People Are Noticing
December 18th, 2023
Better than Devin White?
Look, the Bucs’ pass defense is hideous. Not sure where the blame lies, the corners, almost zero edge rush or Todd Bowles playing too much zone.
Whatever the issue is, if that doesn’t tighten up, the Bucs will be hard-pressed to win a playoff game.
The Bucs, however, are on a three-game winning streak. And that is coming with Devin White out of the lineup. People are noticing. Rondé Barber has noticed. And so too has NFL.com.
One reason why the former No. 5 overall pick in the 2019 draft hasn’t been missed is the play of his backups. Three weeks ago J.J. Russell came in after K.J. Britt was hurt and had a whale of a game.
The last two weeks Britt has started and he’s not just made regular plays but splash plays, too. As a result, Britt had helped solidify a defense to play well enough for the Bucs to win.
So yeah, Eric Edholm of NFL.com noticed. In fact, Edholm argues Britt right now is a better player than White has been all season.
K.J. Britt steps in again at middle linebacker and thrives. The Buccaneers’ defense had an up-and-down day overall Sunday, but the team is now 3-0 with someone other than Devin White at middle linebacker. Todd Bowles said after the game that White told him he couldn’t go because his foot injury still pained him, so in stepped Britt, who had six tackles (including two big run stuffs) and was good in coverage, allowing only three catches for 17 yards, per Next Gen Stats. His running mate, Lavonte David , kept up his excellent play with nine tackles and a half sack, taking over White’s role as the blitzing linebacker. But Britt was better in this game than White has been in any game this season, turning in his second straight quality start for the Bucs. Tampa tried J.J Russell in White’s spot three weeks ago, but it would be hard to imagine Britt not being the top option going forward. This casts even more doubt about White’s future in Tampa Bay, even if it comes at a time when the Bucs are making a strong push for the playoffs.
If Britt is playing better than White has been all year — Joe’s not sure about that as White played good ball before his groin injury — then there is no reason for White to be activated for a game.
White is as good as gone come March. The only question is, do the Bucs use the Team Glazer loot that was going to go to White on Baker Mayfield or do they go big game hunting and try to land Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns?
December 18th, 2023 at 11:40 am
See ya Devin White, thanks for the effort in 2020 but adios. Bring Lavonte David back for another year, with Britt,Russell, and Dennis. With these guys we could have the luxury of not picking a LB so high this year
December 18th, 2023 at 11:41 am
Dueces Devin
December 18th, 2023 at 11:42 am
One bad apple spoils the barrel. White bitching and complaining is not good. He has not played well this season. Maybe he is hurt or maybe not. He wasn’t playing well before and he wasn’t hurt. He is only as good as he plays today. How well he played in the super bowl is yesterday news. He needs to go as soon as possible.
December 18th, 2023 at 11:43 am
Brian Burns ala Simeon Rice 2.0. No better option/compliment on the line next to Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey. That would be a full on schematic nightmare. Hello pass rush.
December 18th, 2023 at 11:49 am
Poor drafting of edge players.
December 18th, 2023 at 11:52 am
Very pleased by Britt
December 18th, 2023 at 11:53 am
Having cleaned up better part of 78mil dead capin 2023. Bucs will be much more active in free agency 2024 even after signing a lot of our free agents and dumping some on the roster now.
December 18th, 2023 at 11:53 am
White was playing so bad that people noticed.
December 18th, 2023 at 11:54 am
Gronk-a-day has changed to White-a-day………Devin or Rachaad
December 18th, 2023 at 11:57 am
DW needs a change of scenery, his head totally screwed on wrong here
December 18th, 2023 at 11:57 am
The sad thing about White is, when healthy, he’s the best MLB in the game. He was an absolute beast the first couple of games this year.
But he’s seemingly rarely healthy. And when he tries to play through pain, he becomes a JAG (just a guy). Totally invisible. Actually, worse than a JAG, because a JAG would’ve tackled Gardner Minshew for a loss, rather than giving us that TD.
Most of the time, since the Dungy days, when a draftee leaves here they don’t do much else in the league. But if he manages to stay healthy elsewhere, don’t be surprised if he becomes an All-Pro.
December 18th, 2023 at 12:02 pm
No Joe that extra loot is going to Winfield and Wirfs.
December 18th, 2023 at 12:03 pm
Joseph C Simmons….A “healthy” scratch. That means White could have played yesterday…but they decided to make him a scratch for the game.
He sucks…injured or not.
December 18th, 2023 at 12:05 pm
What happened to Watts ?
December 18th, 2023 at 12:08 pm
Burns? Yes please…
December 18th, 2023 at 12:14 pm
Britt, Dennis, JJ Russell all better than this years version of White
December 18th, 2023 at 12:18 pm
Probably misremembering again, but didn’t Ira say he believes DW has already played his last game as a Buc?
December 18th, 2023 at 12:22 pm
First things first Licht is gonna pay Antoine Winfield Jr, Tristan Wirfs unless he will play out his 5th year contract, then he’s gonna pay Evans again. Mayfield still has to finish this season and idk about Burns unless we cut Barrett (which we should).
December 18th, 2023 at 12:29 pm
Buc’s should definitely sign Mayfield and then also get Burns.
December 18th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
A lot of defensive production is about on-field communication. Obviously we’re not able to hear what they say to each other, but sometimes the cameras catch them pointing and relaying who has what responsibility, and understanding where to go if a play develops unexpectedly. My point is that Britt might be better at these things than White is, allowing him to compete at the same level (or perhaps better).
December 18th, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Fansince76
They should definitely see how the year ends before they even consider that which they will.
December 18th, 2023 at 12:40 pm
I hope everyone is aware that his foot only hurt because he was not going to stat the game.
December 18th, 2023 at 12:40 pm
I am content with k.j. Britt staying put and moving d white to pass rush dutties that would make us pretty dangerous can’t imagine him returning to only get burnt being out of position all game…Devin white playing consistent is like all of us playing fan duel week in and week out
December 18th, 2023 at 12:51 pm
The switch to Britt also coincides with JTS getting benched. Both moves have proved to make a difference.
December 18th, 2023 at 12:52 pm
Vea is a stud.
Kancey and Yaya were on fire. They fell off. Rookie things.
Hall and JTS are busts.
Gholston is old and he was never a pass rusher.
December 18th, 2023 at 12:57 pm
Devin White, proving that a lot of football is above the neck, not just below the neck, couldn’t have played his cards any more poorly this season. Starting with the trade demand. Seguing into average play during the season. Shirking an opportunity to play again during his contract year season. Bad decisions all around, most of them above the neck.
December 18th, 2023 at 1:18 pm
Burns will probably be franchised, if Carolina has to do that.
December 18th, 2023 at 1:44 pm
Simple get rid of White.
December 18th, 2023 at 1:45 pm
the d needs to tighten up for this team to level up and be floating by themselves, just below the 4 powerhouse teams in the nfc…
they can be 5th best and separate from the middle of the pack teams…
the offense seems to be leveling up…now the d needs to join them…
can we finish 9-8…………..sure
can we run the table and snag 10 wins…………….maybe
December 18th, 2023 at 1:47 pm
it’s time to start “protecting this house”…
meaning: winning games at ray jay…
got to get in win mode at home, so to be primed and ready for a home playoff game vs dallas or philly
December 18th, 2023 at 1:50 pm
jacksonville has quickly turned into a hot mess…
and their qb, lawrence is hurting bad from head to toe…literally…
let’s grab this game with a lot of physicality against lawrence and etienne…in preparation for the big saints game
December 18th, 2023 at 1:51 pm
Well, if the football part is IN the neck then KJ Britt wins it hands down
December 18th, 2023 at 2:16 pm
Would love to have Burns, but Baker is needed more. If this coaching staff returns, then Baker is the highest priority. He has shown he is clutch. Currently ranked as the 8th top quarterback. 3-1 touchdowns to interceptions, that is a winning formula.
December 18th, 2023 at 2:44 pm
Keep playing Britt. And utilize JTS only to give others breathers. The combo’s we have playing now seem to be making more effective plays. Do the same with White when he comes back. Have him sub. He’s not going to be here next year anyway. Let him be mad. Maybe he plays better.
December 18th, 2023 at 2:51 pm
The Glazer loot needs to used to re sign Evans first. Then Mayfield, Burns, etc.
December 18th, 2023 at 3:36 pm
Michigan Joe is right, they will probably franchise Burns next year if they can’t sign him. But that could work to our advantage, since we have one more year where we are committed to Shaq. Pay Mayfield next year, then sign Burns the following year to replace Shaq.
December 18th, 2023 at 3:51 pm
White’s biggest problem is he decides to go rogue too often and plays outside the system, often leaving his gap or assignment. That is what has Bowles hot under the collar.
December 18th, 2023 at 3:59 pm
White just couldn’t figure out how to be a smart, disciplined football player.
December 18th, 2023 at 4:20 pm
imagine if they’d drafted Jacksonville’s Josh Allen as an OLB instead
December 18th, 2023 at 5:13 pm
Foot? I heard from a reliable source that Diva White was deactivated for the Packers game due to severe Menstrual cramping…..
December 18th, 2023 at 5:55 pm
DW made plays we needed for our Super Bowl run. I’ll spend the #5 draft pick for a Super Bowl win. It would’ve been awesome for him to blossom into the second coming of Derrick Brooks, but oh well, time to move on. Differences between a Gen Z (White) vs. X (Brooks).
December 18th, 2023 at 6:56 pm
We also need to make sure we can replace Lavante David if he retires.
December 18th, 2023 at 10:21 pm
What would this defense look like in a 4-3, with Yaya and Shaq as the ends and Vita and Cancy in the middle, KJ as the MLB and white and LVD as the weak side and strong side backers, are we really using Devin the best way
December 20th, 2023 at 9:11 am
@Bonzai: I think we are grooming Dennis as LVD’s replacement. (which is even more reason to bring David back next year so that Dennis & David get a year together). I think he will start over Britt once he is familiar with the scheme/Defense.