The Try Hard Running Game
October 1st, 2023
Running back Rachaad White
Man, the Bucs keep trying and trying and trying to establish a rushing attack.
They haven’t been successful yet, but the progress took a half-step forward against the slimy Saints today after taking a full step backward on Monday night.
Joe was hitting the Tums when the Bucs were in short yardage today, but it wasn’t terrible outside of those situations.
No. 1 running back Rachaad White had 15 carries for 56 yards. That’s good for him but still below a minimum standard of four yards per carry.
White was robbed of some yardage after a Trey Palmer hold downfield, but there also were runs White didn’t maximize. On the play in which he was clobbered for a three-yard loss, White had no chance courtesy of an offensive line leak.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn made his 2023 debut and had a couple of good runs but finished with just 16 yards on 9 carries. Ugh! Joe was surprised to see Vaughn in the game during key second-half drives instead of White.
Overall, the Bucs’ running backs today averaged 3.0 yards per carry.
The exciting thing is that the Bucs are winning with a plodding running game. Who could have predicted that?
October 1st, 2023 at 5:35 pm
Still too much running up the middle for my tastes but great team win!
October 1st, 2023 at 5:37 pm
“On the play in which he was clobbered for a three-yard loss, White had no chance courtesy of an offensive line leak.”
You can thank sorry as run blocking from our right guard for that
October 1st, 2023 at 5:37 pm
“Hello, Mr Ballard, Jason licht here. How are you? Hey listen, let’s talk Turkey. What do you want for Taylor? Don’t give me this first rd pick bs. Tell me what it’s going to take to get this trade done.”
If licht hasn’t already had this conversation, then shame on him. Bring him in now!!!
October 1st, 2023 at 5:38 pm
I completely disagree with this Joe on his takes in the running game. White, whenever he had any space today, was picking up good yardage. He had a great average in the 1st half, then in the 2nd half, it was back to the ultra predictable runs up the middle on 1st down against stacked defensive lines.
I’m watching the game live so maybe I missed something, but I didn’t see anything where he was obviously missing holes today – and so far, the ALL22 shows why he’s the starter and not in danger of losing his job, as he’s great at being patient and finding holes because of it, when there’s nothing there if he doesn’t wait.
Vaughn is as basic of a straight ahead, Michael Pittman type of runner that ‘hits the hole’ and he averaged 1.7 yards per carry today.
Again, short of building a time machine and going back to 1991 to kidnap Barry Sanders, there’s no one getting yards on most of these plays, and White does a good job of maximizing what is there.
October 1st, 2023 at 5:39 pm
Jack Clark Says:
October 1st, 2023 at 5:37 pm
“On the play in which he was clobbered for a three-yard loss, White had no chance courtesy of an offensive line leak.”
You can thank sorry as run blocking from our right guard for that
———-
Yeah, the rookie from a small school who is a better pass blocker than run blocker, whiffed. That happens from time to time with rookies from small schools who are better at pass blocking than run blocking.
October 1st, 2023 at 5:40 pm
Oh, and send an extension to Mike’s agent for a signature.
October 1st, 2023 at 5:42 pm
Is Tucker hurt(?)or does the coaching staff feel differently?
October 1st, 2023 at 5:43 pm
The margaritas are kicking in
October 1st, 2023 at 5:46 pm
Rod Munch Says:
October 1st, 2023 at 5:39 pm
Jack Clark Says:
October 1st, 2023 at 5:37 pm
Yeah, the rookie from a small school who is a better pass blocker than run blocker, whiffed. That happens from time to time with rookies from small schools who are better at pass blocking than run blocking.
Did I lie though?
October 1st, 2023 at 5:47 pm
Still need a running game. But I’m happy this week.
October 1st, 2023 at 5:48 pm
We need to resign Wirfs, Vea, Winfield and maybe even Baker. How are we going to afford White and Mike too. We’re going to lose some players. We just don’t have the money to resign them all. I really want Mike to retire a Buc. He deserves it but it doesn’t look good. If I live, I will be at Canton for his induction.
October 1st, 2023 at 5:49 pm
Jack Clark – I literally said the same thing you did.
October 1st, 2023 at 5:52 pm
BTW, sign RONNIE BROWN already.
He’s to the RB position what Thompkins is to the WR room, meaning he’s different and electric. I don’t have anything against Vaughn, but he’s just a ultra generic runner with zero upside.
How is he not even on the practice squad, I don’t get it, unless those rumors about him and Bowles daughter are true (which makes no sense since I made them up).
October 1st, 2023 at 7:36 pm
Jack Clark is like Donald Trump…talks a lot but never says anything substantial
October 1st, 2023 at 7:36 pm
Gotta be honest. Vaughn looked horrible to me. Slow, no vision. Just blah.
October 1st, 2023 at 7:57 pm
I don’t care if White only gets 40 or 50 yards per game, but I’d like to see him get a minimum of 6 or 7 targets in the passing game each week. I think they’re not getting as many all purpose yards out of him that they could be.
October 1st, 2023 at 8:16 pm
Deff need to get RW1 involved more in the passing game. I said during the eagles game and I’ll say it again. He makes people miss in space. Idk why he can’t do it behind the LOS but he catches that ball and he makes them boys misses. He looked better hitting the holes when there was some instead of dancing back there. We should play to his strengths which is catching. The oline did a better job run blocking and getting some push up front but it’s gotta be better if we want to keep up with teams like the eagles. The redskins almost beat them today and the redskins arnt better then us lol
October 1st, 2023 at 8:19 pm
Rachaad sucks
October 1st, 2023 at 8:31 pm
To rod maunch says that was friggin funny still laughing bout rumors Bowles daughter f,-funnnnny
October 1st, 2023 at 8:32 pm
White is really good in the open field and he was hitting the holes much better today. The third down catch where he mad 3 players miss was sick and a great example of what he can do.
October 1st, 2023 at 11:01 pm
White is a third down back. All purpose back. Not quick enough or decisive on short yardage runs where you need a yard. Bucs are terribly weak at the RB position.
Get White imvolymore catching the ball. 3 yard per carry isn’t what starting RBs are paid to get.
October 1st, 2023 at 11:39 pm
I’ve noticed that old “Rod Munch” dude, really falls in love with middle-of-the-road, pedestrian, NFL Running Backs… As long as, they’ve worn a Bucs uni before. He willy luuuuvs them!!!!
October 2nd, 2023 at 4:51 am
Trade Trask to NY Jets for B.Hall
Boom.
October 2nd, 2023 at 7:28 am
I still think this is more of an OL issue. We just aren’t able to man handle anyone. If baker works out as the QB for the future we should draft interior OL all draft long next year. If we are able to make that a core strength like the eagles do it wont matter who runs the ball.
October 2nd, 2023 at 9:55 am
One of the plays White was clobbered in the backfield on, clearly shows Mauch going to the second level IMMEDIATELY. I swear I’m changing my name to Block Down Lineman 1st. All you hear is Canales talk about this. Getting to the second level. I guarantee you if DR looks up run stops they aren’t mainly coming from LBs but DTs. On yes, runs up the middle.
The trick play would have worked if Palmer didn’t take off so early. You gotta have actors on those type of plays.
I loved the plethora of different plays, and finally shows commitment to misdirection. The Jet Sweep by DT was awesome to see.
If we can get “Rock” involved more these WRs are all legit.