Liking Rookie LB
July 29th, 2019
Entering his seventh NFL season, Bucs linebacker Kevin Minter has seen a lot. And thus far, he likes what he sees and hears from Bucs rookie linebacker Devin White.
So far the defense has been holding its own if not dominating the Bucs offense through four practices, the last two with pads and today’s with tackling.
And while White, the No. 5 overall pick in April’s draft, may not be flashing much, Minter sees a guy who is going to be a force in the near future.
“He’s a lot further along than I’m pretty sure most guys would expect,” Minter said. “He is just soaking up knowledge. Everyday, man, he is getting better. And he’s humble, man. He’s not afraid to ask to questions and you know you love helping a guy like that.”
The wild thing is so far, Bucs defensive backs are giving the talented Bucs receivers a fight. They are driving Bucs quarterbacks nuts. Defensive linemen are largely stealing the lunch money from the offensive linemen. Outside linebackers are racing in to destroy the pocket.
Inside linebackers Lavonte David and White really haven’t been much of a factor at all through four practices.
Once David and White start flashing, this defense may just be a top-20 defense.
July 29th, 2019 at 9:12 pm
Top 10 Defense this year
Vea is in pro bowl
White is rookie of the year
July 29th, 2019 at 9:24 pm
Can’t wait to see this defense in a game. The Jets had horrible Offenses under Bowles so it will be nice to see his defense with a top 5 offense.
July 29th, 2019 at 9:27 pm
Devin will be fine if he’s as talented as they say. Does anyone have any word on David Kenney? He was killing it without pads from what I have read and he’s got an interesting story.
July 29th, 2019 at 9:42 pm
Ya top 20 for sure. With Bowls at the helm on defence we should see a much improved unit.
July 29th, 2019 at 9:42 pm
Here I am all excited Joe about our defense, and the best you foresee is a Top-20 finish? Nah, I’m thinking we’ll end up someplace between #10 & #15 … Top half let’s say. Last year’s #10 team (Colts) allowed 344 pts. The #15 team (Redskins) allowed 360 pts. Fairly narrow range actually.
Go back to Todd Bowles 2 years in Arizona, and his 2013 defense allowed 324 pts, then his 2014 defense allowed 299 pts. His 2015 Jets defense allowed 314 pts. Then the bottom fell out as his 2016 Jets defense allowed 409 pts, his 2017 defense allowed 382 pts, and his 2018 team allowed 441 pts. Followed by ‘Where would you like to work next Todd?’
Point being that Todd Bowles can run a VERY good defense PROVIDING he has the horses to pull the wagon. He did in Arizona and he did his first year with the Jets, then the talent went south. i think he does here too.
Ranking in the #10-15 range would require our Bucs defense restricting points allowed to the 340-360 range. That SHOULD be doable providing we don’t get devastated by injuries like we did last year.
What’s interesting is that the NFC South defenses last year were average to below average from a scoring perspective. Saints were #14 (allowed 353 pts), Carolina was #19 (allowed 382 pts) and Falcons were #25 (allowed 423 pts). Then there were our Bucs … #31 allowing 464 pts. Won’t happen again.
July 29th, 2019 at 10:06 pm
I don’t trust it. I think it’s a bit early for any defensive predictions. Let’s see what IT looks like v Steelers next week and then the Fish at home before we crown anyone ROY or top 20 anything. I am tapping the brakes a bit.
July 29th, 2019 at 10:17 pm
Top 20 is asking a lot….
I’ll take it though
July 29th, 2019 at 10:25 pm
Lmao at how bad this team has been to hope for just a top 20 D
Don’t blame Joe really because history; but there have been teams that completely flip the script on one side of a ball in one season/ it happens basically every year
July 29th, 2019 at 10:51 pm
Maybe BA was not blowing smoke when he said the DBackfield is “totally fixed.”
What a glorious time if true!
July 30th, 2019 at 12:19 am
A top 20 defence!!!!
Um, isnt that really a bottom 10???
July 30th, 2019 at 1:08 am
Lol, Joe, what a short memory you have…
Even with just the switch to Duffner last year, we went from the worst D in the league to Top-15 or so over the 2nd half of the season… And that was with ZERO personnel upgrades like we’ve had this preseason and injuries.
We will have a Top-10 or Top-5 D this year, watch.
July 30th, 2019 at 1:09 am
*offseason not preseason
July 30th, 2019 at 5:42 am
White has for sure flashed several times on blitzes. He gets into the lap of the QB so damn fast its ridiculous.
July 30th, 2019 at 7:53 am
Remember Joe literally screaming on a podcast about the decision to not address the defensive line and instead drafting all those secondary picks.
With that in mind, read this article again. Four days of practice. Repeat. Four days of practice.–Joe
Now…we need to figure out where to free up some cap space to address our O-line, which seemingly sucks big time.
July 30th, 2019 at 11:30 am
DR
After 4 days don’t you think it would be prudent to curb your enthusiasm? I love defense as much as you do, but this is the bucs offense were talking about here,..seems JW is JW, high low and in between
And not sure what to make of “Donovan Smith rag dolls Noah Spence”. Can’t figure out what the positive side of that is…