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White Continues To Be Disruptive Force On Line

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By IRA KAUFMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 10, 2007

HOUSTON - Simeon Rice is long gone, yet the sack and the strip remain a defensive staple in Tampa, thanks to the remarkable Greg White.

The Arena Football League's Defensive Player of the Year continued his late-season surge Sunday, even while the Bucs were beaten 28-14 by the Texans.

"Greg's pretty hot right now and he's imposing his will out there," said defensive tackle Jovan Haye, who recovered the two fumbles White coaxed out of Houston quarterback Sage Rosenfels. "He's coming on real strong."

White's natural pass-rushing skills produced all three of Tampa Bay's sacks Sunday, giving him 8.5 for the season - and six within the past month.

Houston left tackle Ephraim Salaam, a 10-year veteran, had no answers for the 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive end, who was drafted by the 2002 expansion Texans in the seventh round. White failed to make their Week 1 roster despite a four-sack effort against New Orleans in the preseason.

"He's good, I underestimated him," Salaam said after White beat him with a variety of bull rushes and outside loops that ended with Rosenfels on the ground. "He definitely earned my respect today. He's a good player."

White, 28, also was credited with three hits against Rosenfels, who kept wondering who was wearing that No. 91 jersey, pressuring him relentlessly from the blind side.

"It's all about the team and winning, so I'm disappointed today," White said after forcing a pair of fumbles for the third time within a four-week span. "Haye and I are trying to feed off each other and he's been around the football a lot. But overall, our defense didn't do well enough, so that's very disappointing."

Despite his imposing numbers, White is not eligible for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He is listed as a first-year player and White may be the biggest bargain in the league at $285,000.

"He's something ... wow," Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "They couldn't block him."

New defensive line coach Larry Coyer is elated with the development of White and Haye, who was signed by the Bucs as a free agent midway through the 2006 season.

"Greg White gets himself ready and executes his rush plan as well as any young player I've ever been around," Coyer said. "He's a natural, and he's not stubborn. You can coach this kid. Haye's a digger and a scratcher. He's there all the time, going full speed."

White's startling run began Nov. 18 in Atlanta, where he dropped Byron Leftwich twice and forced two fumbles.

The Falcons are heading into Raymond James Stadium on Sunday and White, who has started only twice this season, intends to arrive in an ill mood.

"I told him after the game, 'What's going on? Why isn't he starting?'" Salaam said. "He should start."

Bucs offensive tackle Jeremy Trueblood isn't surprised by White's sudden impact.

"I see him every day in practice and there are certain people in this league who understand leverage," Trueblood said. "That's Greg White. He's also very good with his hands. Combine that with a wide variety of moves and you've got a heck of a package."

Despite White's disruptive effort, Rosenfels kept the chains moving in compiling a 116.6 passer rating.

"Sage did a great job," Bucs cornerback Brian Kelly said. "He was on time and he really made some great throws today. We didn't overlook Houston by any means, but now we have to bounce back. This team has goals beyond just winning our division.

"As for Greg White, the guy's a beast. Every offense we face the rest of the way will have to account for Greg White on every play."

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