Todd Bowles Would “Like” Another Running Back
February 29th, 2024
Last year Bucs running back Rachaad White was the definition of a bellcow.
White last year had 272 carries in the regular season, the most by a Bucs running back since Doug Martin in 2015.
And it wasn’t like White was pulling a Franco Harris running outside and stepping out of bounds to avoid a hit. White mostly slammed up the middle. Tough, physical runs.
Those types of runs will sooner or later take their toll. Even White was banged up in the latter weeks of the season but gutted his way through the bumps and bruises.
So Tuesday Joe asked Todd Bowles if he plans on cutting back White’s touches, if for no other reason than to extend White’s usefulness.
Bowles said yes, and one way to do that is for the Bucs to get another running back.
“I’d definitely like another back in here to take some of the weight off of him,” Bowles said. “You carry the ball that much injuries are bound to happen. We can take some of the load off of him.”
Bowles felt that may have happened last year but Chase Edmonds himself was dinged up and Sean Tucker was still learning how to be an NFL running back. So the Bucs had to lean on White.
“He carried it well,” Bowles said. “He did a heck of a job. I think he can do it [being the bellcow] but we’d always like to take the pressure off of him if we can.”
Joe would like to see White used much more in the passing game than the run game. White is an elite receiver out of the backfield. As a running back, well, he’s serviceable.
Listen to Bucs general manager Jason Licht on the Ira Kaufman Podcast. Click here.
February 29th, 2024 at 1:53 am
Well……………Blake Corrum would be nice but we are not in that market.
Maybe josh Jacobs?
February 29th, 2024 at 2:08 am
Audric Estime would fit us perfectly, 3rd or even better if hes still there in the 4th.
February 29th, 2024 at 2:09 am
Ray Davis is a Beast and we have a connection. Would be a great addition
February 29th, 2024 at 3:09 am
“White mostly slammed up the middle.”
Umm… Joe he did finally start to do some of that…After much prodding from Bowles and I’m sure others. Then reverted back to the two step late in the regular season. He looked better in the playoffs when they finally started to mix it up a bit.
Go Bucs!
February 29th, 2024 at 3:55 am
SEAN TUCKER
Tucker takes a huge leap next year. He was handcuffed the entire training camp. With a full offseason and camp, he’s the most likely sophomore breakout star.
RAY DAVIS
Look for the Bucs to draft Ray Davis in the 5th or 6th round. Liam Coen was his coach at Kentucky. Bowling ball back with great hands. Compliments White.
February 29th, 2024 at 5:41 am
Maybe Derrick Henry would be willing to take a prove it type deal for a year. Strengthen the middle of the line with a free agent G/C and a draft pick and use White on 3rd downs.
I know… everyone is going to say DH is washed up cause he’s 30 but sometimes a guy like him might have a little juice left in his legs. With RH as the 3rd down back, DH wouldn’t have to carry the rock as much as in the past. It would take some wear and tear off RH too. A good but cheaper back could be found in the mid to later rounds also in case of injury.
Sometimes when teams are in the situation the Bucs are in, they might have to take a gamble on a player cause the team is trying to get to the SB and after the success of this past season, the window for winning is tight especially if they spend the $$ necessary to retain BM, ME and the others.
February 29th, 2024 at 6:48 am
I’d bet that over the last half of the season, White averaged over FOUR yards per carry. Anyone wanna check it out?
February 29th, 2024 at 7:08 am
The Bucs should check out Missouri running back Cody Schrader. He led the SEC in rushing last year. He is compact and solid and is a decisive runner. Despite his production, Schrader will no doubt be undervalued and probably available in the 3rd or 4th round. He is worth the pick.
February 29th, 2024 at 7:08 am
Would still love to see us sign AJ Dillon (6′ & 247 lbs) presuming that Green Bay doesn’t re-sign him. Sports a 4.1 YPC rushing average over his 4-year career (still only 25), and is also a good receiving back. Convinced that he’d be the short-yardage treat that we’ve needed for several years now. Alstott 2.0
February 29th, 2024 at 7:09 am
@RunBakerRun
I have no strong opinion on Derrick Henry. But looking him up, he still had a 4.2 yards per carry last year.
I also know that DH must really be an Alien from Outer Space. Just a freak. So, the possibility that he has something left for 2 or 3 years longer than other running backs exists.
If we sign him, we could have 2 of those guys that defy their ages. Mike and Derrick. Would be pretty cool story if it worked out.
February 29th, 2024 at 7:11 am
I like the Henry idea for a season. Living in Nashville area I watched a few Titans games. He still has some power left in them legs. And we need a power back.
February 29th, 2024 at 7:12 am
JL said same, would like one of those 230 pound fire plugs to complement him. I doubt we have any money to hire a decent FA tho
February 29th, 2024 at 7:37 am
Braelon Allen, Wisconsin RB.
February 29th, 2024 at 8:08 am
we need 4 serviceable runnig backs
February 29th, 2024 at 8:17 am
You guys presented some good options..will see..rb not been are best area of luck over the years..
February 29th, 2024 at 8:22 am
“We can take some of the load off of him.”
Get a 240lb fullback.
February 29th, 2024 at 8:44 am
Rico Dowdle or Tony Pollard of Cowboys are both free agents. Both are better than White and I bet Dowdle would not be that expensive.
February 29th, 2024 at 9:12 am
I agree with DR on Dillon. He is a big back who would be a great compliment to White in the backfield. I think he could be a starter on many teams.
February 29th, 2024 at 10:05 am
We need a fullback if we are going to play smash mouth football and, or run it up the middle on a constant basis. Get a dedicated 250 lb FB in round 5.
February 29th, 2024 at 10:09 am
Joe: “Sean Tucker was still learning how to be an NFL running back. So the Bucs had to lean on White.”
Oregon Fan: “Then what the hel! is he doing on a NFL roster, anyway?”
February 29th, 2024 at 10:37 am
Trey Benson FSU 🙏
February 29th, 2024 at 10:56 am
What happened to the rookie with the heart condition flag during last year’s draft?
February 29th, 2024 at 10:57 am
What does “still learning” mean?
February 29th, 2024 at 6:44 pm
Joe Mixon has also done well in this McVay wide zone offense for the past 3 years. He was 1000+ yards with double digit TDs last year. He took a pay cut to stay with Cincy last preseason. He’ll count $9M against their cap this year unless they release him or ask him to take a pay cut. Releasing him will save them about $6M in cap space. I think if Cincy can’t get him to take another pay cut, they get a rookie RB in draft and they will bail on him. Crazy to ask a guy who just rushed for 1000 yards and 12 total TDs to take a pay cut. If they cut him, I would hope we could swoop him up for about $5M with incentives. He has run for 1000+ yards 4 of last 6 years. And a key piece in that Super Bowl run. I would consider him a complement to White not better or worse. He’ll be 28 so one year deal with chance to play with his college buddy. If anything, he could further help White figure out being a RB in this offense and improve his yards per carry. I don’t like drafting or going with another young RB at this time. Those are just wasted carries to train someone for a team that needs 4-5 yards per carry. Rashaad Whites is our guy for 2-3 more years. Draft a RB next year after Rashaad has another year in this offense and works up to 4+ yards per carry. Even keep Mixon more years as our Kareen Hunt for those 3rd/4th and 1s.
March 1st, 2024 at 12:32 am
I think Missouri’s Schrader would be an ideal pick for the Bucs! He’s a talented back that kinda reminds me of McCaffrey in ways! Also Kentucky’s Davis is another good back that would be worth drafting in possibly the 3rd as well! I believe drafting one of these backs in the draft and also signing a back like Rico Dowdle in free agency would be the answer that the Bucs need to improve their run game and their offense as a whole!
March 1st, 2024 at 1:15 am
I think Belonzo Chagranting would be an ideal pick for the Bucs. 6’1”, 225, runs a 4.45 40 and can hit the blocking dummies so hard he breaks them. He was all world at D-3 power Cheboygan State. Has great tape, which everyone knows means he’ll be an NFL star.
I’ve forwarded his contact info to Licht, who counts on us forum jockeys for intel he and his staff would otherwise miss.
March 1st, 2024 at 9:37 am
We should go after #1 Try to Trade for Aaron Jones 4rm the Packers if they choose Dillion Aaron Jones has been Elite in the Zone scheme n a Touchdown machine and in a offense where we will throw alot of screens out the backfield n line the back up in the Slot Aaron Jones would 4SURE be a 1,300 yrd rushing with 12+ TDs……….
#2 OPTION// DEANDRE SWIFT 4rm Philly he is explosive as a runner, runs hard and also had great hands N is a 4Sure 1,000 yds back wen given the chance I Would make him the PURE RUSHER n give him MOST OF THE LOAD N the Best part is that he is still young like 25 so he n White can grow over the years to become 1 of the Best RB Duos in football..He was the ONLY Bright Spot in the Playoff game we beat them in Swift can be our 1st n 2nd down pure runner then you can have Swift n White on the field at the same time on 3rd down with White either in the Slot opposite of Godwin with Evans n Palmer outside or have Both backs in Shotgun each beside Baker n run our RPO Game that would be a hard package 2 Stop bcuz the defense wouldn’t know where the ball is going n would cause the LB’s to have to cum up n play the run 1st n that Opens up Quick Slants behind the LB’s to Evans,Godwin,Otton or 1 of the RB’s who release n runs a Texas or Option route up the middle……..
3RD OPTION// AUSTIN ECKLER is a veteran experienced RB who has big play speed n ability and the guy caught 75 passes in 1 season n had like 800 yds receiving he is Basically like another WR or pass catcher n would help the offense kill 2 birds with 1 player and he wouldn’t cost alot maybe a 5th n 6th round picks 4 a guy who can give you almost 1,700 yds from scrimmage with 1,000 rushing yds n 600 to 800 yds receiving thats 1 player alone who adds almost 2,000 yds of offense by himself n would stay fresh sharing the backfield with White………
4TH OPTION// DALVIN COOK a experienced RB who has been Elite in Zone shemes n still has that speed,playmaking ability, n ELITE HANDS n 1 of the BEST Screen game RB’s…….. He didnt work with the Jets bcuz THEY WERE A BAD TEAM, WEAK O-LINE, N DIDNT HAVE ENOUGH GAMES 2 KNOCK THE RUST OFF…………
March 1st, 2024 at 7:39 pm
Nick Chubb
March 1st, 2024 at 9:13 pm
Team, please pass out the rest of whatever you ingested to the rest of us. That’s some hilarious stuff.
March 1st, 2024 at 9:21 pm
*Twan