Rachaad White: Smooth Operator
August 27th, 2023
Running back Rachaad White.
Joe is beginning to see the light, provided by Bucs running back Rachaad White.
Last night the second-year Bucs running back finally (aside from one game last year) demonstrated to Joe that maybe the Bucs might have a real No. 1 back on the squad.
His running numbers last year were nothing to be proud of. But Joe is beginning to see the light that former Bucs offensive coordinator SpongeBob Leftwich did White no favors — that White was in a no-win situation stuck in an inept offense.
After Saturday’s third and final worthless preseason game of 2023, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield suggested this offense of Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales will allow White to show his stuff.
“Just his tempo – he’s not exactly a flashy guy, [he is] real smooth, and so, when it comes to our schemes, his running style is really going to help us out,” Mayfield said of White. “Following the center’s tracks and just being able to time it out and make the right cuts.
“People sleep on his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield too. He is extremely talented and athletic in that regard. We are lucky to have such a great group on the offense.”
If last night’s display was any window into the future of the Bucs offense, White will be OK.
White and Canales are giving Joe hope.
August 27th, 2023 at 11:12 am
Tucker injury status Joes? Thank you Sirs!
August 27th, 2023 at 11:16 am
These players keep proving you wrong about preseason games being worthless.
August 27th, 2023 at 11:29 am
Joe … ‘SpongeBob Leftwich did White no favors at all. That White was in a no-win situation, stuck in an inept offense.’
Does the same apply to Lenny Fournette Joe? (He had an 88.0% catch rate to Rachaad’s 86.2%, and a higher Yards/Reception … 7.2 Y/R vs 5.8 Y/R). Even Ke’Shawn had a higher Y/R (6.3). Can’t make excuses for one without having them apply to all?
August 27th, 2023 at 11:35 am
If preseason games are worthless….is writing about them also worthless? Or, relying on player’s accomplishments?
August 27th, 2023 at 11:36 am
At the end of the day, you know that Leftwich had the pressure of placating to Tom and Lenny to get touches. Can you really put all the blame on Leftwich and White. I admit, the offense lack creativity, but I truly believe Leftwich was beholden to “playoff Lenny” from people above him.
August 27th, 2023 at 11:46 am
Leftwhich is to blame as much as Bowles. Bowles came out a said he didn’t want to run BAs offense cause players were tired by the end of the season. Bowles is dead wrong for both. Players didn’t look tired in the Super Bowl run and then next year they didn’t look tired either. Then Bowles steps in and the offense literally goes to 💩 and we blow chunks all year. I’m a hater on Bowles the HC but I’m a lover as Bowles for DC.
August 27th, 2023 at 11:51 am
Tucker cramped.
August 27th, 2023 at 12:06 pm
Canales playing is refreshing
August 27th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
If everyone stays healthy this offense will put up some points. Even with the inexperienced right side. Canales play calling will keep D’s honest, we haven’t even seen the full playbook and dudes are running wide open left and right.
August 27th, 2023 at 12:55 pm
I’m not anointing Rachaad White by any means, but his running style reminds of Edgerrin James. Just the way he glides with a little bit of power.
August 27th, 2023 at 1:10 pm
“Follow the center “
Sounds like more first down dives up the middle.
Been there, done that.
August 27th, 2023 at 1:40 pm
If you can still find it on the Bucs website , watch his first interview after being drafted, impressive
August 27th, 2023 at 2:34 pm
Thanks Drew – I thought the same until they showed the reply of his ankle getting twisted and landed on.
August 27th, 2023 at 2:35 pm
And agree DS – play calling is refreshing and maybe damn good.
August 27th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
Bowels said after game that is was cramps for Tucker.
August 27th, 2023 at 3:07 pm
Think for a guy that runs that high you have to have exceptional speed and vision. He has decent speed and average vision. He can catch though.
August 27th, 2023 at 3:18 pm
Dang Joe there is that dirty word …. Hope….. go bucs
August 27th, 2023 at 3:19 pm
I know it’s early…. but Canales seems very underrated. Very impressive game planning.
August 27th, 2023 at 3:21 pm
Will White be able to pick up blissing Linebackers, it is one thing to run the ball but another to block.
August 27th, 2023 at 3:24 pm
Those High school plays will be blown up when the big boys hit the field on opening day. They make work in pre season aginst third and fouth team players.
August 27th, 2023 at 3:46 pm
Maybe so Ed – we’re about to find out. Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst. Just like this hurricane.
August 27th, 2023 at 3:52 pm
Much better than Lasagna Lenny
August 27th, 2023 at 5:06 pm
Canales is a gem!
Glazers need to lock him up.
Yes I’m calling my shot. Dudes got “IT”!
August 27th, 2023 at 6:40 pm
This offense doesn’t need a “smooth operator”. It needs a sledge hammer rocket. It doesn’t have one.
Rachaad is, and always has been, a “smooth” slow-to-get-going long strider who needs to be in the open field with blocking, better as a pass catcher and bubble screen 3rd down type. You won’t convince me that he is someone who can singlehandedly carry an offense in smashmouth.
August 27th, 2023 at 7:06 pm
Lol Steele you probably should have watched last night’s game showed that’s precisely what he can do. But you be you and assume you know more than Canales and Licht.
August 27th, 2023 at 7:29 pm
In David Channels I trust!!!
LFG!!!!
August 27th, 2023 at 9:31 pm
7 attempts for 39 yards, and 9 yard/long for Rachaad White last night seems to show a good, solid, per-carry performance.
The encouraging aspect is the absence of the “1-yarders” and “minus-one-yarders” so-common in last year’s “running-stats;” due to the so-common, so-called “plays” called by Byron The Great.
By not being able to see the televised version of the game, and having to listen to it on an on-line podcast, unfortunately, I can’t really say whether Rachaad’s contribution was assisted in any significant way by the O-line’s general, level of performance.
Rachaad White had a fantastic rookie year, imo; and done under some of the worst circumstances.
Really: if Baker Mayfield clicks with the elite receivers he has to work with in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and the O-line with Rachaad, it could be a lot more than “good,” it could be a lotta fun winning the division.
August 28th, 2023 at 1:19 am
I, too, had to listen to it on the radio. 98rock on the Bucs website is good in AR even though it says it is only local. then today I keyed in a replay of the game and got a great full-screen replay for free. I was glad to see Rachaad doing better. Now I just want to see Mike Evans with a new contract VERY soon.
August 28th, 2023 at 1:22 am
He’s gonna have a lot of catches this year.
August 28th, 2023 at 1:49 am
Yall can’t read or see yo way outa paper bag lmao
August 28th, 2023 at 3:01 pm
It’s kind of hard getting running yards with an offensive line like ours. Bring back Lenny so we can get some power runs in at least. Hope I’m wrong but I don’t think any “wait for the holes to open” style of running back is gonna help us this year.