When Average Becomes Great
November 5th, 2023
Rachaad White
Quality day on the ground for Rachaad White. His 20 carries for 73 yards felt special against Houston, but in reality it was only 3.65 yards per carry.
NFL running backs averaged 4.4 yards per rush last season.
This is sort of what it’s come to for the Tampa Bay rush attack. It’s bad overall and any sign of life feels far better than it should.
Bucs running backs not named White ran 7 times for 4 yards today (that’s no typo). Baker Mayfield added 4 yards on 4 carries. Overall, the Bucs hobbled their way to 81 yards on 31 carries.
White showed a few flashes (he certainly should in 20 carries!) and Joe embraces White’s two short-yardage touchdown runs wholeheartedly. But the 2023 rushing attack is still waiting for its first day that can be considered “good” by typical NFL standards.
Maybe next week against Tennessee. White certainly is improving and gaining confidence.
November 5th, 2023 at 7:49 pm
Has Bowles been fired yet?
November 5th, 2023 at 7:50 pm
So 250 yards and 2 TDs at QB is fantastic, we need to lock him up for 8 years – but another week over 100 total yards from your RB is trash and he needs to be benched.
LOL!
November 5th, 2023 at 7:53 pm
Second game in a row, he’s been out best
November 5th, 2023 at 7:53 pm
If we only traded for Zack Moss we’d be 8-0 right now!
November 5th, 2023 at 7:54 pm
The only issue with White is they keep pulling him out of the game to put in worthless Edmonds and even more worthless Vaughn.
White needs to be out there on 100% of the offensive snaps.
November 5th, 2023 at 7:56 pm
“Quality day on the ground for Rachaad White. His 20 carries for 73 yards felt special against Houston, but in reality it was only 3.65 yards per carry.”
Well considering he was effective against the #4th ranked rushing defense in the league and he scored a touchdown that actually makes Rachaad White above average. Stats mean nothing without context Joe.
BTW did we fire Todd Bowles yet?
November 5th, 2023 at 7:58 pm
Canales continues to call running plays on 2nd down and long…..the are constantly stuffed……I’d love to know the stats on our 2nd down runs.
The failure on 2nd downs puts us in 3rd and long…..this is why our 3rd down conversion rate is very poor.
November 5th, 2023 at 7:59 pm
Only 2 Things …
1. Has Bowles been fired?
2. Has Evans hit 1K?
We’ll likely have to wait on both.
Joe, please inform Mr. Licht, his fans have left for the year. We’ll be back for the draft discussions.
November 5th, 2023 at 7:59 pm
Vaughn averaged 2.3 yards per carry.
Edmonds averaged -1.7 yards per carry.
Vaughn on the year is averaging 1.8 yards per carry.
Edmonds on the year is at 2.0 per carry.
Tucker is at 1.5 per carry.
I know this is a hill that one Joe has decided to die on, but White is not the issue with the running game, in fact he looked great great today, very productive, look great last week too.
Also, the Texans leading rusher today averaged 2.0 yards per carry, and they won. It’s 2023, and you win by passing the ball.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:02 pm
Rod I agree 100%
November 5th, 2023 at 8:04 pm
It started well because they had a TE help make holes with pulling guards.
For some reason the second half went back to the same mud hole they have been using all year. No counters or treys to help the run game. The O-line pushed straight ahead on running plays with no TE help.
It might work if Ko Kieft was turned into a FB and opened holes.
They also forgot to use him as the outlet pass guy during the second half.
I like the idea of half time revisions but only if they are for the betterment of the team, not just diaper changes.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:04 pm
Even people who play Madden know NOT to run cover 2 when it’s 40 seconds left and the opponent has to travel 70 yards to score a touchdown 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡 FIRE TODD BOWLES!!!!
November 5th, 2023 at 8:05 pm
Agree with both of your posts Rod.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:09 pm
Did anyone at the time think that using that timeout to save 10 seconds was a good idea? I was by myself and still said out loud – “well that was stupid”.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:10 pm
One game improvement does not make.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:12 pm
I believe Cha Cha White ran with some purpose today. Is he a good NFL running back? Probably not. Is he the best on this sorry team – yes he is. That tells you how bad this team is.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:13 pm
As Rod Munch said I am waiting to start reading articles about the draft. I am also waiting to see who’s gonna be the best HC candidates for 2024
November 5th, 2023 at 8:13 pm
White would make a great RB2…
But the reality is the Bucs are clearly still missing a workhorse back…..the Bucs need a back to split carries with White and Keyshaun Vaughn is obviously not that guy….knew the Bucs would pay for Jason Licht not signing a quality RB in the off-season.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:18 pm
If only Rod Munch watched football he’d know that most teams in the NFL split carries with multiple running backs throughout the course of a game.
Saying that “White needs to be out there on 100% of the offensive snaps” is an absurd statment. Even Derrick Henry doesn’t do that.
So yes, Zach Moss would’ve been a fabulous addition to this backfield and by far the best running back (not pass catcher) on the team.
Rod munch continues to be wrong on a consistent basis.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:19 pm
Of our 5 losses, 2 are because our defense couldn’t prevent the other team from going the length of the field in the last minute
November 5th, 2023 at 8:20 pm
If I’m the Glazers, I’m asking who is truly mandating all these run plays. Does Canales have full ownership, or is Bowles commanding a quota on up-the-gut run plays?
If it’s all Canales, then he’s terrible. But if he’s being hamstrung by Toad, maybe there’s still some hope for him.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:21 pm
I have a new defensive scheme: Ryan Neal blitzes EVERY SINGLE PLAY. That way the rest of the secondary can play man
November 5th, 2023 at 8:25 pm
GREAT NEWS EVERYBODY! FOLLOWING THE LATE AFTERNOON GAMES, THE BUCS ARE NOW UP TO #8 IN THE DRAFT ORDER!
#TEAMPOSITIVE!
November 5th, 2023 at 8:26 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
Saying that “White needs to be out there on 100% of the offensive snaps” is an absurd statment. Even Derrick Henry doesn’t do that.
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Henry is like 45-years old and has an excellent back.
The fact you want to see more of Vaughn, well, I don’t know what is all about, but it must be some sort of fetish, because nothing else makes sense.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:28 pm
Beej Says:
November 5th, 2023 at 8:21 pm
I have a new defensive scheme: Ryan Neal blitzes EVERY SINGLE PLAY. That way the rest of the secondary can play man
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I like it, except I’d also send White as well.
While I’m not a brainless JTS hater like most here, I’d still take him off the field and play nickel – so you got your 3 down lineman, and 2 extra rushers in Neal and White – then let David and Winfield do whatever they want to do, and everyone else in strict man-to-man coverage.
No way that isn’t better than what we’re seeing now where everyone just stands around in a loose zone as teams move the ball at will.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:29 pm
Joe, WOW, clearly this team is way better without Brady! Just ask the team members again. i love the Oline and the defense again today. Just like last year they are leading the way!!!!
😭😂🤣😭😂🤣😭😂🤣
November 5th, 2023 at 8:41 pm
Vaughn tackled himself today. That experiment is over.
Am ready to talk top picks and replacement HC.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:43 pm
74 Bucs Fan Says:
November 5th, 2023 at 8:41 pm
Vaughn tackled himself today.
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HAHAHA! I had almost forgot about that.
I feel bad for him, he seems like a good guy, but he stinks.
SIGN RONNIE BROWN!
Seriously, Ronnie was the only RB in preseason that showed any sort of juice behind this line. I don’t get it, I don’t know what he did to Bowles family that cause him not to even get a practice squad invite.
November 5th, 2023 at 8:52 pm
Caleb or Drake? or Marvin Harrison jr?….yeah Im going there
November 5th, 2023 at 8:56 pm
Rod I find the fascination with Mayfield strange too.
This was his best performance as a Buc easily. He did make a couple of clutch throws, but there was no pass rush. He had all day to throw and the Texans had very poor defensive backfield play.
Having said that… Yeah 266 yards. Complete flame out in the 3rd quarter (again) Meh.
From watching Baker I get it now.
In this type of game against a weak pass defense he is quite compelling, but the next 2 games are against very stingy defenses and especially next week against the Titans watch for the return of happy feet 16 PPG Baker.
November 5th, 2023 at 9:06 pm
Baker makes even the easy plays look difficult. He rarely seems to hit his first read in a timely manner. Even if the ready is open, it’s like Baker feels the need to go through his full progression regardless. It also makes things hard that due to his size, he has to rainbow every pass. Rarely do you see frozen ropes.
I’d love to see the Bucs somehow bring Penix back to Tampa this off season. Then go hire Ben Johnson.
November 5th, 2023 at 9:08 pm
As long as Bowles is there mediocre = great
November 5th, 2023 at 9:17 pm
At one time earlier this season I had a little hope Trask would get on the field and the Bucs might make a little run.
But not with that defense. Wow. I don’t get what is happening with the cover shell zone stuff.
November 5th, 2023 at 9:17 pm
With all of this inside zone blocking and very generic sweeps and traps no running back in the league could look good running the ball in this offense.
Most of the time the opponent’s defense looks like they already know where the RB is going
November 5th, 2023 at 9:24 pm
there’s absolutely no reason to pull stinnie at this point…
running behind him has been better for white
November 5th, 2023 at 9:31 pm
Today was a perfect example of what Ian Beckles said earlier in the week…….
“You Take Baker Mayfield Out Of There Right Now And Put Kyle Trask In, You’re Talking About First Pick In The Draft”
Very few QBs if any are going anywhere with this defense and it’s certainly not Trask.
November 5th, 2023 at 9:31 pm
Hahahahahaha
November 5th, 2023 at 9:39 pm
Tbbucs3 lol in case you didn’t notice…
That’s happening anyway.
November 5th, 2023 at 9:46 pm
^ Wrong, Mayfield even with a loser HC, incompetent OC, no running game and trash defense will still keep this lousey team somewhat competitive.
November 5th, 2023 at 9:48 pm
JoE it’s time to confess you fuked up calling thus season and you knew we.were in rebuild mode now can you start banging the drums!!
November 5th, 2023 at 9:50 pm
Should have traded Mike.. He is not going to stay here with this current Coaching staff … plus $20 mill to be in this offensive scheme is a waste of money…. AS bad as payin 2 corners $30 mill a year to play zone!
November 5th, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Tennessee is going to beat them by 30.
November 5th, 2023 at 9:58 pm
Tbbucs3 I’ll say this in the nicest way possible… You are not being even remotely objective about this.
5 losses in 6 games with 4 in a row.
Baker vs good defenses is different than Baker v bad defenses.
None of us know how Trask will perform – but worst case scenario is we lose out vs us being 5-12? Brother what’s the difference? Our draft pic gets sorely needed PT and we draft at a better spot? Seems to me like a win-win.
November 5th, 2023 at 10:05 pm
Only problem is the guy making the pick .. his 1st td selections have not been great!
November 5th, 2023 at 10:13 pm
Like it or not, Mayfield is playing well enough to prove he can be the quarterback for next year and perhaps beyond if you build around him…could you imagine having the conversation with Mayfield this week who just put you in a position to win that he’s gonna be benched for someone who hasn’t done anything but held a clipboard for 3 years?
Tanking is highly overrated especially if your not a bottom 5 team. Whether the Bucs pick @ 5 or 15th, at that point it just matters if your GM can draft or not.
Despuhow bad the Bucs are, the NY Giants, Panthers, Cardinals, Texans, Rams, Raiders, and Patriots are all even bigger dumpster fires than this one. So yeah, let’s set the precedent that since we may not make the play-offs, were just gonna give up on the season so we can move up a few draft spots.
November 5th, 2023 at 10:15 pm
*Didn’t mean to include Texans in that list of dumpster fire teams
November 5th, 2023 at 10:26 pm
You know what after watching other teams that have good QBs I want a damn franchise QB something this team has never had except for Brady and we only got him at the end of his career. We need a franchise QB and a damn staff that can develop players.
November 5th, 2023 at 10:44 pm
Tbbucs3 PERHAPS BEYOND?
LOL
November 5th, 2023 at 10:46 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
November 5th, 2023 at 10:13 pm
Like it or not, Mayfield is playing well enough to prove he can be the quarterback for next year and perhaps beyond if you build around him
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#TEAMPOSITIVE!
November 5th, 2023 at 10:54 pm
Tbuc I wouldn’t bother with the trask cult. Munch and Mike s are just seething inside because the one person no one will rationally blame is the QB that gave them the lead with under a minute left. No argument for Trask anywhere to be seen. 😁
November 5th, 2023 at 10:56 pm
Mike S and Rod. Same ones who believe Trask can be a franchise QB. 😂
November 5th, 2023 at 11:02 pm
Tbbucs3 – When have I said I think Trask will do better? At least get your attempts at insults correct. But in any case, if you’re fine losing 4 in and row and 5 of 6, then you got low standards. But you do you!
I’m sure next week Mayfield will again get us another 250 yards and 2 TDs, which we all know is the gold standard of quarterbacking!
November 5th, 2023 at 11:18 pm
Player quality means diddly with Todd at the helm. Watching that 2nd half was almost worse than the ram’s all out blitz call. Not in terms of game magnitude, but in a “wtf Bowles!” moment. How many more of these moments must we endure.
November 5th, 2023 at 11:19 pm
“I’m sure next week Mayfield will again get us another 250 yards and 2 TDs”
Imagine thinking this is an insult
If you had any idea how the NFL works you’d realize that this is a good stat line for quarterbacks. It’s not college football or a video game…..Mahomes, Lamar and Hurts ALL 3 threw for “only” 2 TDs and 200 yards and won today.
Again, more proof Rod Munch is wrong 90% of the time.
November 5th, 2023 at 11:20 pm
So who is watching the Bengals and Bills game. Score look familiar? So far the Bengals can only put up 6 more points than the Bucs offense with Burrow.
November 5th, 2023 at 11:23 pm
Lol,,,,Mush you just make yourself look like a fool. You are not going to find a pundit putting the loss on a QB who won you the game with ,50 seconds left, What’s eating you up inside is this is after the last game where the game winner fell next to Chris.
You just got to hope the offense is not coming together. Nothing would be worse for a traskie than if the offense starts carrying the defense
By the way what happened to your whole spiel baker can’t connect on a play over 10 yards? Lol
November 5th, 2023 at 11:24 pm
And Oh ya. The Bengals just gave Allen that GARBAGE TD!!!!
November 5th, 2023 at 11:34 pm
“Again, more proof Rod Munch is wrong 90% of the time”
I wouldn’t put down the 10% improvement – not that he had anywhere than up to go after arguing because it’s 2023 teams don’t need running backs because they can “run in the air”
November 5th, 2023 at 11:40 pm
The bar is so low after Brady even…smdh.
battered fan syndrome
November 5th, 2023 at 11:43 pm
Nah I posted after Atlanta loss that game took life off me nah this one really mighta took a couple years off the good ole lifespan I haven’t felt physically good since that loss today I’m dead serious lol
November 5th, 2023 at 11:46 pm
Tony Marks Says:
November 5th, 2023 at 11:34 pm
“Again, more proof Rod Munch is wrong 90% of the time”
I wouldn’t put down the 10% improvement – not that he had anywhere than up to go after arguing because it’s 2023 teams don’t need running backs because they can “run in the air”
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Hey stupid, still waiting for your list of running teams that won the SB in the last few decades.
Also you might want to check the stat sheet from today and see who ran the ball, and who didn’t, and who won.
November 5th, 2023 at 11:50 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
November 5th, 2023 at 11:19 pm
“I’m sure next week Mayfield will again get us another 250 yards and 2 TDs”
Imagine thinking this is an insult
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LOL! Imagine thinking that is NOT an insult in 2023, and then listing off running QBs to make your point.
Wow. If you weren’t doing that as a bit, you’re truly clueless. If it was a bit, you did great, I literally laughed when I read that.
November 5th, 2023 at 11:52 pm
Don’t sleep on Rachaad White. Unlike most of the 2023 season, White was able to find some room to run on the ground, finishing with 73 yards and two touchdowns on 20 attempts. The success helped balance Tampa Bay’s offense as the team built an early lead. White contributed in the passing game, too, gaining 46 yards on four catches. At halftime, White had accounted for 42.8% of the Bucs’ yards. They eventually managed to move the ball with other contributors getting involved, but he was an essential part of the offense. They lost this game, yes, but Bucs fans have to feel better about the state of their offense after watching this performance, and White has a whole lot to do with that.
November 5th, 2023 at 11:54 pm
I just thought this was too funny as we need a RB1 that can do something, yet this guy was almost 50% of our offense at the half……
November 5th, 2023 at 11:58 pm
This game will keep the Baker Bois on cloud 9 all week despite the loss.
Don’t count on this kind of offense against Tennessee.
Back to 16 PPG
November 6th, 2023 at 12:00 am
#EauDeToiletteBowles
^^^ i think i nailed it
November 6th, 2023 at 12:07 am
Lol poor Rod still trying to fabricate to hide his blunder
One more time – having a running game does not equal a run first team.
The rest of the class gets it and they must move on.
You will just have to repeat they year.
Nothing saves from The idiocy of claiming RBs are not needed in the NFL because it’s 2023. …..and this one will really blow your mind…having a half decent running game doesn’t mean you have to use it in every game .
I know your mind blown ..try again after repeating the year
November 6th, 2023 at 12:09 am
We are still early in this season amd Im already fed up with Bucs were top of the NFL 24 mths ago. Tom Brady showed me as a fan that mediocre football is avoidable and championship and competing for championships is possible and realistic if the Bucs organization year end and year out is possible if the work is put in prior to every game. I’ve been a Bucs fan for 4 decades now and mediocre professional football team is no longer acceptable. Bucs have a good management and members of a coaching staff that won a Super Bowl damn it. Tell Devin white to pull his head out of ass and others to get this right. You want sold out games and loud stadiums in Tampa. Show us fans why you deserve that. Tell Carlton Davis he ant nothing special because he couldn’t catch an interception if his life depended on it. Hope the Bucs stay with Baker, Baker is a winner. Stay with him. Let’s Go Bucs!!
November 6th, 2023 at 12:20 am
White had a good game, but who takes snaps if he gets banged up?
November 6th, 2023 at 12:32 am
Tell Bucs organization to pull its head out of you know what. After Brady, ugly football is no longer acceptable
November 6th, 2023 at 12:36 am
Mike s says:
“Don’t count on this kind of offense against Tennessee”
You are hurting Rod’s argument. When a Traskie says you won’t get that from Baker next week it’s code for
Baker had a great game and I know it so have to try and deflect from that reality to predictions.
Thing is Canales isn’t even using Baker properly and he is still playing well. You better hope the defense throws the leads or receivers don’t look for long dimes from Baker.
It only takes a couple fantastic finishes and you might have Baker ( if he will have the bucs) next season.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:37 am
I said alot of things that go back and fourth on my views of what the team should do. But I mean this one, bring Arians back, or Gruden. Number 1 on my list is Bill Belichick may be available by end of season. HOF coach, get him here, what ever it takes do it!! Get great people here and do it quickly. The Bucs have a standard of winning to uphold. Just do it. Ty, Let’s Go Bucs!!
November 6th, 2023 at 12:42 am
We had 18 rushing plays that netted 2 yards or less! (Including some losses)
18!!!!!!!!!!
(That 18 included Mayfields designed runs, and Rachaads touchdowns)
We had 4 more runs that were only 3 yards. That’s 22 rushing plays that couldn’t get more than 3 yards. That’s a massive waste of time and snaps.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:43 am
That said, R White did have a couple nice 10+ yard runs today.
November 6th, 2023 at 12:48 am
24 mths ago the Bucs were top in the NFL and rock stars. That was incredible
, I want it back and quickly. The players and coaches need to forget themselves and just focus on this season. Bruce Arians said during training camp in 2021. “We aren’t the Bucs, we are 53 mfers auditioning for a job. The NFL stands for Not for Long, so coaches and players need to pull there heads put of the arses. Ugly historically bad Bucs ball in no longer acceptable. Figure it out snd just do your jobs. Forget next season or beyond. There is only now!! Let’s Go Bucs!! Make a statement the next 2 weeks. Show those niners that your the Bucs who just won a ring 3 yrs ago and the Niners have not won a ring since the 90s
November 6th, 2023 at 1:01 am
Bucs can win a Super Bowl with Baker. Get him Arians or BB or Gruden, or Todd Monken. Get him somebody that knows how to call plays. I’m a Baker fan now. You can win a ring with him. Just do all the other things right. Let’s Go Bucs
November 6th, 2023 at 1:02 am
The Bucs running backs nearly tripled the yardage of the Texans running backs – yet the Texans won? How does that work? Because I was told you HAD to have a running game to win in today’s NFL, yet they didn’t run it at all, and when they did, they sucked at it, way worse than the Bucs did… yet they won.
I don’t get it.
November 6th, 2023 at 1:03 am
Bobby Says:
November 6th, 2023 at 1:01 am
Bucs can win a Super Bowl with Baker.
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#TEAMPOSITIVE!
November 6th, 2023 at 1:13 am
Bucs are 3-5 and the Baker Bois are demanding a contract extension declaring a bright future lays ahead.
Houston had an injury list a mile long and were near the bottom of the league in sacks. Bucs were also aided by 9 penalties and 115 yards.
For all that is holy please shut up. Its not the crowning achievement you think it is.
We just had a 3 game streak where Baker looked like garbage. In this game – not facing any pass rush of any sort and a swiss cheese secondary – Baker made some throws.
Yeah that’s been my point all along. Against weaker defenses Baker looks like an NFL QB. Against solid-good or better defenses he gets happy feet and dances all around – he gets exposed.
The handwriting is on the wall. You think Mayfield is coming back if Bowles is gone?
Dude its over. A new coach will want one of these QB draft picks at a minimum.
November 6th, 2023 at 4:46 am
Yes lets get a QB on draft day since Trask is so great why do we need another one like him HMMM…
November 6th, 2023 at 6:30 am
The Ownership and GM have to start formulating a actionable plan for 2024. They allowed the trade deadline to pass and there were some missed opportunities!
I used to beleive Bowels was a good defensive coordinator , but definetly not a head coach. I now believe that neither is true.
Carolina is beating us in the 1st round pick for next year . That is the only race that matters now . The race to the bottom.
November 6th, 2023 at 6:47 am
Improving…..btw Baker Mayfield is the number 1 rated NFC QB in the 4th quarter.
November 6th, 2023 at 10:52 am
White is finally starting to make cut backs to the holes. I am not sure why but for the start of the season he was just trying to follow the line and force the run through the holes. Now it looks like he is seeing the holes open and making cuts to the right or left. I don’t agree with changing the running backs out every series I believe in a two head horse but White had the hot hand yesterday and we kept putting Vaughn in who could do nothing. White is starting to be used like a Eckler on the Chargers which is not a bad type of back to have.
November 6th, 2023 at 7:40 pm
With a DECENT Oline this team is sitting 6-2. With the 2 loses being eagles and lions, the other games are wins with even decent oline play. And those thinking about HC change…this team even as it’s built is honestly 5 or 6 plays across few games being 6 and 2 at this point.
One of the things that is most disappointing I thought Canales was suppose to be doing more motion to get WR clean looks and better seperation…that is one of the huge issues I see, very little to no separation from WRs. Also more screens and quick slants to back the Dline off a tad, white has proven he is good in space, us it !!
November 6th, 2023 at 7:42 pm
Hey joes, what was White’s total combined yardage? He caught a few passes, too. He’s beginning to turn into a weapon and Canales is getting it. Canales is beginning to mesh with his O. Now, he and Bowles need to get with it on the refs. They do, Titans won’t know what hit them.