The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done a good job of navigating this year’s free agency. Bringing in some big names like Russell Gage, Akiem Hicks and trading for Shaq Mason. Unfortunately the team did lose a couple of key pieces in guard Alex Cappa and safety Jordan Whitehead.
The former fourth-round pick, Whitehead has voiced his frustration with the Buccaneers for not even offering him a contract. Whitehead went on to sign a deal with the New York Jets, but Tampa is still on his mind.
Whitehead recently spoke with Mike Kaye of the Pro Football Network, his comments are somewhat eye-opening.
“I’m a team player, but I was frustrated. I would come out on third down, sometimes. I just felt like I was making enough plays, and I was being a leader on the team. It just felt like I should have been in the game. … I’m a team player, and it’s a team-first mentality, but I definitely was frustrated. I think anybody would be.”
Whitehead did in fact play on a rotational situation with the Buccaneers. Sharing time with Mike Edwards and Antoine Winfield Jr. But I will say I personally don’t remember Whitehead coming out more than the other two.
It wasn’t all shade by Whitehead though, he did give credit to former defensive coordinator and current head coach Todd Bowles for helping hos career.
“Each year in the league, I feel like [I’ve] been more comfortable communicating,” Whitehead said. “[Bowles] was big on his safeties, and he would be hard on us, and he would make sure we were talking. If we weren’t talking, he was going to say something. So, that was my biggest thing last year, being a vocal guy, communicating, getting the defense set up, and that’s what I stick to now. That’s part of my game. I want to make sure everyone is on the same page. If there’s a bust [in coverage], I put that on myself.”
The Buccaneers have added veteran safeties Keanu Neal and Logan Ryan since Whitehead’s departure. Look for the secondary to be better with the addition of the two seasoned vets.
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