Making Rachaad White Better
July 20th, 2024
Key task.
The way Joe looks at it, running backs coach Skip Peete and offensive coordinator Liam Coen have one main goal this fall.
What is that goal? Teach running back Rachaad White either to learn to read blocks and/or avoid defenders and/or break tackles.
White and the Bucs have been at the bottom of the league for two years when it comes to running the ball. White is exceptional catching out of the backfield. S Joe wouldn’t pull him off the field even though he has put up atrocious advanced rushing stats.
If somehow White can be taught to run effectively, consistently, then this offense is no longer one-dimensional. Joe’s a fan of Baker Mayfield but not sure anyone wants the Bucs to use Mayfield like Peyton Manning or Dan Fouts.
Getting White effective as a runner might be the difference in the Bucs advancing further in the postseason than the divisional round.
Teams with the most yards per carry in 2023:
Dolphins – 5.1
Cardinals – 5.0
Ravens – 4.9
49ers – 4.8
Lions – 4.6Teams with the least:
Raiders – 3.7
Texans – 3.7
Jaguars – 3.6
Saints – 3.6
Buccaneers 3.3— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) March 19, 2024
July 20th, 2024 at 8:28 am
It’s not just about white . It’s about the upgrades on the line to get some big uglies that can open a hole that even joe can run through . White and bucky can do the rest . However , I am in agreement with joe that it is baffling how a back that can catch the ball and make defenders miss time & again , can not do it in the running game . If white wants to become an elite back , maybe in the off season he needs to starve vita Vea & others & tie some prime rib & chops around himself & tell the boys to come and get it & try not to let them get there so he’s not murdered in the process
July 20th, 2024 at 8:36 am
Too often, our backs are tackled almost at the moment they are handed the ball. Often not their fault. Need less predictable plays, imo. As well as better blocking.
July 20th, 2024 at 8:37 am
Just like JTS, he’s another ‘IfNhope’
July 20th, 2024 at 8:40 am
Stop beating a dead horse because White can’t be taught to be a better runner. Whites avg may go up this year with better play calling and better blocking, but not because he’s running better. White’s carries need to go way down as he might be the worst runner on the team even though he’s a fantastic receiver.
Maybe Coen can come up with a way to use White as a TE on third down and Bucky as RB. I don’t see Ottons hands getting better on seam routes.
July 20th, 2024 at 8:41 am
“If somehow White can be taught to run effectively, consistently, then this offense is no longer one-dimensional.”
LOL yes, because learning is going to improve the push the OL in front of White gets so he can actually have some daylight a split second after taking the handoff.
We don’t have an RB talent problem.
We have an OL performance problem.
Not a tough cookie to crack, and maybe being in his 3rd run scheme in as many years in the league will be a charm for Rachaad, because the talent is clearly there.
July 20th, 2024 at 9:20 am
Only his vision is worse than the play calling and run blocking.
What do you expect from a H back?
July 20th, 2024 at 11:57 am
If he hasn’t learned by now…
July 20th, 2024 at 12:35 pm
Let’s see the interior OL actually not be embarrassing and then see what Rachaad can do.
July 20th, 2024 at 12:55 pm
BUST vs ELITE
Joe’s saying RW is a bust. But … If Rachaad had 10 more yards and recorded 1000 yards, would Joe be celebrating him? What if he had just 60 more yards and was #5 in rush yards, #2 receiving, and #2 all purpose? #2 only to Caff.
For RW, one play call (one 1st down rush not in the A gap but to the left) is the difference between Bust and Elite. The old OC screwed this up.
I expect RW talk track to be a lot different next year.
July 20th, 2024 at 1:42 pm
In the first Carolina game:
2:00 left in the game
3rd and 1 on the Carolina 48
White ran the ball to the 17 and went down in bounds to keep the clock running and force Carolina into using their last timeout
He pulled up at around the 30 and kinda coasted to the 17
He easily could have had 10 more yards on that play……
In the Green Bay game:
2:00 left in the game
2nd and 5 on the Green Bay 33
White ran the ball to the 10 and went down in bounds to keep the clock
running
He easily could have had 10 more yards and a touchdown on that play……
He had 1000 yards rushing if not for giving himself up for the team on those two plays….
I wonder if maybe he thinks too much about getting hit immediately when he runs into the line versus catching a pass where he already has some space around him…..
July 20th, 2024 at 3:08 pm
GET THIS PARTY STARTED.
July 20th, 2024 at 3:33 pm
I saw too many plays where White got blown up or was dodging defenders as soon as he got the ball last season…. Many others where there was no push, no hole to run to/thru.
As others noted also, he gave up stats for the team on more than one occasion.
He’s our bargain basement CM.
Rachaad just needs to be utilized correctly and needs better blocking. Guy is all in on the team and on improving. If Opeta (Bredeson, Klein) can step up and plug the hole @ left guard and Barton lives up to expectations you statheads will be happier with him this year.
Im glad we have him!
July 20th, 2024 at 3:45 pm
When all your backs average the same YPC and YAC it’s a bigger problem than “vision”.
July 20th, 2024 at 3:54 pm
Gotti-Dog and SlyPirate you guys nailed it! White is a vital piece to the success of this offense and will be vindicated, he also should be recognized for his team first
game sealing decisions as pointed out by Gotti-Dog.
July 20th, 2024 at 4:17 pm
Predictable play calling didn’t help either. Defenses knew they were going to try to run the ball on 1st & 2nd down & were holding the Bucs to 1 or 2 yards setting up 3rd and long. The blocking up front was not very good also. Improve the run game to at least middle of the pack or better will make this a dangerous team. A lot of weapons on offense & a stellar defense can propel this team deep into the playoffs. Will be fun to watch, GO BUCS🙂🏈
July 20th, 2024 at 6:13 pm
More like “Cutting Hainsey” to save the franchise.
White is going to be a Pro-Bowler this year.
And Barton will lead the way.
Hainsey is the worst center in Bucs history.
Losing Jensen was a bigger than Brady. For real.
Jensen set the tone. Without Jensen. Our guys were scared of the Saints.
With Jensen. Our guys were never intimidated by anybody.
Hainsey was the weak link. Mauch and Goedeke were thrown into the fire as rookies.
Cappa had a redshirt year. It helped.
Hainsey had 2 redshirt years. They didn’t help. He’s too weak to be an NFL center.
Time for Licht to cut his losses.
July 21st, 2024 at 8:42 pm
I wonder if drafting a center in the 1st round and signing 2 new guards in free agency had anything to do with the effort towards “making Rachaad White better”…