Tag: Tampa Bay

PHOTOS: Remembering VFL Steve White

PHOTOS: Remembering VFL Steve White

Former Vol Steve White has died.

He was 48.

White played for Tennessee from 1992-95. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 1996 NFL draft (No. 194 overall).

White played defensive end for Tampa Bay from 1996-2001 and the New York Jets in 2002.

“We mourn the loss of VFL Steve White, who passed away at the age of 48,” the University of Tennessee announced Wednesday. “White played for the Vols from 1992-95 before embarking on a seven-year NFL career.”

White appeared in 94 games during his NFL career, recording 119 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks, forced three fumbles and recovered two fumbles.

Below are photos of White through the years in the NFL.

Former Georgia P Jake Camarda now in position to start for Tampa Bay Bucs

Camarda in position to start for Tampa after this roster move.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to release punter Bradley Pinion on Wednesday, per multiple reports.

This move opens the door for former Georgia punter Jake Camarda, a rookie, to start for the Bucs next season.

The Bucs made Camarda the second punter taken in the 2022 NFL draft when they selected him in the fourth round of April’s event, three spots after Penn State’s Jordan Stout went to the Ravens.

Camarda finished as UGA’s career leader in punting average with a mark of 45.78, surpassing 2009 Ray Guy Award winner Drew Butler (45.4). He punted 47 times in 2021 for an average of 46.7 yards, with a long of 68 yards vs. Alabama.

Camarda ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine faster than nine running backs and nine wide receivers, posting a time of 4.56.

PFF free agency grade: Buffalo Bills TE O.J. Howard

PFF free agency grade: #Bills TE O.J. Howard:

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The Bills were in need of some depth at the tight end position ahead of the 2022 NFL season.

With starting TE Dawson Knox putting up career numbers en route to a franchise record-setting performance this past year, the team looks to have their long-term solution at tight end for years to come. But behind him, the roster is a bit thin at his position.

So on the back of a big news day that saw Buffalo add pass rusher Von Miller on defense, they took time to address offense as well, adding former Buccaneers 2017 first-round selection, TE O.J. Howard, on a one-year deal.

Here’s how Pro Football Focus graded the addition of Howard:

TE O.J. Howard: One year, $3.5 million (up to $5 million)

In brief stretches during his five seasons with the Buccaneers, Howard looked like the player they expected him to be when they made him their first-round selection in 2017, namely pre-injury in 2018 and 2020. But those stretches were much too few and far between. Howard averaged just over 0.1 wins above replacement per season over the course of his rookie deal.

He’ll now get an opportunity to stay healthy and put that behind him in Buffalo while competing for snaps with Dawson Knox. The Bills could look to get two tight ends — Howard and Knox — on the field more with the potential departures of Emmanuel Sanders and Cole Beasley.

Grade: Average

During the start of last year’s offseason, TE was considered a position of need for Buffalo. Knox had not yet taken the next step as he did in 2021, which lead to widespread speculation in the media that the team would add starting talent in free agency or the draft.

Previously, the team had been linked to other free agents such as former Giant Evan Ingram and Western New York native Rob Gronkowski. Instead, the team added Howard to cap off an eventful day.

The 27-year-old is a strong addition by Buffalo who gives QB Josh Allen another big target, the Bills depth at tight end behind Dawson Knox, and who could potentially create a similar TE tandem to the one that helped the Patriots dynasty for a number of years.

Per ESPN Stats & Information, the Bills ran two-or-more tight ends on an NFL-low 100 plays during the 2021 season.

Nonetheless, Knox became a go-to target and was tied for the most touchdown catches by a TE in the NFL last season. Running two-tight end sets on offense with big targets like Knox and Howard on the field could make it even more difficult for opposing defenses to contain the Buffalo offense.

Twitter reacts to reports Notre Dame naming Marcus Freeman as head coach

This will be a home run hire!!!

The Irish didn’t waste anytime finding Brian Kelly’s replacement, they actually didn’t have to go very far either. In a move that should not have surprised many, Notre Dame will name defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman as their next head coach. It’s an exciting moment so let’s take a look a the reactions from around Twitter.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans Prediction, Game Preview

Tampa Bay at New Orleans prediction, game preview, how to watch and lines for Week 8 of the NFL season, Sunday, October 31

Tampa Bay at New Orleans prediction, game preview, how to watch: Sunday, October 31

Tampa Bay at New Orleans How To Watch

Date: Sunday, October 31
Game Time: 4:25 ET
Venue: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
How To Watch: FOX
Record: Tampa Bay (6-1), New Orleans (4-2)
– Sign up and live stream college football on ESPN+

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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Tampa Bay vs New Orleans Game Preview

Why Tampa Bay Will Win

Can the Buccaneers make the Saints press a bit?

The Saints have been at their best when they can control the tempo, run well, rely on the defense, flip the ball to Alvin Kamara – repeat.

Tampa Bay was able to roll through Chicago last week without breathing hard – the offense could afford to not be all that sharp in a 38-3 win. This week, here comes the focus, here comes the downfield passing game again, and, potentially, here comes the return of Rob Gronkowski as an extra safety valve.

As good as the Saints have been, they haven’t faced a team that can throw since the opener against Green Bay. They destroyed the Packers in that weird game, but this is obviously different.

Tom Brady and company aren’t going to struggle to get to 200 yards through the air.

Jameis Winston will have to air it out a wee bit, the offense that’s not great on third downs will have to make up for the defense that’s not great on third, either, and …

– NFL Expert Picks, CFN Week 8

Why New Orleans Will Win

Here comes the running game.

Tampa Bay might be No. 1 in the NFL against the run, but that’s partially because teams don’t commit to it because they’re trying to keep up. Philadelphia was able to have a little success, and Khalil Herbert ran well for the Bears right up until the offense decided to stop sticking with what worked.

Alvin Kamara is coming off a fantastic game against Seattle, and the Saints aren’t going to be afraid to try making this game physical from the start. They’re fourth in the NFL in rushing attempts, and they’re going to feed 41 over and over again, and they’re going to hope to get the pass rush going.

– College Football Expert Picks, CFN Week 9

What’s Going To Happen

The New Orleans pass rush isn’t what it was last season, but it’s going to try repeating the two regular season wins of last year when it hit Brady over and over again.

Of course, though, the Buccaneers pulled through when it mattered in the playoffs.

It’s one of those statement moments for both teams, and the New Orleans defense is going to make it by shutting down Leonard Fournette and the run and getting to Brady just enough to slow things down on two late fourth quarter drives.

– College Football Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews, Week 9

Tampa Bay at New Orleans Prediction, Line

New Orleans 30, Tampa Bay 27
Line: Tampa Bay -4.5, o/u: 49.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5

Must See Rating: 5

5: Peanut M&Ms
1: Black Licorice Nibs

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– Fearless Predictions of Every Game
– Bowl Projections | Rankings

Chicago vs Tampa Bay Prediction, Game Preview

Chicago vs Tampa Bay prediction, game preview, how to watch and lines for Week 7 of the NFL season, Sunday, October 24

Chicago vs Tampa Bay prediction, game preview, how to watch: Sunday, October 24

Chicago vs Tampa Bay How To Watch

Date: Sunday, October 24
Game Time: 4:25 ET
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
How To Watch: CBS
Record: Chicago (3-3), Tampa Bay (5-1)
– Sign up and live stream college football on ESPN+

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f1343a1wt7q817p7 player_id=none image=https://collegefootballnews.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Chicago vs Tampa Bay Game Preview

Why Chicago Will Win

The defense continues to be good enough to win with.

The Bears found a back in Khalil Herbert who could grow into the role – at least until David Montgomery is back – and the offense has been able to crank out 140 yards or more on the ground over the last three games.

Yeah, Tampa Bay is No. 1 in the NFL against the run, but that’s partly because everyone spends so much time throwing against one of the league’s worst pass defenses.

Chicago will run and run some more, and then it’ll rely on the defense that kept Aaron Rodgers to under 170 passing yards and hasn’t allowed a 300-yard day since the opener against the Rams.

– Week 7 CFN NFL Expert Picks

Why Tampa Bay Will Win

The Chicago offense goes on the field and it runs plays, but that’s it.

There’s no passing game. Justin Fields should eventually be terrific, but the O isn’t there to take any shots of consequence down the field.

How bad is the Chicago passing attack? It has yet to hit 200 yards. It’s last in the NFL in yards, touchdowns, and yards per attempt. Thats not a positive because …

What’s Going To Happen

Tom Brady is on fire.

He’s going to be hit a bit and won’t have one of his better games, but he won’t need to press anything.

Two early scoring drives will set a tough pace, the Bear running game won’t be able to establish anything consistent, and a great performance by the road D will be wasted.

– Week 8 College Football Schedule & Scoreboard

Chicago vs Tampa Bay Prediction, Line

Tampa Bay 30, Chicago 16
Line: Tampa Bay -12, o/u: 47
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 3

5: Siouxsie and the Banshees’ “Halloween”
1: Halloween Kills

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– Fearless Predictions of Every Game
– Bowl Projections | Rankings

Saints 2021 schedule previews: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

New Orleans Saints 2021 schedule: Tampa Bay Buccaneers preview

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Saints Wire continues with our previews of upcoming opponents for the New Orleans Saints in 2021. We arrive at the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers who hoisted the Lombardi trophy at the end of the last campaign.

While the Buccaneers have always been an NFC South opponent, the “rivalry” always seemed forced until Brady arrived on Tampa’s shores. The Drew Brees versus Brady storyline blossomed into one of the most watched and closely followed series of last season.

Now, there is almost as equally a good of a tale as Jameis Winston is set to take over for Brees and will face his old team in the Buccaneers at least twice this season. The expectations for him couldn’t be higher. With that, let’s take a look at just who Tampa Bay is this year:

Former Spartans William Gholston, Drew Stanton win Super Bowl with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Former Michigan State Football players William Gholston and Drew Stanton will both get rings after the Tampa Bay Bucs won the Super Bowl.

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Two former Spartans are now Super Bowl Champions. In a game that saw Le’Veon Bell and the Kansas City Chiefs face William Gholston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it was Gholston who will be leaving with a ring. The Bucs beat the Chiefs in a lopsided 31-9 performance.

Former Michigan State Football quarterback Drew Stanton will also get a ring since he signed with the Bucs’s practice squad back in December.

While Gholston didn’t recorded any tackles in the game, he did have some important pressures on Patrick Mahomes. The Bucs were relentless in their pursuit of Mahomes, never letting him get comfortable, and Gholston played his role in that.

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Former Spartan Will Gholston donates $225,000 to cancer research

Former Michigan State DE and current Tampa Bay pass rusher Will Gholston is donating nearly a quarter million dollars to cancer research.

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I think it is safe to say that former Spartan pass rusher Will Gholston is having the best season of his career, and he has continued to give back during this unprecedented year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On Monday, it was announced that Gholston is donating nearly a quarter-million dollars to the Moffitt Cancer Center.

Gholston had 44 tackles and 3 sacks for the Bucs this year as they qualified for their first playoff run since he was drafted by the team in 2013. They are now heading into a Super Bowl match-up with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Gholston has been a big part of that success.

Over Thanksgiving, Gholston first showed his big heart when he donated nearly 1,000 turkeys to families in the Detroit area. Now, in honor of Black History Month, Gholston is donating $225,000 to support research into cancer health disparities.

The donation will help fund discoveries in breast, colon, and prostate cancers, all of which disproportionately affect Black men and women. Gholston’s contribution will go to the Moffitt Cancer Center’s George Edgecomb Society, which seeks to end cancer health disparities in communities of color.

“When I was presented with the opportunity to donate and be a part of the betterment of cancer research for  Black communities, I could not think of a better way to honor my family,” Gholston said. “My father and uncle  both died battling cancer, and my mother has won her battle with cancer multiple times. This battle is hard. The  fight is hard, and any amount of research or help is huge in my eyes. I hope this donation helps others who are  fighting or may have to fight down the line. You can never get the time back, but with this effort we may be able  to add more time for others.”

Gholston’s father passed away due to lung cancer and his father passed away due to prostate cancer. His mother is also a breast cancer survivor who volunteers at Moffitt.

“We thank William and his family for their continued support of Moffitt. This donation carries great  thoughtfulness and intent, and will help fund critical research,” said Dr. Patrick Hwu, CEO of Moffitt Cancer  Center.

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About Moffitt Cancer Center 

Moffitt is dedicated to one lifesaving mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Tampa based facility is one of only 51 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction  that recognizes Moffitt’s scientific excellence, multidisciplinary research, and robust training and education.  Moffitt is the No. 11 cancer hospital and has been nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report since 1999.  Moffitt’s expert nursing staff is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet®status, its  highest distinction. With more than 7,000 team members, Moffitt has an economic impact in the state of $2.4 billion. For more information, call 1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488), visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the  momentum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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Former MSU Football DE Will Gholston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers heading to Super Bowl

Former Michigan State Football standout Will Gholston is heading to the Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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MSU Football will have at least one representative in Super Bowl LV. Will Gholston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Green Bay Packers 31-26 in the NFC Championship game to head to the Super Bowl.

This is Gholston’s first playoff run and obviously his first Super Bowl. While he didn’t have any tackles or sacks in today’s games, he did provide some key pressures on Aaron Rodgers and definitely played a solid role in the victory.

Le’Veon Bell is currently playing the Buffalo Bills and looking to face off against his fellow Spartan in the Super Bowl.

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