Skip Peete Suggests Running Backs May Want To Get More Physical
July 26th, 2024
Bucs RB coach weighs in.
Bucs running backs have been awful at YAC the past two seasons. That seems to fit for the league’s worst rushing attack two years running.
The Bucs have been so bad at YAC that it makes Joe want to yack all over the floor.
Joe spoke to Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen this week and he told Joe that YAC (yards after contact) is such a focus for the team this summer that every drill the running backs work on has at least some element involved to improve YAC.
Last year then-Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales said the best way to improve YAC is to keep running. That didn’t seem to improve things.
Yesterday, Bucs running backs coach Skip Peete explained to Joe some ways the backs could improve YAC but basically boiled it down to physicality. If a running back is more physical, he’s going to get better YAC.
“YAC is a lot of stuff,” Peete said. “Sometimes it is actually just creating more space and finishing plays. In practice, we try to finish every play that you’re in. Score every time. That’s the important thing. That’s what we want to do each and every play.
“In my opinion, that’s the only way you can work on it. I mean, a bag doesn’t move or a barrel doesn’t move where you can go up and make a move and just run.
“You’ve got to practice against live guys who are trying to tackle you.”
Peete added that in football, there is no substitute for a player being physical.
“Physicality in how you run,” Peete said of improving YAC. “You may only get a two-yard gain but you fight through the tackle and fall forward for [maybe] two yards.
“Like I told [Rachaad White] last year, as the season adds up, those [hard-fought] 100 extra YAC yards will get you over 1,000 yards.”
A lot of folks always like to blame an offensive line for a running back’s troubles. But man, White has only had a few games where he looked like an explosive stud in the backfield — out of what, 37? That’s not a good ratio.
Joe knows under the watch of NFL strongman Roger Goodell, the league is so watered down when it comes to hitting. But to the best of Joe’s knowledge, running backs are still allowed to break tackles and make defenders miss.
July 26th, 2024 at 7:34 am
White ran physical against Detroit in the playoffs. If only he hadn’t whiffed twice in pass blocking that led to sacks, we might have won that game.
July 26th, 2024 at 7:41 am
Contact balance, too many DB’s just lower their shoulder to tackle, BUT don’t wrap up. Bounce off those guys and continue….
July 26th, 2024 at 7:45 am
White had one of the shortest distances before the catch @ -1 and was one of the best (perhaps 3rd) @ + 9.5 after. How about working on White getting fewer touches and Mayfield getting a little more touch on downfield throws. Instead of putting it up where ribs can get broke how about getting it where receivers can catch in stride and break tackles?
I remember Chris Godwin fighting for an extra yard after the catch in a Big Game and coughing it up 1 yard from the end zone.
Again. Be careful what you wish for.
July 26th, 2024 at 7:47 am
“A lot of folks always like to blame an offensive line for a running back’s troubles.”
Less about blame and more about accountability, hard for a RB to max out on his potential on a rep to rep basis when the continuity on the interior OL is lacking. Liam Coen himself said it takes “all 11” when talking about making the run game viable, the success of the run game certainly isn’t all on Rachaad Whites’ shoulders.
July 26th, 2024 at 7:51 am
I saw Trevor Sikemma breakdown Rachaad. Hewas equal part understanding because the Bucs interior line play was abysmal but he was also critical of him in that he agreed with Joe here. White has been absolutely terrible after contact and making people miss. Both of those metrics were below back up level according to Trevor.
July 26th, 2024 at 8:33 am
Asking a RB to consistently break tackles at the line or behind the line is just unrealistic. Making defenders miss is more realistic at the second level of the defense, making 300 plus pound linemen miss is like asking for Joe to credit which Joe writes which story.
July 26th, 2024 at 9:04 am
Would LOVE to know how Skippy is coaching him and the other RBs up.
July 26th, 2024 at 9:26 am
YAC is more difficult if you are running up the gut on first down every time.
That said, the best way to improve may be more competition at running back. I do not think this current group will ever be known for steamrolling.
July 26th, 2024 at 9:36 am
He has been saying that since day 1. Let’s see it!
July 26th, 2024 at 9:45 am
I come on this site and read these fantasy football fans comments and come away asking myself is it me or is the whole fanbase in denial??? I get it they would rather blame Todd Bowles cause that let’s Jason Licht off the hook for his talent evaluations! #1 Thank heavens the Pac12 is dissolved so the Bucs can’t get anymore RBs from that no tackling conference thinking players production will translate to the NFL#2 If DJ Williams doesn’t have what it takes to make it in the NFL Bucs are at square one cause Bucky Irving has the same problem Rachaad White has plus he’s too damn small #3 I’m gonna tread lightly with this one cause people can really get into their feelings if it turns out to be a problem. Drafting Olineman then immediately wanting them to play a different position can be risky and have it’s drawbacks so Hainsey,a player proven not to be a strong enough Center in this league, let’s just say it’s worth watching how this plays out cause if Barton doesn’t turn out to be leaps and bounds better than Hainsey then somebody made another crucial mistake 🚩☠️💯
July 26th, 2024 at 10:42 am
Bucky is here to take chaad’s job. This post is a big reason why.
July 26th, 2024 at 10:44 am
Coaches have only been telling White to the hit damn whole with authority for two full years, maybe this is the year he listens. He’s always been slow processing his keys, maybe Coen can simplify things for him, he starts dancing when he’s thinking.
July 26th, 2024 at 10:54 am
They should attend Olivia Newton John’s summit, aptly titled “Let’s Get Physical.”
July 26th, 2024 at 11:07 am
“A lot of folks always like to blame an offensive line for a running back’s troubles.”
Well, when you have the lowest yards before contact in the entire league, it’s pretty obvious the o-line isn’t doing the best job blocking.
Running backs needs to fight through contact more as well, but it’s quite different when you’re getting hit in the backfield vs past the LOS
July 26th, 2024 at 11:13 am
Running up the gut 30 times a game is just as dead as Olivia Newton John
July 26th, 2024 at 11:46 am
WE GET IT
Every week it’s another bag-on-White article. We get it. You don’t like him.
I’m trying to warn you. You’re going to eat a lot of crow on White. Canales is gone + New OL + White has been working hard. He’s going to have a good year and the mountain of anti-R White articles are going to come back to haunt you.
July 26th, 2024 at 12:27 pm
” Running Backs May Want To Get More Physical”
Maybe draft more physical Running Backs. (square peg/round hole) I like Rachaad White and think he is becoming a scape goat. OPEN MORE HOLES!!!
July 26th, 2024 at 12:29 pm
^^^Also^^^
Drafting two lineman is an admission of guilt.
July 26th, 2024 at 2:40 pm
This guy sounds like a complete idiot who has no idea about his players strengths. You know who are basic north/south runners who RUN WITH POWER right the back of their offensive linemen — that would be Keyshawn Vaughn and Sean Tucker. Maybe check out their sub 1.5 yards per attempt averages.
If there’s no blocking, just running forward into your blockers rear end doesn’t do anything. The only reason White was as good as he was, was because he was patient and waited for holes. Sean Tucker didn’t do that and he average 1.4 yards per carry.
Seriously, everything I’ve heard from this guy is complete clueless nonsense. Hopefully the players aren’t listening to this moron.
July 26th, 2024 at 4:30 pm
Skip Peete might not have a job in a few weeks .The position group he’s responsible for has performed the worst in the league for two consecutive years. Todd can’t afford to be as patient as he’s been.
July 26th, 2024 at 7:58 pm
YAC threw me off as YAC usually regencies Yards After Catch. Most stats logs I see is it’s YACON. Anyway Joe ( made it clear) and I just plain missed it. Like turning upfield before securing the ball.
Don’t know if this is a new concept for Coen or it was part of MCVeys teaching but the Rams leading rusher in 2023 averaged 1.5 YACON/ATT . Edmonds was at 1.5 and White was at 1.4 Year before that Cam Akers ranked 3rd with 2 yards but that was more Akers being a Beast than Coen Stragety.
Those numbers basically are players getting hit behind the line and getting it back across the line of scrimmage. Second and 9 and a half.
If backs get a little opening and at getting contact 3 yards or more across the line it now a 5 or 6 yard gain and Second and 4 is a nice position to be in.
Still think the fighting for an extra yard is risky. Flowers (Ravens) goes down at the one instead of fighting and extending for the last yard in AFC Championship it’s 3rd and goal at the 1with two plays to get it in. Whole different outcome.
Player makes a 28 yard play it’s still going to be 1st and 10 whether it’s at the opposing 30 or 29. Get out of bounds or get down. Try to take on two or three defenders you gain an extra yard, get stripped, or put it on the ground.
If Coen wants 2 more yards White would have be at 3.5 and a half yard better than the best in 2023 of 3.0 (at least 100 rushes). Pretty Lofty Expectaions.
July 30th, 2024 at 12:31 pm
If Peete can get Raxhaad to just hit the LOS instead of dancing around behind it, that would be great. Our old run game coordinator? Harold Gooddwin and Todd McNair were not getting it done.
Go Bucs!