Roy Cummings
Ira Kaufman
@TBO_Buccaneers
TBO Buccaneers
Roy Cummings
Anwar Richardson
Ira Kaufman
Ask a question

Posted Aug 22, 2008 by Anwar S. Richardson
Updated Aug 22, 2008 at 10:09 AM

Tampa Bay apparently has decided to switch DE Greg White from left defensive end back to right end, his natural position.
The Bucs had hoped White could start at LE and his pass rushing ability would compliment RE Gaines Adams. However, after two preseason games, Tampa Bay did not see the production from White it had hoped for and seems to be giving up on the move. White had never played left end prior to this season, so his struggle should not come as a major surprise.
As a result, DE Kevin Carter will likely start at LE this season with his backup to be determined. The possible candidates are Greg Peterson, Charles Bennett, or White.
White had 50 tackles, eight sacks, one pass defensed, seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries last season. He hoped to obtain a new contract from Tampa Bay after 2007, even missing the first day players had to report for training camp as a result. White signed a minimal contract offer ($370,000) before Tampa Bay’s first practice and will have to shine as a backup to receive a better contract offer next season.
(Requires free registration.)
ADVERTISEMENT
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online ©2010 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC. A Media General company. Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
Reader Comments
Por (James R. Kinzer) on August 22, 2008 (Suggest removal)
This is great, the pass rush has been non existent so far in both preseason games. After last years performance by White, it made no sense to move him elsewhere. When it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it. I think that with this move, you will see the return of the pass rush. It appears that the pass rush is about the only area of the defense that needs improvement. Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
Suggest removalPor (Greg) on August 22, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Between Gaines Adams, Kevin Carter, Greg White, Wilkerson, Bennent and Greg Peterson the Bucs have enough pieces to generate a pass rush. Not really worried about this happening.
Suggest removalPor (Shannon "Chief" Cherry) on August 22, 2008 (Suggest removal)
I see Wilkerson taking over someone’s job at left end… Just the way I see it, he’s been pretty dominant… Wasn’t bad before either.
Suggest removalPor (Skylar Zalamut) on August 22, 2008 (Suggest removal)
I think Sims is the biggest surprise. He was exploding the middle against the first teamers last week. Gaines is adept on either side (as he played both all through college,) so maybe have him play LE on passing downs while letting White play RE?
Suggest removalPor (Ben) on August 22, 2008 (Suggest removal)
finallly, now start adams at left end where he made the majority of his impact last year. This was a counter productive trying to move these guys in the first place
Suggest removalPor (Bucsrule) on August 22, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Good move putting him back. We’ll see how it goes on Saturday. It should help. The D line pressure has been pretty good so far. Not great, but not bad either. Look at hurries, look at the points allowed & when they were scored in the game. Greg White, now’s your time to show-up Big Boy. Put up or Shut up. One hit Wonder or Roaring Thunder. Wilkerson & Douglas want your job. Time to get some sacks. Sack the Saints, Sack the Saints, Sack the Saints. Slam Brees, Slam Brees, Slam Brees. Lets Go Buccaneers!
Suggest removalPor (George L Hicks) on August 22, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Well I think that moving White back to his old position and backing up Carter
Suggest removalwould be the logical choice, Because Tampa Defensive will be much better than last year. So I see that Undrafted E Mack is making noise. I hope he will be on the team. Also I see the offensive will be moving forward.
Por (todd) on August 22, 2008 (Suggest removal)
As long we destroy the Saints in week 1 Thats all I care about !!..lol
“SAINTS ARE TOAST” I still haven’t forgot about those mouth running Saint fans that try and post here. “GO BUCS”
BucsRule,
You are absolutely correct !!!
Suggest removalPor (Fred) on August 22, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Moving Greg back to the right is fine, but why is Carter starting on the left side? Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great person and all, but as a pass rusher he really brings nothing anymore. His numbers are abysmal. I’d much rather see Wilkerson or Douglas have a chance. The Giants steamrolled us and everyone else last year because they had the ability to apply pressure from everywhere, not just from one side. If Carter can’t do it find the answer somewhere else. This whole defense is heavily dependent on it. Are you listening TODD WASH!!Heavily dependent on it!
Suggest removalPor (todd) on August 22, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Fred,
I do believe whoever earns that spot will be the starter at the begining of the season. They are just trying to find the combo to the lock right now.
Suggest removalPor (BigBucFan) on August 22, 2008 (Suggest removal)
I don’t think it matters WHO starts on either side of the D ine. It is more important that they all play well. I think the rotation will continue like last year. That Strategy worked very well. Fresh legs are strong legs. Guys will have good days & bad days. With this rotation method, bad days can be overcome. Carter has done some good things, & has helped this team. He is also very itelligent & plays smart. I also agree, we need to Slam the Saints, twice. Hey Todd, did you guys make it through the storm OK? It looked like Brevard County was hit hard.
Suggest removalPor (todd) on August 22, 2008 (Suggest removal)
BigBucFan,
Yeah that was unreal..That storm just stayed stationary above us a couple of days.. South Brevard is under 2 ft of water. Me and my surounding neighbors made it out pretty well. I’ve got a place up here in North Brevard. Up here I’m surrounded by land instead of parking lots and elbow to elbow with neighbors.
Suggest removalWe had lots of rain and wind but we made out pretty lucky.
Thanks for asking my fellow BUCS FAN.
“GO BUCS” !!
Por (BigBucFan) on August 22, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Todd, glad you guys are well. Just hate to see those storms that linger like that. Should be a fun game this weekend. I like the Jags, hope they get Harvey signed. I think he’s getting bad advice & making a big mistake by holding out & missing all that work. I still think the Bucs will take them though. Go Bucs!!!
Suggest removalPor (Joe Simmons (Slow Joe)) on August 22, 2008 (Suggest removal)
I had always thought White was too small for LDE. Usually, your LDEs need to be stout against the run. You rarely ever see pure pass rushers on the left side. I guess he’ll back up Gaines Adams, which means we should have a decent pass rusher from the right side all game, but no real pass rush from the left or up the middle.
I have a feeling we’re going to be blitzing alot this season, just like last year. Maybe Sapp can unretire.
Suggest removalPor (todd) on August 22, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Joe,
I know you are joking about Sapp. Because Sapp is through. He wouldn’t be as good as he used too. He was lucky to get 4 sacks in each of the last 3 seasons he played.
Suggest removalPor (Seth C) on August 23, 2008 (Suggest removal)
White rotating with Adams will give us good pressure from the right side. Personally, I’ve thought Adams has looked good so far, made a couple of splash plays that didn’t show up on the stat-sheet. People have been judging him too harshly, you can’t expect him to put up huge numbers playing a few series, but he has stood out several times on film, as they say. Putting White back in his natural position allows our two best pass rushers to always be fresh, too.
Joe, Haye gets pretty good pressure up the middle. It’s not world class, but it’s better than we’ve had for a while. Try to remember that Bucs fans were spoiled for years having perhaps the most dominant interior pass rusher ever; you’re just not going to find that guy again.
Suggest removalPor (BigBucFan) on August 23, 2008 (Suggest removal)
I think we will see more blitz packages & 5 man fronts. The speed & ability of our linebackers & secondary should allow this with less chance of getting burned. My only worry is Ronde Barber. I hope he can keep up. He has the instinct & ability, but he has lost a step. just my opinion. Don’t shoot. I hope I’m wrong. With Haye in the rotation tonight, things should heat up for the D line. I think Zuttah will shine in Davin’s spot. This team we have now, makes me feel like a little kid in a candy store. It’s going to be fun.
Suggest removalPor (A5239babylon) on August 23, 2008 (Suggest removal)
I agree that it’s going to be a fun season this year. I agree with Fred. Carter ain’t the answer. They need to find someone else on the LE. The Bucs just don’t have much of a pass rush. Gaines will be fine. Give him time and Haye will be an upgrade but d-line is this teams weakness.
Just one question Fred…WHO’S TODD WASH?
Suggest removalPor (Brandon Short) on August 23, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Todd Wsah is the WR coach from Philly that TO threw his towel into his face.
Suggest removalPor (Brandon Short) on August 23, 2008 (Suggest removal)
BigBucFan,
Not saying Ronde HASN’T lost a step, but ALL DBs look slower when there is no pass rush.
Carter is definitely not the answer for the team to get more pass rush. Marques Douglas is going to get cut, Jimmy Wilkerson has played well and better than any other time in his career. Greg Peterson still has as much if not more POTENTIAL than any other DL on the team but he has to live up to it, get his motor running a little higher, get better leverage, use his hands better, etc. I’d like to see him breakthrough.
Suggest removalPor (Brandon Short) on August 23, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Joe,
Some of the greatest pass rushers of all-time were LDE’s (Reggie White and Michael Strahan) and some pretty good ones too (Leonard Little, Charles Mann, Robert Mathis, Charles Grant, Sean Jones, etc) but you’re right, for the most part, these guys weren’t PURELY pass rushers, they were more complete. On the scale Greg White actually has a few lbs on Greg Spires but Spires had great leverage and use his hands well unlike White.
The article said that when White would come in Adams would go to LDE so we would have two pretty good pass rushers in the game (if Haye can get healthy I think he will improve on last season’s numbers).
Suggest removal