Bucs/NFL

Fresh starters pep up defense

Usually backups, Dewayne White and Barrett Ruud make an impact for the Bucs.

By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published November 14, 2006

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - It's the one thing Dewayne White has clamored for more than anything: a place in the starting lineup.

This wasn't a permanent place, substituting for the injured Simeon Rice (shoulder), but White will take it - and run.

White, a fourth-year backup defensive end, made the most of his opportunity Monday against the Panthers, having arguably more impact than any Tampa Bay defensive lineman in a game this season.

He tried to give a desperate defense the spark it so needed. But one man's efforts can only go so far. The Bucs still lost at Bank of America Stadium even with five critical tackles from White plus considerable quarterback pressure and run support.

And White wasn't the only reserve trying to inspire the unit. Second-year middle linebacker Barrett Ruud made a loud statement that he should play more, too, replacing injured Shelton Quarles (ankle) with intense sideline-to-sideline play.

The problem was, White's quarterback pressure and Ruud's rocket-like quickness didn't show up when they were needed most: on the Panthers' game-sealing possession.

Carolina went 72 yards in eight plays, capping the drive with a 36-yard touchdown from Jake Delhomme to Steve Smith that gave the Panthers a 14-point lead.

Maybe if some of the game-changing plays White turned in earlier had been produced later, too, this outcome might have been different.

"I think we needed to get some more sacks and turnovers and score on defense," White said. "We did that to a certain point, but we have to be more consistent."

Still, White was everywhere. He made his team-high third fumble recovery in the first quarter when he scooped a loose ball after Ronde Barber forced Keyshawn Johnson to fumble. And in the third, White beautifully sniffed out an end around and stopped Smith for a 7-yard loss.

The Bucs have sought a reason to see hope in their aging, declining defense, and maybe White is a guy who gives them that hope. He was disruptive throughout, though he didn't have nearly enough help.

"He played really well," defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said of White. "I noticed him around the ball a lot tonight. But that's what we want. We tell our (backups) there's only 11 guys on the field at a time. And the young guys played well. But we didn't finish."

White downplayed his efforts, saying, "I just wanted to do my job and make plays like I always do. I just did it as a starter instead of doing it off the bench."

Ruud didn't put up huge numbers (he finished with six tackles), but he was around the ball throughout the game.

Now, if only the rest of the defense could pitch in a little more, too.

"We couldn't play a better first half than that," said Kiffin, referring to Carolina's scoreless first two quarters. "But we needed to finish and we weren't good enough in the second half. That was the difference."

[Last modified November 14, 2006, 05:42:02]