Special Teams Coach Lauds Jordan Whitehead, Dare Ogunbowale
May 16th, 2019
Bucco Bruce Arains’ staff spent days poring over game film and practice film to see what they had in the roster they inherited.
Sadly, coaches don’t publish a report card to reflect all that grading. That would be fun and enlightening.
So Joe and other media rely on asking for insight. Sometimes it comes; sometimes it doesn’t.
When assistant coaches met with media earlier this month, Joe asked special teams chief Keith Armstrong who he liked on the Bucs’ various special teams units after studying all that 2018 film.
Armstrong didn’t want to cough up specific guys — and then he did.
“I don’t want to get into a lot of names, to single guys out. We’re trying to form a team,” Armstrong replied. “I do like [Jordan] Whitehead, and I do like Dare [Ogunbowale], the running back, No. 44.”
Ogunbowale is viewed as a returner, but he does play other special teams roles. Whitehead, of course, is all about being ferocious and tackling.
With Arians’ enhanced focus on special teams, it sure seems like Whitehead, who made 11 starts at safety last season, is a lock for the roster. Joe’s quick look at 22-year-old Whitehead this week revealed a guy who definitely added muscle this offseason.
May 16th, 2019 at 10:53 am
I think Whitehead will be more then a special teams guy.
He will play on defense. Rotation at safety.
He is violent.
We need guys like him who make receivers think twice about going over middle
Or runningbacks who think they can try and run over people
May 16th, 2019 at 10:56 am
I liked Dare running the ball last PS…and I think BA will like him too once the pads go on…he is quick and tough ..tough..tough !
May 16th, 2019 at 11:02 am
I liked what Whitehead showed as a DB when on the field last season. I think our secondary will be much better but we will have to use more CB blitzes to get pressure on QB’s. If Vea can get pressure up the middle and a CB coming in off the edge in disguised blitzes, maybe that will be a way to generate some sacks.
May 16th, 2019 at 11:25 am
We need this secondary to take off in a big way. We are relying on them more than any other positional group for 2019 success.
So far in 4 years, Jameis Winston + Average Defense = winning record. That was even with bottom 5 run game / bottom 5 special teams.
That’s been my request for his whole career. Produce an average NFL defense and we will have a winning record with him as QB. So far we’re 1 for 1 with that, and he’s played better since that season.
Last 4 years in general:
Pass game – pretty damn good 3/4 years (rooke year conservative)
Run game – horrifically bad except for 1/4 years
Defense – horrifically bad except for 1/4 years (winning season)
Special teams – horrifically bad i think every year other than rookie season maybe
We will never win with any QB if we keep putting out bottom 3-5 defenses as we have for so long.
May 16th, 2019 at 11:51 am
When your tutor is none other than cousin Revis, it would be foolish to cut Whitehead and have him go to another team. He makes the 53.
May 16th, 2019 at 12:05 pm
our ST have been horrible the past 3 years….it has cost us games just like the defense…..
i liked what whitehead showed last year….he played fast and physical….
GO BUCS!!!!
May 16th, 2019 at 12:13 pm
Overrated. The high amount of tackles he had relates to his inability to break up the pass.
May 16th, 2019 at 12:18 pm
ST coach should’ve been shown the door with Hayes last year. I like the fact that the new coach has seen what good STs look like, obviously we do not have Devin Hester, but we could have a Matt Bryant. Also he coached ATL STs which was loaded with Fast DBs and LBs. Even if they don’t win us any games, let’s just hope they don’t lose us any.
May 16th, 2019 at 12:21 pm
Overrated??? You clueless son,they are attracted to his physicality not his balls defensed dude. That’s y’all problem around here,ya think in terms of count totals as if that’s all the game is about. When Bird above articulated what presence of an inforcer does for an aggressive defense. Which do you think Todd and BA get more excited over a pass breakup (not in the end zone) or an explosive legal tackle that ignites the entire defense and crowd.
May 16th, 2019 at 12:23 pm
And Big-ups to Dusthty for stimulating a Whitehead thread. Salute mane.
May 16th, 2019 at 12:27 pm
I know Barber can play all three downs but BA needs to develop Ogunbowale to be his Third Down RB to spot blitzes, block, run, and catch outlet passes and screens. He can also be a big contributor on Special Teams too. Keep fresh legs on Barber to ice the fourth quarter protecting a lead.
May 16th, 2019 at 12:46 pm
I like Whitehead, he’s out there thumping people.
May 16th, 2019 at 12:53 pm
lmao at calling a 4th round rookie S that ended up getting starting time “overrated”
lmfao
Jesus Christ
No one is even hyping this guy to where you can call him “overrated”… my god
4th round pick that came on late, had 61 solo tackles, 4 passes defended playing mostly the SS position where he’s required to make tackles more than defend passes.
OMG SO OVERRATED
lmfao
May 16th, 2019 at 12:54 pm
NOSBROS
What do you think playing DB is all about? I can assure you it’s not about hard hits. If it was then Dashaun Goldson would’ve panned out.
So it’s cool if Jordan Whitehead puts a hard hit on someone, but Drew Brees just completed a pass on him for a Saints 1st Down.
May 16th, 2019 at 12:55 pm
Get with the times, folks. It’s not the 80s anymore.
May 16th, 2019 at 1:04 pm
Rayjay1122
Thinking that’s a reason we picked a bunch of press DBs in the draft that are known for blitzing quick to the QB. I’ve been thinking BA has been blowing a huge Ybor City Cigar up everyone’s arse when he started raving about VH3 early.
May 16th, 2019 at 1:12 pm
You gotta love this site
There are some posters that just don’t have one positive thing to say about anything bucs
And the excuse is “ well the Bucs have been so bad for so long and it’s my right to whine like a little child”
Damn babies
May 16th, 2019 at 1:31 pm
I checked out Dare’s college film last week, it look great, really exciting.
I suggest you people check it out
May 16th, 2019 at 1:36 pm
Bird those posters are still mad at the women who turned them down in high school
May 16th, 2019 at 2:01 pm
I think Whitehead has about as good of chance to win the safety position than anyone else. He may not have the ideal height but his tackling ability is above average.
May 16th, 2019 at 2:30 pm
AlabamaBucsFan
No doubt whitehead has a great chance on first and second down spot. If Edwards turns into a ball hawk like he was in college, Whitehead, Edwards, and possibly Stewart could be a frigin sweet rotation.
May 16th, 2019 at 3:28 pm
lmao at an 80s reference justifying some delusional thought that a 4th round rookie S was “ovverrated”
4th rounders usually don’t do sh1t by the way… especially Gump picks…
OVERRATED THO!!! 80s!
May 16th, 2019 at 4:12 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
“Overrated. The high amount of tackles he had relates to his inability to break up the pass.”
.
.
Nobody was breaking up passes in Mike Smith’s Chinese fire drill defense.
May 16th, 2019 at 4:15 pm
SOEbuc Says:
“I’ve been thinking BA has been blowing a huge Ybor City Cigar up everyone’s arse when he started raving about VH3 early.”
.
.
+1
May 16th, 2019 at 4:18 pm
Whitehead is indeed a bright spot on the CB roster. You’ have thought with him, VHIII, him, Davis, and Stewert with wither Harris or Smith for depth, that would be good…but now they’ve drafted two more…with no guarantee anyone will be better. While ignoring the D line and O line. Not good.
May 16th, 2019 at 6:51 pm
@bird that’s the dam truth.
I think TBBUCS3 mean by it’s not the 80s anymore is with all the rules there’s no more John Lynch hits or Brian Dawkins hits allowed. You can’t even blow on a receiver without getting a foul player safety bs it’s football let people take each other’s heads off haha
May 16th, 2019 at 10:13 pm
Lord Corn with the win in! Agreed Bud!