Green-Dot Hype And Reality

September 5th, 2019

Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was talking today about how impressive and uncommon it is for a rookie like Devin White to come in and command a defense with the green-dot, communication helmet and the responsibility for lining up defenders.

Joe can’t buy that 100 percent.

Former Bucs linebacker Mason Foster jumped in as a rookie in 2011, no offseason because of the lockout, and took over the same defensive responsibilities. He thrived, so did the defense early, until the Bucs closed the season with a stunning 10-game losing streak.

A year later, Lavonte David got the call for the green dot, and the run defense ranked No. 1 in the NFL.

In 2015, it was Kwon Alexander’s turn to take the reins out of the gate as a fourth-round pick. The Bucs were 6-6 and fell apart when Kwon missed the final four games of that season with a suspension.

So Bowles saying it’s uncommon for a rookie linebacker to jump in and be the quarterback of the defense isn’t really accurate. However, all three of those players have had careers that exceeded expectations for their draft position, so Bowles is correct that it’s a fantastic sign for White to be handling go-to guy duties from Day 1.

“He does a great job at it. He understands it. It’s not too big for him. So we’re very excited about that,” Bowles said. “The physical abilities take care of themselves for him.”

Joe can’t wait to see White unleashed and featured in the defense. No, Joe doesn’t expect White to look like the Day 1 savior Bucs officials believe he will be. But White should look like a No. 5 overall pick over the course of the full season, which is a very high bar.


Derrick Brooks Talks Red Zone Defense & “Critical Growth Area Of Jameis,”; It’s A Week 1 Look From Derrick Brooks & Ira Kaufman

YES!!!!! It’s game-week on TAMPA TWO! Presented by Caldeco Air Conditioning & Heating, another stellar production from The Identity Tampa Bay and JoeBucsFan.com.

23 Responses to “Green-Dot Hype And Reality”

  1. Wesley Says:

    Fingers crossed.

  2. ORLBucfan Says:

    Hey Joe quick question….. Unrelated to this topic but will you be showing the TV coverage map like you’ve done in the past to show where the game will be airing on local TV? It looks like it may not be showing here in Orlando on local TV. May need to visit the watering whole for this one.

  3. Tony1775 Says:

    Todd Bowles likes him all that matters. Go Bucs!! Great pick!!

  4. Joe Says:

    Unrelated to this topic but will you be showing the TV coverage map like you’ve done in the past to show where the game will be airing on local TV?

    Saturday.

  5. Buc4life24 Says:

    ORLbucfan, if you google TV map week 1 it’s there for viewing every Wednesday. Almost the entire country is showing the Giants vs Cowboys game. Unless you are in the local Bay Area (both bays).

  6. DBS Says:

    Tallahassee area Fox 49 is showing the game.

  7. Pickgrin Says:

    Saying that Mason Foster “thrived” (at any point in his career as a Buccaneer) is an overstatement.

    Yea – he “thrived” so well the Bucs let him walk when his rookie deal was finished. Mason signed a low end contract with the Bears in 2015 but was cut at final cutdowns and then picked up by Washington 3 weeks into the season on another inexpensive contract.

    At no point in his 8 year NFL career has Mason Foster earned more than $1.75M per year – so no he hasn’t exactly “thrived” anywhere he’s been….

    Decent player for a 3rd rd pick because he’s still in the league – but lets not overstate his impact while he played in Tampa Bay…..

  8. Lamarcus Says:

    Maybe Bowles meant rookies don’t do well calling plays in his defensive scheme.

  9. NOSBOS Says:

    Bears suck. Reason being you can’t have a mean defense coupled with a finesse gadget style offense. A mean should D like theirs is supposed to be coupled with a mean rush attack. Like Seattle use to be.

  10. DB55 Says:

    Pick

    He’s currently a free agent.

  11. Cobraboy Says:

    I never thought Foster was all that…

  12. NOSBOS Says:

    Ya see,I hope all you sack lovers are watching. The bears have about 20 sacks tonight and are still close to losing this game. So what do they really matter??? I’ll tell you.. Not a Got🤬 thang. You gotta be able to put up points in this league man. 30 point offense the new era defense.

  13. DB55 Says:

    Has Jameis ever lost a game when the defense gave up only 10 points?

  14. Rod Munch Says:

    What a truly awful game.

    This is the trash you get when you don’t play anyone in the preseason. Even Tom Brady plays in the preseason. I wish the 49ers had sat everyone.

  15. Bobbo Says:

    I’m so glad I drafted trubisky in one league 🙄

  16. Rod Munch Says:

    DB55 – I was curious on that 10 and under number, and here’s the results.

    Winston is 5-0 in his career when the defense gave up 10 points or less.

    2015 Dallas, win 10-6 – 1-0
    2016 Chicago, win 36-10 – 2-0
    2016 Seattle, win, 14-5 – 3-0
    2017 Chicago, win, 29-7 – 4-0
    2018 San Fran, win, 27-9 – 5-0

    If you want to expand it to 11 points given up by the defense, then Winston is 6-0.

    2016 New Orleans, win 16-11

  17. Delawest Says:

    Rod M. Good research my man. I’m under
    The belief that if J dub throws the rock no more
    Than 30 times a game, we have a shot 👏🏾👏🏾 Any game.

  18. Delawest Says:

    Buc family, I’m from Cali by the way. I have been
    a fan since Brooks got drafted. I fell in love with this
    Team, it felt like on defense they had more than eleven
    Players on D. Players getting to the football. Playing SS/ CB @ Hawaii
    from 89to 93, if you didn’t show up in the picture frame
    you got graded down. ( see Rod Marinelli)

  19. Buccaroo Says:

    I hope for the defense, that they do have a great season. At least something to hang their hat on and build upon. But even so they are very young and bound to make mistakes but they look like they can truly compete. They look scrappy. This is where if Jameis and Co. can do their part we’ll be in a lot of games at the end.

    “Snatch victory from the jaws of defeat”

    Unleash the KRAKEN … 24 – 27 Bucs! 🏴‍☠️

  20. Defense Rules Says:

    Nice setup Joe. By all means make sure that Devin White plays up to your criteria of what a #5 pick SHOULD play like, whatever that is. Personally I’d rather see him play up to TB’s criteria of what he needs from his middle linebacker. No doubt in my mind that White won’t get showered with the parade of excuses that our #1 pick has garnered on JBF.com.

  21. AlteredEgo Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. Says:

    I can’t buy that either…..maybe it is also for between plays coaching

  22. DB55 Says:

    Rod

    Can I drop the mic?

  23. buc15 Says:

    DB55 for the win