically a down year. If not for a couple Brady last drive heroics we wouldn’t have made the playoffs
April 12th, 2023 at 11:00 pm
Personally, I hope they sign him back, he is still very young and very good with plenty of room for improvement. I’m hoping this is just posturing to force a contract instead of playing on the fifth of your option. They could do a 4 to 6 year deal and actually save room under the cap.
That said, if they trade him, they should take no less than a 3rd rounder this year and a 1st next year.
Or a 3rd rounder with a young very good player that fills a need.
April 12th, 2023 at 11:32 pm
Forget that junk! Keep White!!!
Use common sense, people!
April 12th, 2023 at 11:37 pm
How is this guy a captain? Give me a break
April 12th, 2023 at 11:39 pm
A captain leads by example and lets his play on the field do the talking. ie. Lavonte David
April 12th, 2023 at 11:55 pm
Be smart, friends.
If the Bucs do not trade White, he will not only have to finish out his contract, but he will have to play at a very high level to commend the money he wants when he becomes a free agent.
So, no. I’m not in favor of trading him.
On top of that, White is a much, much better player than many Bucs fans give him credit for. He flies around that field.
Lavante David is aged. He has maybe a year left.
Make White play for a contract. If he’s as bad as some of you seem to think, he won’t earn as much as he thinks he’s worth. But if he steps things up to become elite, THEN pay him next year.
Right now, he is voicing dissatisfaction because contract talks are not going the way he wants. He lacks power, so asking for a trade, in his mind, might get the team to bend a little.
It’s all part of the process.
April 13th, 2023 at 1:46 am
My main issue is that he’s not improving his game and I think its due to his arrogance. However, since he’s in a contract year and will probably play better, the Bucs should bring him back and get a comp pick for him when he walks next year.
April 13th, 2023 at 2:17 am
BelleGladeBuc Says:
April 12th, 2023 at 6:06 pm
————
Perfectly well said. Ship him off anywhere you can get a draft pick for him.
April 13th, 2023 at 7:05 am
I wouldn’t pay him 20 Mill/year. Nope. His play the last 2 yrs has been spotty at best. When he’s good he’s real good. When he’s bad he’s really bad.
They aren’t paying somebody 20 Mill for a coin flip week to week.
April 14th, 2023 at 2:08 am
Head case!
I think the Bucs need to be a bit more careful who they pin that C on in the future!