We better play D. White this year

[FanofTB]

or he may not be back in Tampa next year


http://www.tbo.com/sports/bucs/MGBUOSQ8UQE.html

LAKE BUENA VISTA - Time was when just being in the NFL would have been good enough for Dewayne White. He was 17 then and splitting time between running back and linebacker for Marbury (Ala.) High School.

White is 24 now, and just being in the NFL isn't good enough anymore.

Now entering his fourth NFL season, the Bucs defensive lineman wants to play - regularly. He wants to be on the field from the first series to the last, and if he has to leave Tampa and the Bucs behind to do that, so be it.

"I love Tampa, but if the opportunity presents itself, I'm not going to say, 'No, I love Tampa so much that I'm not going to go play somewhere else,'" White said. "You don't want to narrow your options like that."

White's options are limited now, but that all changes at the end of the season when he hits the market as an unrestricted free agent - and he won't be a complete unknown when that happens.

His former line coach with the Bucs, Rod Marinelli, is now the head coach of the Detroit Lions. And one of his college coaches, former Louisville offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, is now the head coach of the St. Louis Rams.

White has yet another connection in Minnesota, where the Vikings recently hired former Bucs defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin as defensive coordinator. And the man who drafted him, Rich McKay, is in Atlanta.

"There's a lot of people out there who know me," White said. "But I don't know what the future holds for me. All I know is that right now, [my playing situation] is the same as it was last year."

White spent last year serving the Bucs as a specialist. He was a regular on special teams, and he replaced left defensive end Greg Spires in obvious passing situations.

It's not a bad way to make a living, but the player the Bucs selected with their first pick in the 2003 draft believes he's good enough to do more than play on passing downs. What's interesting is that his coaches don't disagree.

"Dewayne White could start for a lot of teams in the NFL," Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "He's fast, he's has great hands - really quick hands, which help him as a pass rusher, and he's physical now.

"And he can play the run. I know it's frustrating for him, but when you've got Greg Spires there, it's hard to start in [our] base defense. Dewayne will be a starter someday, too."

Nothing short of an injury to either Spires or right end Simeon Rice will allow White to start this year. White is resigned to that fact, and he's willing to take some of the blame for it.

Unsure of what he'd be required to do as a rookie, White came to the NFL a little out of shape. In particular he was ill-prepared to run the 60- and 80-yard sprints required of players covering kicks and punts.

He also was a little ill-prepared for some of the nuances of the NFL game. Bucs players still laugh about the day White ripped off his jersey in frustration after being legally held during a line drill.

"That guy is still there," White said, referring to the passionate player whose frustration got the best of him that day. "He just understands what's going on more.

"Before, I didn't know what was going on. I walked into a door, and I didn't know what I was opening. Now I have the information and I know what to do with it. That's really the basic difference. I know my role."

Part of his role is to be patient, the way Spires was. Spires played for four years and two teams [New England and Cleveland] before he finally landed a starting gig with the Bucs.

White's career may follow a similar path. One gets the feeling, though, that the Bucs don't want that to happen - and not just because they drafted White with the intention of one day inserting him into the starting lineup.

The time the Bucs have invested in White, who forced a fumble in Friday's preseason opener, has paid off. Kiffin says he doesn't want to face an opponent that has White in the lineup. And maybe he won't have to.

According to the NFL Players Association, Spires' base salary jumps to $4.5 million in 2007. The Bucs may consider that pricey for a player who will be 33 when the 2007 season opens.

What Spires and White do this season will determine who stays, who goes and who starts, but there's a chance that instead of paying Spires, the Bucs will reward White for his patience. More than anything, that's what White would like.

"If I'm given an opportunity, I think I can be a player anywhere," White said. "I feel I can do whatever anybody asks of me. But it's not really up to me to decide. I think I've put in a lot of hard work here. It's just not my time yet."

[BridgeRepair]

I like what this kid has to offer, and he's already made an unforgettable impact with the Christmas Eve block against the Falcons, I think his time is quickly approaching.

[doobiedoright]

Andrew williams as well.Man that kid has a motor!

[AMERICAN MUSCLE]

I'd love to see him switch to DT and send BOOGER packing. I wonder what the cap hit would be. Maybe a trade??

[doobiedoright]

With all the talent on the Dline booger better play lights out or he will be in detorit or minn very soon.

[DaMayan]

Chances increase each year that Spires or Rice gets hurt or that he outplays one or one of them gets cut/traded. Would be a big mistake to let him walk everyone can see that so i think the Bucs would do anything to stop that.

[bricKtoP]

we cant afford to let him walk with our current depth and age at the position

[SimmsTheAnswer]

Originally Posted by bricKtoP

we cant afford to let him walk with our current depth and age at the position

agreed. fortunately, we can afford to re-sign him.

[The12thMan]

White's a straight PLAYMAKER... we have to resign him fulltime after this year.

[4BigOnes]

This guy is a monster, and deserve to start, so hopefully the Bucs will do as the artical reads. Release Spires next season, and re-sign an established player with upside. Nice knowing you Greg.

Just think after that happens, we'll only have one D-Lineman to find a replacement for Simeon, everyone else, would be under 30. And we'd still have a very dominate DL.

[BadaBingBouncer]

I met D. White at Gaspirilla last year. He's a funny guy. Why not get younger and cheaper? Keep him, send Spires.

[BubblesUp]

Actually, it could help us keep him if we play him LESS this year. He's a restricted FA after this season. If he has a big year he'll get a bunch of offers from other teams. If he does little this year, he'll get less offers (and they'll be for less money).

BENCH White!!!!

[njdshady2001]

Originally Posted by THE DYNASTY

I'd love to see him switch to DT and send BOOGER packing. I wonder what the cap hit would be. Maybe a trade??

D. White is WAY too small to play DT full-time. He was good on passing situations, but he would get torn apart on runs up the middle.

I would rather see Spires get some time at DT and have White take over his spot full time.

White is always in the backfield and played great against the Jets.

Anyone remember the Chiefs game in '04? He won the game in the end with a sack.

[maryjanewatson]

I kinda thought he'd have won the job outright a long time ago, anyway. Does it say something about White that he's been unable, in three seasons and four camps, to take the starting job away from the physically limited Greg Spires? Don't get me wrong, Spires does a great job with what he has, but White has five or so years, better size, and more talent than does Spires, and still, he can't beat Spires out.

I guess what I'm saying is, it'd be best for all to realize that White may never be more than a situational pass rusher and swingman, and not treat the possibility of him leaving like we're the Eagles and he's young Reggie White.

[LoveMuffin]

Originally Posted by bricKtoP

we cant afford to let him walk with our current depth and age at the position

There is very good depth and youth at DE with White, Andrew Williams and Jullian Jenkins who will all probably make the team. They are all excellent edge rushers who all are strong enough to play DT when needed.

I totally agree he is a great player, i hope he starts this year.

I hope so too, I would hate to see him leave.

[Boid Fink]

Originally Posted by The12thMan

White's a straight PLAYMAKER... we have to resign him fulltime after this year.

True this.

[bricKtoP]

Originally Posted by LoveMuffin

There is very good depth and youth at DE with White, Andrew Williams and Jullian Jenkins who will all probably make the team. They are all excellent edge rushers who all are strong enough to play DT when needed.

andrew williams was cut from the 49ers (that says a lot) and is a longshot to make the roster-let alone be a future starter. As for Jenkins, i like him as a long range prospect, but he's just not ready to see any significant playing time in the near future. A recent late 5th rounder, and an ex 49er who has registered 10 tckles in 3 years??? sorry hun, thats not what you call depth.
We need quality depth- athletes that have proven their dominance over and over again. athletes who could take over a starting spot in an instant, without our defense losing a step.

[The Future]

Greg Spires is a good DE, but I feel White is the better player and younger. White has done nothing but help the team out everytime he gets in the game, blocking fields goals, recovering fumbles, forcing fumbles and sacking the QB. He is also proven to be a darn good DT also, so maybe he can be the person that allows us to part ways with Booger.

[LoveMuffin]

Originally Posted by bricKtoP

andrew williams was cut from the 49ers (that says a lot) and is a longshot to make the roster-let alone be a future starter. As for Jenkins, i like him as a long range prospect, but he's just not ready to see any significant playing time in the near future. A recent late 5th rounder, and an ex 49er who has registered 10 tckles in 3 years??? sorry hun, thats not what you call depth.
We need quality depth- athletes that have proven their dominance over and over again. athletes who could take over a starting spot in an instant, without our defense losing a step.

Oh no!Don't tell me you are one of those 'Must be a high 1st rounder to be worth anything guys', are you?

Greg Spires- Spent his first three seasons (1998-2000) with the New England Patriots, one season (2001) with the Cleveland Browns and the past four years (2002-2005) with the Buccaneers… Placed on injured reserve by New England (12/14/99) and was re-signed (4/30/01)... Released by New England (9/3/01) prior to the start of the 2001 season, but was claimed by Cleveland the next day... Signed by the Buccaneers on March 22, 2002… Originally entered the league as a third-round draft selection (83rd overall) by the Patriots in the 1998 NFL Draft.

Adalius Thomas - Was originally selected by the Ravens with the first of two, sixth-round choices (186th overall) in the 2000 NFL Draft. Pro Bowl performer (2003) who is a strong, fearless competitor with a non-stop motor...Has become 1 of the most versatile players in the NFL...Thomas started all 16 games for the 1st time in his career in 2004 and responded with career highs in tackles (80) and sacks (8), posted 5 PD, 4 FF and an INT...Adalius played LB, DE and was a special teams ace, earning his 1st-ever Pro Bowl nod in 2003...

Those were the first two that popped into my head. Aside from a couple of undrafted LBs named Quarles and Nece.

I like Julian and Andrew's chances. They are hard workers, they are learning fast and they are, as I said before, versitile. if anyone can take some young athletes and give them the coaching they need to be impact players, its Monte Kiffin. That way, you get that youth and that speed and atheticism with out having to pay 1st round pick money.

Face it, a ton of extreemely talented players don't get drafted high or at all because they go to a small school, or play with or behind a higher profile teammate, or didn't play in a system that they were best suited for. When I see Andrew Willaims go in against the Jets 1st team O-Line and instantly get pressure on the QB, then blow up a play in the back field, I find it hard to refer to that guy as a long shot.

[bricKtoP]

Originally Posted by LoveMuffin

Oh no!Don't tell me you are one of those 'Must be a high 1st rounder to be worth anything guys', are you?

i never said you have to be a high first rounder. i said youve gotta have talent, proven talent. we do not have the quality depth needed in order to keep this defense elite when rice and spires are gone (which will be sooner than later). If you think anyone, besides white is worthy of starting at defensive end on this squad- you are dead wrong.

as for your examples- for every one of the lower round success stories, there are 100 more failures. the history dont lie. so you can **** in one hand, and hope in the other- but i think you know which is going to fill first

[caddy&clayton]

He is without a doubt better than Spires, so I don't know why he's not starting...

[agent0064life]

I tell you what the Bucs scouting department is the best in the league. They can identify talent that a lot of other scouts don't see. All they do is get guys to fit in kiffin's system and just have them be taught by the vets in front of them until they get their shot and repeat the process. Kiffin needs to start grooming his successor for the D coordinator.

[I'm an 0-26 Survivor]

Simple:

Play harder, Dewayne.