Rachaad White And Being The Bucs’ RB1
September 7th, 2023
Todd Bowles discusses.
Regular readers who stuck it out here through the long summer weeks know Joe has been a bit harsh on Bucs running back Rachaad White.
Joe doesn’t have a damn thing against him. How could Joe? White is a good dude. But as always, Joe is about production. Produce or move aside. This ain’t college or high school where a guy “deserves to start because he worked hard.”
White’s lack of production his rookie season on the ground alarmed Joe. The stat geeks didn’t like him either because his advanced rushing stats were beyond worrisome.
Given the fact Bucs coach Todd Bowles wants to run the ball and White has inherited the No. 1 running back role after Playoff Lenny was released, Joe is damn near scared of how the Bucs offense could be stuck in the mud unless White can tote the rock.
So yesterday Bowles was discussing how mature White is and that is a big reason for Bowles’ faith.
Last year, White seemed to be a really bad fit for what the Bucs were trying to do (the offense was such a mess, Joe wasn’t really sure what SpongeBob was trying to do).
So Joe asked Bowles if new Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales and his offense are better suited for White. Bowles seemed to think the keys to unlocking White are the big uglies up front.
“Well as long as the offensive line blocks, it will help him a great deal,” Bowles said. “That’s in any system, but he is a sharp guy. He can play in any system.
“Rachaad is just one of [those] backs – he can go outside and inside, he can catch the ball and he can block. We just look forward to him having a healthy and good year.”
Joe wants White to make guys miss or break a tackle. Please? It’s still legal for a back to do this. If he doesn’t get good blocking, he has to do more on his own. Other NFL backs do.
As much as Bowles wants to run, if White can’t get on track, how can anyone be confident the Bucs can move the ball consistently and score points?
September 7th, 2023 at 8:10 am
No way he can break a tackle if the LB’s and DE’s are already in the backfield at the handoff. Yeah, that is how miserable our O Line has been in the running game. Until the putrid O line can prove they can stop a bull rush and run block, I have nothing bad to say about the backs. Last year this OLine couldn’t even block on third and one or fourth and a foot which says everything about how miserable they have been. Hopefully Canales game plan can help the OLine this season.
September 7th, 2023 at 8:32 am
Leftwich was a great OC when Tom Brady had the best offensive line in the league.
Leftwich was not a bad OC.
We had the worst offensive line in the NFL.
No running game. No play action. No time to pass. Running backs hit in the backfield on every snap.
And you blame Leftwich? The same OC who helped us win a Super Bowl?
Not fair!!
September 7th, 2023 at 8:37 am
White sure does a lot of talking and boasting for someone whose numbers were total trash. Not mediocre numbers, more like bottom of the barrel dumpster fire results.
He sure better be able to produce this season and live up to his cockiness. Otherwise he’ll have a short career and at best be RB2 if not RB3 somewhere.
Time to put up or shut up RW. Its as simple as that.
September 7th, 2023 at 8:53 am
He’s solid, and maybe good, catching the ball out of the backfield.
September 7th, 2023 at 8:57 am
Leftwich was not a great OC! They won the first two years with an all time great innovator in Arians and an engaged, master QB in Brady. Fast forward to 2022 and Arians is gone and Brady has his mind on his failing personal life and everything else but football. Leftwich is unable to develop a competent offensive attack and only semblance of any productivity occurs in a couple of late 4th quarter comebacks where playcalling goes out the window as Brady has to call plays in a 2 minute hurry up drill. Yes bad OL play, hurt Wrs, and ineffective rbs (lenny) all contributed to the problem but behind every great offense is a brilliant mind. Bucs did not have that last year and jury is out if Canales is the answer this year.
September 7th, 2023 at 9:02 am
Leftwich was horrible! Once Arians was gone he had no idea what to do.
September 7th, 2023 at 9:05 am
joe, can you please post another interview from our social media star running back?
September 7th, 2023 at 9:06 am
I have always liked the way this cat runs. he just needs 1 a decent gameplan that does not shout to the heavens it will ne a run 2 an offense that can pass 3 a line that can block
in that order.
September 7th, 2023 at 9:42 am
I agree with teacherman777
All the Leftwhich stinks talk is nonsense.
Joe just hates him because he refused to answer Joe’s questions and basically mocked Joe with his responses.
But top offense 3 years is scoreboard
September 7th, 2023 at 9:49 am
Looking to see a lil Leveon Bell out of Rachaad White this year and at least a poor man’s Alvin Kamara – I think he has that potential with the eyeball test
September 7th, 2023 at 9:58 am
I’m not sure he has breakaway speed but a series of 20 yard runs will work too.
September 7th, 2023 at 9:59 am
teacherman777 Says:
Leftwich was not a bad OC.
CleanHouse Says:
All the Leftwhich stinks talk is nonsense.
—–
Have you considered BL doesn’t have a job in the NFL (or NCAA)? Every good coach gets recruited the day after they are fired. Morris joined the Rams as DC. Schiano joined the Pats? BL is still unemployed. You might not agree with Joe, but it’s tough to argue with every NFL team and NCAA school.
September 7th, 2023 at 10:10 am
I had assumed we ran little play action last year because Brady didn’t trust his protection enough to turn his back on them for a moment
September 7th, 2023 at 10:27 am
sly
how many teams were looking for new OCs?..lol…
not many….
didnt mike mcarthy take a year off after the packers?…sean payton….
BL was scapegoated
GO BUCS!!!!
September 7th, 2023 at 10:43 am
Sure, Leftwich was great.
Durable Donnie was All-World.
…..and Mike Williams was a gifted financial planner……..
September 7th, 2023 at 10:45 am
Sly Pirate- We don’t know if Leftwhich is trying to work. He may be wanting to chill, enjoying his paycheck and SuperBowl ring.
September 7th, 2023 at 10:59 am
Doosh,……too soon
September 7th, 2023 at 11:33 am
way too soon…….just wrong.
September 7th, 2023 at 12:16 pm
SlyPirate…we seem to be the only two that can see the reality of Leftnut. Some commenters think he was great and the downfall was not his fault. They make all sorts of excuses for him. I am focusing more on the big picture and that is Bruce Arians. I have some spare time lately and got long winded yesterday. So I’ll be brief. The clown show started when BA came to town. Exactly how Brady was enticed to sign is an unknown. Too many things don’t add up. How did this new staff and QB integrate with an existing team that was talented but in turmoil and succeed during the lockdown ? BA was billed as a great coach but his one real shot at success came up short and he retired. THEN magically he reappears and acquires the GOAT and wins his cherished SB win and quickly fades away. Bowles is good at defense. Byron could run BA’s system. Brady could adapt and throw the ball. The team had good talent. It was a “one time shot” / “lightning in a bottle” gamble that worked and I’m glad it did. But BA and his coaching tree lacked water and fertilizer. It grew and blossomed for one year and died. It was all HYPE and a big gamble that magically worked but did NOTHING for the fundamentals of the organization and team. The Glazer’s doubled down and drew a royal flush, pocketed the winnings and left the table in a mess.
September 7th, 2023 at 12:24 pm
Oh, I failed to mention BA won that Super Bowl in RayJay and then POOF he’s gone.
September 7th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
Oops, mixed metaphors…meant to say “went all in”.
September 7th, 2023 at 12:39 pm
BA was never going to stay as the Bucs HC. He had already retired. He had health problems. Licht lured him into coaching with a “dream team” and staff. He did more than we ever expected and was one of (if not) the best coach(es) we ever had.
September 7th, 2023 at 12:43 pm
Agree on the dream team Cricket. But how’s that dream staff working out?
September 7th, 2023 at 12:47 pm
Waterboy, Doug and Doosh get it.
September 7th, 2023 at 12:52 pm
But please DoooshLaRue, let’s be kind to Mike Williams.
September 7th, 2023 at 1:45 pm
Leftwhich is deff part to blame. Only part tho. Bowles went on record and said he didn’t want to run ARIANS offense. Dumbest move so far Bowles before the Cleveland game. Bowles was late to the head coach position when arians vacated so seems like leftwhich didn’t have enough time to make a new offense to fit Bowles. Most of us don’t even consider that but great and good OC learn to adapt in any situation. Sorry but leftwich didn’t. Also there’s the mess of the Oline. Pretty hard to game plan when you get handcuffed by your boss and you lose stars on the Oline. I’ll say it over and over. I HATE BOWLES AS A HC but love him as a DC. UNTILL he proves he can run a team i will dislike him. I mean come on ARIANS offense was too 3 in the league for several years even with WINSTON at the helm then Bowles pulls this BS oh it makes the players tired by playoffs and if that was tru we wouldn’t have won a FREAKING SB. Come on man. Then he stunts Trask’s growth by benching him when he was developing great over the off-season. Bowles is the Winston of head coaches lol
September 7th, 2023 at 1:56 pm
Sean tucker will take over as RB1 midway thru the season! He does everything better than white and he is a back canales favors in almost every offensive set that we especially when it comes to pass blocking! The kid is a beast and real buc fans will notice it early on in the season!!!
September 7th, 2023 at 2:36 pm
Joes not exactly a running back scout. So I’m not sure we heard you when you whined about a RB.
September 7th, 2023 at 2:47 pm
Joe wants the Bucs running backs to break multiple tackles when they’re behind hit 2 – 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage, because the o-line can’t run block.
September 7th, 2023 at 5:27 pm
With how bad we were at blocking AND the entire Leftwich scheme, I don’t think there is ain’t reason to be down on White right now. He came in as a rookie and took Fournettes job.. he was great as a pass catcher and had a solid rookie season. Let’s see how he looks before we start talking down on him, PLEASE!!!
September 7th, 2023 at 5:29 pm
I can’t stand the premature slander. It’s guilty until proven innocent around these parts stop jumping the gun and let the players play before we react for christs sake
September 8th, 2023 at 4:48 am
You didn’t really expect Bowles to give you an honest answer to that question did you Joe?
Lol.
Go Bucs!
September 9th, 2023 at 1:46 am
No Mercy – Agree with you 💯