Slightly Clashing Running Back Messages From Bucs Coaches
September 5th, 2024
New Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen.
So yesterday, head coach Todd Bowles was clear that Rachaad White is the opening day starting running back and after that, it’s a hot-hand philosophy on playing time.
White was even asked about Bowles’ take and said he’s more than fine with that approach. White is not looking to hold teammates back, he said, and he respects coaches’ decisions.
Enter Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen talking to media today. The tone was a little different when it came to discussing what running backs will play.
“I mean, we want to obviously get guys involved but Rachaad’s the guy,” Coen said. “Rachaad’s going to start the game and he’s going to keep playing. Bucky [Irving] will get his specific stuff and be able to play. And when Sean [Tucker] needs to go in there and give those guys a blow, he’ll do a great job as well. We have full trust in all three of those guys. And ultimately, it’s a long season. I’ve done three-back rotations in the past and man, that gets exhausting for a coach, for a playcaller. Because now it’s like, ‘Who’s in the game? What are they good at? What do you want to do with them?’
“Ultimately, man, it’s Rachaad’s show. And Bucky and Sean are going to get a lot of work and hopefully be efficient and do a great job when they’re in there.”
Conceptually, Joe gets what Coen is saying, but so what if it gets “exhausting” for a coach to rotate running backs? That’s the job and it’s more than doable. Look at the 49ers in 2019,
And Coen already is talking about his top-3 backs getting snaps in games.
The typical NFL team averages about 430 handoffs a year. Rachaad White logged 272 last season, and the Bucs want to cut that number.
Is it really “Rachaad’s show?” Joe is dubious. Hopefully, it is Rachaad’s show because he is balling out or at least posting solid rushing numbers.
Joe thinks Bowles will give Coen all kinds of freedom to run his offense his way, but there will be all kinds of pressure on Coen to mix up his running backs if White can’t improve his rushing production.
September 5th, 2024 at 2:04 pm
Consistent messaging to/with your team isn’t everything, but it sure helps.
September 5th, 2024 at 2:06 pm
White is your 1, should get around 70% of the work.
Bucky is your 2, should get around 25% of the work.
For the moment, Tucker is 3, and might get around 5% of the work, until Coppertop see’s him in a real game, at which point that will revert to 0% and they’ll call up someone new.
September 5th, 2024 at 2:07 pm
With that said, I also agree with Bowles, in that if you have someone get hot, you should just continue to play them until they cool off, and not just revert back to counting snaps.
I don’t really see the messages as conflicting, one is more game specific and the other is looking at the season as a whole.
September 5th, 2024 at 2:14 pm
Translation: Coen wants turn Rachaad into Todd Gurley, and if that doesn’t work, he’ll give Bucky a chance to show he be Kyren Williams. His messaging says he prefers the bell cow approach and to have a stable of backs who can play all three downs.
September 5th, 2024 at 2:24 pm
Well guys you know it can get addicting posting on this sight. But when I completely agree with Rod munch on two straight posts then it’s time to take a few days off. I’m sure you’ll still be here this weekend. Enjoy tonight’s game !
September 5th, 2024 at 2:31 pm
Lol K Smith….. I said the same thing when I actually agreed with Pear… Blew my mind! I tend to agree often with Munch on the RB1 thing and a certain Joe just always trying to point the finger at RW1.
September 5th, 2024 at 2:50 pm
You have been doing this for far to long to be this Naïve.
September 5th, 2024 at 2:53 pm
There’s no conflict. If Rachaad has the hot hand he’ll leap toting the rock. If he’s missing running lanes, Bucky will come in. It won’t be a quick hook but there’s a hook for sure.
September 5th, 2024 at 2:57 pm
If it’s Rachaad’s Show, I’m changing the channel or chugging beers.
September 5th, 2024 at 3:01 pm
Enough tape the past two years, don’t think White had a lot to work with. This year should be different. It he does not slam it into the holes being made then he will get replaced.
September 5th, 2024 at 3:02 pm
Great coach speak…give nothing away to other teams!!!
September 5th, 2024 at 3:14 pm
I see White as the work horse as well, with the other guys getting 3rd down and spot duty initially. But if they earn more snaps, the coach will make the effort to integrate them into the game plan.
September 5th, 2024 at 3:54 pm
Joe SO wants the coaches and others to adopt his view of RW and for Bucky to replace him as RB #1.
I think Coen is just trying to make it clear that he’s got Rachaad’s back. I don’t think he’ll jeopardize his future (as a coach) to stick with him if he doesn’t produce but he starts, rightly, as RB1.
I think that message has been clear throughout the offseason. In spite of the innuendo and gossip girl “reading between the lines” Joe has put forth to further his narrative that RW is a crappy runner but a good receiver who’s hanging on to his job by a thread.
LOL!–Joe
September 5th, 2024 at 3:58 pm
I understand what he is saying.
When a coach has 2-3 players of + ability at a position, it can be challenging to spread the playing time fairly so nobody gets miffed, yet nobody is overworked. and is higher on the depth chart.
Especially if one is having a solid game.
September 5th, 2024 at 4:51 pm
@Kenton Smith
“But when I completely agree with Rod munch on two straight posts then it’s time to take a few days off.”
LMAO Actually I butt heads with Rod as well. But I absolutely respect his football IQ. He’s addicted to the sport, watches far more than me, and I’d never go up against him in a Jeopardy category of “Greatest Bucs Hero”.
He knows his stuff, alas like many of us he sometimes let’s his “feelings” and prejudices arising from those feelings lead him to some awful hyperbole.
But what’s a sports blog without a ton of Hyperbole eh. Says the old man from the nursing home eh Rod. LOL
September 5th, 2024 at 5:02 pm
Let’s see…they say if you have 2 QBs….you don’t have a QB….so if you have 3 RBs…do you have a RB….I think you do.
September 5th, 2024 at 5:09 pm
Since they all do things a bit different and have different strengths, LC is thinking out loud about having to call the right play for the guy who’s in there to maximize that RBs strengths. That only makes total sense!
September 5th, 2024 at 5:13 pm
LC will do fine. Not to worry. That’s always part of the play callers job.
September 5th, 2024 at 7:54 pm
I think the Rod Muncher is usually stoned on something most
of the times he posts.
September 5th, 2024 at 8:07 pm
Of course White starts. He needs to run so I think he get several games. Otherwise he’s a third down back. Still love him but go Tucker anyway.
September 5th, 2024 at 8:16 pm
Ok fellow Bucs fans. It’s a couple days until game time. Let’s try and keep a good vibe between us. Besides the bandwagon fans , most of us are like minded Bucs fans who just want our Bucs to win , regardless how they do it. Go Bucs and thank you @joebucsfan for getting us through another off-season !!
September 6th, 2024 at 5:33 am
I like Coen’s comments about who and why our guys will see snaps. Pretty plain to me. What exactly he thinks they are good at remains to be seen.
LFG!
Go Bucs!
September 6th, 2024 at 8:48 am
Rashad is a nice backup, nothing more, mainly because he can catch the ball. Hopefully we have a starter in the room, I think we do.