Rest Is The Secret For Devin White
December 19th, 2020
Credits fellow linebacker.
Is there a better pair of inside linebackers than what the Bucs have in Lavonte David and Devin White? Hard to top those two.
White is a better player than he was last year, as last year he was mostly a run stopper. A damn good run stopper, yes. This year he’s been better as a blitzer. And blitzing was a main reason he was drafted at No. 5 overall.
Yesterday, White jumped on “Good Morning Football,” seen on NFL Network weekday mornings, and credited both rest and his fellow inside linebacker teammate David for helping him improve in his second NFL season.
“I made the jump by getting [wisdom] from the older guy, my big brother, Lavonte David,” White said. “And he taught me so much within the game itself and being on the field itself and how to be a great pro.
“I worked tremendously hard this offseason to get in better conditioning and have a lot of rest.”
White noted that prior to his rookie year he was constantly training for the combine, his pro day, bouncing from city to city for interviews and then right away rookie minicamp and regular work with the Bucs.
He said he never really had the opportunity to let his body rest and recuperate after his last season at LSU going into the draft process.
“I felt a whole lot better,” White said of having an offseason.
White, like Arians, was hit with the “identity” question about the Bucs. Joe thought White had a spot-on answer.
“Identity?” White responded, “A team that finds ways to win the game.”
As far as his passion for horses, White said it’s therapy for him to relax and get away at times from the rigors of the NFL.
You can view White’s spot on “Good Morning Football” in the NFL Network video below.
“Horseback riding cost a lot of money so I know I gotta be really good on the football field.”
.@DevinWhite__40 joined #GMFB to talk about the identity of the @Buccaneers, his second year leap, horseback riding, & Secret Santa.
Plus.. He has an answer for @Patrickqueen_…. pic.twitter.com/3sAkQGU2v4
— GMFB (@gmfb) December 18, 2020
December 19th, 2020 at 12:29 pm
So far im pretty happy with the pick but man he needs to get way better and covering pass plays. Also thought we would see more splash plays this year but kinda been a disappointment in that area this year. Its only year 2 and he hasways to go but happy is on our team. Go Bucs
December 19th, 2020 at 12:40 pm
Needs to get better at pass coverage too. 5th pick of the draft has to do it all.
December 19th, 2020 at 12:49 pm
Pass coverage was going to be an issue for him. That didn’t mean he couldn’t cover at all though he has to get better doing that.
December 19th, 2020 at 12:49 pm
Since White is obviously better moving forward than backwards, how about more blitzes up the middle? How about White being an outside rusher when Shaq or JPP need a breather? White’s got a better chance to get to the QB than Anthony Nelson, IMHO.
December 19th, 2020 at 12:57 pm
Derrick Brooks didn’t become Derrick Brooks overnight. You guys relax and let him develop!!!
December 19th, 2020 at 1:21 pm
Architek: If this was a typical Bucs 5-11 season, I’d agree with you. Playoffs are on my mind, and how to best deploy White if the Bucs do make it.
December 19th, 2020 at 1:23 pm
Needs to watch film with Shelton Quarles
December 19th, 2020 at 1:24 pm
White and David have been MIA last few weeks. No big plays. That’s what great LBs do. They’ve been average. They’ve both been out of position, poor in pass coverage and missing tackles.
That’s the truth.
December 19th, 2020 at 2:01 pm
Riding’s not expensive. Owning is.
December 19th, 2020 at 2:32 pm
White is being player coached by LVD. That is already paying dividends. These last 3 games will be fun to watch the Defense continue to mature.
December 19th, 2020 at 2:43 pm
Joe in Michigan
I love that idea they could bring in the backup middle backer and move White to that DE for JPP or Barret. With his speed I don’t think a tackle would be able to get a hand on him. But that’s probably thinking too much out of the box so won’t happen.
December 19th, 2020 at 2:56 pm
Kuechly was terrible in pass coverage his first few seasons.
December 19th, 2020 at 3:18 pm
What a bad take. White is on the verge of becoming a bust. Bad run fits, missed tackles, horrific coverage, and little pressure. At least 2 of his sacks were chasing down a scrambling Derek Carr short of the LOS.
December 19th, 2020 at 3:47 pm
Well the extra rest from the bye didn’t seem to help him much last week. He had a couple big games in the middle of the season but otherwise has looked good, but not great.
Also, I think Winfield is much more effective at Blitzing than White is so far. He’s looked slow these past few weeks.
December 19th, 2020 at 3:49 pm
Stick to watching synchronized swimming and go be a Saints fan caradoc.
December 19th, 2020 at 3:55 pm
Godlovesbucs Says:
December 19th, 2020 at 2:56 pm
Kuechly was terrible in pass coverage his first few seasons.
______________________________________
This is false. Not even close.
Here are his stats from his first few seasons:
2012: 2 INTs, 7 passes defended
2013: 4 INTs, 7 passes defended
2014: 1 INTs, 12 passes defended
2015: 4 INTs, 10 passes defended
Compared to White so far:
2019: 1 INTs, 3 passes defended
2020: 0 INTs, 2 passes defended
December 19th, 2020 at 4:17 pm
Caradoc… IMO .. OC’s have been using his speed against himself
December 19th, 2020 at 4:22 pm
Man, that was one beautiful horse he was riding, and he’s sitting tall in the saddle barely moving with the horse in a full trot. Love it! Also, the man looks like he’s shot out of a cannon. The closing speed on a couple of those tackles was unbelievable!
December 19th, 2020 at 4:50 pm
caradoc: Ummmmm…That’s what a sack IS.
December 19th, 2020 at 4:52 pm
Joe, you took the words out of my mouth. Was about to write a bit more of a pointed critique of that poor take but you kept it
classy.
December 19th, 2020 at 4:59 pm
Joe if we have the two best mlbs White and David, two best olbs/edge rushers JPP and Shaq, two best wide outs Evans and Godwin and also one of the leading rushers in the NFL Jones, then the top QB in NFL history. Then we definitely should finish 11-5 right Joe.
December 19th, 2020 at 5:10 pm
There’s a difference between getting to a QB in the pocket or forcing hem out and taking him down vs running him down after he’s already run 15 yards out of the pocket. Those sacks were more like TFLs, not pass pressures. Look at the actual games and not just the box score for a change.
December 19th, 2020 at 5:12 pm
And none of that changes the fact that he is one of the very worst coverage LBs in the league. You don’t draft a guy who can’t cover at 5.
December 19th, 2020 at 6:06 pm
Gotta agree with
“ you don’t draft a guy who can’t cover at 5.”
December 19th, 2020 at 6:26 pm
Alright, then. Who would you have taken at number 5, then? I’m sure we’ll be able to find a hole or 2 in that player’s game, also. White is 22 years old. He has 4.42 speed. He’s not good in coverage now. That doesn’t mean he never will be. Heck, in the 2016 Draft the Bucs took a CORNER that can’t cover. Hahaha
December 19th, 2020 at 6:46 pm
So your defense of white is that we drafted VH3?
White was overdrafted, that is already indisputable. Now that he is being exposed and picked on in the passing game he is a liability. A liability that will soon be a bust.
As for who to draft other than him? There’s a long list of better guys already.
December 19th, 2020 at 7:11 pm
There are a lot of guys who are having difficulty covering in TB’s defense. Is that the scheme or are young guys like White, Davis, SMB, J. Dean just beginning to understand the concepts involved.
Splash plays? There were two in that Raiders game alone.
If you watch that video above watch the incredible SPEED!!!
White is an eraser…he can make up for mistakes with that amazing closing speed.
December 19th, 2020 at 7:36 pm
caradoc: Since you won’t name who you would’ve picked, I’m going to guess you wanted Josh Allen. He had 10.5 in his rookie year, but was said to be below average against the run. He had/has a hole in his game. Not to say he’ll never be good at defending the run, as it’s also undetermined if White will or won’t be good in coverage, they haven’t even finished their 2nd year. So no, it isn’t indisputable.
December 19th, 2020 at 7:44 pm
Well done Joe in Michigan. People use indisputable too loosely…indeed you just provided a great reason to dispute.
December 19th, 2020 at 8:02 pm
I’m not saying caradoc is wrong, they could very well be right, it’s just too early for me to say Devin White is a “bust”. A lot of talent to work with there, if it all falls into place.
The way I look at Josh Allen of the Jags…The Bucs wouldn’t have signed Shaq Barrett if they’d drafted Allen. Shaq has 27.5 sacks in the last 2 years (so far), Allen has 13 (injury plagued 2nd year).
December 19th, 2020 at 9:10 pm
Spbf
You bring up an interesting point. Is it the scheme, or is it the players? We have the largest staff known to man, But apparently they’re not fond of game plans. They may not be fond of coaching either.
White does somethings well, but for me it’s like watching Jameis Winston you cringe every time he’s in coverage. A top-five pick should be pretty darn special. Don’t know if he’s that.
December 19th, 2020 at 10:09 pm
This kid needs to DESPERATELY work on his coverage skills
December 20th, 2020 at 12:10 am
Devin has been playing below average the last few games, getting beaten every pass play by a tight end or back. Overrated overhyped. Show up and make a difference. Don’t be a Gerald.
December 20th, 2020 at 5:38 am
the LB’s have been falling off of late…
hopefully thy hit another gear for the final 3 games…
as for devin…
he is like basically the worst linebacker in coverage in the league…
i heard some stats somewhere, and opposing teams are completing like 90% of pass plays agains DW…
it’s really an issue, the team is aware of it, and in the playoffs the good qb’s are going to target the sheet out of DW…
bowles and gang need to get him to improve at least a little bit asap, because he will be targeted in big games more than bunting and dean…
the completing rate vs him is astoundingly bad…
he’s young and obviously still learning – and shall improve…but the playoffs are right around the corner…
#DevinWhiteRidesHorsesAndUnicorns
December 20th, 2020 at 5:40 am
completion rate*