Expectations
June 25th, 2019
Expectations.
Joe cannot remember the last time the Bucs drafted a guy and coronated him as a football version of a Swiss Army knife.
To hear Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and Bucco Bruce Arians talk about linebacker Devin White, he will single-handedly raise the horrid Bucs defense from worst in the history of mankind to top-10 in the NFL.
Need a sack? No need for JPP. There’s Devin White.
Need tackles? Why Devin White is a one-man gang.
Need picks? Devin White can cover Jerry Rice if he was still in the league.
Joe doesn’t doubt that White has mad skills. But to quote the legend of Chicago’s sports radio airwaves, Mike North, “Take it EASY!” It just seems extraordinary to Joe that a team would put so much and so many expectations on a rookie before the guy has even buckled a chin strap in a game.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report seems to lean on the side that White will personally lift the Bucs’ defense to a higher power.
Defense was a major issue for the Buccaneers in 2018, as the team allowed 383.4 yards per game (27th). White should provide an immediate boost on that side of the ball, similar to the sort of impact linebackers Darius Leonard and Leighton Vander Esch had last season for the Colts and Cowboys, respectively.
Look, Joe has maintained that the Bucs defense could still be last in the NFL and be improved. That’s how godawful this defense was. It can’t sink any lower than last year. Just can’t.
Could White be the catalyst for a defensive turnaround? Maybe. But pardon Joe if he wants to see White first play capably at linebacker before we anoint him the next Lawrence Taylor, Jack Lambert and Ronnie Lott all rolled into one.
The Bucs have quite a few other defenders that need to raise their games for this defense to turnaround. Guys shouldn’t — or better not be — banking on a rookie to be Superman.
June 25th, 2019 at 12:03 pm
Sigh… snore.
June 25th, 2019 at 12:09 pm
DT Vita Vea
NT Beau Allen
DT Ndomokung Suh
DE/OLB Carl Nassib
DE/OLB SHaq Barret
ILB Devin White
ILB Lavonte Davis
That isn’t a horrible 7. DE/OLB = weak spot but both those guys are worthy #2s. We just don’t have an elite guy there. But we have elite DTs & ILBs. And we have some pass rush depth/hope with Spence & Nelson.
Then we have 5-6 corners worth of high draft investments and another 3 safeties. There is talent on that back end to work with.
I’m sick of seeing the worst D in the entire league. This is not the least talented defensive roster in the NFL.
GO BUCS!
June 25th, 2019 at 12:10 pm
Nassib – with same snaps as JPP in 2018 = 10+ sacks. JPP played almost twice as much as Nassib in 2018.
June 25th, 2019 at 12:18 pm
I feel like this is a bit of a sell job to fans and the Glazers. I have a feeling that Licht and Bruce know the fans (and Joe) wanted a pass rusher so they want everyone to feel all fuzzy about White.
June 25th, 2019 at 12:23 pm
All we need him to be is the next Hardy Nickerson and I am good.
June 25th, 2019 at 12:27 pm
I rather bank on a rookie to be the savior than the prior “proven” established multiple pro bowl players who just get blown out of games.
June 25th, 2019 at 12:35 pm
@Joe … “The Bucs have quite a few other defenders that need to raise their games for this defense to turnaround. Guys shouldn’t — or better not be — banking on a rookie to be Superman.”
Forgive me for repeating those 2 sentences Joe, but it almost seems like you’re starting to sound … REASONABLE. That’s a side that some of us felt hopped a train out of town a couple months before the 2019 draft when the dialogue focused on ‘Draft a DE or we’re gonna crash & burn’.
Personally I’d paraphrase your quote as ‘It takes a TEAM to win’. There’s only One Savior, and his name isn’t Devin White. Nor is it Jameis Winston. Both of those guys could play lights out all season, but our season record will only be as good as the TEAM that surrounds them. Bucs have had far too many ‘weak links’ in the past (BOTH players AND coaches). HOPEFULLY the additions we’ve made this year, in both coaches AND players, will allow us to move past that very quickly this season. Only time will tell though.
June 25th, 2019 at 12:35 pm
This 2019 Bucs defense is a lot faster than any Bucs defense in the last decade. Licht, Arians and Bowels got it right with adding more speed to this team. Can’t wait to see these guys flying around on D this year.
June 25th, 2019 at 12:36 pm
Lord Cornelius…WELL SAID!!!!
June 25th, 2019 at 12:37 pm
Will be interesting to see how Josh Allen does in a pure 4-3 as a DE which is what the Jags are saying their plans are for him. He’s a much better fit standing up as a 3-4 OLB IMO… in his tape that’s where all his plays came from and very minimal plays with his hands in the dirt. They might be neutering him / trying to force him to be something he isn’t similar to Noah Spence via Mike Smith & Company but with a much higher rated prospect
June 25th, 2019 at 12:37 pm
Wasn’t joe the one leading the charge with these anointments and expectations? No. Joe didn’t draft White at No. 5 overall and expect him to be the engine of the defense. Joe’s just been following what Bucs officials are saying. –Joe
June 25th, 2019 at 12:45 pm
He will be an improvement over Kwon so……………..
June 25th, 2019 at 12:45 pm
Then there’s the question of “hitting the rookie wall”. He will make an impact this season but we need to temper expectations some and have a quality backup ready to spell him at times to help get him through the 16 game stretch.
June 25th, 2019 at 12:46 pm
Geez. Is there a bigger doubter of White than Joe? Wow.
But he wanted a DE from Kentucky at the same draft spot. A position that always takes a few years to transition to from college. A position that has a high bust rate in NFL next to QB.
Go look up what position is most common for defensive rookie of the year. HINT – its not DE or DT.
June 25th, 2019 at 12:47 pm
White just tops the list of several additions and additions by subtraction for this defense
Additions Subtractions
White. Alexander
Suh. McCoy
Barrett. Taylor
Brice. Conte
Bucannon
Dean. Grimes
Murphy-Bunting
Edwards
June 25th, 2019 at 12:51 pm
I recall talk before the draft of you saying if they drafted a mlb with the 5th pick he sure as heck better be the savior and greatest thing since sliced bread.
June 25th, 2019 at 12:52 pm
B.A. has a good eye for leaders. That’s why McCoy is gone, and White was drafted. White will be more of a leader as a rookie then McCoy ever was his whole career.
June 25th, 2019 at 12:56 pm
Rushing the passer is not as important with today’s quick hit passing game. Pass rushers don’t stop McCaffrey and Kamara. Sure there are still some offenses like Koetter’s that force the QB to hold the ball in which case pass rushing is extremely important but most great offenses today like the rams, patriots, saints, KC get the ball at very quickly.
June 25th, 2019 at 1:26 pm
Raise the expectations.
June 25th, 2019 at 1:43 pm
we’ll find out real fast….
GO BUCS!!!!
June 25th, 2019 at 1:48 pm
Hey, back here, (waving hands)… You don’t have the money to pay the guy. This is a joke of a team.
June 25th, 2019 at 2:24 pm
i’m bored of this angle
June 25th, 2019 at 2:49 pm
LC I agree with you bro. I think we deff have great depth now we just need a few more studs an time to develop the DBs. Better coaching plus devin white an this team is looking better an better #endthedrought
June 25th, 2019 at 2:55 pm
-Chris Conte, hopefully -Ryan Smith = HUGE upgrade.
June 25th, 2019 at 3:19 pm
Maybe Joe can stop taking jabs at this kid. It’s not his fault the Bucs drafted him.
Give him a break with the backhanded comments. Maybe have a beer or something. Or a vacation. Droning over and over about the praise the coaches are giving him is tiring. Isn’t that we want? Coaches building confidence? Or maybe they should just break him like DK did to RoJo. Would that make you happy?
June 25th, 2019 at 3:19 pm
@Joe
“No. Joe didn’t draft White at No. 5 overall and expect him to be the engine of the defense.”
White, David, Vea, and Suh together in the middle will be the engine. Lets see what Bowles does with this young, deep, possibly talented secondary.
June 25th, 2019 at 3:54 pm
@Alan
Thanks for pointing this out… thats what most of the posters around here dont seem to get. We’ve replaced marginal and service level talent (not McCoy & Kwon) with dawgs and guys who can really ball.
That coupled + BETTER COACHING + no more 15 yrd cushions is reason alone to be optimistic.
The DRIVE to 11 – 5
Go Bucs!!
June 25th, 2019 at 4:02 pm
Bucs didn’t want the rookies to feel as if they were looking up to a VEt leader like GMC they wanted the Rookies to be the New Leaders
June 25th, 2019 at 4:03 pm
I’m predicting another surprise addition to our roster shortly….. fingers crossed for Yannick Ngakoue
June 25th, 2019 at 4:11 pm
Buchead,
Yes I agree when my post gets out of moderation check it out.
June 25th, 2019 at 4:18 pm
Yah. Joe didn’t get his way / his defensive end so he will continue to dog devin white (call him jokingly the savior ). Boo boo. Tamper tandrum x Infinity
Yet joe has annointed Jameis Winston America’s qb cause he moves his needle. And by needle you know what I mean. And this is year 5 and he breaks out the American flag to describe his man. 😂
Hypocrisy at its finest. Only here.
June 25th, 2019 at 4:32 pm
Nothing against him whatsoever. In fact, Joe could make an argument propping this guy up to be a Hall of Fame linebacker is worse.
June 25th, 2019 at 4:51 pm
^^
Yah right
June 25th, 2019 at 5:13 pm
Not sure I understand the reply. And it sure seems like you have something against him. After watching film on him, his speed, his tackling- I could only guess what it is.
Every article you write about him has the same feel. Whatever. That BS soft GMC is gone along with his his legacy of losing. Get over it man. None of the guys you wanted were guaranteed locks to be the “savior” either.
But you do you. It’s your site.
June 25th, 2019 at 5:17 pm
Oh, I see what you said now.
Yeah, much better idea to take cheap shots at him before he’s ever played an NFL snap. We should have just drafted the guy you wanted, who is a sure lock to be a HOFer. But that guy ain’t on the team now, is he?
June 25th, 2019 at 6:40 pm
Defense, we got Winston
June 25th, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Rest well Buc fans. The Tampa 2 is dead and we have an entire new system. Entire coaching staff replaced. Former washed up leaders and captains have been kicked off the ship and replaced. New players in every position group………..Whining about last year’s crummy defense is worthless. This defense will resemble nothing of it.
I for one can’t wait!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
June 25th, 2019 at 7:32 pm
Oh and a entire draft devoted to the defense.
June 25th, 2019 at 7:38 pm
Joe didn’t want O.J. Howard (not sure what Dalvin Cook has done)
Joe didn’t warm to the Quentin Nelson before the draft (All Pro as a rookie)
– Vea May turn out to be great (we already know what Derwin James is)
Joe didn’t want Devin White (but we know he will be compared to Josh Allen)
To Joe’s credit, he didn’t quit like he said he would because he is too invested and a Bucs fan first.
June 25th, 2019 at 8:14 pm
press coverage is needed. Jaming recievers at the line was practically illegal with this team. I wanted Oliver but white is a damn good lb. And with rbs being heavily invokved more and more in the passing game, I can understand the rising value of mlb position with a high skill level
June 25th, 2019 at 8:16 pm
Most of all, IMO anyway, is the fact that this young man is a LEADER. A young version of Hardy Nickerson. Exactly what the Bucs needed. I get why Joe Bucs Fan was/is in love with Josh Allen, his tape speaks for itself, but maybe the teams that passed on him (NYG took a QB instead) saw some Gerald McCoy in his personality.
June 25th, 2019 at 8:38 pm
Joe in Michigan:
Joe is fully behind Devin White. He’s on the Bucs. Hope he is a monster. Just want to see him take care of himself first in his first year in the NFL. As Derrick Brooks told him, “Win your position battle first.”
June 26th, 2019 at 12:39 am
“In fact, Joe could make an argument propping this guy up to be a Hall of Fame linebacker is worse.”
Who from the Bucs is propping him up as a HOF?
They’re very confident in the player they drafted at #5. LB is one of the easier positions to transition from college to pro. Seems reasonable they’d be confident he’ll be a star.
June 26th, 2019 at 10:05 am
Joe said: Joe has maintained that the Bucs defense could still be last in the NFL and be improved
Where have I read that before? Oh yeah! Basically every day since the draft it has come up in one or more posts!
I understand that you get a lot of new readers every day. But come on! A lot of us read every word you write every day and seeing the same opinions every stinking day gets a little old. I know I would get tired of writing it if I were blogging (Oh, I am a blogger), unless I had a macro that would type it when I pressed the right key combo. But hey, you are the boss, after all. So go ahead and write it a few more times before the season starts… how many days is that?
June 26th, 2019 at 10:10 am
BlogTalkFootball:
Joe knows what he is doing. Was Joe supposed to make up something he never said?
June 26th, 2019 at 7:07 pm
Joe bits of everyone else. Rarley do see original work. 90% if not more ive already read somerwhere else. Just he puts a spin on it to get the conversation started. Panic button Joe
June 26th, 2019 at 7:10 pm
I think Winston is going to have a monster year. Top 5 overall.