Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Studs and duds vs. Seahawks in Week 9
Stud: Devin White (12 combined tackles, 2 QB hits, 2 forced fumbles and 0.5 sacks)
Say what you want about the Bucs spending the fifth overall pick on a linebacker, but Devin White has only gotten better as each week has passed. He was definitely worth the pick and potentially much more.
The rookie from LSU was all over the field in Seattle on Sunday afternoon and is quickly becoming the heart and soul of this defense. He’s fast, physical and plays from sideline to sideline. His chase-down and subsequent forced fumble on Seattle running back Chris Carson after his 59-yard run in the third quarter was an amazing play to watch.
This kid is going to be a star — mark my words.
Dud: Donovan Smith
In all honesty, there weren’t too many duds for the Bucs on Sunday despite their loss. However, Donovan Smith was one of them. There were two key plays where he committed errors that killed the Bucs offense. First was the Winston fumble, where Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney blew past him and helped cause the turnover.
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The second was a key penalty that negated a potential Bucs scoring drive. During the third quarter, he committed a false start so blatant that it could have been seen from a mile away. In turn, it led to a third-and-long that the offense failed to convert.
All told, I still don’t understand why he received the five-year extension he got this offseason. And I don’t think I ever will. It’s one of life’s greatest mysteries.