NFC: Ex-Gopher White on a roll
Former Gophers defensive end Greg White, who made the Tampa Bay roster this season after five years of bouncing around NFL practice squads and low-level pro leagues, had three sacks and two forced fumbles in a loss to Houston last Sunday.
White leads the Bucs in sacks with 8½ and forced fumbles with six. "He clearly has become one of our top, if not our top, pass rusher," Bucs coach Jon Gruden told reporters on Monday. "He's got a natural ... explosion. He's a guy we think can operate over a guard in a nickel defense, or outside, and we're pleased with what he has done."
AFC: Tomlin doesn't back down from Bully Bill
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin responded to Patriots coach Bill Belichick's sneering criticism of Pittsburgh's safeties in general and Anthony Smith in particular.
Following Sunday's 34-13 victory over the Steelers in a game that Smith guaranteed Pittsburgh would win, Belichick said of Smith, "We've played against a lot better safeties than him, I'll tell you." As for the safeties in general, Belichick said, "Well, again, the safety play at that position was pretty inviting."
Asked about it this week, Tomlin said: "I don't care what Coach Belichick has to say regarding our performance. I compliment them for a great game and we move forward. His opinions are irrelevant to us."
