Rachaad White Finally Making Defenders Miss On The Ground
November 9th, 2024
Run-game moves.
When Rachaad White catches a pass in the flat, Joe is on the edge of his seat. White is electric catching passes out of the backfield. Production and entertainment.
But that is exactly the issue(s) Joe has with White as a running back. Joe likes to say how White can’t make a mailbox miss running the ball.
It’s so weird. In the passing game, White has a nose for the open field and the moves to make dudes grab air. Those two traits vanish when he runs the ball.
Sometimes, Joe wonders if White needs to be hypnotized.
But that ended in the loss to the Chiefs on Monday night. White scored from seven yards out in the second quarter to tie the game at 7-7.
White took the handoff from Baker Mayfield, ran behind left tackle Tristian Wirfs (!), did a little shimmy-shake, faking inside and then darted to daylight on the outside for the score.
The Chiefs defense mostly bit on the fake, which opened up a big lane for White.
After the game, Joe asked White about that sweet little move (finally as a running back).
“Yeah, it was cool,” White said. “It helped Tristan get out [in front]. It helped the other guys get out too.”
Last year, and to a far lesser degree this year, Joe often wondered aloud why in the world wouldn’t the Bucs want to run behind Wirfs. Former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales seemed fully allergic to running it.
White loved running behind the big cornfed.
“You can’t complain,” White smiled. “Big guy like that, he gets going downhill, it’s over.
“Once I saw him on [Chiefs corner Trent] McDuffie, I knew it was [six].”
If White can keep making moves after taking handoffs, the same way he does when he catches passes, White could be a lethal back.
Joe’s hoping that run is the beginning of something special for White.
Tristan Wirfs, Payne Durham and Ryan Miller all do a tremendous job blocking on this play.
Rachaad's patience a big part of the touchdown as well. pic.twitter.com/zlVDZBH0DW
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) November 5, 2024
November 9th, 2024 at 8:28 am
Put the Guy in the Slot
November 9th, 2024 at 8:41 am
Next to Buck and Tuck…White’s just a 3rd down back; albeit a pretty good one.
November 9th, 2024 at 8:46 am
Agreed LD, seems like it’s been some time since we’ve had 3 legit RB’s. Much prefer a 1/2 of Buck & Tuck, with White filling the 3rd down role. Best use of everyone’s talent imo, sadly not likely to happen this season.
November 9th, 2024 at 9:23 am
What happens next year, do you resign White? What would the price tag be, and is it worth it? Bucs brought all their players back for a boat parade that ain’t gonna happen, do you keep resigning the same players hoping it will lead to a championship? Do you bring a .500 coach back hoping he’ll win it all? Season isn’t over, we don’t know what the final record will be, but if we find ourselfs back at .500 only to miss the playoffs this time, I think a change will do the franchise good.
November 9th, 2024 at 9:44 am
We should all recognize that this is legit the best stable of Running backs the Bucs have had since WD-40
November 9th, 2024 at 9:54 am
Knew it was a TD at hand-off. So did everyone in the building.
November 9th, 2024 at 10:08 am
I guess one week fixed him?
November 9th, 2024 at 10:45 am
Any glimmer of hope, man.
November 9th, 2024 at 10:57 am
White ain’t a UFA until 2026
November 9th, 2024 at 11:36 am
In the best of three worlds Bucs running game, Rashad is inspired to run better by Bucky, and Tucker. I think they all feed off each other’s success. Truly a thing of beauty!!
Go Bucs !!!
November 9th, 2024 at 11:46 am
Lol, more like Joe hedging his bets 🤣
November 9th, 2024 at 2:47 pm
I still don’t think they run behind Wirfs enough, is that a right handed QB thing
November 9th, 2024 at 6:40 pm
Amazing what happens when you’re not being hit 2-yards behind the LOS on every play.
November 10th, 2024 at 12:06 am
He’s finally getting some coaching. Something the Head Guy doesn’t do, know, or recognize any more.