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Bucs notebook: White impresses coaches with play

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON

arichardson@tampatrib.com

Published: November 13, 2009

Updated: 11/13/2009 12:22 am

TAMPA - Bucs DE Stylez G. White has accomplished more in the past four weeks than his coaches thought were possible.

The Bucs traded former first-round pick Gaines Adams to Chicago on Oct. 16 for a second-round pick, which instantly made White a starter. It is rare when a first-round pick's presence is not missed, but since White took over, Adams has been an afterthought.

White has started three consecutive games and has recorded three sacks. He also leads the team with 18 quarterback pressures.

However, White did not participate in Thursday's practice because of a shoulder injury sustained last week, and coaches have not indicated if he will play against Miami on Sunday.

"He's been playing at a high level," Bucs coach Raheem Morris said. "His motor, his rush skills, playing the run. How he's been practicing has been really impressive. I don't know if it's the trade of Gaines. Maybe it's more opportunities. ... You never know when you'll have your time to shine, and he's having his time to shine right now."

Last week, Tampa Bay's defensive line sacked Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers six times, and White is expecting more success.

"Selfishly, I wanted to play as well as I can so everyone would forget about that trade," he said. "It's just more opportunities. More opportunities to make plays."

Garcia offers Freeman advice

Former Bucs QB Jeff Garcia prided himself on being a tough quarterback, and after watching rookie Josh Freeman against Green Bay, he picked up the phone to offer some advice.

During the first quarter, Freeman faced third-and-5 and was forced to scramble as the pocket collapsed. Freeman started running, but he slid before the first-down marker and finished 1 yard short. The slide surprised teammates and coaches, because no Packers defender was close to tackling him.

After seeing Freeman's cautious play, Garcia called offensive coordinator Greg Olson and offered the rookie advice. It was a message Olson let Freeman hear earlier this week.

"I got a phone message from Jeff Garcia, who broke his nose last year trying to get a first down, and had (Freeman) listen," Olson said. "We chuckled in the quarterback room about that. What do you want your reputation to be in the league? A tough guy? You're 6-foot-5, 260 pounds.

"You look back on the replay and there were two defenders coming up to tackle him (who) weren't really aggressively coming at him. ... It was a good lesson for him."

Williams, Brown remain close

Bucs RB Cadillac Williams can't wait to compete for the first time in a regular-season game against former Auburn teammate Ronnie Brown.

Tampa Bay's leading rusher remains close friends with Brown, who tops the Dolphins with 566 yards on the ground while starring in Miami's Wildcat formation. Brown was selected with the second pick in the 2005 draft, three spots ahead of Williams, and the college backfield teammates travel together in the offseason.

Injuries

WR Antonio Bryant (knee), QB Byron Leftwich (right elbow) and White (shoulder) didn't participate in practice; CB Aqib Talib (hamstring) and G Davin Joseph (ankle) were limited, while WR Michael Clayton (knee) fully participated.

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