What’s Next For Rachaad White?
March 31st, 2024
More targets?
So, was the 2023 season pretty much who Rachaad White is?
On the ground, White was nearly identical to the back he was his rookie season. White ran for 3.7 yards a carry in 2022 and 3.6 yards a carry last season.
Given the short shelf lives running backs have, Joe guesses that’s who White is as a ballcarrier.
As a receiver out of the backfield, Joe believes last season White became elite. How well did White break out as a pass catcher? Even run-the-ball Bucs coach Todd Bowles believes White should have been more involved in the passing game, so documented Jamey Eisenberg of CBS.
“In the passing game, he’s always been an asset,” Bowles said of White. “We probably haven’t used him as much.
“If you can get him in open space, he’s a very good route runner, he’s very elusive out in the open field and has outstanding hands.”
That’s high and deserved praise for the Arizona State product. Joe is not a fan of White on the ground. Joe became a huge fan of White catching the ball. The man is a damn weapon in the passing game.
So this brings Joe to 2024.
Former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales was a ground-and-pound kind of guy who loved running White between the guards. In fact, Canales may have liked that too much. White had a crazy amount of carries (272) and since most were up the middle, which just happened to be the soft spot of the offensive line, that kind of running will take a toll.
Now it’s Liam Coen running the Bucs offense. Just based on who Coen worked for (Sean McVay), Joe expects the offense will be more diverse.
Given that White last year established himself as a great passing weapon, might Coen get White more involved through the air?
Joe believes this would be smart. The more White is targeted, that should loosen defenses to spring Mike Evans and/or Chris Godwin.
March 31st, 2024 at 12:02 am
we need Trey Benson in the draft 2nd round, imagine him fielding a kickoff (with the new rules) he gets a seam and gets going and nobody gonna bring him down–he that good
March 31st, 2024 at 12:31 am
I think Coen will focus on the short passing game, as opposed to always running on first down. McVay is much more passing oriented. That will play to White’s strengths.
But our lousy center and Guard play made running up the middle impossible. So strange that Canales continued trying, when it was apparent that it didn’t work.
Hopefully, a new OC and an improved line will make White a dangerous weapon.
March 31st, 2024 at 1:18 am
Wouldnt it be funny…we get Powers and his RB Bucky Irving in the 4th…..I want Estime but also love me some Bucky….that kid is shifty!
March 31st, 2024 at 1:25 am
Fix the OLine – and White will be fine.
I said multiple times before the 2023 season started that White would gain 1500+ total yards. Few believed me.
Rachaad totaled 1539 yards and scored 9 TDs.
So when I tell you that White is a good RB and that 98% of the reason his average run was less than 4 yards per carry is because our interior OLine was the worst run blocking unit in the NFL – you might want to listen up….
Who are you gonna believe? Me? Or the Joe who hoards bad narratives like a junk yard dog with a bone?
FIX THE OLINE!!!!
Mauch will be fine. Upgrade Center – Upgrade LG and the Bucs offense in 2024 will be a force to be reckoned with.
March 31st, 2024 at 2:37 am
We need a clone of Earnest Graham.
Gator running backs are studly in the NFL.
Quarterbacks – not so much.
March 31st, 2024 at 4:01 am
Gator RBs LMAO
Name 1 in the last 5 years?
Alabama yes.
Florida not so much and I’m a Florida fan.
And you used a guy from freaking 10 years ago.
Anyway moving on to more relevant posts, I agree Coen will be more plugged in to what our guys do well. Canales’ philosophy was skewed. Do it until you get better is for training high schoolers how to take the SAT. It’s certainly not for professional football players.
And I am 100% on board with the running issues being the OL. You can’t tell me there are 5-10 undrafted RBs every year who excel because that many teams MISSED them.
Fix the O Line and take a bruiser in the 4th or 5th and the running game will be fine. Walter Payton couldn’t run behind this line.
March 31st, 2024 at 4:05 am
Might be a broad question. Idk.
March 31st, 2024 at 4:18 am
Canales put too much emphasis on a predictable run first offense far too long
last season. His failure to include less predictable running plays had to affect the
success of the running backs. Average gain per run was improved by all RB’S
toward the end of season when he was forced to abandon his his predictable run calls.
March 31st, 2024 at 6:01 am
Bucs used Play Action a lot in 2023. Pretty close to 5th most and certainly top 10. Although it may not be 272 touches there will certainly be an effort to run the ball because without the threat you might as well jus5 play from the shotgun. That won’t turn out well.
Coen’s year as OC of the Rams had McVey calling the plays and his OC was responsible for execution. Was the play calling that was responsible for Rams 5-12 season and Rams decision not to bring Coen back.
Bucs new OC only has real play calling on a college level and I think that expectations are a little high going into 2024.
Definitely going to be a learning curve to start and hopefully Coen gets the luck of some lesser talent to start and goes 3-1 out the gate. Without that start Bucs don’t win the Division or make Playoffs in 2023.
March 31st, 2024 at 7:45 am
There is a experienced RB with two Super Bowl rings and a 4.4 yard career average available and his name is ROJO. By the way he also has the longest run in Bucs history at 98 yards.
March 31st, 2024 at 7:53 am
On this beautiful Easter day – maybe I gets me wish. Physically gifted Sean Tucker figures it out, becomes the lead back and White is relegated to 3rd down back along with Edmunds.
March 31st, 2024 at 7:54 am
Running between the guards…….that’s where the weakness at center shows up……improve that and you improve the running game.
March 31st, 2024 at 8:44 am
Big plays behind the new and improved offensive line, while trying to keep the younger RB’s on the roster sitting on the bench.
March 31st, 2024 at 10:08 am
I remember Scott Sullivan article last year were he said that the Bucs were going to have a lot of Wide Zone runs.
Did they ever materialize, or do I not know what a wide zone run looks like?
March 31st, 2024 at 10:11 am
Not sure why Bucs fans would ask for Rojo back.
Everybody that watched him in Tampa knows that he gave up.
Also, both KC and Dallas the last two years saw no use in him. Not sure why someone thinks he would be good in 2024.
March 31st, 2024 at 10:27 am
Stats do not lie-they are what defines you as a player.
March 31st, 2024 at 11:09 am
Does Dalvin Cook have any tread left? Maybe pick him up as vet to compliment White?
March 31st, 2024 at 11:12 am
White just doesn’t hit the hole fast. I don’t believe he will ever be an elite running back.
March 31st, 2024 at 1:12 pm
Grab a day 1 center and give this man some capable and consistent blocking. With his mama getting on him,. You know he’s got to do something. I’m still a rachad fan.
Another scenario pointed by another poster here on jbf, which makes some sense, is that due to the new anti tackling rule, JL may grab a power back to put in the backfield and rachad may see a swing to the outside more often
March 31st, 2024 at 1:29 pm
Canales put too much emphasis on a predictable run first offense far too long
last season. His failure to include less predictable running plays had to affect the
success of the running backs. Average gain per run was improved by all RB’S
toward the end of season when he was forced to abandon his his predictable run calls.
Bob from Valrico
This is true. Play calling has an effect on success rate. The play calling was terrible for at least the first half of the season. After that White’s YPC was perfectly acceptable if not even good. I’m too lazy to do the research but it is true
March 31st, 2024 at 4:45 pm
What’s next hopefully includes RB Braelon Allen drafted in the 3rdct0 compliment him in the run game
March 31st, 2024 at 7:49 pm
I agree with Pickgin and Buccos as well as Simeon.
We’ll find out this season how bad Canales play calling was or not. But I don’t think he did White or the OL or the QB for that matter any freaking favors.
And like Simeon and many others here I’d like to see the Bucs grab Braelon Allen who could provide a nice power alternative to White. Not sure he’ll last until the 3rd but many believe he will because of all the QB’s WR’s ahead. Perhaps combining both 3rd round picks would do it.
Perhaps we could revive “Thunder and Lightning”. OK that was disrespectful to Mike and Warrick…perhaps a loud burp and flash bulb? Same concept little less jam.