Rachaad White’s Good And Bad Day
September 11th, 2024
Bucs Rachaad White tries to break free Sunday.
Lost in the shuffle of Mike Evans doing Mike Evans things by catching two touchdowns and Chris Godwin looking like vintage Chris Godwin was what the third member of the Bucs’ formidable three-headed pass-catching monster did.
It seems Rachaad White set a personal record — catching the ball on Sunday.
Per the Bucs, White had 107 yards after the catch (YAC) in the 37-20 beatdown of the Commandos. That 107 yards is his personal best.
Strong work!
Then there was White’s running. Welp.
Stathead Warren Sharp had some disturbing, though not surprising, numbers for White.
And this, in a nutshell, is White as a running back. Exceptional catching the ball, poor running the ball.
These numbers also show why Bucs coach Todd Bowles said Monday he has no desire (presently) to take more snaps away from White and give them to Bucky Irving. White is too dangerous of a weapon in the passing game to reduce his time on the field.
I compiled every Rachaad White run from Sunday and the tape was a lot better than what I thought it was going to be. I saw a runner who was more decisive hitting holes. In fact, he created some plays out of nothing. I think the 2.1 YPC is a bit deceiving, IMO. pic.twitter.com/eoLpNOj6h6
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) September 10, 2024
September 11th, 2024 at 7:17 am
From watching the game and from what I just saw White’s play belies his YPC. One of Washington’s strengths is their DL. In fact it might be their most skillful position. Many times White was met in the backfield or at the LOS by maroon clad people. Most of those times he gained from 2-4 yards when a lesser back would have incurred a TFL. He’s definitely not doing the Leveon Bell thing anymore. Well, maybe he did a lesser version of it once or twice.
But our Oline wore them down as the game went on. Bucky came in to face a softer version and let’s be clear, Bucky has the burst to exploit those gaps. Overall, I like the one two punch. If we could get Tuck in for a few plays to pound the Dline a bit, that would be even better.
September 11th, 2024 at 7:22 am
If the holes are not created for him that is not his fault.
September 11th, 2024 at 7:23 am
White doesn’t need to be running wide of the tackles, don’t think he’s fast enough
September 11th, 2024 at 7:39 am
Just going off the eyes, I think Rashaad wasn’t that bad but Bucky has a much more explosive first cut ability for picking up 4-5+ yards vs the 0-2-3 yards consistently.
It’s great that he can also catch the ball well because neither back tips the defense to what the play will be. I didn’t really see a lot of pass pro tho – I’m guessing if anything White may be playing over him longer than most fans would like because of that?
September 11th, 2024 at 7:42 am
It did look like his negative runs were due to having nowhere to go. Let’s see how it progresses before getting down on him.
September 11th, 2024 at 8:00 am
The Bucs have a two headed monster. A great pass receiving back, and a great running back. It’s up to the OC to utilize them correctly…
September 11th, 2024 at 8:02 am
By watching, I didn’t think he did badly. Now looking at those numbers, it does shed another light on things. However, I agree with Day 1-76, lets wait and see how he progresses in the next few weeks.
September 11th, 2024 at 8:04 am
Of course, Baker had 21 yards rushing on 3 carries (7.0 YPC). Using standard logic (?), I guess we should let him run the ball on every play from now on.
September 11th, 2024 at 8:31 am
Every off-tackle run was poorly blocked. I think Bucky is a better runner but there wasn’t a lot for White to work with.
September 11th, 2024 at 8:44 am
He would have been gone if that linebacker didn’t grab his ankles changing direction.a hop skip would have set him free or jump cut to the outside and it was daylight in front of him. I am not down him like most they compliment each other…bucky is going to be a terror for tired defenses late in games
September 11th, 2024 at 8:59 am
He looked pretty good in that video above. Every negative play was not on him. I think the running game will only improve and we will see a better White.
September 11th, 2024 at 9:10 am
Bucky is more explosive hitting the hole, period. His vision in traffic is better. Bucky hides behind his blockers, then explodes off of those blocks. Defense doesn’t see him until he’s 5 yards on them. White is not that type of back. He can’t sqeeze, or slip through those small cracks the Oline can only create most times. There were runs that White had where I thought to myself, Bucky would’ve got more out of that, might even have broke it. I thought that on our last TD drive. Mike got the TD, but I thought Bucky would’ve scored on those runs before, where White just didn’t.
September 11th, 2024 at 9:10 am
Average yards per carry is such a deceiving stat. The long runs and stops for a loss really skew the average. I think we need an additional stat. I’m not sure but maybe have a stat that shows just the runs covering 0-10 yards? That would give a legitimate “ball moving” average. Or maybe runs covering 0-20? 0-30? I’m not sure what the solution is, but I do think we need a stat that eliminates the stops for loss and the very long runs in order to get a better perspective of the running backs’ performances.
September 11th, 2024 at 9:16 am
REWATCH THE TAPE
He doesn’t bounce off or break tackles. Even arm tackles. White lacks power. Henry, Harris, Jacobs, Chubb … it takes 2-3 guys to bring them down. White collapses at a tap on the shoulder. My only gripe about Licht is he likes prissy finesse RBs. Draft SEC. Last 9 years represented in the pro bowl.
September 11th, 2024 at 10:07 am
Man
I never understood the hate Rashaad White gets on this website
He’s clearly a RECEIVING BACK
Get him the ball in some space please
September 11th, 2024 at 10:18 am
R White was tackled for a loss 5x, resulting in a total of -14 yards
Bucky was tackled for a loss 2x, resulting in a loss of -8 yards
Clean up those leaks in the o-line and our run game would have been explosive. They are a great 1-2 punch, despite Joes incessant need to blame all running woes solely on White and nothing else. Bucky def has some extra juice and I love it. He still isn’t replacing white as the starter.
September 11th, 2024 at 10:22 am
I’m a broken record. ” White will be one of the leagues best 3rd down backs by mid season.”
September 11th, 2024 at 10:34 am
Again this analysis of Rachaad White is such an oversimplification. It’s much more about the holes to OL does or doesn’t open up. Watching all those runs, please tell me which ones show that he is not a good running back?
More speed and quickness would make a difference. Joe would start there.–Joe
Also, the Bucs ran on a lot of first downs in the first half. Obvious run situations.
Also, half of Bucky Irving’s yards came on one run, and White would’ve gotten the same yards on that run based on the blocking and the way the WAS DB played it.
September 11th, 2024 at 10:55 am
How come no one wants to point out the fact that the rookie center struggles in all of those plays with a rare exception.
Every negative play his guy was in on.
Every positive play his guy was taken care of.
Not a knock-on old Barton. Just something he will need to improve on for sure.
White is much better than Bucky. Bucky can’t do what White did last year. White is the long-term Alpha Dog in our OUTSTAND RB room. <– Might be the best in the league!!!
September 11th, 2024 at 10:56 am
*OUTSTANDING
September 11th, 2024 at 11:08 am
Can Bucky pass block? If so, have a seat White. Bucky is an extremely effective pass catcher – and he has explosive cutting ability that White lacks as a RB imo.
September 11th, 2024 at 3:13 pm
To paraphrase what one of the Joes said during a podcast last week, it doesn’t matter who is in the backfield if the guys upfront aren’t doing their job. There were too many TFLs Sunday, and you can bet Coen and the O-Line coach made that point abundantly clear afterwards.
September 11th, 2024 at 3:45 pm
People seeing what they want to see I suppose. I didn’t see Bucky breaking tackles or making the 1st man miss. I also saw him looking like a tumbleweed on at least 1 pass pro.
Are there stats for D-line men in the backfield?
What about yards before contact?
Any play by play run block stats?
I’m really glad we have coaches and front office staff can see what the simple minds in the comment section on JBF can’t/wont. Maybe they don’t have the knowledge, or access to information that Joe and some of the commenters here have – lol – and that’s why they keep saying RW is back #1 period. And that they have confidence in him as a runner and pass catcher.
Want to insure we are last in rushing again and maybe miss the playoffs? Take RW out of the run game and make Bucky the bellcow runner. That’s not a knock on Bucky btw, I think he’s going to be good… But definitely think RW is better, in all areas, at this point.
September 11th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
Bucky has better vision, and hits the hole fast. When the hole doesnt appear, he is able to jump cut and run counter to the play flow. His acceleration is impressive. White has great acceleration, which makes his screen game and wheel routes very dangerous. His vision behind and at the line of scrimmage is limited by the fact he has to see the hole first, then run through it. I watched White’s 2023 highlights. I didn’t see an example where he jump cut at the line of scrimmage. He has great hands. In the old days, He would be labeled a 3rd down back. A versatile athlete that can pass block and go out for a swing pass. Bucky to me seems to modeled his game after Marshawn Lynch, even though they have different body types. He explodes to the hole, and has great contact balance. Don’t know if he can pass block, but seems to be a natural pass catcher as well. I think a 50/50 rotation would be fearsome and save wear and tear on both. Send Tucker in 4th quarter with fresh legs along with WR Johnson to unleash speed!
September 11th, 2024 at 10:57 pm
Put Elijah Klein in at left guard and watch the run game explode . He’s an absolute road grader .