“I Think The Fans Think I Done Went Ghost Out There”
October 10th, 2021
Devin White isn’t the player he was last season — and White knows it.
White told All Things Covered that the greatness of the Bucs’ run defense is the reason.
Nobody’s running on Tampa Bay, White says, “no toss sweeps, no outside zones,” because the team is so damn beastly in the running game. Bucs coaches were all over the defense about how New England would pound the rock last Sunday and commit to it, White said, but what happened? The Belicheats gave up on the run in a hurry and totaled -1 yards on the ground.
White says it all adds up to him being neutered when there’s no rushing attack, unless a cornerback misses a tackle or he can make something happen in zone pass defense.
Apparently White hears the rumblings about his drop in production.
“I think the fans think I done went ghost out there. Like I ain’t still that same dude,” White said. “But I ain’t had the opportunities because ain’t nobody [running on us].”
Offensive coordinators aren’t stupid. After two years of trying to run on the Bucs, the white flagged has been raised and teams are attacking Tampa Bay’s pillow-soft pass defense. White noted how Cowboys running backs ran for less than 50 yards on the Bucs but Dallas has averaged nearly 200 yards per game on the ground since.
It’s really up to Todd Bowles to counter what offenses are doing and not let his dynamic inside linebackers have their impact diminished.
October 10th, 2021 at 5:55 am
Interesting last line, and I’m sure that Todd Bowles will have his hands full making adjustments going forward to keep the impact of his dynamic inside linebackers from being diminished. This defense is so wracked by injuries that it’s probably hard for opposing OCs to figure out who to attack first.
After 4 games we once again have the #1 rushing defense, with the least rushing attempts (70), least yards allowed (190), and lowest yards/attempt (2.7). We’re definitely focused on stopping the run, just like we have been in the last 2 years when we’ve had the #1 rushing defense both years.
And maybe that’s our problem. Maybe we’ve been overly focused on stopping the run, to the detriment of the pass defense, and especially stopping the short passes. It does however look like our defense adjusted some against the Rams & Pats.
In our first 2 games, White & LVD were targeted 33 times & allowed 29 completions (87.9%) In our last 2 games, White & LVD were targeted 30 times & allowed 23 completions (76.7%). So for whatever reason, there’s some progress. Might be because both White & LVD are getting more ‘comfortable’; might be because pass coverages have changed; might just be pure luck. In any event, the real bottom-line is that we’re 3-1 for this first quarter of the season.
October 10th, 2021 at 6:03 am
My biggest gripe with White is his “hair on fire” blitzes. He’s coming across the line of scrimmage so fast when he isn’t met there, that he takes himself way past the pocket and out of the play. He needs to be way more under control so these QBs can’t just side-step him.
October 10th, 2021 at 6:09 am
you gotta wonder what type of games barry sanders would have against this bucs defense…
remember how he used to just go completely nuts on us back in the days…
how would he fare now ?
October 10th, 2021 at 6:10 am
if i remember correctly, i think he gashed us for two 80 yard td runs in one game…
he was definitely special tho
October 10th, 2021 at 6:52 am
Our middle linebackers play close to the line of scrimmage to stop the run. Maybe if they lined up a little deeper they could still aid in stopping the run and also stop the 10 yard crossing pass the been keeping drives alive.
October 10th, 2021 at 7:01 am
Paramont is getting a W …. LVD had that tipped pass on the last drive against the PATS. …. BIG play and helping out the secondary …. Yes we need more of that.
October 10th, 2021 at 7:17 am
Over the past years when Brees was in the pocket throwing passes there were many times the ball could’ve been tipped by our defense. Being that Nelson n Gholston stand at 6’7 n 6’6 respectively, we should lead the league in tipped passes. Coaches should demand that not only the aforementioned two players but the entire defense get off their feet to tip the pass, cause disruption, or deter the pass. We lack aggressiveness in that area. If we placed more emphasis in this area it would contribute to improving our pass defense.
October 10th, 2021 at 7:44 am
Umm… How many sacks did he have last year vs this year? That doesn’t have much to do with the running game right?
October 10th, 2021 at 7:57 am
Put his horse on the sideline during games wearing a #45 jersey & he’ll ball out.
October 10th, 2021 at 8:04 am
I watched him run past Mac Jones twice, those should’ve been two easy sacks. Those are the went ghost moments the fans are griping about. You could’ve had a pick in that game also if you had your eyes right. So when you leave those plays on the field fans do feel you went ghost.
October 10th, 2021 at 8:11 am
If he wants that $100 million he was talking about, I wouldn’t have a problem if he stopped running past the quarterback
October 10th, 2021 at 8:22 am
Yes, he must absolutely get to the Q.B. when he’s called
Go Bucs
October 10th, 2021 at 8:40 am
White does make a valid point but so do the last two ppl who commented.
Gotta get those sacks when you have a free rush like he did.
October 10th, 2021 at 9:04 am
After his post season run last year…I thought he was the next Ray Lewis. So far this season…he’s closer to Myron Lewis, unfortunately. I’m sure he’ll start making big plays again soon.
October 10th, 2021 at 9:12 am
Gotta get to the q.b White
Go Bucs
October 10th, 2021 at 9:16 am
That’s why they were taking Suh and Vea out of the game more often. They were trying to bait teams into running the ball.
October 10th, 2021 at 9:23 am
We should invite opposing teams to run by giving up the numbers in the box.
That’s what Pats did mostly to try to neuter Brady, and we ran more. We should try a 335 defense, I think more teams would try to run.
October 10th, 2021 at 9:29 am
Medicated Pete Says:
October 10th, 2021 at 7:57 am
Put his horse on the sideline during games wearing a #45 jersey & he’ll ball out.
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Good one. I’m still chuckling. 🙂
October 10th, 2021 at 9:40 am
He ain’t lying.
October 10th, 2021 at 9:44 am
Did I read this right? Bucs coaches said ALL week Pat’s were going to pound the rock? Every sports media station in New England and NFL station prior to that game said the only way Pat’s could win was to establish the short passing game. Hmm sound familiar? Dallas, Atlanta, Rams? So Bucs coaching staff thinks Belichick is that stupid after seeing Bucs humiliate Elliot & Pollard, Atl & Rams rushing that he would pound the rock? Wow another BA & Bowles moment.
October 10th, 2021 at 9:54 am
Do we usually leave LVD and White in on obvious passing downs?
October 10th, 2021 at 10:33 am
We’ve had the #1 rush defense for the last several years, because our pass defense is not good… plain and simple.
October 10th, 2021 at 10:50 am
Jmarkbuc Says:
“We’ve had the #1 rush defense for the last several years, because our pass defense is not good…”
.
.
It’s not just that. Our yards allowed per carry is consistently low, not just total yards.
October 10th, 2021 at 10:51 am
Keep making teams be one-dimensional. Matthew Stafford might be able to beat the Bucs throwing 40 times, but Jacoby Brissett and Justin Fields won’t. Eventually, the pass rush will come around.
October 10th, 2021 at 11:14 am
Seems like Devin needs to stop looking at what fans say and just play. I think he’s played fine, just hasn’t gotten a lot of splash plays. They will come. Keep doing your thing White.
October 10th, 2021 at 11:50 am
Lol. Nobody runs anymore, Devin.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:05 pm
I had something very important to say…. but I forgot, what it was.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:45 pm
Every play he’s in there is an opportunity. Cmon man show us you’re the best linebacker ever dont just tell us
October 10th, 2021 at 12:46 pm
So what is White saying? He is only good against a few plays? So does that mean we should lower our expectations? Or cross our fingers and hope they run the few plays he can make plays on?
What a wierd comment.
October 10th, 2021 at 1:03 pm
I love Devin White, but this post makes him sound like or he makes himself sound like he’s making excuses for himself, he needs to get better in pass defense, if people aren’t running on you, then start seeing how learn to get better in other areas, i’m not saying hes not trying, but he also hasn’t acknowledged he needs to get better in that area
October 10th, 2021 at 3:38 pm
His take is a joke!! He has missed sack opportunities for sure but his real issues are the missed tackles, poor tackling allowing the ball carrier to gain extra yards and his continuing problems in coverage. Please take the time to watch him closely and you’ll see the problems….his play this year is very subpar….he is not, at this time, an elite LB…. barely average
October 10th, 2021 at 9:47 pm
Very very heavy footed LB ,,Heal toe guy that is great going down hill but is very heavy footed in change of direction ……… doesn’t understand , read or react to short under coverage passes and seldom if ever steps in under coverage passing lanes. …….. teams have exploited this every game this year,,as I said multiple times last year , Minter is prob a better player against the way offenses are playing the Bucs!!! Kinda very sad , I believe Minter doesn’t even believe that he is a good player due to the bro mince over White being the 5 th pic ……..Minter can play and should play way way more , he is a better player minus D White against wide runs . This Staff is wasting Minter……….. now al that said White was great the last 5 games of last year but not great before and Def not great after and in the NFL the opposing Team doesn’t always play to your strength but it is your Dam Job to be better at your weaknesses and for Christ Sakes not Worse !!! BTW Shut Your Yap before you become the next McCoy !!! Get lighter on your feet,intercept the under concepts ,watch more and understand film and your play will be the attention ,,,, not your YAP !!! Go Devin ,,Go Bucs !!!
October 12th, 2021 at 6:54 pm
@Adam NY: I was just talking about Barry Sanders, yesterday. Look at his highlight films. They are mostly against the BUCS. lol. He made monkeys out of us almost any time we played those Lions, and we had a decent team then, too.
PS I do not like Devon seemingly taking no responsibility. It does not bode well. Lavonte better get outta bed and school that boy..
October 13th, 2021 at 11:34 pm
ECKWOOD – WELL DANG AREN’T YOU THE DEFENSIVE COACH OF THE YEAR !! MINTER OVER DW ??? AND I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU EVEN MENTIONED G.McCOY IN WHEN TALKING ABOUT DEVIN WHITE ?? REALLY ?? I DIDN’T HEAR ANY CRYBABY OUT OF DEVIN !! I THINK 🤔 YOU SEEM TO FORGET HOW “GREAT” HE WAS ALL OF LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE !! HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR !! IF K.MINTER WAS ANYTHING CLOSE TO AS GOOD AS D.WHITE , TODD WOULD HAVE HIM STARTING ! MINTER IS A GREAT, GREAT BACK UP ! PROBABLY COULD START ON 31 OTHER TEAM’S !! BUT HE’S NO D.WHITE . IT’S STILL A YOUNG SEASON, HE WILL GET HIS .. GO BUCS AND GO D.W.