Todd Bowles: Rachaad White Not In Danger Of Getting Benched
September 9th, 2024
Running back Rachaad White shares a moment with his former Arizona State QB Jayden Daniels on Sunday. Todd Bowles said White is too valuable as a receiver to reduce his snaps.
There is no week like the week after Week 1 of the NFL season. It’s when overreaction is all over the place.
Bucs running back Rachaad White and his struggles running the ball are hardly an overreaction for Joe. It’s been a them on thes pages for months.
But today in his day-after presser, Bucs coach Todd Bowles was asked with rookie Bucky Irving running so well and White in his third eyar being, well, White, might White’s carries instead start going to Irving?
Bowles responded with an answer that Joe had touched upon this summer. White is such a good receiver out of the backfield, it’s hard to pull him off the field.
“We are going to need both of them this season,” Bowles said of his top-two running backs. “The holes have to be there for Rachaad. But at the same time, those holes opened up later in the game for Bucky.
“[White’s struggles running the ball] doesn’t mean Rachaad is playing bad. Rachaad had a lot of receptions and he had yards receiving-wise. So it worked out for us. We had a good one-two punch.”
Then Bowles added again the Bucs are going to need both backs the rest of the season.
At least with Irving on the roster, the Bucs aren’t stuck with White as the lone option at running back. Bowles and offensive coordinator Liam Coen can always go to the bullpen for Irving. So White’s rotten running will be or at least can be limited.
As Joe has stated, as bad of a runner as White is, he’s that good of a receiver.
September 9th, 2024 at 1:16 pm
There were 3 runs i can think of where he was hit instantly in the backfield for decent losses…
September 9th, 2024 at 1:26 pm
LOL! Your daily White bashing article.
So what if White was getting hit 7 yards behind the LOS as he was being handed the ball, it’s his fault for not breaking 19 tackles to get 4-yards per carry. And so what that Bucky also was losing yards when he got hit in the backfield as well – those don’t count, we only count the ones where he literally had no one around him and Bucky could just run forward untouched for 30 yards.
Give it a rest already.
In the few plays where White had room, he picked up good yards. In the other plays, he had like 6 people in the backfield with him, except they were all Redskins players. If you watched the game and didn’t see that, you have a serious problem.
September 9th, 2024 at 1:26 pm
I am surprised someone asked this I thought both backs played excellent and complemente each other well. White is a total WEAPON catching the football I honestly don’t remember a back this good as a receiver. He definitely can improve running the ball and if he does WATCH OUT. Bucky is a great addition as well I think there is plenty of carries to go around.
September 9th, 2024 at 1:30 pm
Whi9te fits Coen’s offense very well so he’s going to get lots of work.
The problem with White is that he’s too big to squeak through the small holes like Warrick Dunn and he’s too small to make his own holes like Mike Alstott. Bucky fits the Dunn role but White is no Alstott. That said, White is a weapon and Coen will make use of him.
September 9th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
i like white never misses game never complains
September 9th, 2024 at 1:39 pm
I was listening to some Redskins podcasts and they were complaining about how the middle of the defensive line wasn’t getting pressure and how easily the Bucs were rushing the ball – seemingly at will.
The Bucs were averaging 2.9 ypc until the 2nd to last drive of the game – I know this because I was mocking all the morons who said you have to get 4 yards per carry or you might as well not show up.
Then, the Bucs got over 4 ypc — only to then give it up when they took a knee to end the game, which meant basically the game was a loss, because you can’t win if you’re only averaging 3.91 ypc. It must be 4 ypc.
September 9th, 2024 at 1:41 pm
[The only thing “fake” is someone thinking Rachaad White is a valuable running back. Did those words that Joe used not come straight from Todd Bowles’ mouth? So how are those quotes fake? Meth is an ugly thing, man. — Joe]
No, Joe never heard of a “spellchecker.” Joe has heard of a copy editor. And them is expensive. So, unless you are willing to pay to read this site (and Joe knows you won’t), gonna have to suck it up buttercup.
September 9th, 2024 at 1:46 pm
Take away the 31-yard run, and Bucky Irving would be 3.8 YPC. Great run, but late in the game and took advantage of a bad play call/missed assignment on defense.
Bottom line the sample size is still pretty small to start having a boat parade for Bucky at this point.
September 9th, 2024 at 1:50 pm
Of course RW ain’t getting benched. Joe wishes but it ain’t happening.
September 9th, 2024 at 1:52 pm
The best thing about White & Bucky, they were on the field at the same time for several plays from what I saw. Coen gets it, this was only game 1 for this offense.
September 9th, 2024 at 1:52 pm
Facts can be an ugly thing. And how is it “bashing?” You tring to suggest White should be a Pro Bowl running back?> Good grief, this is White’s third year. How about attacking the source, not the messenger?
What is it with people that worship this Rachaad White so much? What exactly has he done as a running back to earn this Mike Alstott-level of love? Why are folks so eager to embrace pathetic production?
Joe has made it perfectly clear White is a fantastic receiver. But when it comes to a running back, Bucs fans must be watching Warrick Dunn highlights and mistaking him for White. Geez.
(Can’t use Robert Hainsey as a scapegoat any longer. Uh, oh.)
September 9th, 2024 at 1:54 pm
As long as White continues to be a dangerous receiver, he’ll get the most snaps….75 yards receiving is fantastic
September 9th, 2024 at 2:10 pm
Bowles is absolutely right that we are gonna need both all year, and it was a good one two punch. We need to keep getting better at running for more yards and balance but it’s week one. I’m pretty confident in Liam Cohen knowing he needs to get the rushing game in control no worries so far
September 9th, 2024 at 2:12 pm
Let’s look at it this way…White had 21 touches for 106 yards….Irving 11 for 76
Like Joe likes to say “Don’t fix what isn’t broken”
September 9th, 2024 at 2:16 pm
As long as it produces the almighty $$clicks$$, Joe is gonna diss. The White noize is hot air. NO way will Rasheed be benched. He’s too dangerous a receiver. He’s 100% healthy, too.
September 9th, 2024 at 2:17 pm
Rachaad. Hate typos.
September 9th, 2024 at 2:23 pm
I am with Bowles, RW will not get benched.
Bucky broke away on that 31 yarder on a run blitz with an outstanding block from Godwin.
September 9th, 2024 at 2:26 pm
Maybe I need to rewatch, but I don’t remember a single Rachaad White run where I blamed him for a loss. The Commanders have two really good DTs that pushed back our OL a few times causing a few negative runs.
There WERE a couple of runs where RW gained good, positive yards that I felt he should’ve gotten even more yards. Sometimes he runs “ahead of his feet” too much and can’t stop/start without losing his balance. He reminds me a little of Michael Pittman, in that he’s strong, fast, a really good receiver, but isn’t a gifted runner.
But the one-two punch of him and Bucky should be a good one all year.
September 9th, 2024 at 2:38 pm
Our two back sets should be money.
September 9th, 2024 at 2:39 pm
The Bucs will probably begin rotating backs and splitting carries but in situations where it is an obvious passing situation you should have White on the field. He is a natural pass catcher and a good run after catch.
He isn’t a natural running back, you can often see with the hesitation and vision issues. Looks to me like a WR who was converted to RB.
Irwin is more fluid and makes much quicker moves as soon as he gets the ball.
Really like to see them run some plays with both in at same time. They could put White in motion and option to him or Irwin.
September 9th, 2024 at 2:43 pm
NOT ROCKET SCIENCE …
If one guy gets more yards per carry, you give that guy more carries. We’ll see what happens in games 2-3, but you can’t ignore the facts.
FURTHERMORE …
Once White gets benched (as a RB … still think he’s 3rd best WR). I’d try out Tucker as RB2.
September 9th, 2024 at 2:44 pm
Joe I’m 50/50 with on white as a running back. He can be to indecisive at times and not put his foot down and hit the dam hole I see it too but at the same time just in yesterdays game not talking about seasons prior but yesterday he had 3 big losses where he was hit in the back field. That joe is not whites fault. Those 3 played where he lost 4 , 5 and ,5 yards cause his big uglies didn’t block effect his yards per carry. You really can’t blame white for getting hit in the back field as soon as he takes the hand off. He hen Bucky came in he got better blocking but he didn’t make holes as well. Again white is not the best RB but it doesn’t help him either when the line doesn’t do their job. They will have to start using a 2 back set to thro off the defense if they start using Bucky more in the run game and white in the pass game. White is so dangerous in the passing game.
September 9th, 2024 at 3:54 pm
Our O-line is a work in progress. It was leaky at times letting WSH get penetration into the backfield to blow up runs for negative yardage. It happened to both backs.
Screw up by WSH allowed the 1 long run by Bucky that skews the stats. Kneeldowns further affected the stats.
Love Bucky but really wish the critics of Rashaad would TRY to be more objective, esp Joe but I assume he’s too committed at this point to his Bucky is super-duper and Rachaad is poo poo (as a runner) narrative.
I thought Rachaad had a good game…. running, recieving, pass protection. Had more than a few runs that began with defenders in his face (like last year) but was decisive when there was a hole, finished falling forward (Bucky not so much) and moving the pile.
Bucky got his ass blasted a couple pass pro reps and also tended to get stopped in his tracks when tackled. He’s got A LOT of work to do just to get to Rachaads level as an NFL back.
stats…the last refuge of simple minds
September 9th, 2024 at 3:54 pm
i don’t know what people are seeing with this jayden daniels guy…
i’m not seeing him as an nfl passer at all…
just looks like a quick skinny basketball type player who can scramble for broken play yardage…but when it comes to throwing the ball, he’s got nothing…….nothing……
everyone praises this guy – yet i say it first – dude is a scrubbb
watch this dude flop out…he’s no lamar jackson…
also dude is a bag of bones who’s gonna get knocked around good out there over a full season…helmet can’t even stay on his pea sized noggin…
real talk here – while the world praises the guy like he’s the next big thing…
nothing against the guy – just critiquing him – and i don’t see it
September 9th, 2024 at 4:25 pm
We want bucky on 1st and 2nd down and white on third down!!
September 9th, 2024 at 4:26 pm
Rachad White is one of the best receiving backs in the NFL. But Bucky is a better runner, they compliment each other. Liam knows how to use them, they will get equal playing time. Regardless of who the starter is!!
September 9th, 2024 at 5:22 pm
Can Bucky Irving pass block? That’s typically difficult for a rookie. I did him get blasted onto his back once during pass protection but can’t say I focused on that.
September 9th, 2024 at 5:29 pm
Mauch did not have a good game. Might need to replace Mauch before White. Klein is a natural RG, and a big one at that. Cody needs to pick up his play. He was the weak link in the chain yesterday.
September 9th, 2024 at 6:06 pm
It’s sad that us fans will be the team downfall with all this bs with our backs about unseating smh. It’s no longer a “BELL COW” league. It’s a two back league it’s been for yrs now. White is perfect for us he will be better at running give him time. Bucky a rookie who’s gonna hit a wall at some point. When he does all you Bucky lovers keep that energy. White looked good on his carries, he hit holes and got some good runs. Running back by committee. Just be glad we’re not the worst rushing team in the league 🤷🏾♂️….. better switch ya focus to our defensive backfield 🤦🏾♂️
September 9th, 2024 at 7:35 pm
Sean Tucker will be “waiting in the wings” in the meantime. Expect Rachaad and Bucky to get their share of touches for the foreseeable future. We now have a running game.
Go Bucs!!
September 10th, 2024 at 6:58 am
White still hesitates and dances around in the backfield. The difference between Bucky attacking the line and Rachaad’s constant hesitation is stark.
Joe is absolutely correct. As a pure runner Bucky is immensely better than Rachaad.