Recent Devin White news actually makes life easier for Buccaneers
Many Buccaneers fans are probably concerned after news broke that star defender Devin White requested a trade, and while it may take a while to get over this, there is actually a very positive silver lining here. White is a good player at a position that doesn't matter nearly as much in the modern NFL. […]
Many Buccaneers fans are probably concerned after news broke that star defender Devin White requested a trade, and while it may take a while to get over this, there is actually a very positive silver lining here.
White is a good player at a position that doesn't matter nearly as much in the modern NFL.
Inside linebacker play has slowly started to transition from big hitters that stuff the run to guys that drop into coverage more often than not, and all of this will continue as the pass remains the best way to move the ball in the NFL.
Inside linebacker has become the running back of the defense, and everyone knows that good teams don't pay running backs.
White has thrown a wrench into the offseason plans, but the good news for the Bucs is that White's requests are so remarkably-removed from reality that there is almost no way an actual negotiation can take place.
White asking for a reported $18-20 million per year is almost like making a $300,000 offer on a million dollar home. It's almost laughable.
White is a star, well-known in the NFL, and puts up numbers like you wouldn't believe, but all the sacks and tackles in the world don't make up for the fact that Devin White is one of the worst coverage linebackers in the NFL.
No one wants to be mean. He has the athleticism and agility that some wide receivers and other skill players would kill for, but this speed often works against the young backer when he runs himself out of position on big plays.
White is a fun guy to have in Tampa, but his asking price is ludicrous, and it works in Tampa's favor because 1) they don't even need to think about matching it (if Jason Licht is half the GM he proved he is over the last few years he won't even entertain this thought) and 2) there is a chance these demands are so crazy that no other team considers matching it.
That would then leave White, a guy with plenty of question marks in his game to go with lots of highs and lows, with a chance to play for the contract he feels he deserves, which would help the Bucs, or put him in a position where he sits out, which only hurts him with plenty of other options on the free agent market and in the draft.
Devin White has no power over the Buccaneers here. His demands have seen to that.
The Bucs are totally in the driver's seat for this situation.
