FAB 5. SR’s Buc Shots

• Bucs rookie middle linebacker Devin White had a breakout game in last Sunday’s 40-34 overtime loss at Seattle with a career-high 12 tackles, a personal best two forced fumbles and half a sack. That’s the type of performance Tampa Bay expected when the team drafted White with the fifth overall pick.

“He’s healthy again and he’s turning the corner,” Bucs head coach Bruce Arians said. “He’s caught back up. When a young guy comes out of there and misses two or three weeks, it’s hard to catch back up. Just the speed of the game itself – wearing a brace for the first time in your life – all those little things.”

Bucs ILB Devin White and Seahawks QB Russell Wilson – Photo by: Getty Images

White’s highlight play was tracking down Seahawks running back Chris Carson on a 59-yard run, catching him from behind and forcing a fumble. Those are the type of splash plays that practice squad rookie safety John Battle saw from White when the two played at LSU together.

“The game is slowing down for him at this point,” Battle said. “As a rookie it’s hard to make that transition to the NFL and I think the game has slowed down for him. I think last week was a pivotal moment for him. I’m excited to see him make those kind of plays. I’ve seen him make those kind of plays before, so it didn’t shock me. I was just shocked that he let the runner get that far (laughs).”

• Last week we chronicled how Tampa Bay’s offensive line was on pace to surrender 64 sacks this year, which is an astronomical number, but a better showing in Seattle has reduced that figure. With 30 sacks at the midway point of the 2019 season, Tampa Bay is now on pace to allow 60 sacks this year.

The most Winston has been sacked at any point in his career was in 2016 when he was sacked 35 times in 16 games.

“I think we’ll all get better at that from a communication standpoint up front, Jameis getting rid of the ball when he should get rid of the ball, guys doing what they’re supposed to outside when they’re supposed to – that’s part of the development of a new offense,” said offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.

Bucs QB Jameis Winston – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Winston has held on to the ball too long, but there have also been plenty of times where the offensive line, tight ends and blocking backs have all been beaten one-on-one. Another caveat is Bruce Arians’ vertical offense, which demands that QBs hold on to the ball a little longer for plays to develop downfield. When Arians was calling the plays in Pittsburgh and Arizona, quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Carson Palmer took a high number of sacks, too.

“There’s no way that’s acceptable – no matter how long he is holding the ball,” Bucs left guard and team captain Ali Marpet said. “That being said, we need to do a better job. Whatever – the system is the system – and we need to do a better job.”

• WILL THE BUCS BEAT THE CARDINALS? WHO KNOWS? – The PewterReport.com staff discussed and analyzed the Bucs’ upcoming home game – that’s right, Tampa Bay WILL play at Raymond James Stadium this week! – and offered up its predictions for Sunday’s game. There was plenty of football along with plenty of entertainment in this one as the PR team taped the most recent Pewter Nation Podcast at the AdventHealth Training Center on Wednesday. Which Pewter Reporters picked the Bucs to win? Listen and find out!

Pewter Nation Podcast Episode 158: Another Case Of The Unknown

If you missed our most recent podcasts, make sure you get caught up over the weekend!

Pewter Nation Podcast 157: Growing Pains With Greg Auman

Pewter Nation Podcast Episode 156: The Angry Podcast

There is no better time to listen to a new Pewter Nation Podcast, which is presented by Chris Garrido of Westshore Financial, than on your drive home from work on Friday or early Saturday morning at the gym before college football begins. The next Pewter Nation Podcast will be recorded Sunday evening following Tampa Bay’s home game against Arizona.

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• With just four catches, 76 yards and only one touchdown separating Bucs wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans statistically this year, one would think there is a little friendly rivalry going on between the two prolific pass catchers as to which one winds up with the most catches, yards or touchdowns by season’s end. I remember that being the case between the likes of linebackers Derrick Brooks and Hardy Nickerson back in the 1990s under Tony Dungy. Both prideful, talented linebackers desperately wanted to lead the Bucs in tackles – and that brotherly rivalry helped fuel Tampa Bay’s defense.

Bucs WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

But when I asked Godwin if there was a friendly rivalry between he and Evans given how close the two have performed statistically this season, I was surprised that there wasn’t.

“You would think so, but honestly no – not really,” Godwin said. “We’ve never discussed that – not even jokingly. This season hasn’t been going how we’ve wanted it to as a team, and I think that’s probably part of it. We’re focused on winning. I don’t focus on numbers any way, but especially when it’s not translating into wins those numbers don’t matter. Now we might talk about it after the season. It might be a cool to look back and reflect, but Mike’s my guy. What I’ve been able to learn from Mike these last couple of years about how he works and prepares and takes care of himself I think has done wonders for my career.”

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Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald – Photo by: Getty Images

• Bucs wide receiver Chris Godwin has always admired Arizona’s future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald from afar, and now he’ll have the opportunity to face off against him and meet him for the first time on Sunday when the Cardinals come to town.

“I think it will be really cool,” Godwin said. “There will be some excitement there for me. I’ve watched him growing up. I’ve always had so much respect for him and how he plays the game. He’s a hard-nosed dude that does whatever he can to help the team and that’s how I envision myself as a player. He’s a legend. It would be cool to talk with him and pick his brain a little.”

And what if Fitzgerald said yes to a post-game jersey swap with Godwin?

“That would be dope – that would be legendary!” Godwin said.

• And speaking of Godwin, he is launching his new Team Godwin Foundation on Monday, November 11 at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. Click on this link from TeamGodwin.org or the banner ad below to purchase tickets for this event.

“The mission of the Team Godwin Foundation is Providing At-Risk Children and Animals a Second Chance Through Advocacy & Financial Support. Godwin and his girlfriend Mariah DelPercio, Team Godwin wants to help our community’s pets and children in need.

Bucs WR Chris Godwin and girlfriend Mariah DelPercio

Programs like our Second Chance Fund fund life-saving treatments for animals needing, while our advocacy programs are intended to promote the importance of animal adoption and the fight against human trafficking and child sexual exploitation.

Due to the overwhelming number of animals in need, many of our local shelters and rescues face extraordinary hardships having to cover the cost of each animals medical expenses. Our program allows us to help, by providing essential funds for medical services to severely ill animals.

Many animals in shelters are in need of medical treatment before they are eligible for adoption. Whether it is dental care, chemotherapy, an operation or treating heartworm disease, we aim to provide financial support to animals in need of life saving treatment.”

Join PewterReport.com’s Mark Cook and I, along with Godwin, former New York Yankees star Johnny Damon and several of Godwin’s Buccaneers teammates at this kickoff event on Monday night.