“He Was Seeing The Hole Before He Got The Ball”
January 25th, 2024
The Buccaneers’ running game was fantastic on Sunday, the best of the season. It was so good, some folks think the Bucs should have run more against Detroit.
Head coach Todd Bowles always is brimming with pride when the Bucs run well. Speaking on the Buccaneers Radio Network this week, he said a key Sunday was the maturity of Rachaad White.
“Rachaad was hitting the hole downhill. He was seeing the hole before he got the ball,” Bowles said. “That was very important. … He got some tough yards in there.”
The growth of White was undeniable this season. Through his last nine games, White had 158 carries for 658 yards. That’s 4.16 yards per carry — below the NFL average but respectable and far better than the horror show performances before Thanksgiving.
Bowles cited the jelling of the offensive line and their increased confidence as another factor in the improved run game.
Joe suspects running back won’t be a priority for Tampa Bay in the draft, but it sure would jack up the offense to add a faster RB to challenge White and complement him.
January 25th, 2024 at 9:06 am
You always have to look for RBs in the draft. Young RBs are where it’s at and its a position of great turnover. But unless the guy is a generational talent like Adrian Peterson, never take a RB in the top 20… you do take RBs 21-32 for the main reason of having a 5th year option on him before you dump him and find a younger, cheaper alternative.
January 25th, 2024 at 9:08 am
Our biggest failure on Sunday was Todd Bowles adjusting the defense in the 2nd half, it was WEAK.
January 25th, 2024 at 9:16 am
I liked C. Edmonds. He provided some pop in the later part of the season.
January 25th, 2024 at 9:18 am
Well Joe if you want speed and great pure running..depends how badly you want it.
Blake Corum is a solid running back and should have a high grade. He will, however, be a second- or third-round choice in the 2024 NFL draft due to his age and inability to do anything exceptionally well other than run. That implies he won’t be seen as a running back capable of being on the field in passing situations.
He won’t last to the end of the 3rd but the Bucs may have a shot in the 2nd.
I want Big uglies…but if Corum was available with no trade up needed I would be excited. The Bucs already possess one of the best receiving RB’s in the league…add the best runner and what a combo.
Another option is just wait until final round and FA and find eithe speed or a big pounder.
IMHO this is not a major need for the Bucs given the way Chase Edmonds came on as he got healthy the end of the season and playoffs.
January 25th, 2024 at 9:23 am
“add a faster RB to challenge White and complement him.”
I’d prefer to add a 230 lb tough running bruiser at RB. Would be a better “complement” to White’s style considering how much Canales likes to run between the tackles.
January 25th, 2024 at 9:34 am
Pickgrin
I agree! I saw a beast for Miami U’s Redhawks in a bowl game. He’s projected a final round or UDFA.
He is not pretty…he’s a bulldozeer and I agree with you…while admitting speed kills they have Palmer and Thompkins and Canales has already figured a way to get them the ball, now it’s time for a BEAST!
January 25th, 2024 at 9:57 am
They needed to use the pass to set up the run at the start of the second half.
January 25th, 2024 at 10:05 am
The running game got better as Wirfs and Stinnie got better. Remember Feiler early in the year? How often did we run well to the right behind Mauch and Goedeke? While Hainsey improved over the year, he’s not an NFL starter. Moving Mauch to center is fine, but who will then play RG?
White hit holes because there were holes where the play design intended. He still has no vision if the intended hole isn’t there. White still has no vision or elusiveness as a runner. A late round RB could still beat out White as a RB1 runner, then use White as a 3rd down back.
January 25th, 2024 at 10:12 am
What happened to Sean Tucker? He has 4.3 speed. I heard earlier in the season that the concern was his inability to pick up the block. If he’s that bad the why didn’t we release him and bring in someone who can block. I don’t understand.
January 25th, 2024 at 10:15 am
I still don’t trust him as the primary back. Third down back on every third down, but he still isn’t reliable to carry the load. We still need a true RB1 or we will have the same conversations next year. A run first team that can’t run the football.
January 25th, 2024 at 10:24 am
I TOTALLY AGREE!!!! I personally think White’s running style SUCKS and he plays scared of contact. Why can’t the Bucs ever get lucky and find a Pacheco late in the draft?? Runs with determination and he ain’t even as big as Rachaad White
January 25th, 2024 at 10:51 am
I’m not going to second guess the mix of plays against the Lions. The Bucs had a lot of success passing also, except when inexplicably the unblocked edge came in on Baker so fast, so many times. Again, that’s on coaching and while Canales is a new OC but bears responsibility for getting his QB and OL straight in the line checks, the head coach should be reviewing everything about a game plan before every game and especially before a playoff game.
Of course the Bucs head coach was too busy worrying about not “prolonging the obvious” during the week leading up to the Lions game, so nevermind. Todd doesn’t hold himself accountable for anything.
January 25th, 2024 at 11:13 am
The Bucs will do one of two things:
1. Draft a pure two or three down RB, which would relegate White to a third down back, which he is outstanding at. Or,
2. Draft a slew of offensive linemen, in addition to signing some in free agency, to help White out.
I would be happy in either case.
January 25th, 2024 at 12:51 pm
This may be an unpopular/outdated opinion, but again, I think this team needs a large RB that can serve as a FB. At the least, with how porous our O-line is run-blocking, when someone penetrates, a FB-type would at least be able to prevent so many TFL’s. Plus, a FB might be able to get to 2nd level, block a LB, and our run average might increase by half a yard or so.
I had thought that maybe the Bucs should use Kieft as a FB occasionally, but maybe he’s not quick enough out of his stance for that role. I dunno – did the Bucs use a FB at all this past season? I don’t recall seeing it.
Just pondering aloud here…OK go back to your normally scheduled comment reading, folks. 🙂
January 25th, 2024 at 12:53 pm
PS: But yes, to be the running team as envisioned by Bowles and Canales, we do need some better blockers on O-line. Center and at least 1 new guard.
January 25th, 2024 at 1:56 pm
I had a feeling Canales was going to leave for the Carolina head coach job. I think that sucks. I also think we wouldn’t have had as many wins without him this last season. I hope he doesn’t kick our butt twice a year on a regular basis.
January 26th, 2024 at 5:32 am
Joe I know you are always looking for the next great running back but we stand pat at RB this year in the draft. Maybe bring in some folks to compete in camp, but that is all.
Our running game was hindered by a TE who had a propensity to look like Pop Warner kid trying to block the fat kid and whiffing. I am hoping to see Payne Durham hit somone like Gronk next camp!
Go Bucs!
January 26th, 2024 at 6:12 am
Bucs could get Derrick Henry in his prime. Todd would find a way to get him averaging 2.3 yards a carry.