Bucs Got The Next Harvey Williams
July 5th, 2022
Rookie running back Rachaad White.
This scouting report is ironic, encouraging and a little deflating all at the same time.
The Czar of the Playbook, Emory Hunt, is one of the very best draft gurus in the country (even if you don’t know who he is).
Hunt grinded film for years and pumped out his own draft guide before the major networks took notice. He’s still grinding away like no other but now he also collects a check from CBS Sports for on-air work.
In a recent chat with Ross Tucker on The College Draft Podcast, Hunt was talking all things Bucs draft and compared rookie third-round running back Rachaad White to retired RB Harvey Williams.
That was an uplifting blast from the past for Joe. For those unaware, Williams was one of the more underrated running backs of the 1990s. In fact, there are barely any highlights of him on YouTube — hard to imagine for a guy who had about 5,400 career yards from scrimmage.
Ironically, Williams was drafted by the Chiefs in 1991 and Bucco Bruce Arians was his running backs coach for two years and current Bucs running backs coach Todd McNair was his teammate. But Williams was buried on the Chiefs’ bench after flashing as a rookie and broke out in 1994 when he landed with the Raiders.
Like White, Williams is tall, shifty and was known well for his hands as well as his rushing ability.
Hunt believes White is best suited as “a complement” and not a premier running back. If so, Joe wonders how quickly White can make an impact behind likely workhorse Leonard Fournette and returning talents like Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Giovani Bernard.
Even with the Bucs in all-in mode with Tom Brady, it’s certainly ok for rookies to need time to develop and climb the roster totem pole. If the Bucs indeed drafted the next Harvey Williams late in Round 3, they made a solid pick.
If you want a peek at Williams, you can find at the 10:22 mark of this video.
July 5th, 2022 at 2:05 pm
I’m glad we finally got rid of Rojo… He was such a bad fit for this offense the last three years. I am looking forward to seeing R. White during the preseason…
July 5th, 2022 at 2:15 pm
Charles Simms 2.0. LOL
July 5th, 2022 at 2:22 pm
What’s the over/under on games played before Leftwich lines White up at WR.
July 5th, 2022 at 2:42 pm
Maybe we should pump the brakes a bit, this kid hasn’t played one down in the league yet.
July 5th, 2022 at 2:48 pm
@Allanbucsfan. That’s hilarious. Leftwich lacks the creativity to use White properly. Look at Gio. We left him on the bench against the Rams when we were down at WR against the Rams. White should look at video of Kevin Faulk. He was one of Brady’s favorite targets at NE. White has to gain Brady’s trust. That’s the most important thing if he wants to see the field. Pass pro was one of his weaknesses in college. He better improve in that area. Lenny and Gio are members of Brady’s sacred trust circle. Maybe White can become a member this season.
July 5th, 2022 at 2:49 pm
HRvey Williams was terrible…. he had a giraffe neck and always fell to the ground as soon as there was aby contact… I can remeber one game he played well raiders vs chiefs…. other than that he was a third rate running back…. I hope we get more value from Racchaad….
July 5th, 2022 at 2:50 pm
Hopefully a better Charles Sims
July 5th, 2022 at 2:51 pm
This just fired me up…. Rachaad,, hey man go show them you can’t be compared…. have a great rookie season…
July 5th, 2022 at 2:59 pm
From what I’ve seen, I don’t understand what everyone is so excited for. He doesn’t look crazy fast to me and I haven’t noted him being elusive. The best I’ve seen is he has great hands. I would be surprised if he sees the field unless Fournette is injured. I think Vaughn is going to move up the food chain and take Rojo’s snaps, with Bernard being the 3rd down back. We’ll see.
July 5th, 2022 at 3:38 pm
LOL He was an even worse fit for Dirk Koetter’s offense.
July 5th, 2022 at 4:25 pm
We’ve been excited about rookie running backs before. I’m not getting my hopes up until he proves it on an NFL field.
July 5th, 2022 at 5:02 pm
Looks good to me.
July 5th, 2022 at 5:02 pm
I’d be happy to see what he can do once the friggin’ pads come on.
July 5th, 2022 at 5:27 pm
Now that he’s in, I hope he blows up. However, I still think they should have gotten someone else at his spot, and he also has a lot to prove. He’s upright, somewhat stiff, not shifty, not particularly fast.
And as Ron posts: “HRvey Williams was terrible…. he had a giraffe neck and always fell to the ground as soon as there was aby contact…” There’s a lot of tape of Rachaad doing that too. Not a tackle breaker.
Gadget, jet sweeps, get him out in open space, fine. He doesn’t look like a feature back.
July 5th, 2022 at 5:32 pm
Obviously not as well, but he sorta glides- like Eric Dickerson.
Im hoping this young man’s talent translates to the NFL.
July 5th, 2022 at 6:18 pm
If this guy could contribute like Charles Simms, I’ll be happy. Simms had a pretty good start, he contributed.
July 5th, 2022 at 6:21 pm
Agreed goat. Charles Simms would have done really well with a qb like brady
July 5th, 2022 at 6:32 pm
Simms was fine until knee surgery.
Brady would have loved Simms.
Jones was a fine back, but not in the Brady offense. He came in young and immature, but the last couple of seasons was one broken tackle from breaking a big one. He ran angry, all knees and elbows.
I don’t know yet what Vaughan fully brings to the table.
July 5th, 2022 at 7:18 pm
TB12 isnt going to fall in love with his game as long as he has Lenny. Sneak and Gio are likely next in line. I glad White was confident enough to say he was going to be starter. Lets see if he has what it takes to ride the bench and wait his turn.
July 5th, 2022 at 8:41 pm
Unless you are built like Eddie George or Mike Alstott , RB’s over 6′ just aren’t productive. I prefer the short, low center of gravity backs who are powerful but yet shifty in the hips.
July 5th, 2022 at 8:53 pm
… Still upset Cadillac Williams blew out his knees
July 5th, 2022 at 10:12 pm
Harvey had a meh career for the 21st overall in pick in 91, but if White has a similar career, then he’s well worth the 3rd round pick we used.
July 5th, 2022 at 11:22 pm
Here’s to Cadillac Williams. Raheehaw and Dumbernik ensured their demise by letting Cadillac go and running with Lumplestiltskin. It was all exposed when Graham went down.
July 7th, 2022 at 3:11 am
AlabamaBucFan
Eric Dickerson was 6’3”
July 7th, 2022 at 8:47 am
Rojo was a bad fit? 5.1 YPC with nearly 1000 yards on the ground in 2020… y’all are just stupid.