Lavonte David: Devin White “Turning Over A New Leaf”
September 7th, 2021
Devin White
Interesting words from Lavonte David.
A lot of Bucs fans, Joe included, were on savior Bucs linebacker last season for some issues in pass coverage.
Joe’s not knocking White. He was 22 years old and learning on the run. Few players enter the league a plug-and-play superstar.
White sort of said he was working on his entire game and didn’t understand the criticism. But White said he took it to heart and got better in coverage as the season progressed.
Yesterday, Lavonte David was asked about David improving in coverage over the past two years. His response was intriguing.
“Improving a lot,” David said of White’s coverage skills. “I don’t think he was a bad cover linebacker. A lot of people see him and around the ball or whatever and they’ll think it’s his guy and it’s not really that situation. You know what I’m saying?
“But his understanding of the game is expanded a lot more. I see him putting the work in. He asks a lot of questions trying to understand route concepts and stuff like that so he can make those plays that some people maybe think that he probably could have made. But now he’s just turning over a new leaf. He’s trying to make his game all whole and we’re definitely excited to see him play.”
Joe thought the “new leaf” line was a little odd, espcially with David following up to say White’s working on becoming more of a complete player.
Perhaps he was a little too focused on the run and other responsibilities last season?
Regardless, Joe can’t wait to see whether the White that returns this month is the same monster that dominated in playoffs.
September 7th, 2021 at 4:49 pm
I’m guessing it’s just LVD meaning he’s turning a new page on his development and continuing to grow and learn and be a more complete LB.
September 7th, 2021 at 5:10 pm
‘Perhaps he was a little too focused on the run and other responsibilities last season?”
Hey, Young player, immense talent. He got better in coverage late last year. It’s a natural progression learning one aspect of the game at a time. He’s a monster now and maybe even better rounded player come midseason.
September 7th, 2021 at 5:12 pm
Athletes do have a tendency to mashup, mangle and misuse metaphors. Or was that a simile? Lol.
September 7th, 2021 at 5:43 pm
time for the big decision, which Jersey to wear to the game Thursday, got a devin white SB 50 jersey as well as several others. I think DV will get the nod for game 1.
September 7th, 2021 at 6:18 pm
My take: Devin freelances a bit and can get caught out of position, even when he ends up around the ball. His continued understanding of the defensive concepts and where to be and why should help him and the team improve.
Hey of a reach, but why not? No different than any other journalist! No offense Joes! Ha!
September 7th, 2021 at 6:20 pm
White was a lot better at the end of last year than at the beginning of last year when it comes to pass coverage. However part of the idea that White is bad in coverage is because he’s playing next to David, probably the best pass coverage LB in the NFL (if not, one of the top 2-3). I think by the end of last year White was OK in coverage, and as stated, he was getting better each week. If he can rush the way he does, stop the run, and be at least average in coverage, he’ll be one of the best LB’s in football for a very long time.
September 7th, 2021 at 6:46 pm
The main thing is this: White was humble enough to listen to criticism and try to change the narrative
September 7th, 2021 at 6:50 pm
I interpreted this to say, “White is even better”
… and that’s only a good thing for one NFL team.
September 7th, 2021 at 7:49 pm
I interpreted as White now knows he isn’t the best linebacker ever. Brady has shown the pup something.
September 7th, 2021 at 7:59 pm
Show me a player who rests on his laurels and …
The object of any dedicated athlete, no matter how great or pedestrian, is to attempt to get better everyday. Football or no football, it’s the best of life’s lessons.
While in high school I took a part time job as a ditch digger. One of the full time guys, an “old guy” about 40, had his own shovel. We laughed as he cleaned it up everyday and worked us kids, who thought the work beneath us, to shame.
He dug and smiled while we dug and complained. He was a worker and we were just collecting checks. You know the type.
Yeah, he was just a common dirt thrower, but I’ll be damned if he didn’t teach me more about the importance of hard work and dedication, no matter the profession, than my incessant complaining parents and friends.
In the end, the digging wasn’t for me, but when I accepted it the hours flew by instead of dragging on. Too bad Sam-Sam-The Shovel Man didn’t have a lick of athletic talent. If he did he could have changed his name to Alstott.
Happy to hear White knows he has yet to “figure it out” and appears intent on getting better—and better and better.
Who knows, perhaps Brady is his version of my 40 year old ditch digger.
September 7th, 2021 at 8:18 pm
He’s evolving, like TB12. ALWAYS trying to improve, even at 44 so why not? White can only get better and that is even a bit more scarier than last year. Last year he hit everything that moved. Like the football owed him money. A more complete Devin White? I’m shaking and I don’t play football.
September 7th, 2021 at 8:31 pm
Or it is as david said……..journalist, fans, or pff have no idea of white’s responsibility was on a given play. Just because he was the closest to the catch does not mean he was poor in coverage. It means he runs a 4.4 and can get to the ball carrier quicker than most of his teammates which makes the uneducated fan blame him for the completion. Thats not to say he was excellent in coverage but as arians also said he was not as bad as the narrative that was being spewed. I will go with what david and arians has said. Hats off to devin for continuing to work.
September 7th, 2021 at 9:39 pm
Any time I start to get an itch of complaint about Devin White’s coverage skills, I just remind myself that he’s light years ahead of Barrett Ruud and the anxiety melts away again. He’s no Mason Foster either!
MLB’s are in their position for a reason, or else they’d be one of these inside the box only strong safeties. Cough – mark barron – cough.
Enough ex-buc perspective yet?
September 8th, 2021 at 8:43 am
Coverage? Can you say ‘Hargraves’? Got booted and didn’t improve at all. Watch that that last preseason game against the Titans. I’ll take manbeast Devin any day.
LFG Bucs!