Devin White Talks Adjustments And Playmakers
August 1st, 2023
Joe was pleased to hear Devin White talk about what most defensive coordinators when they prepare for the Bucs.
Whatever Joe and fans think the Bucs offense may be or become this season, Joe never loses sight of the Bucs’ strength revolving around their beastly receiving duo, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
They’re the two best receivers in team history and (Sorry, Keyshawn, Joe is going there) they’re a versatile nightmare for opponents. The Bucs may have explosive players in Rachaad White and Russell Gage, but that’s hope versus the reality of Evans and Godwin.
Joe asked White for his impressions of the new Bucs offense and he pointed toward what new playcaller Dave Canales was a part of with the Seahawks last year. Still, White came back to the special talent, as most players do.
“When we played Seattle, we had to do a lot of adjusting. They did a lot of things that kind of keep you on your toes, and I see that early from our offense,” White said. “Man, just having our explosive playmakers all around the field, I think that’s always going to give us an edge going into any game.”
Also worth noting is the big money the Bucs are paying Evans and Godwin. As much as the Bucs want to run the ball, they also should be targeting 2,500 yards and at least 17 touchdowns combined for their star receivers.
If those stats aren’t hit, the offense probably is struggling to be an average NFL unit.
August 1st, 2023 at 9:37 am
If the Bucs can get a new contract done for Evans they could make a trade with Indy for RB Jonathan Taylor…
Wouldn’t that be a nice addition to this offense?
August 1st, 2023 at 9:39 am
^^^
LOL
August 1st, 2023 at 9:41 am
Marine, that’s an interesting scenario. Particularly with the so-called new running back market. No way Indy gives him a second contract at this point that will pay him what he thinks he deserves.
August 1st, 2023 at 9:54 am
We have $388K in cap space, we cant even afford our practice squad rn and until Evans get extended there’s no money being spent. Irsay isn’t going to release Taylor, and the Colts are apparently lying about Taylor being injured so they can deactivate and/or scare other teams away from prying as he obviously didn’t respect Taylors’ trade request.
There would have to be more wonkiness to the story for it to be resolved with Johnathan Taylor landing in Tampa, which is logistically easier to say than actually do. First, he isn’t actually available and 2nd if he were we couldn’t afford him, but go on and cook.
August 1st, 2023 at 9:57 am
@ Dooley
I know you love this idea…
I have zero faith in Edmonds and Vaughn.
If Taylor is healthy he would be worth every penny.
August 1st, 2023 at 10:03 am
Hope in one hand and shiz in the other
August 1st, 2023 at 10:22 am
Joe … ‘As much as the Bucs want to run the ball, they also should be targeting 2,500 yards and at least 17 touchdowns combined for their star receivers.’
I think 17 TDs is doable for Evans & Godwin, but I’ll be very surprised if together they hit 2500 yards. That’s a lofty goal considering that the Bucs will have a new QB, revamped OLine, and oh ya, have an expressed desire to run the ball more.
August 1st, 2023 at 10:23 am
@ Dooley
“We have $388K in cap space, we cant even afford our practice squad rn and until Evans get extended there’s no money being spent.”
I understand we don’t currently have the cap space buddy. That’s why I started my post by saying “If the Bucs can get a new contract for Evans done”… “IF”.
I know you like our current RB group but I don’t. It’s the weakest component of this team right now and we are wanting to run the ball more this season?
Not going to happen with our current group.
August 1st, 2023 at 10:33 am
@Marine
We do not have the pennies.
Of course it’d be a good move, but I don’t think the front office helped Rachaad White do the media tour he went on this offseason because they’re still in the market for an RB.
You don’t have to trust Vaugh or Edmonds as individuals to carry the run game, because it’s probably more than likely Canales brings that committee approach with him from Seattle.
Last season Seattle used 3 RBs that rushed for a combined 1,600 yards & 11 TDs
2021 Seattle had 3 RBs with at least 50 carries and their top 2 RBs both had >100 carries for a combined 1300 yards & 11 TDs
2020 was kind of the same thing 3 RBs w/Chris Carson leading the way in terms of reps, but production-wise 1100 yards combined excluding Russell Wilsons’ 513 rushing yards for……11 TDs split between 3 RBs.
I feel our RB room will be applied in a similar fashion. ‘Chaad White gets the first crack, but I would not be surprised if a given gameplan for a given opponent features > 1 of the RBs behind White.
August 1st, 2023 at 10:37 am
“we are wanting to run the ball more this season?”
More EFFICENTLY, doesn’t necessarily means more. Coach says if we have to pass to win we will, if we’re in a spot to run the ball to win we’ll do that, point being we won’t be as 1-dimensional in the pass-happy BA offense. When your QB is throwing 40-50 times a game, but finishes under 300 yards gained that’s a problem made up of a bunch of smaller problems.
I’m for the sum of the parts, not pointing at an individual and saying “ah, now our running back room is set” I think we’re set with what we got and Sean Tucker is the only gamble we’ve taken so far, but he pops one long gainer this preseason tunes will change.
August 1st, 2023 at 10:56 am
To paraphrase James Carville…”It’s the OL stupid.”
The Bucs OL is still a huge ? due to Jensen’s knee, and the number of new additions as well as Wirfs transition from right to left. If injuries occur, if they fail to get any chemistry, they could suck, but hardly any worse than last year.
OTOH…If Jensen and Mauch turn out to be truly mean redheads in the middle and it infects the rest of the line, and everybody continues their blocks too the whistle and yes sometimes beyond as long as it’s not a stupid penalty…there are smart penalities…this OL could really be the difference between a sorry season and a very successful season.
August 1st, 2023 at 10:56 am
Marine
IMO, the three things hampering our run game last year were game planning, play calls, and a weak OL.
Week in and week out, we were seemingly unable to take advantage of our opponents weaknesses, and instead, consistently beat our heads against their strengths. Game planning.
Week in and week out, we were consistently unimaginative with our play calls, to the point that we, as fans, knew the call, seemingly before it was called. Play calling.
Our OL never got a rhythm going due to injuries, the retirement of Marpet, and losing Cappa to another team. We’ll just have to wait and see if the changes made this off season strengthen the production of that unit both in pass pro, and run blocking.
Until/unless those three are addressed, I’m not sure it matters who we have toting the ball.
August 1st, 2023 at 11:10 am
Seattle’s Big two had 15 TD’s together in 2022. Asking for 17 is a little High but possible.
Seahawks excelled with the TE’s that had 10 total. With this group of TE’s I can see the void left by Gronk being filled. As the safeties cheat over to help with the Studs on the outside there with be openings down the seam should Tampa’s QB have a lane to throw or the ability to throw over the top of the D Line.
August 1st, 2023 at 11:15 am
2022 Bucs-Seahawks
21-16
Seattle only produced 283 yards of total offense!
Devin may be mistaking this for a different game.
August 1st, 2023 at 11:39 am
No need to apologize, Joseph. Evans and Godwin are both better than Keyshawn, who was outstanding.
August 1st, 2023 at 12:53 pm
@ gp
“IMO, the three things hampering our run game last year were game planning, play calls, and a weak OL.”
I agree with this – and if we had Fournette as our RB2 instead of Vaughn I would be OK with that.
But Sneak Vaughn as our RB2 is a bad move IMO… I would rather have J. Taylor as our RB1 and White as our RB2.
That would turn our biggest team weakness into a strength overnight…
Oh well – it probably isn’t happening anyways and I hope Vaughn can prove me wrong this season.
August 1st, 2023 at 1:36 pm
I would take Joey Galloway over Keyshawn.
August 1st, 2023 at 4:10 pm
I’ve been daydreaming about Tucker scoring on his 1st preseason game carry.
If we had a backup guy like that and he is legit, and the heart issue doesn’t pop up again, I will feel a lot better about the RB group.
That’s a lot of Hopium!!!
Id still rather use the money and trade for an O Lineman.
One of these guys is gonna work out.
August 1st, 2023 at 5:05 pm
I’m certainly putting Evans at the top of the Bucs all-time receiver chart, but number two is Mark Carrier.
Godwin and Carrier, to me, are extremely similar players. Carrier’s numbers come from a time when QBs averaged around 3200-yards a year, so as a total they won’t compare to Godwin, but Carrier would be a guy getting 100 catches and 1300 yards every year in todays game.
August 2nd, 2023 at 5:19 am
Skip!
Go Bucs!