Preds' White Makes Bucs
Jason Lucas
Wednesday September 5, 2007
The Sentinel article said Orlando Predators’ star Defensive End Greg White made the Tampa Bay Buccaneers final roster. I had no voice left over from the game, but my face lit up and I was very excited to write this column about my boy G. White!
In 2007, White has already played the arena football season and earned the AFL’s Defensive Player of the Year and Lineman of the Year awards. Shortly after ArenaBowl XXI in New Orleans; White headed off for Bucs training camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports.
In 2006, White had only 1.5 sacks in an injury plagued season where he still managed to help lead the Preds to ArenaBowl XX. A healthy season in 2007 saw White make an all-time AFL record 15 sacks.
“Last year I didn’t know what to expect.” White said. “This year I came in and knowing what to expect helped me out.”
White knew what to expect indeed in 2007 as he showed up for Preds training camp and immediately declared that he would be known for his defense at the end of the season. Being a reporter you pretty much earmark a player for one thing he does well. Coming out of 2006 in my mind White was the guy who did back-flips. I knew him more as a Tight End in the Preds offense than anything.
After two seasons of playing nothing but Arena Football; White has a few adjustments to make to improve his game even more. The new rules in the AFL in 2007 allowed White to just play one side of the ball.
“Conditioning is more [grueling] in the NFL and 50 yards for a lineman isn’t that far to go.” He said. “100 yards is a lot longer way to go. Getting back into shape for the NFL was tough. The AFL is a faster game and that helped me prepare for the NFL.”
At 6’3 and 285 pounds, White was one of the bigger defensive linemen in the AFL. In the NFL, White is just another guy at his size. The combination of his strength and speed allowed him to impress the Bucs coaching staff enough to keep him on the roster. White’s speed is deceptive and helps him to get around the bigger offensive linemen in the NFL.
“I feel it’s both [strength and speed] that helps me get to the Quarterback.” Said White. “These guys are athletes in the NFL, take nothing from the guys in the AFL. There is a lot more time to react in the NFL.”
With his move to Tampa Bay, White becomes the first Predator since kicker Jay Taylor to make the Bucs roster. Of course in doing so he becomes one of the few players to play for both Preds coach Jay Gruden and Bucs coach Jon Gruden. Shear curiosity made me wonder; what is the difference playing for Jon’s Bucs?
“No difference really because they are both offensive coaches.” White said. “Both have a lot of intensity. But no real difference except one of them is a blonde. They both have the same thing in mind and are both really good coaches.”
Only time will tell if White will stick with Jon Gruden’s Buccaneers. But one thing that is for sure is White will do everything he can to stay in the NFL. He worked very hard to get where he was with the Predators and now must work even harder to play for the big squad every Sunday.
As much as Predator fans will miss White on and off the field. It is safe to say we are all very proud of this great accomplishment for him and wish him the best of luck with this great opportunity.
Jason Lucas is a part-time freelance writer based in the Orlando, Florida area. A former director of media relations with the Orlando Predators, Jason is making his return to Arenafan.com after a short stint as a public relations assistant with the UFL‘s Florida Tuskers in 2010. Lucas has followed the AFL since 1992 and began covering the Predators for Arenafan during the 2004 season. He held that position until being picked up by the Preds front office after the 2007 season. Jason‘s knowledge of arena football and love of the game is what drives him to continue covering the sport.
