For rookie Dewayne White, playing time is worth a few sacrifices.
By JOANNE KORTH
Published December 13, 2003
TAMPA - Bucs rookie Dewayne White saw the first significant playing time of his NFL career Sunday. And for the record, it was so worth giving up pizza.
Now, he wants more.
Playing time, of course.
"You get a little bit and you want more and more," said White, a defensive end. "Before, I didn't play any, but now it's like, "Can I get a couple more?' I enjoyed it."
The first player drafted by the Bucs in 2003, White was a second-round pick out of Louisville with a penchant for pounding quarterbacks and, apparently, pizza.
The touted rookie reported to offseason workouts in woeful condition. Overweight and out of shape, he lacked the stamina to finish drills. It has taken this long to recover.
"I lost about 10 pounds, got leaner," said White, listed at 6 feet 2, 273 pounds. "I've tried to add some muscle, lose some fat, have a better diet and be in better condition. In college, I would probably eat a whole pizza. I haven't had a pizza since college."
In three seasons at Louisville, White set school and Conference USA records with 37.5 sacks in 38 games. But past performance meant nothing once he arrived at One Buc Place.
White, 24, was inactive the first four games. For the next eight, he played only on special teams. On Sunday, White cracked the defensive-line rotation for the first time, recording two tackles in the 14-7 victory against the Saints.
"Dewayne White, on our practice field, has been unblockable in the last two to three weeks," coach Jon Gruden said. "He's really done a heck of a job, and for that reason we got him into the rotation."
Though many teams look for second-round picks to contribute immediately, the Bucs typically are patient with young defensive linemen. White has responded according to plan.
"Based on my rookie year, between Week 1 and Week 15 you definitely learn a lot," said defensive tackle Anthony McFarland, a first-round pick in 1999. "You learn what the coaches are looking for, the tempo. Experience is the best teacher."
White said he is more confident than when the season began. He is comfortable with his surroundings, his teammates and the defensive scheme.
"I get in the huddle with (Warren) Sapp, Simeon (Rice), Derrick (Brooks) and (John) Lynch and I'm not in awe like I was the first time looking at those guys," White said. "I know the plays. Everything is more comfortable."
About a month ago, everything clicked.
"He's competing at a higher level," defensive line coach Rod Marinelli said. "At first he was kind of slow off the ball, unsure. When a guy is young, he's kind of unsure what's happening to him. The more confidence you get, boom, you come off the ball and you see things as you're moving. He's starting to do that a little bit better.
"It's not just conditioning. It's awareness, speed of the game, strength, keys. It's a combination of a lot of things. He's got a good enough football character that he stays with it, and by doing that you're going to get better."
White not only works hard during practice, but often stays late to work individually with Rice, who leads the NFL with 15 sacks this season. Rice is happy to share.
"It's just the little things of the game," Rice said. "He knows how to play the game really well, but I'm just trying to give him a little bit of what I do - work ethic, fine points of the game where you can always get better in terms of pressure and body position. It's kind of like a guy who works on his free-throw shot or his jump shot and continues to try to excel."
White soaks it all up.
"He calls me, "Dewayne, come work with me,"' White said. "I'm more than willing to work with him because I know whatever he does is going to help me become what I want to be."
On the field.
In the game.
"I can't wait until the next game," White said. "Finally contributing to a win on this team was great."
