Running With Rachaad White
May 16th, 2023
NFL Network analyst a big fan.
Running backs like Kenyan Drake, D’Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert each had better 2022 seasons than Bucs rookie running back Rachaad White.
Yet, that fact hasn’t thrown cold water on NFL Network personalties who are still singing the praises of White.
Take Joe’s good friend Peter Schrager. The “Good Morning Football” co-host gave White mad props yesterday and told his audience, look out: White will show everyone why he’s the Bucs’ next stud.
“I love this guy’s game,” Schrager said. “I love the message the Buccaneers made through free agency and through the draft.
“What did they do? Well, Leonard Fournette is no longer with the squad and Rachaad White is. Everyone thought they would draft a running back.
“‘No, this is our guy.'”
How much does Schrager have White’s back? Schrager predicts White will be a top-10 rusher this fall.
Wow!
If White pulls that off, that’s one helluva jump from a guy’s rookie season to his second year. Consider that White was No. 47 in yards rushing last year. Keep in mind there are 32 teams. Aaron Jones of the Packers ranked No. 10 in rushing yards last season with 1,121.
If White is a top-10 running back this fall, that would be so damning of former Bucs offensive coordinator SpongeBob, it’s wouldn’t even be funny.
Who's going to be the breakout running back of 2023? @PSchrags: @Chaad_1 @Buccaneers @JamieErdahl: @BrianR_4 @Commanders @ShaunOHara60: @isiah_pachecoRB @Chiefs pic.twitter.com/BlmfhVsNt6
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) May 15, 2023
May 16th, 2023 at 6:17 am
I’m sorry i just don’t see the pop. I believe he’s a nice compliment back. RB 1.B but i don’t see where all this hype is coming from. Especially if the message was to compete this year! What competition does he really face on our team? Hope we aren’t making same mistake we did with VH 111. That first year BA. Handed him the Keys at CB then cut em 2.5 months later lol
May 16th, 2023 at 6:27 am
I think SpongeBob, errr, Leftwich was in a no win situation, he had to manage Brady and Fournette’s ego while bringing the young guy along. The only reason ROjO couldn’t break a thousand, was managing Lenny’s ego.
May 16th, 2023 at 6:31 am
There has been talk of Rachaad White’s “maturity” level as a rookie approaching Chris Godwin type levels.
I think the Bucs are high on White’s potential as a starting RB and intend to give him the opportunities this year to prove it.
Shrager is wise to notice because if our run blocking improves White is going to turn some heads this year.
May 16th, 2023 at 6:50 am
Pickgrin, was OJ mature? Marshawn Lynch? Heck, I’m 63, somewhat mature and couldn’t break the top 69.
May 16th, 2023 at 6:50 am
Smooth with power … the new trend and the UDFA Ronnie Brown has that too along with hands most WR’s would die for
May 16th, 2023 at 7:07 am
It all depends on how fast our new pieces to the OL gel. It’s not going to happen from game 1, so I think it’s important to have patience with White and the OL. They should get better as the season goes along.
May 16th, 2023 at 7:51 am
I don’t think it is out ofnthe realm of possibility, but I agree it is unlikely.
The story this year will really pivot on two major things. Was Bowles intimidated to call “his” game last yr? Was Brady too big to allow Bowles to play his type of football?
Was Leftwich super bad (hard to believe he wasn’t) or was the talent THAT bad that he couldn’t do anything with it.
If Def (safe) football called by Canales and orchestrated by Bowles works that’ll be some sh*t. I personally see the need for more of an offensive mindset…an attack mindset in football. The way the rules have gone it’s become a passers league, we all know that. The NFL wants to see down the field no riskit play. Yet here are Bowles and Canales seemingly going all in on a game management style. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out. If they’re 3 and out 3 and out 3 and out trying to go ground and pound and short of the sticks high percentage completions…down by 17…panic offense forcing throws and boom INT after INT trying to catch up then it will become apparent quickly.
I am guessing Bowles gets a pass for last yr from the Glazers. So we get two yrs of Bowles Canales if it is bad, coming up. And if Mayfield/White/Otton all explode this yr and it surprises everyone, then Canales is gone and we are on to Offense #2 next yr.
May 16th, 2023 at 8:05 am
Rachaad White was also buried behind Lenny and on a team that passed the ball > 60% of the time in his rookie season. Last years offense was not one that was set up for runners to thrive in the running game which needs to be noted when comparing White to all these other RBs that had way more playing time in offenses that actually functioned with some semblance of balance.
Still think White showed enough to know he can be dangerous in the open field, he can work on being a nore reliable pass protector and can also be a target out of the backfield or split out. White was also moonlighting as a kick return the first few weeks of the season.
May 16th, 2023 at 8:05 am
Earth to Ginger Joe. No-one could run behind the much maligned O-line last season. With D.Smith finally gone we will at least be able to run all directions, especially to the left. Only when Marpet was at LG and was able to cover for Smith’s ineptitude at run blocking were they able to sometimes be successful running left. Last year Marpet retired and it showed. Also without Jensen this team lacked his prowess and dominance. White will have a breakout season and Joe will again show his lack of understanding that the run game IS predicated on the run blocking ability by the O-line
(except for Barry Sanders)
May 16th, 2023 at 10:49 am
1100 Yards
Probably. This is a run heavy offense. Seattle’s lead back gained 1050.
May 16th, 2023 at 11:36 am
Comment moderation and deletions for absolutely nothing, sucks!
May 16th, 2023 at 11:54 am
I agree with all 3 of their picks. White, Pichicco and Brian Robinson should be on your fantasy teams. Get these 3 guys and get your stud WRs, top tier TE & Qb earlier.
May 16th, 2023 at 12:29 pm
Keep in mind White wasn’t the starting running back either. But I guess that detail, along with the scheme, playcalling, and blocking ability of the offensive line, just aren’t important when judging a running back…
Not saying he’ll be top-10, but I expect a significant improvement in our teams overall rushing production.
May 16th, 2023 at 3:10 pm
A great running games requires 1. Good OL, 2. Great scheming, 3. Above average running back. Leftwich doesn’t know how to scheme a running attack.
One thing about teams that have a good running game is that ALL of their backs run good, not just the lead back.
May 16th, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Last year, White did an outstanding job of turning nothing into positive yardage. Imagine him with good blocking and cutback lanes. 1500 yards rushing, easy!!
May 16th, 2023 at 5:51 pm
Rachaad White is not an NFL feature back, no matter how much hype he gets from the FO that overinvested in him, with the notion that he could become one. He has too many of the weaknesses of Lenny Tip Toes, who has been hyper-hyped throughout his career. He is not explosive, sudden or efficient, not a hitter. He is a high/ long strider who needs time and space, and great blocking, to gather steam. He is a RB3 better at pass catching and gadget plays and should be viewed as such.
Get someone else to carry the load.
May 16th, 2023 at 7:41 pm
Does the OL have anything to do with an RB’s success or failure?
So last year’s OL started out without the heart and soul and the only “mean” OL player when Jensen went down before the season.
Both Donavan and Wirfs had injuries, the star guard retired, too many inexperienced guys forced into action and not chance to develop any chemistry.
This season the Bucs added Feiler…he will be a solid player and drafted another crazy redheaded mean man in Mauch.
And what does the heart and soul of that OL say about the upcoming season?
“Me, Him and Matt are going to F some people up!”
IF the OL stays healthy the offense will improve no who plays QB or RB.
May 16th, 2023 at 8:58 pm
@Steele. Excellent analysis! He is not a feature back in my opinion. We really need to stop acting like he’s the next Marshall Faulk. Analysts said compared him to Leveon Bell because his start and stop style. He will never be close to Bell as a runner and a receiver.
I want Dalvin Cook!
May 16th, 2023 at 8:59 pm
White seems like an outside zone type of back. His patience and his jump cuts seem designed for Canales to take advantage of with his schemes. I’d like to see what sneak can do as a backup.
What’s there to lose? No Brady pressure, no national media pressure. This year might be one of those surprise years like when Raheem got us a 10 win season.
May 18th, 2023 at 2:16 pm
White is a dynamic running back. He hardly carried last year, that’s the only reason for the low numbers. Whenever they made good yards on the ground last year, it was with White, but they didn’t hand him the ball hardly at all until they finally had him splitting the duties late in the season. If our OL is taught which way to block, he’ll be a really good back. He’s strong, fast and can make some moves. He’s also got good hands for short passes.