Screen Magic In Week 1
September 11th, 2024
Rachaad White catches a screen pass Sunday with loads of room to run.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht beamed and gushed when the Bucs executed a gorgeous screen play in the 2024 preseason finale.
So Joe can only imagine Licht’s reaction when Rachaad White rumbled 40 yards untouched on a screen in Sunday’s season opener.
On 2nd-and-5 at the Bucs’ 33 yard line, the Bucs set up a screen pass to White on the left side. He caught it at the 26 yard line and let his blockers set up beautifully. Right guard Cody Mauch was especially active and blocked two Commanders as White got to the sideline.
At the 34 yard line of Washington, White finally was touched by a defender and knocked out of bounds. Again, that’s 40 yards untouched!
While White wasn’t called upon to make impressive moves, his timing was perfect and Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner looked old and slow trying to chase down the play.
It was a huge moment as the Bucs led by just 9 points with 1 minute remaining in the third quarter.
If the Bucs can improve to an average run game this season, and be among the top screen teams, there really is no limit for this offense if it stays healthy.
September 11th, 2024 at 12:14 am
It’s good there wasn’t anybody close to touching him.
September 11th, 2024 at 12:25 am
That play was beautiful.
September 11th, 2024 at 12:35 am
I think the screen game really improved LAST year but Canales didn’t run it enough. This year our OL is even better with Barton, those OL guys are really hustling and laying waste.
September 11th, 2024 at 1:06 am
‘If the Bucs can improve to an average running game’?
Far from it Joe, we got the second coming of emmit smith,
It’s just that nobody has figured that one out yet, but they will.
His name is Bucky!
September 11th, 2024 at 1:45 am
Run game looks good i want to cry
September 11th, 2024 at 3:45 am
White and Bucky are great 1-2 punch. The O line should gel and get better, they gave up several runs immediately at the handoff. Overall, though, they looked great.
Bucky sure looked a lot like Warrick Dunn
September 11th, 2024 at 3:58 am
Spot on Joe! The screen game looked like they have it down to a science.
As a former O lineman I can tell you that screen passes are difficult to execute and easy to screw up. The timing for everyone has to be perfect. Ask Barton and Mauch.
Nothing excited me more than being downfield blocking on a screen pass and nailing a LB, Safety, or Corner to spring my man for a big gainer.
Go Bucs!
September 11th, 2024 at 5:49 am
Fully agree, Joe.
Agree with David and others too. “White and Bucky are a great 1-2 punch.” And this was just the first game. They will get more resilient throughout the season.
September 11th, 2024 at 7:29 am
beautiful
September 11th, 2024 at 8:19 am
Why can’t you provide video of the play?
Joe could have, but that really wasn’t the point. And the screenshot provides great perspective of the setup. Plus, the vast majority of fans already saw the play. –Joe
September 11th, 2024 at 9:25 am
WOW! Great Play Calls, Fantastic Execution. Better Days Ahead, Go Bucs!
September 11th, 2024 at 9:52 am
So graham was illegal downfield. Got away with it
September 11th, 2024 at 10:08 am
Barton is clearly still within 1 yard of the LOS, so no he didn’t get away with it. It was just a legal play which is why it was overturned it from a penalty
September 11th, 2024 at 12:20 pm
That was a beautiful play, however , it was concerning that the entire game plan was to attack the flanks and sidelines, that worked with Washington , but against Detroit , I have my doubts , remember it was Detroit who took away the sideline routes forcing Mayfield to throw down the middle where he was intercepted to end our season. If We can’t use the whole field , sideline to sideline , short to deep , including runs, We are going to have real problems with the Lions, Cowboys, Chiefs , and 49er’s of the league.
September 11th, 2024 at 1:44 pm
MacMillan’s 2 deep targets were not to sidelines, both vertical routes, ball was delivered perfectly on both shots, first one he flat out dropped, second one was an even better throw.
Give him a break, he’s a rookie and it was his first target in a real game. He must have had some jitters because he has great hands.