Rachaad White “Skated”
May 8th, 2023
No. 1 RB Rachaad White.
Add follicly-challenged Billy Barnwell of BSPN to the growing list of NFL scribes not sold on Bucs running back Rachaad White.
Joe has already documented that handicapper Warren Sharp and his gang of statheads believe White was — statistically speaking, of course — one of the worst running backs in the NFL last year. Barnwell, a numbers guy at his core, joined Sharp in a recent column.
Before underwear football commences, choosing winners and losers in the draft is a popular exercise for NFL writers. Barnwell believes White was a draft winner.
Barnwell thought Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht was going to tap into a deep pool of running back talent. He passed, so White wins.
White is another back who looked like his path toward a more significant workload could be blocked by a draft pick, but he skated through the draft window without competition. The Buccaneers did not use any of their picks on a back, leaving him to compete with Chase Edmonds, Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Patrick Laird for starting duties.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs added a veteran before the season. I’ve mooted a link between Tampa and Ezekiel Elliott, whose skill set would complement White’s and allow the second-year back to play the Tony Pollard role in Tampa. Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook could also be cut candidates in the months to come.
With Tampa strapped for cap space and likely to pursue veterans at more expensive positions if they become available, though, White’s most likely competition for starting time would have been from a draft pick.
It did seem odd that Licht didn’t take a flier on a running back. “This Joe” is rather convinced this demonstrated the Bucs are gearing up, if the Baker Mayfield Project doesn’t work out, to draft a quarterback in the first round next year.
Oh, and Barnwell added Bucs fans can forget Ezekiel Elliott coming to the rescue, or two potential cap casualties he cited, Dalvin Cook or Derrick Henry, since the Bucs cannot afford them.
Under the incompetence of Bucs failed offensive coordinator SpongeBob, the worst rushing attack in football was simply horribly mishandled and therefore can only go up with new coordinator Dave Canales.
That’s a fair and possibly likely point.
May 8th, 2023 at 5:56 am
Sean Tucker can carry the rock and will leave all these statheads with their mouths hanging open.
May 8th, 2023 at 7:14 am
I second that frank!
May 8th, 2023 at 7:42 am
Keshawn Vaughn may have a really big year. He isn’t spectacular but he is solid, why he wasn’t used much more last year is almost criminal.
May 8th, 2023 at 7:54 am
The UDFA Tucker is basically a 3rd/4th round draft pick equivalent. I think Licht wanted to fill out the roster in the draft while also allowing previous draft picks an opportunity for more playing time to see if any of them can develop into long term starters.
May 8th, 2023 at 8:00 am
JBF said s the only site completely dismissing the reality of Sean Tucker. I kept waiting for the petulant afterthought usually given by one of the joes that some undrafted UFA with congenital heart problem doesn’t count. My understanding is he is cleared to play and he is a best back we’ve had on the Bucs since Doug Martin. Keep disrespecting the man. His chip will only get bigger.
May 8th, 2023 at 8:29 am
179 touches, 771 total yards, 4.3 yards per touch, and 3 TDs in part-time action. This blame game stuff is wack
May 8th, 2023 at 9:28 am
Sean Tucker might be the answer ?
May 8th, 2023 at 10:08 am
Sign Layoff Lenny
May 8th, 2023 at 10:51 am
Lots of RB talent coming into the division now, Bijan to pair with Falcons RB from last season, Saints got an early round RB, Panthers added a top FA, power rankings by backfield imo sees the Bucs as last in the Division based on backfield duos
May 8th, 2023 at 10:52 am
Even if Elliott came cheap, forget it. He’s used up. I watch a lot of Dallas games, and there’s a reason Pollard has assumed the starting role.
May 8th, 2023 at 12:01 pm
White will be RB1a and Tucker will be RB1b.
May 8th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
Pundits keep underestimating Sean Tucker. We got a diamond in the rough whose tangibles continue to be ignored. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Way to go Pirate Ship!
May 8th, 2023 at 1:05 pm
With as much as I like White, I’d certainly go and get Henry if he becomes available, he’s still got probably another year or so in his tank. But everyone would want Henry, and the Bucs are nobodies now that Brady is gone, so he wouldn’t even return the Bucs calls.
Cook and White are similar players, so I don’t know about that, plus I’m not sure Cook has a lot left in the tank at this point.
Elliott? No thanks. He’s clearly washed up at this point.
As for those bashing White, explain to me again what exactly he was supposed to have done different last year, and why what he did do makes him a bust… Short of Barry Sanders, there wasn’t a RB I’ve ever seen that was going to do anything in that stupid, poorly coached, ultra predictable offense that Leftwich ran were 7-year olds in the stands were yelling “it’s a run up the middle” on every 1st down.
May 8th, 2023 at 1:05 pm
Seriously? One of you guys thinks the Bucs are already tossing in the towel or are even considering next year’s draft before the season kicks off.
Again can you say Fameis Jameis? And add Marcus Mariota! Remember those two can’t miss “Franchise Qbs”?
And where have the Bucs SB winning QB’s come from? NOT THE DRAFT!!!
May 8th, 2023 at 1:27 pm
I think the Bucs are good at RB until I can see they are not. A vastly improved OL, if that is possible, could turn sour grapes into wine!
May 8th, 2023 at 1:27 pm
Not to mention better run schemes!
May 8th, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Look on the bright side: the run game couldn’t get much worse without an actual act of God.
It can only get better.
May 8th, 2023 at 2:32 pm
I firmly believe that the Bucs have NEVER developed a good QB. We had good ones (Steve Young, Vinnie, Doug Williams) who never did much for us, at all. Maybe Canales can do it? IDK but he has coached at least one successfully in his role as a QB coach. When we won SB XXXVII we had an average QB. I am a minority person who still believes pre-season games are very important and I am looking very forward to the play of our defense and QB competition. NO WAY it can be worse than last year. No way.
May 8th, 2023 at 4:01 pm
Running up the gut over and over is hard on a player.
May 8th, 2023 at 11:14 pm
We have not had a great running attack since we gave up on the FB role.
May 9th, 2023 at 10:22 am
Considering the strategy in the run game last year was run up the middle on first down regardless of the defensive alignment, I think White’s stats are well under what he is capable of – most RBs would struggle only touching the ball 7-8 times a game.