Fixing Rachaad White
December 13th, 2024
Bought in to what Liam Coen sold.
Joe usually has a different take from the majority of Bucs fans when it comes to two aspects of the team.
The first is the Bucs’ offensive line. There is little if anything to whine about the Bucs’ offensive line now, but Joe has been a huge supporter of the offensive line for many years.
Joe never wanted to run Donovan Smith and Robert Hainsey out of Tampa like so many fans. And Joe didn’t have a panic attack when Luke Goedeke struggled early in his rookie season.
Joe has fully different standards for what is good or bad with an offensive line than a lot of fans. If there aren’t five pancake blocks on every series, Joe is convinced many fans holler and stomp about how godawful a line is.
The other element is running backs.
Oh, Bucky Irving might be the best Bucs’ best draft pick in a while. When is the last time a third-day draft pick has had this kind of rookie impact? Tanard Jackson?
But when it came to Ronald Jones and Rachaad White, and Doug Martin after 2015, Joe is like a salmon swimming against the tide.
Hell, in 2016, Joe once took a phone call on the road in a stadium press box from a Bucs fan threatening to beat Joe up for his anti-Martin stance. A few hours later, Martin was a healthy scratch in a key game because, as it turned out, he was ingesting something the NFL bans players from ingesting.
Last year, Joe was fully fed up with White as a runner while maintaining White is one of the best receivers out of the backfield in the league (though Irving has better receiving numbers this year).
White’s advanced rushing stats were downright terrible. But boy, writing about that really rubbed many fans the wrong way. They loved White (and probably still do).
This year? Joe thinks White has turned into a tough runner. He may rarely get breakaway runs but his short runs last week against Las Vegas were tough runs. Physical. Hard-earned like a fullback.
White used to be terrible running between the tackles. Not so any longer.
Yesterday, Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen discussed how when he arrived in Tampa, an assignment was given to him: Awaken White’s inner running back.
Make White more decisive.
“That has been an emphasis since we got here,” Coen said. “We’ve had a lot of meetings and conversations and film sessions with Rachaad, showing him where we think he could take the next step.
“He’s been bought into that, he’s understood that can help him in his game and as well as, in the same term, help us and help us run the football more effectively.”
Coen admitted that yes, he has changed how the Bucs block up front. Sometimes, Coen said, running backs perform better behind specific blocking techniques.
He seems to think what the Bucs do now is better suited for White, and that’s one reason why his running has improved.
Hearing Coen talk, Joe couldn’t help but think of Todd Monken, the only offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter had with the Bucs (2016-2018). Monken has said he was given a direct command, a critical assignment when Koetter hired him: “Fix Mike Evans.”
Joe thinks it is safe to say Monken, now the offensive coordinator of the Crows, aced that test.
December 13th, 2024 at 7:42 am
I will be the first to admit, I wanted to run out both Rachaad White and Robert Hainsey at the end of last season. Both men has proven me wrong and I’m glad see both men has risen their game. Same with Justin Skule, after Aiden Hutchinson made a fool of him, I couldn’t wait till Bowles cut him, but now, I see his value and I would rate him as one of the better backup tackles in the league.
December 13th, 2024 at 7:48 am
Maybe a new coach could fix our edge rushers Joe?
The 49ers LB De’Vondre Campbell will likely hit the market today, he’s worth a look if Todd can calm him down.
December 13th, 2024 at 8:19 am
White improved his running AFTER seeing how a real NFL running back (Bucky) hits a hole every single day since OTA’s. Previous to that he ran like somebody’s grandmother.
December 13th, 2024 at 8:28 am
White still has no vision or balance, he just hits the hole much more physical now. Which I guess is one way to run, but I still prefer Sean Tucker.
December 13th, 2024 at 8:46 am
White is a pro and an all round really good RB. He brings whiteboard power
December 13th, 2024 at 9:10 am
does legarrette blount count?
December 13th, 2024 at 9:13 am
yeah i agree…i think he’s become a tougher runner…becoming more of a grown man bully out there…and the use of the stiff arm is something he needs to keep in play almost all the time once he gets thru the line, and to the outside, for a few extra yards…
he is our most well rounded back at this point – yet fans fail to realize that…
and we really do have a great 3 headed monster in that rb room
December 13th, 2024 at 9:15 am
if bucky wasn’t here, things would be status quo…rachaad would be racking up 1,500 yards from scrimmage this year…maybe even more
December 13th, 2024 at 9:41 am
adam from ny Says:
December 13th, 2024 at 9:15 am
if bucky wasn’t here, things would be status quo…rachaad would be racking up 1,500 yards from scrimmage this year…maybe even more
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Couldn’t agree more. Competition brings out the best in people.
December 13th, 2024 at 9:55 am
Let’s not forget the additions to the O-line. The rookie center was the correct pick . To everybody that kept arguing with me that the pick should be Chop Robinson . Chop has 3.5 sacks this year . Like I said before the draft it’s rare together great pass rushers when drafting below the top 10. It does happen but it’s rare.
December 13th, 2024 at 10:01 am
Having a solid if not great season
He’s very dangerous in space and can run people over
He’s building himself a solid Bucs legacy – especially if we can get into the playoffs
Much love for his work
December 13th, 2024 at 10:39 am
I was feeling like Joe last year, it was like a blind man trying to find something. There were great QBs that were shown exactly where to throw the ball, and now we have White being told, here is where the holes gonna be. Knowing is something lol. Now White has been doing it, still here and there stopped at the line folding up like a laptop at times haha. Keep Doing It you and Irving are blazing it up this season. Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
December 13th, 2024 at 10:40 am
Monken definitely aced that test! Rachaad has been coming around, we all notice it.
Agree with Gipper and adam from ny, Bucky being there is huge and competition brings out the best in people.
December 13th, 2024 at 10:40 am
Rachaad just won the Angry Runs scepter for the second time. I love that. I have to give his coaches credit.
December 13th, 2024 at 10:40 am
White’s last game running was outstanding. He made cuts, found openings and ran hard. The stiff arm was strong.
Can’t wait to see him against the Chargers. And get Tucker in there, too. Let Bucky heal.
December 13th, 2024 at 10:41 am
The numbers don’t show it but he’s definitely the most improved player over last year.
December 13th, 2024 at 10:57 am
R White is playing like he knows he will lose his job if he doesn’t produce since we have 2 great RB’s behind him…
Tucker and Bucky are still better RB’s, though.
December 13th, 2024 at 11:45 am
He’s running tougher, but we also have a completely different run scheme with much better blocking up front. Last year, none of our running backs could do anything. The o-line had no push and rarely even opened a hole. Barry sanders wouldn’t have done anything behind that line and blocking scheme. And THAT is why many of us fans were not down on White. A RB is only as good as the blocking in front of him.
As for Mike Evans, when exactly was he “broken”? I’ll take a supposedly broken WR that can’t be covered 1 on 1 and racks up 1k yards per season any day of the week and twice on Sundays.