Rachaad White And More Carries
November 25th, 2022
Ready to carry bigger load.
It took a long, long while, but the Bucs’ running game finally was kick-started in Munich.
The Bucs racked up 164 yards on the ground from their running backs and rookie Rachaad White led the way with 105 yards on 22 carries.
Part of the reason White had so many carries is Playoff Lenny suffered a hip pointer in the win over Seattle. He has been limited in practice this week as a result.
BSPN’s Matt Bowen, an X’s and O’s guy, believed White’s quickness and slashing ability brought a needed dimension to Tampa Bay.
White got that start in that game, Fournette left with an injury and the rookie running back logged 105 yards rushing – on 22 carries. The tape was really good, too. White played with some juice.
“This Joe” thinks White getting the start in Munich is slightly overblown. Remember, the Bucs didn’t know until four hours before their flight departed if Playoff Lenny was even going to be on a plane as there was a hangup with his passport.
How could the team practice with Playoff Lenny as the starting back if the Bucs had no clue if Playoff Lenny would even be on the trip to Germany? So naturally, “this Joe” thinks, the Bucs prepped White to start.
Joe thinks it is fair to ask if White was as good as he showed against a solid defense like Seattle why he wasn’t getting more carries before that game.
Yesterday, Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich explained.
“I think it was excellent to see him go out there and play an extended number of snaps,” Leftwich said of White. “[That’s] the most snaps he has played. I don’t think he was ready for that many earlier. He’s there now.”
Joe thinks with White getting more carries, it may open up the inside more for Playoff Lenny as teams will have to worry more about defending the edge.
This could be the makings of what many coaches covet, a thunder-and-lightning duo in the backfield: White able to get around the edge (while throwing dudes aside) and Playoff Lenny with his bruising style.
November 25th, 2022 at 6:02 am
Seattle run defense ranked 28th. I wouldn’t call that solid. Maybe slow down on the anointing .
November 25th, 2022 at 6:03 am
Lets face it, for whatever reason, the Bucs have severely limited White’s
carries. So there is not enough of a sample size to compare our backs. They have different skill sets. IMO, Lenny is most effective with a fullback as a lead blocker.
The last two times Lenny carried the ball over 20 times he only netted 65 or less
yards. But he has got us three TD’s.
I will say that Byron’s inability to use his two backs effectively until he had to,
does not look good for him.
November 25th, 2022 at 6:13 am
As soon as White has a “bad” game, a lot of y’all here will want him gone, or benched, or wish we drafted some player you wanted instead of the pick the professional decisions makers and yada yada yada
November 25th, 2022 at 6:48 am
I have yet to see this fabled “bruising” running style that Self-Preservation Lenny supposedly possesses. Does it only come out in full moons, does the tide affect it, or do you have to dangle a dollar bill infront of him before we see it?
Fournette is not a bruiser. If he was a bruiser he would fight to push the pile. He is the opposite, when he feels resistance his legs die and he accepts the warm brace of the defensive linemen.
Watch the offensive lineman when Fournette carries the ball and watch them when White carries the ball. With Fournette they won’t try to push the pile because they know he plays dead and doesn’t want to hit the ground. With White they’ll keep going because they know he wants to fight for yards. Pay attention on Sunday if they both play.
If Lenny sits though, White will go off and the discussion should be over.
November 25th, 2022 at 7:42 am
The Bucs the last few years have not had much success with rookie backs. Rojo was slow to develop, and they’re taking their time with White. The fact that they over paid Lenny makes them want to play him more also. The kid’s getting his chance now, see if he runs with it. Sorry couldn’t help myself there.
November 25th, 2022 at 7:57 am
Totally agree with Kentucky Buc; folks need to slow down before anointing Rachaad as Savior #2 (Savior #1 might be a Saint now but he didn’t work out all that well for us).
Yes White got the start in the Seattle game … 1st down up the middle for 0 gain followed by 2 Brady incomplete passes & a punt. Surprise surprise. Second series featured a Brady deep pass for 29 yards, a holding call, a Lenny run for 3 yards on 1st down followed by 2 more Brady passes then a Succop FG. Surprise surprise again.
But the something very unBucs-like happened in the 3rd series … we actually stuck with the run for a change. Why? Because it worked. Here’s that series:
White run (right Tackle) … 3 yards
White run (right Guard) … 10 yards (1st down)
White run (right Guard) … 4 yards
Brady pass (short left) … 5 yards
White run (right Tackle) … 8 yards (1st down)
Brady pass (short left) … 2 yards
Fournette run (middle) … 6 yards
Fournette run (right Guard) … 7 yards (1s down)
White run (middle) … 1 yard
Brady pass (short right) … 11 yards (1st down)
Brady pass (short middle) … Incomplete
White run (left end) … 0 yards
Brady pass (short right) … 31 yards TOUCHDOWN
That 13-play drive set the tone for the rest of the ballgame. Total of 8 runs gaining 39 yards & 5 passes (4 complete) gaining 49 yards. 4 first downs in there … 3 by rushing & 1 by passing. And yet … it took a BIG PLAY (a SHORT pass that went 31 yards) on a 3rd-and-10 to keep us from settling for yet another FG. And THAT’S what we’ve been missing tis year: BIG PLAYS from guys stepping up when we really need it.
November 25th, 2022 at 7:57 am
This should have happened 5 games ago. The Bucs get no credit for the obvious.
November 25th, 2022 at 8:09 am
Yesterday’s Thanksgiving games are solid evidence of smart NFL coordinators rotating backs throughout the game. Cowboys have Zeke Elliott but Pollard is a huge part of the running attack. Giants on the other hand went mostly with Barkley and he was a non factor.
Lions ran the hell out of the ball with 3 different backs and outplayed Buffalo except for giving up a 36 yard down the middle throw to Diggs with 26 seconds left that gave Buffalo its final field goal.
Only a few teams rely on one back for an entire game like the Bucs have with Leonard Fournette. Good offenses bring in fresh legs and have backs with different strenghts.
Finally the Bucs are going to get with the program and have White and Fournette playing. Vaughn should also be in the rotation.
November 25th, 2022 at 8:30 am
RB’s need reps to get in a flow. Bucs now have 4 healthy RB’s, I just hope BL doesn’t over do it and try to use all of them. At this point all I’ve seen from Lenny is a LOT of stutter stepping before he hits a hole. Most good backs don’t lose their stride they glide down the line then burst when they see the hole. It appears Lenny’s new found stutter stepping maybe limiting his ability to hit the hole at full speed.
November 25th, 2022 at 8:31 am
Not in for Lenny bashing. He runs hard. BUT the kid has a much quicker slashing running style. Lenny needs good blocking to get going. The kid has a much faster explosive start. I like them both . Who starts? Nice problem to have. Using both will keep opponents defense off balance.
November 25th, 2022 at 8:52 am
We have 3 RB’s, so use them. Use whomever is healthy and dressed for that game. It keeps legs fresh and keeps the opposing D slightly off-balance. If everyone knows ONLY 1 back is going to get the majority of carries, it makes it easier to defend.
I noticed a few 2-back sets in the Seattle game and I about had a stroke.
November 25th, 2022 at 10:42 am
It’s the usual bellyaching on here. Now, what’s wrong with having/developing a decent 2-back pair? It sure will take the pressure off Brady, ME13 (who’s not 100%), CG14, Otton, and whoever else gets thrown into the receiving mix. DR had the usual excellent analysis. D-Rok: “I noticed a few 2-back sets in the Seattle game and I about had a stroke.” Agree ‘cept I didn’t have a stroke. 🙂
November 25th, 2022 at 11:31 am
Orlbucfan, I don’t think it’s bellyaching for the sake of bellyaching. I think people get that Lenny is having trouble accepting that White may be taking some snaps away. From a team capability perspective this is a great situation. From a team unity, and therefore overall/long term performance perspective, this may be an issue. I agree, in some ways this is a great problem to have, and Lenny’s feelings can’t be allowed to get in the way of this team and what works. But this should still be viewed in the whole context. There are issues that can pop up in the locker room at a time when they’re turning a corner and need to fight together to get to where they should be. Hopefully it works out.
November 25th, 2022 at 1:15 pm
dont forget his fumbles
November 25th, 2022 at 7:17 pm
It’s funny how White wasn’t ready, until they had to play him…
Leverett wasn’t ready either, until they had to play him…
Leftwich is clueless.
November 26th, 2022 at 12:02 am
In order to be clueless, doesn’t a person have to at least comprehend that a problem exists, but one they don’t know how to solve?
Leftditch doesn’t even know there’s a problem. He’s lower on the scale than clueless.
But, he’s great. Don’t talk negative about our Bucs! Yay!
November 26th, 2022 at 1:03 am
Always live Rules breakdowns because it shows so much.
Run the Ball right and throw screens left.
Wr literally never run successfully up the gut.
My guess is we won’t unless Jensen makes a come back.
November 26th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
At least you’re trying to set up the spin seeing White running away with this is in full bloom