“Devin White’s Already Taken Over”
May 22nd, 2019
Joe has written many times that Bucco Bruce Arians is counting on rookie savior linebacker Devin White to be a superhero on and off the field — and everywhere in between.
Heck, three weeks ago Arians told that to a national audience.
Safety Tyrann Mathieu, The Honey Badger, walked into the Cardinals locker room as a rookie and instantly was a leader, Arians said on SiriusXM NFL Radio, and that’s what he expects from White.
Yesterday at One Buc Palace, Arians again went back to the “it’s-White’s-team” card.
“Yeah, [leadership] is something that evolves, and it doesn’t matter how old you are. Devin White’s already taken over – Carl Nassib is one of the best leaders we have, because they’re going full tilt all the time,” Arians said.
Man, they love Nassib at One Buc Palace, as Joe spelled out in mid-February.
Arians thinks leadership is critical and maybe it is — but perhaps it’s overblown.
What’s interesting on that front is new Bucs defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is well known for taking plays off. What happens if White is the strong leader Arians envisions and he gets in Suh’s face and calls him out publicly and/or privately?
May 22nd, 2019 at 2:42 pm
“What happens if White is the strong leader Arians envisions and he gets in Suh’s face and calls him out publicly and/or privately?”
More importantly, what happens if he doesn’t? C’mon Joe, wouldn’t you want him to call him out? SMH. Already looking for problems.
May 22nd, 2019 at 2:43 pm
If suh is called out by Arians he either gets with the program or gets out.
May 22nd, 2019 at 2:43 pm
This type of thing is contagious from natural born leaders…lead by deed and example….they’ll know by the look in your eyes when you come back in the huddle
May 22nd, 2019 at 2:44 pm
I wouldn’t advise that.
I believe Mr. Suh just played on a super bowl team that has rather strong defensive personalities.
May 22nd, 2019 at 2:46 pm
Suh will curb stomp him if he does that….
May 22nd, 2019 at 2:46 pm
white will do the same thing aaron donald did when suh took plays off….lol…
not a damn thang!!!!!…lol…
GO BUCS!!!!!
May 22nd, 2019 at 2:49 pm
There you go again Joe, stirring the pot to see what bubbles up. Suh didn’t earn his McNasty persona by letting rookies call him out. Devin’s smarter than that.
May 22nd, 2019 at 2:51 pm
Suhs one and done let him play then byebye
May 22nd, 2019 at 2:53 pm
I wanna see sapp and suh go at it .
May 22nd, 2019 at 2:54 pm
Nassib,German Shepherd Dog. I told you a few months ago Nassib was the truth.
May 22nd, 2019 at 2:57 pm
rashad
that would be nice to see….lol…
who you got?….
GO BUCS!!!!
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:01 pm
I love how down Joe is on Nassib. He was my favorite player on defense last year. Watch him have 10 sacks this season. You watched the same games as me Joe. Nassib is NOT “just a guy”.
You’ll all see this season. I’ll be the guy saying I told you so.
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:04 pm
Some guys are born to lead and it’s not about trying or trying to be superman. Sapp, knickerson, Brooks, lynch rhey didn’t have to try, it’s natural for some guys. Nobody said a thing when kwon emerges as a leader
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:04 pm
@NOSMAAL
Not disagreeing with you about Nassib… but quit tooting your little horn, you’re not that smart.
You also said:
Jamaal Stanley Says:
March 21st, 2019 at 9:30 am
Y’all just don’t get it. 93 gone be on the field week 1 1st snap. He’ll be wearing a Bucs uniform. They love that dude,you ain’t drafting no replacement for him at 5 to play part time. This ain’t hard to understand
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:14 pm
Some guys are natural leaders
They don’t need premeditates speeches.
Devin white is that kind of leader. He doesn’t even have to try.
And yah right …the coaches will allow Suh to bow up over white if there is an incident. Or leadership issue.
White will be here hopefully for 10 good years
Suh ‘s over /under as a buc is 16 games.
And LA had Aaron Donald to out Suh in his place. The same guy who works out with trainers who have knives attached to their hands with hand positioning drills. Google it.
Even Suh knew not to mess with Donald.
Donald is badest man in nfl hands down.
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:14 pm
Joe … I bet you were bullied as a kid… I bet you had your lunch money taken in elementary school… I bet you went home crying like a baby because you get beat up every morning at the bus stop lmao
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:18 pm
Let’s be clear-
Lions lost in playoffs because of Stafford
Dolphins lost in playoffs because of Steelers defense
Rams lost in playoffs because of Goff
Suh was part of reason all 3 teams made it to playoffs
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:22 pm
In order to be a leader….you need to want to lead…..you need to take the lead and you need to keep the lead…..the best way to do that is to out work & out play everyone on the field……if Devin White is who we think he is….he’ll do just fine.
And, yes even Suh can be led.
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:25 pm
Lol
What dream world are you living in where a rookie is gonna walk up to Suh and grill him about his work ethic?? File that under “NOT GONNA HAPPEN”
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:32 pm
White will do what great leaders do…..motivate his teammate. Real recognizes real….That’s why McCoy wasn’t named a captain last year and a part of why he was sent packing this year. I genuinely believe, if this defense is competing, you’ll get a great effort from Suh. Winning motivates, losing is when guys, particularly vets, start slacking off. If we are out of the playoff picture by mid October….I don’t blame any of them for slacking at that point. We’ll be talking draft pick and hoping to lose for a chance at another franchise QB.
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:32 pm
Alanbucsfan
So Suh was the reason those teams made the playoffs and were successful. A average statistical DT was the reason. Heck we just let one go who was average statically. Actually McCoy had almost same amount of sacks in 20 less games.
Then why couldn’t all 3 franchises wait to get him the hell out of their locker rooms .
The dolphins are paying 13 mil in dead cap this year . 9 mil last year cause the dude was such a headache in the locker room. Terrible teammate. Terrible person who never got along with coaches.
If Jpp doesn’t fracture neck , no way bucs make this move. Especially cause Jpp could play inside.
But I agree it had to be done. He will fit in right where McCoy left off. And for 3 mil cheaper. They are the same player though. Suh has more tackles of course and has stayed healthier. But their numbers are almost identical.
And Suh played on some teams with legitimate defensive players . McCoy never had the luxury. However , McCoy contract way to much for his average production recently so he is gone
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:33 pm
My buddy who is a huge dolphins fan just responded the other day by text saying “ good luck with that overhyped guy “
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:34 pm
Joe continues to sneak-slurp Geraldine, just like the rest of the Tampa media.
HEY JOE, CHECK THE STATS! McCoy has had a worse career (in EVERY category) than both 1st round DTs (Suh and Atkins) drafted the same year.
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:41 pm
Devin White will have the solid backing from BA & Bowles along with all the other coaches…..we generally have a very young defense and most will follow his lead……there may be other leaders like Nassib who will likely support White’s leadership.
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:41 pm
How is one eyed DE looking?
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:55 pm
Bird-
I said Suh was part of the reason his teams made playoffs.
Suh is an upgrade over McCoy, he is smarter and improves defense.
McCoy may have talent, but defenses he is on never get better.
One player wins, the other player loses
May 22nd, 2019 at 4:12 pm
This has been broken down on a per game basis:
Suh in terms of pretty much all impact plays other than sacks (i.e. total tackles / tackles for loss / passes batted down) gives 30+% more production than McCoy per game, while his sack production is down 10% per game.
It comes out to like 1 sack less per game over a season, but probably 10-20 more impactful plays for the defense.
Also in terms of QB hurries I read a stat that Suh had more than McCoy last year despite playing the nose tackle position while McCoy had his normal reign to rush from the 3-technique.
Both have been solid players. This was about financial commitment going forward and changing the culture here IMO. Hard to be that upset with this unless you just loved McCoy personally.
May 22nd, 2019 at 4:14 pm
Dangit – I meant *1 less sack PER SEASON than McCoy, but over 10-20+ more impact defensive plays. I.e red zone stops / run stuffs on short yardage / etc.
And again – give me hurries/pressure over sacks to really compare the 2 accurately – which I don’t think we have seen yet… I am curious.
May 22nd, 2019 at 4:21 pm
White will get in Suh grill if that is what it takes to get his head and arse in the game. As it should be. Suh will listen or he will hear it, I doubt White will put up with slacking from his teammates.
May 22nd, 2019 at 4:21 pm
Alanbucsfan
In Detroit :
it was Izzy ansiah (when good) nick fairely and willie young and Suh
In Miami
Cameron wake , Olivier Vernon and Suh
In LA
They had everyone including defensive player of the year Aaron Donald.
———-///
Name McCoy’s help ?
Hard to be on winning defenses when they had some of the worst players over the last several years at all levels. Mike smith was a coach . Lovie Smith .
That’s fine if you want to blame all on McCoy but it’s night and day with players around Suh compared to McCoy
McCoy had Akeem Spence . Roy Miller . Robert Ayers. Joe Schmoe
May 22nd, 2019 at 4:23 pm
Only casual fans think the impact of an interior lineman, O orcD, can be measured in statistics.
May 22nd, 2019 at 4:26 pm
Lord corn
Go to another buc site . I won’t give name cause I will get blocked.
McCoy has more Qb pressures then Suh recently
He beat his man a higher percentage of time then Suh.
Suh has him in tackles.
Now McCoy salary way to high so I get the move. But smashing McCoy and praising Suh is a head scratcher.
And every analyst today is saying the same thing. – Suh plays good when he wants too He takes plays off and doesn’t play nice with others (even his own teammates )
May 22nd, 2019 at 4:28 pm
Hey unimpressed Alpha dont care a out Vet status, he will get in his grill. And let the sparks fly if that is how it is. It might not happen week one, but I believe if there is any slacking happening in that 49ers game I would bet my last dollar that White would not put up with that. Vet or no Vet. He understands he is the Alpha in this Defense. As it stands now both Suh and White, have no experience in this Defense. So there is no Vet yet out of the two of them. And yes both are Alpha’s but as the saying goes “there can be only one” should be a interesting topic to watch out for during the season.
May 22nd, 2019 at 4:31 pm
People claiming Suh played nose tackle last year so that shouldn’t count makes no sense.
When you line up next to Aaron Donald who gets every double team , the nose tackle position gets single coverage against his guard.
And He played 3 technique like McCoy everywhere else.
LA had zero interest in resigning Suh. Read their sites. They thought Suh would be better playing next to best defensive player in nfl.
May 22nd, 2019 at 4:32 pm
@Bird
The smashing of McCoy is about personality / him being the face of a losing terrible defense for a decade more than anything.
IMO at least.
I saw one site claiming more hurries for Suh and another vice versa.
Either way just on sacks Suh is within 1 sack per year of McCoy. That’s basically nothing. But 30+% better production in everything else.
And mostly his style of play fits this D more. We don’t want a guy like McCoy rushing free sytle as a 3-4 DE. We need him maintaining gap integrity and while McCoy was solid against the run IMO that’s always been his biggest weakness.
I don’t recall McCoy making big stops in the red zone for example or short yardage often, while Suh should do much better there.
May 22nd, 2019 at 4:44 pm
Thats one reason i wanted Bucs to draft Nassib. He plays all out every play. Need more of those guys. Well some of us want more of those guys. Howie Long took plays off too!
May 22nd, 2019 at 4:46 pm
This article is strange–why don’t we let the future relationship between Suh and White play out however it does. Why is this important to figure it out now?
Pleas Joe–more Zach articles.
Less of this worry/paranoid concern regarding potential leadership relationship stories. Moving on to anything else.
May 22nd, 2019 at 5:06 pm
firethecannons….Joe’s probably a YUGE fan of TMZ.
Oh wait.
Well not probably. Tee hee
May 22nd, 2019 at 5:07 pm
Bird
you look at stats but not enough games. Fast forward to the last play. This tackle took the Dolphins with Tannehill of all QBs to the playoffs. Now can you find a game winning play that McIceCream has ever made?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hPaMZKI5DA8
May 22nd, 2019 at 5:10 pm
Here you go! 🙂
May 22nd, 2019 at 5:28 pm
@813 I’m taking Sapp over suh. Suh is more of a dirty player goes out of his way to be dirty where Sapp is just nasty I mean I seen Sapp do some dirty things but it just didn’t seem like he had to go out of his way to do them they just kind of happened if that makes sense lol
May 22nd, 2019 at 5:48 pm
Nassib knows he’s found his place moving from G to DE and he’s pumped! 7-9 sacks in a healthy 2019.
May 22nd, 2019 at 6:26 pm
Ah yes the tipped pass. Huge play. Surprised you didn’t add the play where he tripped Matty Ice. So 2 plays in 10 years, I stand corrected.
May 22nd, 2019 at 6:43 pm
I hope he does if anybody takes a play off. Idgaf who it is get on their a$$ white but also lead by example
May 22nd, 2019 at 6:54 pm
Maximum sustained effort period. Nothing less will win in the NFL
May 22nd, 2019 at 7:01 pm
I like the Suh pickup. With the right guys around him he can beast up. Suh also needed better coaching and he’ll get that here. This will be his best year with 15 sacks. Yep I called it. Pure D bs with no facts, rhyme or reason. Just saying it now.
May 22nd, 2019 at 7:16 pm
a little education in hierarchies. First, its a triangle separated by 3rds. the top 3rd contains about 7% of the total. This is where the leaders reside. The balance is a mix of those that do well, perform well but have no interest in being a leader. Many all pro players will reside in the bottom 93% and they will do everything in their power to be great but, have no interest in taking a leadership role. The rest is made up of average, below average, malcontents and slackers and there is no need to go throw those percentages.
May 22nd, 2019 at 7:44 pm
DB55 Says:
May 22nd, 2019 at 5:07 pm
Bird
you look at stats but not enough games. Fast forward to the last play. This tackle took the Dolphins with Tannehill of all QBs to the playoffs. Now can you find a game winning play that McIceCream has ever made?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hPaMZKI5DA8
LOL dude he literally ended games against the same team (Dolphins) and Falcons in recent years doing the same exact thing.
Plus the one Joe linked 🙂
I’m too lazy to keep searching but i made a list of impact plays for t max a while back. At this point though who really cares? He’s gone, Suh is here and we saved 3 mil.
Now the big question, is Suh taking a vacation like every other FA we sign, or will he be like JPP and actually give it his all?
May 22nd, 2019 at 7:49 pm
I hate how we do this. Stop blowing the kid up before his first nil snap. Let him play the game!!! Same thing happened to Gerald Mccoy . All the idiots thought one DT could turn around an entire team with bad coaching
May 22nd, 2019 at 9:02 pm
Any coach who thinks his new guy is “taking over” without having played a single down in the NFL means two things: 1. The Bucs were/are more devoid of leadership than we thought. 2. Bruce Arians is a moron for suggesting what he is at this point.
All Bucs fans want White to do well…no question. But he’s not a savior…not yet…he’s not done anything yet but offer “hope” to those fans who have drank the new coach Kool-Aid too often over the past decade plus.
May 22nd, 2019 at 9:04 pm
There are two guys in the last decade that were all but declared (maybe they were after all) annointed to lead this team to the promised land.
Gerald McCoy.
Jameis Winston.
How’s that going?
Stop the nonsense with White. He’s a rookie LB.
May 22nd, 2019 at 10:06 pm
Nothing wrong with taking plays off. It’s all a game of chess. Make the other player work harder then he has to.
May 23rd, 2019 at 12:32 am
Part of the problem with McCoy is that he was pressured into taking a leadership role.
I really hope we aren’t making the same mistake with White. Let the leadership hierarchy take a natural course.
SMH
May 23rd, 2019 at 12:02 pm
Omac Says:
May 22nd, 2019 at 3:34 pm
Joe continues to sneak-slurp Geraldine, just like the rest of the Tampa media.
HEY JOE, CHECK THE STATS! McCoy has had a worse career (in EVERY category) than both 1st round DTs (Suh and Atkins) drafted the same year.
——————-
While you’re looking up stats, Omar. Here’s an interesting one for you. Atkins wasn’t a first round pick.