Giovani Bernard More Dangerous Than James White
April 15th, 2021
The crowd that was sad when running back James White re-signed with the Belicheats will enjoy this.
Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian is a White fan, too. But he believes the Bucs scored bigger than White, who they danced with last month in free agency, when Tampa Bay signed long-time Bengals RB Giovani Bernard this week.
Why? Polian told his SiriusXM NFL Radio audience that Bernard is better and more dangerous than White with the ball in his hands after the catch, and unlike White, Bernard can be an effective emergency starter for a couple of games if necessary.
Joe’s heard that Bernard isn’t earning much more than a minimum salary, seemingly taking the please-let-me-play-with-Tommy approach to negotiations. So that means White is doubling is salary.
As has been a discussion on The Ira Kaufman podcast, the 2021 Bucs offense may go down as the most talented — and hopefully the most prolific — in NFL history. Seriously.
April 15th, 2021 at 11:16 am
This offense is so stacked, it seems almost illegal. Licht should get a medal for being able to assemble and then keep this group of talented players.
April 15th, 2021 at 11:17 am
That angry geezer makes sense once in a while
April 15th, 2021 at 11:25 am
It turns out that Bernard and James White are good friends, who both played at the same high school in Ft Lauderdale.
I agree that Giovanni is more dangerous than White, once he catches the ball.
April 15th, 2021 at 11:25 am
Not sure about that
Whites receptions and receptions for first downs better. More yards i think… Didnt check on tds
However , that is comparing the patriots teams and oline to a dumpster fire of Bengals teams and oline. Not even close. Patriots usually in top 10 every year. Or even top 5. So hard to compare the two
Look at the Bungals oline ranking the last 3 years:
25th
30th
30th
Bernard is stoked to get away from that trainwreck
April 15th, 2021 at 11:28 am
Not to get too carried away, but the Buc’s offense could well become the best in NFL history. Barring injuries. The D isn’t too shabby either. Our front 7 is probably the best in the league. So one can understand all the exuberance about the upcoming season. A fun ride in store.
April 15th, 2021 at 11:38 am
This is laughable, give me james white every day. The man has only fumbled twice in his nfl career. He also has tremendous report with brady. Giovanni is careless with the football and is a shell of his once explosive self. I think you folks are all drinking the flavor aid being dishes out by the bucs media cartel. This site included. How anyone with an objective opinion who doesn’t have an axe to grind with bill belichick could pick GB over JW is beyond me. Have fun with all the injuries coming. Especially since they will be no voluntary workouts.
April 15th, 2021 at 11:44 am
Ben, read birds post above.
April 15th, 2021 at 11:48 am
dont feed the trolls!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
April 15th, 2021 at 11:52 am
Just need one more HOF caliber receiver. *cough, cough
April 15th, 2021 at 12:05 pm
Love this article Joe. Interesting to see Polian’s take.
@Ben green.
Ok to have an opinion that James White is better but I will go with Bill Polian over you for an assessment.
By the way, 7 fumbles over 6500 career yards is not bad for a running back. That is the same as Alvin Kamara and 2 less than Latavius Murray who both have about the same amount of career yards.
I am not sure why you are so confident that James White was so much better than Giovanni Bernard last year. Each with 1 fumble. Bernard with more total yards and more touchdowns. Did not watch either a bunch last year but do not have a strong opinion.
I give credit to your part of the dialogue that says you already know that Brady has a tremendous rapport with White. That is definitely worth something. But Polian’s knowledge of football has some weight as well.
Obviously the true troll of you came out with the have fun with all the injuries.
April 15th, 2021 at 12:08 pm
I’m not trolling, I’m being realistic. You will have more injuries this year. Anyone who thinks this team is unbeatable is a loon. Brady is one left tackle away from being useless. He had an eternity to throw because they ran effectively. I think BA wants to win his way this time. Which won’t work with Tom brady
April 15th, 2021 at 12:10 pm
Btw james white had a family tragedy last year and cam newton throwing him the ball, bud said
April 15th, 2021 at 12:18 pm
Familiar misspellings going on here.
April 15th, 2021 at 12:28 pm
It’s not my fault the auto correct sucks and changed nuf said to bud said
April 15th, 2021 at 12:38 pm
Ben is right when it comes to James White versus GB. Brady and White basically dual handley beat Atlanta in the SB. White is better but it’s ok to have #2. For 21 yrs Brady was one left tackle from going down as are all QB’s. What he has mastered and learnt from Peyton Manning was how to avoid and absorb the hit unlike the Staffords, Garapolos & Goffs and many others that get pounded. Sure there will be injuries like all other teams just have to hope they’re not major and team is strong come PO time.
April 15th, 2021 at 12:52 pm
Doesn’t mean diddly to me whether James White is ‘more dangerous’ than Giovanni Bernard. Bernard is a Buc and White isn’t; that’s all I need to know. All that matters is how well GB does as a Buc. Hopefully he adds another dimension to an already very capable RB corps.
And as far as this 2021 Bucs’ offense going down in history as ‘the most talented’ goes, I sincerely hope that they do, BUT … it’s not a popularity contest, nor do fans get to vote on it. PERFORMANCE ON THE FIELD will dictate their place in history. And that’ve got a pretty formidable hill to climb.
The 2013 Denver Broncos are considered by many to be the most prolific offense of all time. They AVERAGED 37.9 PPG (highest of all time), scoring 606 total points in the regular season (Bucs scored 492 total points last season in comparison, averaging 30.8 PPG). Broncos also averaged 457.3 total YPG that year (highest of all time). Bucs averaged 384.1 total YPG in comparison last year, our highest ever). The ‘engine’ for that 2013 Broncos team? Peyton Manning (he threw for 55 TDs that season, most ever). The irony is that they got blasted in the Super Bowl that year 43-8 by the Seattle Seahawks. Came up one game short of ‘one game at a time’.
April 15th, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Hard sell Joe. Greatest in history?? Tori Holt, Az Hakim, Issac Bruce, Rickey Proehl, Marshall freaking Faulk, and Kurt the beast Warner may have an argument. Hard to top that especially what they accomplished in a league not geared toward high scoring. Those were good battles back in the day. I’ll never forget Warren Sapp absolutely crushing Marshall Faulk to the ground. Practically lifted him off his feet. I’ll take the greatest defense with a solid offense to lead us back to the promise land.
April 15th, 2021 at 1:54 pm
I was one of those calling for White. Very happy with the Bernard signing. Bucs needed a 3rd down back to compliment Brady, and now they have one.
April 15th, 2021 at 2:53 pm
Gio may be better in space than James White, but White is durable and GIO is injury prone., and that is a huge factor in comparing the two.
April 15th, 2021 at 3:18 pm
I don’t get the either/or thing going on. Both are good players.
April 15th, 2021 at 3:19 pm
PSL Bob Says:
April 15th, 2021 at 11:16 am
This offense is so stacked, it seems almost illegal. Licht should get a medal for being able to assemble and then keep this group of talented players.
That or a lengthy prison sentence…… go bucs
April 15th, 2021 at 5:52 pm
Just following Giovanni Bernard.
Show the guy some love. Gio’s a team first, love my community, Lunch pail to work kinda guy.
Tom Brady will love him. Get to know him, you fans will too.
As pointed out above. The Bengals line has not been effective since whitworth, and zeitler left. So, Gio’s had to block whatever gets through the line. And, He’s got great hands.
He’s been Mr Clutch. The Bengals were wrong to ask him to take a pay cut. The man earned every cent he had, or would have made.
But, what the team lacks in professionalism. They make up for in profitability.
We’ll miss Gio. But, the fans in Cincinnati are happy that Gio’s getting his shot at a ring. Get him one.
April 15th, 2021 at 6:24 pm
Greatest Show on (natural) Turf.
April 15th, 2021 at 6:26 pm
James White maybe better but not x2 as good. I originally wanted White but Gio wasn’t even an option. Love this signing especially for that price.
April 15th, 2021 at 6:30 pm
Veteran Min + Playoff Pay + Ring = Happiness
April 15th, 2021 at 7:03 pm
According to some of the post above, the only players that qualify for Bucs backups are pro bowls or HOF in their prime. Oh, and they need to be willing to play for league minimum.
April 15th, 2021 at 7:44 pm
Good signing. But.. Brady played with White, trusts White and is comfortable with White. White would have worked. Giovany – who knows? Maybe, maybe not.
April 15th, 2021 at 8:38 pm
The threat that Gio poses out of the backfield will open things up even more for the TEs and WRs. It’s just not fair!
April 15th, 2021 at 9:28 pm
hi kids: when James white caught the final pass against the Falcons in super bowl 51, all of us pats fans exploded. James is truly a special player, but he was catching passes from tom. that’s exactly what he told his good friend Gio, Tom will make you a better player. wait and see kids, Tom and Gio will be electric. Thanks for the referral James.
April 15th, 2021 at 9:50 pm
Regarding Gio Vs White.
The only thing I have to say is Sign AB
April 15th, 2021 at 10:53 pm
So it looks like we won’t be taking a Running Back at 32. We have 4 legit runningbacks. I say we draft oline at 32 or even in the second round. . Get another road grating run blocker. Can anyone say play action on 3rd down or even 2nd and short?
April 15th, 2021 at 11:03 pm
How many current wide receivers are 7 time first team pro bowlers in the NFL? Evans( injuries ) has trouble separating from the faster cornerbacks and Godwin had the dropsies late in the season. AB is a critical asset to the passing game.
April 16th, 2021 at 4:27 am
Great observation, K2, great observation!
April 16th, 2021 at 8:28 pm
AB