Jason Licht Assumes Devin White Will Practice
July 25th, 2023
Sort of a strange take today from Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht.
Licht said disgruntled linebacker Devin White reported for duty with veterans today and Licht expects him to do whatever he has to do to make sure he’s ready to play on opening day to the best of his ability. But Licht, when asked, wouldn’t say whether White will practice tomorrow when the Bucs hit the field.
He said he assumes White will practice. Odd. Joe suspects Licht knows other players will practice.
Licht added that there’s tons of love at One Buc Palace for White; Licht did not say White is a super happy camper.
Joe’s just glad White is in the building and seemingly ready to play. The Bucs defense takes a major step back without him. If White misses a game, opposing offensive coordinators smile.
Also, head coach Todd Bowles said this morning he’s not sure whether White will hold-in and not practice, but White is at One Buc Palace.
“He’s under contract,” Bowles said. “We don’t worry about next year. We worry about this year. … We’ll see when he comes out tomorrow.
“I haven’t talked to him. I can’t sit here and say, ‘I talked to Devin and he said… ‘ I can’t speak for anybody.”
July 25th, 2023 at 9:45 am
Huge mistake not to trade this guy during the off-season.
July 25th, 2023 at 9:46 am
His ego can’t resist the attention
July 25th, 2023 at 9:56 am
What I keep getting from the Bucs is they don’t seem to know much about anything regarding their players.
July 25th, 2023 at 10:04 am
Why the hell has the coach not talked to him!?? His sole job is to have players ready to play and he hasn’t talked to a top team player that is disgruntled?? That’s a major red flag as a coach that is disconnected to me
July 25th, 2023 at 10:33 am
Ditto. Why is he not talking to his players about important issues? Lovie 2.0
July 25th, 2023 at 10:40 am
Or they are talking with White and his agent behind the scenes, but publicly don’t want the media to run with an out of context quote as a headline. I trust in Licht, he’s earned it. Also, Bowles has been schooled to deal with New York media – saying as little as possible creates the least amount of distraction.
July 25th, 2023 at 10:41 am
Seems to me like the organization has said their peace to him and are awaiting his response – a la his behavior
If he sucks it up and plays lights out he is going to get paid somewhere
If he pouts and plays with sorry effort, no one is paying him
White meet ball, it’s in your court son
July 25th, 2023 at 12:14 pm
The HC not talking to White is a very wrong approach to me. I also believe that his “team motivating themselves” mentality is a terrible mindset. Just more fuel to my smoldering fire that Todd is unable to evaluate players. I dread if he is the one to pick a QB.
July 25th, 2023 at 1:37 pm
I get it that a player can “hold in” so as not to be fined during camp. If he refuses to play in a preseason game when told to go in is that game deducted from his 2023 salary the same as if he was a holdout?
If he holds in all preseason with no penalty can he refuse to play in games too but still get paid as long as he hangs around at One Buc Place?
These might seem silly questions, but we live in crazy times.
July 25th, 2023 at 2:48 pm
Fred McNeil Says:
“If he refuses to play in a preseason game when told to go in is that game deducted from his 2023 salary the same as if he was a holdout?
If he holds in all preseason with no penalty can he refuse to play in games too but still get paid as long as he hangs around at One Buc Place?”
.
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NFL contracts are divided by 17 and paid out after regular season games, so I assume the only way that would be affected would be by the daily fines imposed for refusing training camp.
During pre-season I read that 1st year guys get around 1800 per week, and veterans get like 3000 or 3500 per week stipend (plus room and board, for those without local housing).
What I read doesn’t address holdouts, but you know rookies or bubble players would never refuse to train or play. Established veterans start at over $800,000 per year, so the weekly stipend for training camp and pre-season is pocket change to them. I couldn’t find out what you were asking about refusing to play in pre-season, but even if the team held back the weekly stipend, the only players who would do that to themselves already have way more significant money they are squabbling over, so it’s almost immaterial.
Interesting question, though. Got me to spend 30 minutes on it! LOL
July 25th, 2023 at 2:49 pm
Trade him & probably a pick to KC for Chris Jones.
July 25th, 2023 at 3:30 pm
“Trade him & probably a pick to KC for Chris Jones.”
Chris Jones wants what more money than Devin White
July 25th, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Thank you, Hunter. I had read that missed preseason games cost you a real game paycheck for players under contract. I can’t find anything about players who show up, but refuse to play. He wouldn’t be asked to play more than one quarter anyway.
Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to that.
July 26th, 2023 at 2:31 am
I am beyond caring what this dude does or does not do.
Move on regardless.
I am sure Jason and his staff are smart enough to have a plan that does not include D White. Also sure that they have already explored some trade possibilities.
Go Bucs!