Rachaad White: Bucky Irving Makes Me A Better RB
December 4th, 2024
Motivated by rookie teammate.
If the NFL season ended today, Joe doesn’t know if there would be a better story for the Bucs than rookie running back Bucky Irving.
The fourth-round pick started out as a part-time guy. He still hasn’t overtaken Rachaad White as RB1. But Irving has tranformed into one of the best running backs in the NFL. There’s no denying that.
(Oh, Joe supposes one could deny that. But it would frcome om the same crowd that walks out in public with a sign taped to their pants, “KICK ME!”)
White apparently is the the Bucs’ go-to back in clutch situations. Look who was on the field on the final drive Sunday night getting the ball. It was White.
Just from seeing how White and Irving interact, there doesn’t appear to be any animosity or nasty rivalry between them. Joe sees two dudes that hang together often. Joe knows that back in training camp, White took Irving under his wing and helped the Oregon product get up to speed on life in the NFL.
Yesterday, White appeared on “Up and Adams” hosted by former NFL Network it-girl Kay Adams. He explained how he’s happy for Irving and that Irving makes White a better player.
“We sit by each other on the plane,” White said of how he and Irving are tight.
“I’m happy for him. You have to commend a guy coming into the league and doing his thing. Playing ball. Helping the team win.
“It’s all love from me here. We both compete against each other. We both make each other better.”
Adams believes Irving motivates White to have a higher standard because of Irving’s production. White didn’t disagree.
Joe has been very harsh on White’s running because Joe thinks it is subpar. But yeah, White is a better runner this year (notice Joe didn’t say “good?”). If that’s because he feels threatened by Irving or is scared that he will have fewer touches, whatever.
Players like to say how “iron sharpens iron.” That appears to be what is happening between two friends, Irving and White.
https://twitter.com/UpAndAdamsShow/status/1863989446812553354
December 4th, 2024 at 9:07 am
Rachaad has made some really great plays this season. He’s better than he was last year. The coaches obviously like and trust him. I totally get the Bucky love but I think it’s foolish to think that the Bucs would be better off just benching White. He’s a weapon all over the field and deserves a little more love from Bucs fans.
December 4th, 2024 at 9:07 am
Very fortunate to have both on the team…just stop with the White up the middle plays, especially on 3rd/4th and short!!!
December 4th, 2024 at 9:10 am
The only reason Bucky was on the bench at the end was that he was dinged up. Bucky was somewhat limited in the second half and gutted through it. White was just healthier at crunch time and they made the right move.
December 4th, 2024 at 9:26 am
I don’t agree that White is a better runner this year. His yds/carry is about the same as the last two years. He appears better because Coen is calling better run plays than Canales and the OL is better this year. White’s a good receiver, but Bucky is similar, maybe slightly better. White is good in pass pro, better than Bucky. White’s fumble rate is better than Bucky and I think that’s why White gets the snaps in critical situations.
December 4th, 2024 at 9:30 am
Awesome video of Kay and Rachaad. She is right too, Bucky is fortunate to have a friend and teammate like Rachaad. Interesting to hear that Kwon likes watching Rachaad too! So glad we have both of them.
December 4th, 2024 at 9:37 am
I’ve noticed TE’s coming in motion and run up the A gap to give the RB’s an extra blocker.
December 4th, 2024 at 9:53 am
I feel like White has been slightly more aggressive this season hitting the hole. Maybe watching Bucky completely outclass him, busting through some of those same holes has opened his eyes a bit?
December 4th, 2024 at 10:00 am
That speaks to the character of both those guys. White is certainly a better player this year. He’s more decisive but of course he can’t make guys miss like Bucky but you have to tip your hat to them both for being so humble and in each other’s corner.
December 4th, 2024 at 10:13 am
They’re natural complementary players so I’m not surprised to read that they are friends. There is a lot of that type of closeness with this Bucs team. No divas, and thank god for that!!
December 4th, 2024 at 10:14 am
How about a little deserved credit. White ran 38 yards to set up the winning field goal? Sirius NFL ranked the Buccaneers offensive line as #4 on Monday.
December 4th, 2024 at 10:22 am
White was quoted as saying “He makes me want to get 2 yards when I usually only get 1.”
[unconfirmed]
December 4th, 2024 at 10:36 am
We sat behind Bucky Irving’s family for the home opener.
They were very appreciative of all the love shown to Bucky.
He has earned every bit of his success at the NFL level.
White is a capable backup RB, blocks well and catches well.
Any team that is successful in the run game has to have two good RB’s at least.
December 4th, 2024 at 10:47 am
Can Rachaad play Safety? I bet he would be better than Ryan Neal.
December 4th, 2024 at 10:56 am
It’s an absolute crime and injustice that Sean Tucker isn’t getting equal the amount of touches as R White.
That’s a really dumb decision by whoever is making it.
Think about how much better our rushing numbers could be if we eliminated all those R White runs to nowhere and replaced them with dynamic/explosive runs by Sean Tucker.
WTF!!!
December 4th, 2024 at 11:03 am
@ Erik – Tucker doesn’t pass block.
December 4th, 2024 at 11:25 am
It will be interesting to see if the Bucs resign him next season? Seems they could save money going Buck, Tuck next year, and using a late pick on a back.
December 4th, 2024 at 11:27 am
White being handed the #1 RB gig without having any legit competition, and being forced-fed carries, hasn’t done him any favors to spur him to work harder and improve.
December 4th, 2024 at 11:47 am
Great point Joe, Iron sharpens Iron, Proverbs 27:17. I have been noticing all year how Rachaad feeds off of Bucky and maybe to some degree Bucky feeds off of Rachaad !! Now throw Tucker into the mix, we have a combination that is very unique, and to my knowledge can’t be matched in the NFL. With our explosive running game and stable of tight ends and wide receivers, it’s obvious ! The Bucs have what it takes to go far into the playoffs !! This is really exciting!! And if we don’t make it to the Super Bowl this year, we will still have what it takes to make another hard run at it next year !!!
Go Bucky and Rachaad !! Go Bucs !! Beat the Raiders !!
December 4th, 2024 at 12:10 pm
White is a special play maker in open space. As great as Liam has been this year it’s been a little disappointing that we haven’t used white in catching the ball out of the back field like Canales did last year. Look at how McDaniels uses Achane. We should be using white like that and have Bucky and Tucker pound the rock
December 4th, 2024 at 1:44 pm
White up to 4.1 YPC and trending up. Let’s run wild the rest of the way
December 4th, 2024 at 2:11 pm
orlbucfan Says:
December 4th, 2024 at 10:13 am
“…thank god for that!!”
Which one? We humans have created so many.
Bartow Buc Says:
December 4th, 2024 at 11:47 am
“…Proverbs 27:17.”
It’s the 21st century, we can do better than Bronze Age “wisdom”.
December 4th, 2024 at 2:50 pm
@An Erection for Sacks
Truth.
Leviticus 11:8
Exodus 20:8-11
Based on these 2 Bible verses football itself would be a sin… They work/labor on Sundays and touch a lot of pig skin.
December 4th, 2024 at 3:24 pm
just seemed like white was bragging about himself, with the appropriate cliches. Think tucker may be a better combo with irving. time will tell, but white has already been surpassed by bucky, ……
December 4th, 2024 at 4:08 pm
Hey AEfS: I’m an agnostic. You need to pay attention to where you live. A lot of religious Fundie freaks live here. FL isn’t considered Bible Belt for nothing.
December 4th, 2024 at 9:15 pm
Fiction Gone Gator you got yer worship day wrong there buddy since people are bringing up Bible verses. Thought we were supposed to leave out the religious talk. Sunday the 1st day of the week isn’t the 4th Commandment, the Sabbath day the 7th day which is Saturday according to the Bible, our calendar and dictionary so Sunday football is good and we can eat pork. So wrong on them things and how good yer fav rb is