Rachaad White (Or Bucky Irving) As A Receiver? Bucs Are Looking Into It
October 24th, 2024
Snaps at WR discussed.
Look, Joe didn’t expect Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen to broadcast how he is going to attack the Dixie Chicks on Creamsicle Sunday without Mike Evans or Chris Godwin.
Joe has written since last year that running back Rachaad White ought to be moved to slot (before Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen smartly moved Godwin back to slot) because Joe recognizes White is a real weapon as a receiver and just a guy at running back.
This morning, Joe typed the time was now to move White to slot with injuries to Evans and Godwin.
Though no specific players were named, Coen did say the team is looking at all options, including maybe a Bucs running back playing some receiver.
“That’ll definitely be something that we have to take a strong look at,” Coen said today. “We need our receivers to continue to develop, but yeah I would say [a running back at receiver is] something we have to continue to look at as a staff.”
The trick, Coen said, is he doesn’t want to throw a running back into a receiver role full-time, cold turkey.
“That’s something that takes time – like it takes time to tell Rachaad [White] or Bucky [Irving] or whomever to go line up at receiver and go line up over here and go line up over there,” Coen said. “That takes time to be able to do, so how much of that, we’ll see.”
Well, just looking at the Bucs’ curb-stomping at the hands of the Crows on Monday night, White lining up multiple times at receiver after shifting out of the backfield. So it’s not like playing receiver is foreign to him.
In fact, the way White produces in the passing game and seldom produces in the running game, one could argue White’s spot all along should have been at receiver.
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October 24th, 2024 at 5:47 pm
It’s very different motioning to the LOS after being lined up in the backfield, or drifting out into the flat after doing pass protection, compared to lining up in the slot from the start. Different routes, choice routes, blocking assignments, etc.
But with that said- I’m coming around to this idea a bit more after learning the R White played WR in college for a bit. But I still think it would be limited when we can do there.
Just keep running these 2 back sets, and get creative with motion / splitting them out wide.
Sterling Shepard has played a lot of slot receiver, I think he’s beter suited for that role. He seems to not mind getting his hands dirty and blocking either. Put J Mac and Palmer on the outside and have them run a bunch of go routes to keep defenses honest… I dunno, I’m not an offensive coordiator.
October 24th, 2024 at 5:49 pm
Works for me.
October 24th, 2024 at 5:49 pm
I guess there are some routes White could run from the slot…I like his size to handle that position. McMillan and Palmer seem way to skinny to handle the slot to me…unless they are running through it and getting deep…
Just not sure how a RB can run an NFL route (no rounding off routes)…on a short week…that will take time even if they are some what capable…I do trust Coen to get something done.
Know if Coen only knew how to design / coordinate a Defense 🙂
October 24th, 2024 at 5:53 pm
You would think White would want to move to slot considering receivers make more paper than RBs do. But I’m with Joe. I think White should be a permanent fixture at slot and never line up as a RB again.
October 24th, 2024 at 5:53 pm
I like the 2 RB sets sending a RB in motion….surely, our top 4 WRs are better than our RBs at the WR position. Could White, Urving or Tucker develop? Sure, but wa don’t have time for that.
October 24th, 2024 at 5:54 pm
The 2 back backfield with lots of shifting should work
October 24th, 2024 at 5:55 pm
Just saw that Bucky is out for Sunday. Bummer
October 24th, 2024 at 6:02 pm
If Bucky is out Sunday then you put Palmer and Mcmillion on the outside and Shepard at slot. Use 2 back sets and have white take passes and Tucker do majority of the running. Mix it up but utilize as many options as possible.
October 24th, 2024 at 6:18 pm
Doubt Shepard plays in the slot, too Injury prone for that, wouldn’t mind seeing them switch in white and Jalen in the slot. Will be interesting to see how creative they get with the guys they have, it’s going to be quite the game on Sunday.
October 24th, 2024 at 6:19 pm
It’s Rachaad and Tucker show Sunday against the Falcons
October 24th, 2024 at 6:32 pm
BucsFan81 gets it. Shepard has a ton of experience playing in the slot already.
Maybe ya’ll should check out some stats. If you did, you’d know the R White has better RUSHING stats than Bucky does in his last 3 starts. Tucker also better in his last 2 starts.
October 24th, 2024 at 6:37 pm
Cooper Cupp or Shepard would be a better idea, but let’s see how it works out with White. Should be interesting.
October 24th, 2024 at 6:55 pm
JBF, you found something new to harp on and now I expect we will get an article either once a day or every other day on how White’s receiving stats are comparable to some Jagoff slot receiver on some other team, trying to make the case that ANY RB with pass catching skills can be turned into a WR. smh. Jesus. This is good stuff man. You got some of these guys coming around to the idea too, lmao.
Are you guys joking with us, like is there a bet between the 3 of you at “JoeBucsFan.com World Headquarters” where you bring up an obscure topic and try to give it legs with some common sense reasoning, like White has good hands for a RB, and he’s not very good at the RB part, so let’s turn him into a WR instead…did you guys try this with Charles Sims at any point? …God I can’t wait for Sunday so we can read something else come Monday.
Keep the fire boys… we’re all a bit too bored right now…lmao.
October 24th, 2024 at 6:55 pm
Do we even know how many routes he can run?
October 24th, 2024 at 6:56 pm
Zoocomics 💯
October 24th, 2024 at 7:03 pm
@Buc4evr… sleep peacefully tonight knowing that THE BUCS WILL NOT TRADE TO GET COOPER KUPP FROM THE RAMS. EVER!
Now that we got my unnecessary response out of the way, you can ask, why Zoocomics? Why not? Well…he’s 32, coming off ANOTHER injury and the only reason the Rams want to unload him, which it includes everything I’ve already mentioned, is that they want to unload his contract dude. It’s horrible and this is not Brady’s Bucs.
This fanbase is so spoiled from the Brady era that every rumored free agent is potential for us to get… yeah, we had that for a brief moment… this ownership and GM are not banking on Baker in that same way… not going to happen.
October 24th, 2024 at 7:22 pm
All this wideout talk I want to see Rakim Jarrett 6’1 196 and Ryan Miller 6’2” 226 ball out.
Bummed Bucky isn’t playing… again hope it’s not turf toe. That lingers.
October 24th, 2024 at 7:24 pm
Not going to happen. No matter how many times the Joe’s and the minions call for it…. It’s not going to happen.
Not going to be switching any player positions… That’s way more complicated than all the amateur GMs, head coaches, and OCs would have you believe especially mid season.
If only the GM and coaches would listen to Joe and us wannabe experts we’d be Superbowl bound 🥳
But back to reality. BIG opportunity for Tucker Sunday to show New Orleans wasn’t a fluke. Hope we try to get him going early 🤞🏼
October 24th, 2024 at 7:39 pm
I would wait until Bucky comes back. You can’t have White running routes then have to go to RB when Tucker needs a blow.
October 24th, 2024 at 8:04 pm
White can’t be a complete back so don’t worry about him being a complete receiver. He wouldn’t be good in that role. He’s a pass catching back not a receiver, that’s just coach speak. I can see him getting a couple looks though
October 24th, 2024 at 8:08 pm
I think I have seen both lined up in the slot at times. Culprit should get a shot, too.
Macmillan is supposedly a slot but the ball bounces off his hands. Same with Palmer. Baker throws those slants and such very hard, it looks like.
October 24th, 2024 at 8:09 pm
Culp!
October 24th, 2024 at 8:25 pm
Also, I mean… he would probably be glad to move to WR. WRs get paid more and last 7 years longer than an RB.
I like the plan. The only thing that concerns me are the intricacies that come with both playing WR and being a reliable target to a QB. A lot of chemistry, and understanding must be developed…
October 24th, 2024 at 8:50 pm
How about tight end instead?
October 24th, 2024 at 9:05 pm
Sunday is almost certainly a must-win game for the Bucs. Falcons have a much easier schedule than we do the rest of the way, and could easily go 10-7 (or better) IF they run the division (and they’ve already got 3 wins in the NFC South). We NEED this one.
Falcons are vulnerable to the run (even more than we are). And they’ve also turned it over 7 times in their 3 losses (5 INTs & 2 fumbles). The 3 teams who’ve beaten them ran on them an average of over 33 times per game. We can beat them.
October 24th, 2024 at 9:09 pm
This entire idea is asinine. Just because White has good hands for a RB doesn’t make him a full time receiver. Shepard is leaps and bounds a better option for the slot.
I believe Tucker is the best, most complete RB on this roster, and it’s coaching malpractice to give the lions share of touches to Rashaad 2.0 ypc White.
October 24th, 2024 at 9:31 pm
So should we ask Baker to take a little off his fast ball this week? Of course the young ones will eventually get some callouses on their hands. LOL. Baker ain’t going anywhere soon.
October 24th, 2024 at 9:53 pm
The Chiefs and Bills just traded for has been trash.
Ya’ll people need to stop fantasy footballing
The Chiefs and Bills both wish they had Mac and Palmer with Evans coming back in a month or they wouldn’t have made those decisions
In the famous words of Les Grossman “take a step back and F**k your own face”
We drafted Godwins’s replacement in Mac and have plenty of RB’s White can play slot in many situational football matches
Y’all people are dumb. Living in your PPR league sucking there too
October 24th, 2024 at 10:06 pm
If they run any jet sweeps with an RB, it better be Tucker though. I don’t trust White to make the right move when attacking the edge.
October 24th, 2024 at 10:11 pm
I think that if the Bucs can simply throw something at the ATL which is basically “out of the box”, it might keep them unbalanced and any new wrinkle might actually be productive. However, for Baker to have any success, he has to be pin point accurate and whomever is catching the ball has to run precise routes with no room for error. I think that using White in the slot or in some sort of bunch formation might just be a smoke screen to give Rah something to think about. I just hope the Bucs can put some points up and that Bowels’ D does not get shredded again, particularly if he starts Britt again.
OT: prayers for the family of Amir Abdur-Rahim. Such a gut punch to hear that the rising USF Hoops coach has suddenly passed away at 43. RIP coach, you will be missed, hopefully USF puts together a magic seaon to honor you.
October 24th, 2024 at 10:41 pm
Should we replace Britt with JJ Russell? If not, who, y’all.
October 24th, 2024 at 10:59 pm
In a new wrinkle, Todd will start them on defense as pass rushers and drop them into coverage.
October 24th, 2024 at 11:01 pm
Kupp would be a great addition….and we’re desperate….jump to the front of the line Jason….give em a 2nd! He’s looking pretty darn good tonight
October 24th, 2024 at 11:02 pm
SeniorSenile: might as well go with JJ Russell, he cannot be any worse than Britt has been. Britt is the new Ryan Neal, the guy who Bowles refuses to bench, ditto for Devin White. Bowles is loyal to his guys to a fault and it costs his team wins and also makes one wonder if he holds anyone accountable except for Jake Camarda (including himself). If things go south, I hope the Glazers hold Turtle Todd responsible for a lost season…..
October 24th, 2024 at 11:06 pm
Wow, the Vikings just got screwed like the Bucs got screwed with the non-face mask call — well except the Bucs were winning and they’d had just run out the clock. Talk about fixed.
October 24th, 2024 at 11:29 pm
This league has turned into an abomination. Multi-billion dollar league and the NFL holds no accountability for these blind, part-time 70 year of refs. Vikes got absolutely hosed. I’ve never been a conspiracy theory nut, but after this game I’m starting to wonder if this league is rigged.
October 24th, 2024 at 11:37 pm
Better get comfy with 4-8, then 4-10, then 5-12. Todd knows how to Bowles.
October 25th, 2024 at 12:31 am
The more I think about it….
I would immediately offer a 3rd round pick and see how much the salary the Rams would absorb for Kupp.
He knows most of the offense and the OC.
Also, was he healthy playing with Baker two years ago?
Regardless, they need a veteran besides Shepherd.
I like Palmer and McMillan, but they are young and inexperienced.
KAM and Jarrett are also on the IR.
Going out and getting someone like him sends a message to the team.
October 25th, 2024 at 1:42 am
This is NOT Coen saying White even COULD be a full time receiver. As mentioned above its WAY different when they line up against an actual DB. When they motion out it is usually a LB covering them. Huge difference. White would actually suck as a slot receiver because he doesn’t have the right hip fluidity. Irving would be better but lacks size. Tucker should be the full time RB anyway. Our best option is the receivers we have with a 21 look more often.
Run the freaking ball down Atlanta’s throat.
Will it even matter though with this defense minus Tykee Smith?
October 25th, 2024 at 7:18 am
Have your Plumber rewire the electrical service while you are at it.
Stick to what you do best. If White had been a starting receiver all season he’d be top 10 in yards. Right and Trask would be top 10 in passing with 100% RedZone efficiency.
I suppose when Joe has a Summer BBQ he throws out a dozen milk crates and calls them lawn chairs.
October 25th, 2024 at 7:51 am
No pun intended, has down White. He’s not a RB.
October 25th, 2024 at 9:25 am
Who wins Sunday?
Obviously it’s who the script writers want to win.
So, for the script, what would be more intriguing? What would be better for Vegas?
I think the Bucs.
Tie things up.
What do you say, folks?
Let’s stop giving g the X’s and 0’s credit…it’s time to high five the zebras for expertly screwing over REAL football.
I don’t even have to watch Sunday’s game.
The script says the Bucs win. But just by the right score that serves Vegas.
October 25th, 2024 at 9:51 am
Just remember the most productive run of whies year came with 2 backs in the backfield
October 25th, 2024 at 10:24 am
Hearty Nickerson nailed it. Being a good receiving RB and a WR are two different skillsets. White gets open entirely due to play design as a RB, he chips, leaks out, makes himself invisible for a screen, runs an occasional wheel or option route. Way different than lining up with a DB in your face and being expected to shake him. I do like Coen’s two RB looks and he has been very creative in that regard and would love to see more plays called out of his 21 sets with White and another RB in the backfield.
October 25th, 2024 at 11:49 am
JTHV Says:
October 24th, 2024 at 9:53 pm
“The Chiefs and Bills just traded for has been trash.”
Yea, those are such trash franchises that historically they make bad, stupid moves – -yea in your dreams!
Both those franchises are printing playoff tickets while we look at the end of the season if we loose on Sunday. Yea, what those guys are doing is never done- -you know, load up for the late season run and the playoffs. I’m sure glad we are not screwed up like them.
October 26th, 2024 at 10:10 am
Rashad yeah Bucky NO, there’s a lot of danger in the middle man as we just saw. There was three players within a couple of yards of each other going in different directions and it was scary just looking at that and then Smith in my mind must have been thinking I’ve gotta do what I’ve gotta do. Cheap fine for something that has put a lot of people on the operating table with some injuries that have been really bad.