Warren Sharp: Finding The “Hot Hand” Will Get A Team Burned
October 18th, 2024
So yesterday Bucs coach Todd Bowles was asked what he’s going to do about his running attack.
The Bucs have been waiting 2 1/3 seasons for Rachaad White to be a consistent back. Out of about 40 games, he’s had a few good ones (the last two weeks ago in Atlanta).
White did not suit up last Sunday against the slimy Saints. And with the hated Robert Hainsey starting at center — the center known to be the root cause of bird flu, unrest in the Middle East and global warming — the Bucs racked up 277 yards rushing.
Man, a lot of people’s narratives were blown to hell in Lincoln’s Tomb in downtown New Orleans.
So now, is Sean Tucker’s sample size too small to get more starts? Is Bucky Irving the new No. 1 back? Will the Bucs continue to give White more and more rope?
The way Bowles talked, it seems a little of all three.
Bowles wants to give all three backs carries and come the second half, the Bucs’ coaching staff will know who to ride. Sounds great on face value, ut handicapper turned stathead Warren Sharp pointed out that’s a horrible idea, unless the Bucs want to play from behind in the second half.
The moment Joe read that Twitter, Joe fully agreed, while also remembering one of Joe’s core beliefs about football. Every snap is precious. Teams shouldn’t be burning snaps to soften up a defense or give running backs test drives.
Put your best 11 on the field and use each down for no less than getting a first down or preferably six points.
While an offense is trying to figure out what backs should be on the field on offense, the other team is more concerned with scoring points.
Find out who your best back(s) based on film and numbers and practice. If he’s not cutting it, then pull him. Never waste downs.
IT'S NEVER OVER!
Nobody gets @KyleBrandt fired up like a Mike Alstott run š”#NFLFilmsPresents: Angry Runners Hall of Fame streaming on YouTube pic.twitter.com/nFEJO05XHj
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) October 17, 2024
October 18th, 2024 at 4:49 am
The Ravens are stout against the run – any snaps to White are just wasting the down as he’ll be tackled immediately. Start Bucky & pass often to set up the run. Bring White in on obvious passing downs.
October 18th, 2024 at 5:00 am
They used to have a position called “flanker” That sounds like a good use of White’s skill set
October 18th, 2024 at 5:25 am
Hot hand can be determined in practice going against the number one defense. No need to wait until game day to figure it out. White is a third-down back that is his strength.
October 18th, 2024 at 5:26 am
What used to be called flanker is now called slot. At least I think so Beej.
October 18th, 2024 at 5:44 am
Well, keep em guessing, Bowles.
October 18th, 2024 at 6:06 am
Alstott was an absolute beast. We could use that kind of back these days.
October 18th, 2024 at 6:38 am
Good for Bowles!
Agree with Buccaneric – “Keep the other teams guessing.”
October 18th, 2024 at 6:40 am
Rachaad White is averaging 3.7 yards a carry and if you take the one 56 yard away itād 2.3 yards per carry on 114 attempts. You already know Bucky and Tucker double his production if you do the same thing to their numbers.
Itās a no brainer. Like Joe wrote about in training camp. Rachaad White is a 3rd string running back. The only reason for him to start is either his ego or Jasonās draft ego. Neither are acceptable. White gets less than 5 carries Monday. Bucky and Tucker should get around 30 combined.
October 18th, 2024 at 6:53 am
Tucker needs to start because he is the one of the 3 that has the ability to wear down the defense. Then you spell him with quickness and fresh legs when you need to
October 18th, 2024 at 7:29 am
I think there’s bigger decisions to be made on the O-LINE than the RB position. I don’t believe the BEST players are on the field.
October 18th, 2024 at 7:33 am
2 back set, White motions to the slot between Otton and Godwin….screen, drag, run to that side, or td to Evans. I think there is room for White, just not running up the middle. If you put him in motion, a defender will follow him and loosen up the box for Bucky or Tucker
October 18th, 2024 at 7:35 am
It is a weird loyalty they have to White lol. I mean he’s made a lot of big plays for us for sure and is a great receiver out of the backfield, but we scored more points with him on the bench than any game with him on the field, and same with the run game in general being better than any game he started.
October 18th, 2024 at 7:38 am
I think he is just talking. I think they know Buck n Tuck is it and White will be phased out. Unfortunately, it is hard to run on the Ravens and this might not be a good showcase for any of them, especially do not compare to last week, that was an anomaly.
October 18th, 2024 at 7:42 am
I get the so called “hot hand” argument. How did the Bucs use Alstott and Dunn.
Thunder and Lightning. There were enough snaps for BOTH of them.
So it’s hyperbolic for me to compare Bucky and Tucker to LEGENDARY Buc runners. I’m NOT. Simply comparing their use. Bucky does the Dunn role with Tucker doing the Alstott role. NO neither of these guys deserves to be mentioned in the same breath…YET…I’m simply comparing their use.
Now again a hyperbolic comparison. Lots has been made about what to do with Rachaad who CLEARLY has TALENT!!! And again this comment is about “style” or how to use him not that he’s this player.
Those of us old enough to remember, D.R. and maybe OrlBuc, sorry if I’ve insulted you OB, the GREAT Lenny Moore. He played RB/Flanker for the the great Baltimore Colts teams with Johnny Unitas. I grew up with those guys as my favorite team. Gino Marchetti on D…but back to Moore.
Beej – “They used to have a position called āflankerā That sounds like a good use of Whiteās skill set” Amen brother.
Some of us had suggested “slot receiver” but as D.R. pointed out CG14 is playing the best in the NFL, literally, at that position right now and that would severly limit White’s use.
Coen is incredibly flexible and creative. He could look at some old Colts highlights and see that Moore excelled split off the line as well as from the backfield. Perhaps White’s true value is his versatility.
No he’s not a GREAT RB but he is a competent NFL back. He’s never going to be CG14 but he can perform very well when he’s split wide.
Turn White into Lenny Moore and let Coen move that chess piece all over the field. Balance the carries between Bucky and Tucker much as Alstott and Dunn and then use Coen’s creativity to move White all over the place.
Imagine having all three on the field at the same time! There is no Gronk on the field, if Otton gives up some snaps and touches on occasion what is lost?
October 18th, 2024 at 7:56 am
Does JosĆ© call the Superdome Lincolns Tomb because it is old? I don’t get it š¤£
October 18th, 2024 at 8:06 am
I’d start Tucker. Irving seems to be more shifty, but I think Tucker has more punch, which will be important against a stout Ravens defensive front.
October 18th, 2024 at 8:09 am
lol somebody is gonna have to be a full time back up with minimal carries. Iāve never heard of a head coach say heāll have a three headed monster at running back lol it sounds kind of dumb now that you think about it. New Orleans got smoked by Denver. You have to find out if it was just a weak defense
October 18th, 2024 at 8:14 am
Rushing for 277 yards in one game is impressive make no mistake about that.
With Ravens having six games under their belt and allowing rushing yards given up ranging from 27 -81 you have to wonder which head of the 4 headed Buccaneer Rushing Beast will have success. Ravens have given up 16 total 1st downs this season via the rush.
If the RB1 is going to be determined by film and practice then the one that provides the best pass protection will be getting the snaps by the end of the first quarter.
October 18th, 2024 at 8:16 am
Hard to get three rbs into a rhythm. I think Bowels is sentimental towards white and doesnāt want to make the difficult decision and pull him. Bucky should start with Tucker nipping at his heels for the rb1 spot. White comes in on obvious passing downs.
October 18th, 2024 at 8:22 am
Bucs have a top 5 offense.. but sure.. yall know better.. “Joe’s core beliefs” have won so many football games… meanwhile, Liam isn’t struggling at all
October 18th, 2024 at 8:29 am
Joe, check out Warren Sharpe low ranking of Robert Hainsey.
I believe that you put your best 11 on the field and Hainsey has not proven to be a top player except against the only team in the last 10 years to give up 500 yards rushing in 2 games.
500 yards. Not 350 yards. God awful.
October 18th, 2024 at 8:34 am
No one should be surprised by yet another losing coaching philosophy .
October 18th, 2024 at 8:38 am
I agree with u Joe, Dont waste snaps,ever. Also, we ALL know n hopefully Liam wont get tlked out of it by Bowles, we Kniw we have 2 b heavy on passes against ravens and we cant push,force runs in 2nd half a bunch cause ravens wld eat us alive n luv it if we tried mostly runs in 2nd half
Oh, n, Bkwles, Dont go forecasting ur intentions like de laring that 2nd half thing, as always each game is different
Hoping 2 c oline gve Baker more time 2 pass a d deep balls 2!
October 18th, 2024 at 8:38 am
I agree with u Joe, Dont waste snaps,ever. Also, we ALL know n hopefully Liam wont get tlked out of it by Bowles, we Kniw we have 2 b heavy on passes against ravens and we cant push,force runs in 2nd half a bunch cause ravens wld eat us alive n luv it if we tried mostly runs in 2nd half
Oh, n, Bowles, Dont go forecasting ur intentions like de laring that 2nd half thing, as always each game is different
Hoping 2 c oline gve Baker more time 2 pass a d deep balls 2!
October 18th, 2024 at 8:38 am
Did someone ask Bowles about the Bucs offense?
That’s funny.
October 18th, 2024 at 9:07 am
If you have ever been to both places, you’d know. š
October 18th, 2024 at 9:30 am
The issue with multiple backs is your going to call plays catering to the running backs strengths not weaknesses. Eventually opponents will be able to predict the play type by who’s in the backfield. White is our only three down back. When he’s in the backfield it could be a pass or a run up the middle or play action etc. He may not be the best pure runner on the team but defenses won’t be clued in on the play call by personnel. With Tucker it’s most likely a run. Bucky shows promise and has shown he can pick up blitzes and succesfully carry the football. I feel Bucky and White end up sharing the majority of plays. Tucker will likely get carries if Tampa has the lead later on in games. I loved watching these backs run all over the Saints. The Ravens aren’t going to be easy to run against.
October 18th, 2024 at 9:35 am
The “new” O-ville Arena aka KIA Center makes the Superdome look terrific. That one is a dump and a tomb. I’m no coach and stink at football tech questions, but is there such a position as a hybrid fullback-receiver? Could White try it? He can catch and he is a good blocker.
October 18th, 2024 at 9:49 am
I second what Dave Pear said. It also is about winning not egos.
October 18th, 2024 at 10:02 am
ā3 headed monsterā mentality will not work!!! This is still a passing offense WE ARE NOT A RUN FIRST OFFENSE, where are all these touches coming from to get someone in rhythm?
October 18th, 2024 at 10:43 am
Narratives didn’t fall bob still needed to be replaced, saints defense isn’t good, bob didn’t have a nose tackle in front of him to collapse the pocket which normally happens and the scheme is different. If put your rose colored glasses to prove your narrative then yeah bob wasn’t a problem Joe š
October 18th, 2024 at 11:53 am
The 2 back sets have been the most effective, without question. You plug in any combination of the 3 RBs and it works.
Not worried about that overall, but as has been said Ravens are super stout against the run, so it’s going to be difficult.
October 18th, 2024 at 12:06 pm
As soon as I heard Bowles say that, while driving down the road during his interview, my first thought was āNO, I Donāt Like It.ā Iāve always been a HUGE believer in (and very anal about) not wasting plays. The āhot handā approach is completely BOGUS. He already KNOWS šÆ without a shadow of doubt, WHO the best/most effective running backs areā¦ White has had EVERY opportunity. More so than ANY other running back/player that Iāve ever seen. Thereās nothing else left to seeā¦ I mean, come on. I really donāt know why Todd felt the need to throw-in there, that White was an āAll-American Running Back, Blah Blah Blah,ā when asked during this interview!? What the hell does that have to do with ANYTHING!? Wonder how many ā100yd Rushersā the Ravens have allowed in the last 5, 10, 20+YEARS!? Not very many. They had that HUGE streak going on up until just a year or so ago!!!! Itāll be quite the test tho, thatās for SURE. Canāt Wait. I just hope to GOD that I do not see White get a fresh carry early in the ballgame āup the middleā or Iām going to absolutely, LOSE-IT.
October 18th, 2024 at 12:54 pm
Some of you should just drink your beer and stfu š
It’s great to have options and Bucky and Sean have both played hard and earned snaps š¤š¼ but…
RW is still RB1 and he should be.
Buck and Tuck is the Gayest nickname in sports.
We should be most worried about stopping the Ravens run game, not who’s going to trot out 1st, or get the most touches in our backfield. š
October 18th, 2024 at 1:06 pm
the data speaks for itself Buck and Tuck
October 18th, 2024 at 1:34 pm
Giving White the ball on 1st or 2nd down if it isn’t a screen pass is pointless.
October 18th, 2024 at 1:38 pm
Ya know, there just might be the possibility that Bowles is just saying what he’s saying to keep the ‘Crows” guessing. Besides, it seems by our scoring of late that Coen has been pretty effective at attacking the opposing teams weaknesses. Wouldn’t be surprised if on our first play of the game, we went play action with a deep ball to ME13. I would.
Go Bucs!!!
October 18th, 2024 at 1:43 pm
Agree! Sounds like a drag queen nickname
October 18th, 2024 at 1:56 pm
Tuck looked like Barry Sanders on a couple of them plays. I mean he ran with mean intentions.
October 18th, 2024 at 2:11 pm
Right? I cringe a little every time I see that stupid nickname used.
October 18th, 2024 at 2:36 pm
A “forum-content problem” with Joe’s relentless campaign to demote Rachaad from his well-earned RB #1 status, based on his (Joe’s) disappointment in being proven wrong about his (Rachaad’s) draft pick in the first place (Joe believed a different position other than RB should have been picked; even though Rachaad had/has exactly the RB-skills that the Brady wanted for his offense: ummm, I think I’ll agree with The GOAT), is that it inhibits the facts of the matter and can turn the whole, excellent RB corps into individual, political footballs. Let’s keep it football, without the “political,.”
Rachaad didn’t play, so what is all this negativity based upon exactly? He didn’t play, yet, the narrative is about what he -didn’t- do?
As long as this is all predicated on hypotheticals:
The run-game Sunday were plays in which Rachaad excels; with Rachaad in a typical play Sunday with an outstanding Otton-block, for example, we’re thinking touchdown or at least, big gains.
Great job by the team in general in not having those great plays
called-back on “holding” calls, btw; Rachaad’s had a ton of “those” remember.
October 18th, 2024 at 2:42 pm
Pewter Power Says:
October 18th, 2024 at 10:02 am
I don’t think anyone is proposing we become a run 1st/power run team by instituting a 3 headed monster at RB. It’s just a catchy phrase to indicate Tucker has earned carries and that we could have 3 effective backs going forward.
It’s a good problem to have.
Mark my words Rachaad haters and Bucky/Tucky disciples. As this season goes on we will be VERY glad the coaches DO NOT LISTEN to the morons calling for RW to be benched. We’re going to need his talent and experience this year!
October 18th, 2024 at 3:49 pm
Tucky must start. Ease RW back into the scheme and let him catch passes or block on 3rd down. I have to disagree, having Bucky in the game on first and second down doesnāt tip anything to the defense, he is a decent pass catcher/blocker and a damn good runner. Bucky Irving to start please. He has shown the hot hand. Throw a little Tucker in there and win the damn game first and foremost. Who cares about the run game when you have the pass offense that we have, and they have the run defense they have.
October 18th, 2024 at 6:26 pm
Just to add-in, generally: hope Coen/Baker don’t forget the exceptional value of checkdown to Rachaad.
Sunday being a good “for instance,” where, instead of forcing tiny windows & interception-risk when he’s in “rambunctious-mode,” Baker bails to Rachaad in the flats like he got used to doing (due to the auto-success of it) last year.
The one thing it seems Baker needs to work on are those game-situations-frustrations as in Sunday’s 2nd Qtr. where he “presses” to hard to get the lead-back. As Bill Parcels always liked to say: “Don’t! THROW that ball!
Yes, don’t forget the check down to Rachaad. At the very least, it’ll keep the drive-momentum going, and without the risk.of a turnover.
October 18th, 2024 at 7:59 pm
We just witnessed a winning formula. 2 young backs, eager to get any carry. They are super eager, both of them. Their energy blows away that of White. Give Tucker 50-60% of running snaps and Irving 40-50%. Put White in as a blocking back, a flanker, an RB to motion out, like SO many have said, White is more of a receiver than a back.
I’d vote for Tucker 1a, Irving 1b and White as OTHER. The Bucs need to add another back.