Big Game For The NFL Trade Deadline
October 15th, 2023
Rachaad White.
Today will mark Rachaad White’s 14th career start at running back, and he’s sure to eclipse his 200th career carry as he currently has 199.
Yes, Joe includes White’s one postseason start. They count, too.
Is that a small sample size for a running back? It’s not.
Year after year rookie running backs enter the NFL and thrive, undrafted and drafted. White hasn’t been that guy.
Fingers of blame could be pointed in many directions, and it seems each Bucs fan has her or his favorite. But the end result is the same. Overall, White has stunk when he takes a handoff.
So here comes today’s big Week 6 matchup, the Bucs (3-1) against the Lions (4-1) at The Licht House. Suppose the Bucs win and White has another rough game?
Joe sure thinks that should spark everyone at One Buc Palace to think this Bucs team might be extraordinarily special if it could secure a quality running back — or even a solid starter. The NFL trade deadline is Oct. 31.
But what if the Bucs lose today, in part because of a lacking running game? Joe thinks that equally should spark the good folks at One Buc Palace to make a bold move for a running back.
Team Glazer and general manager Jason Licht signed off on keeping their 2023 roster stocked with quality veterans to infuse with a youth movement, despite being saddled with a record amount of dead salary cap funds. They did that to operate like the greatest NFL organizations do, those that keep winning while they rebuild.
Joe knows that if the Bucs want to keep winning, they’ll need a better running game, or a different offensive approach.
The easier route is probably to try a new running back, if White can’t get it done before the Halloween trade deadline. Big games today and next Sunday for White and the near future of the Bucs’ running backs.
October 15th, 2023 at 9:34 am
Yep !
October 15th, 2023 at 9:52 am
It all starts up front. Maybe if they continue to struggle run blocking they look for a center before the trade deadline. Preferably one that doesn’t gets pushed backward on every play. I really thought Hainsey was going to play better this year. Possible undisclosed injury? Hopefully he shows some improvement today.
October 15th, 2023 at 10:09 am
Can’t beleive Fourtnette is still a free agent
October 15th, 2023 at 10:10 am
Today, R. White will see a RB who did get the league memo that “RBs are still allowed to make their own holes and shed would-be tacklers,” Montgomery. Hopefully, White is inspired by what he sees …and our LBs play inspired
October 15th, 2023 at 10:23 am
Employ a TE as a fullback
October 15th, 2023 at 10:31 am
I’m all for trading Rachaad Darden. Uh, I mean Jalen White. Uh, you know, the running back guy who goes down as good as Jalen Darden hit the sidelines.
I think the offense can be special IF they get an above average back, one who aggressively hits the holes. Bring back Playoff Lenny!
October 15th, 2023 at 10:37 am
Would prefer they find somebodies who can open holes for RB’s to run through.
October 15th, 2023 at 10:48 am
Any ideas on who might be an improvement?
October 15th, 2023 at 10:56 am
I can’t believe Mike Alstott is still unemployed.
October 15th, 2023 at 10:58 am
The best way to improve the rushing game is for the O’line to actually run block. A new dominant center would be nice.
October 15th, 2023 at 11:01 am
Why would anyone want him?
October 15th, 2023 at 11:11 am
+1
October 15th, 2023 at 11:13 am
Jeremy Chinn is supposedly on the trade block. It’s not a super need now, but the thought of using him as a chess piece for Bowles all over the secondary seems like it could really take this defense to the next level.
October 15th, 2023 at 11:17 am
More often than not, the holes are there. This has come up in film. White either doesn’t see them, or is too tentative hitting them.
October 15th, 2023 at 11:20 am
The coaching staff speaks highly of RB White. But he is an under performer. I’d prefer Playoff Lenny rather than him. And Joe Tryon man. He completely disappears in games. Lets win today.
October 15th, 2023 at 11:21 am
Sorry, but White is not the answer..
October 15th, 2023 at 11:22 am
White has been so disappointing we should bring Fournette back, he is clearly a better back even with the wear on the tires.
October 15th, 2023 at 11:24 am
He’s not a hard runner. Despite trying to improve his style, its just not who he is. 3rd down back until his contract runs out or deal him if someone makes an offer.
October 15th, 2023 at 11:28 am
Bucs pass just under 53% of the time. 4 teams pass less. Lions, Eagles, Ravens, and 49er’s. Teams that pass the most have losing records until you get to the Chiefs at 14th w/ 58%.
What do you gain if you go from 220 passing a game to 275 but your record is 1-3? Run less loose play action success and give up a ton of sacks.
Bucs were dead last last year and last if not close this year. Be thankful they don’t run up the gut on first and second down.
Effective running is more about Time than Talent. Bucs O Line had a lot of Time together.
Folks complain about White not hitting the hole and letting the play develop. That’s the problem with the instant gratification society. No one wants to wait. Trade for a Big Money Back instead or trusting the process and waiting for it to take hold.
October 15th, 2023 at 11:28 am
We can probably get Lenny cheap at this point or if Tennessee continues to get their butts kicked, they might eat part of Henry’s salary for some late-round round picks. It would be a short-term rental since he’s a FA at the end of the year. Neither is much of a risk.
Our line will get better and either of these two can break tackles, something White can’t seem to do.
October 15th, 2023 at 11:32 am
It’s time to move on with the Rachaad White experiment but give him a chance on Dancing With The Stars bet he would flurish. There has to be a running back whose available some where out there who can produce more than three dang yards per carry. Im praying for a Bucs win today.
October 15th, 2023 at 11:38 am
White is an excellent 2nd or 3rd down back, mostly because of his pass-catching skills. He’s just not the battering ram that every team needs that wants a balanced attack.
Oct 31st trade deadline is key. If we can’t find a bull before that date, then trade for someone. Defenses will continue to improve as the year rolls along, and stopping a team with no respectable rushing game will get easier & easier.
October 15th, 2023 at 11:51 am
Never understood why there wasn’t the same competition at RB as there was at QB. Much like Trask, White failed to distinguish himself when given multiple opportunities since he was drafted. Gifting him the #1 job never made sense, and we’re all seeing what a poor decision it was. Curious if the FO makes that admission before the deadline as well. Do think Edmonds can bring much more juice than White, but availability has been his downfall.
October 15th, 2023 at 12:10 pm
No other back on this team has proved more effective than White
October 15th, 2023 at 12:15 pm
Playoff Lenny was the Slowest 🐌 Bucs RB I’ve ever seen…..then he was a downhill freight train if he ever got daylight…..which was rare………Bucs fans got spoiled the Brady SB year cause the O-Line was one of the Best in the NFL.
….that’s why Lenny is unemployed!!!!!
October 15th, 2023 at 12:24 pm
We have one of the worst Centers in the NFL. Our guards are barely mediocre… Our OTs are solid.
Why do we continue wasting plays running the ball up the gut?
Stupid is as stupid does…
More jet sweeps, toss sweeps and runs off tackle. Maybe even mix in a reverse and a few screen passes to the WRs and RBs.
I liked the game against the Saints because it appeared our OC finally got his head removed from his back side and improved his play calling.
Go Bucs!
October 15th, 2023 at 12:43 pm
It’s not the centers fault White can’t hit a hole, make someone miss, or break a tackle.
October 15th, 2023 at 12:49 pm
The eye test on our center shows he gets manhandled all the time in the run game. Our guards are slightly better but still a little less than average as run blockers.
Is it any wonder that we are not a great running team.
Detroit possibly has a better run block group of offensive linemen than any other team. That includes San Fran and Philly.
That is why guys like Jamal Williams and David Montgomery were just guys before they got with this Lions team.
This will be an interesting test for our team. Hopefully, I will be wrong on the Lions run blocking proficiency.
October 15th, 2023 at 1:05 pm
If the running backs started the game running in the 2nd level of the defense then I’d blame it all on White, but when an rb has no vision or heart he’s a leading cause of our rushing woes. Doug Martin had it worst, the only thing is he knew how to sidestep kamikaze linemen that is until he blew out his knee and became a mollyboi
October 15th, 2023 at 1:36 pm
There have been and continues to be a slew of RBs on practice squads and free agents that we could sign. Trading assets for a RB is dumb. Our problem is we think it’s 1990 and one RB is all you need. We should have signed 3-4 vets in the offseason to go w/ White. Look around the NFL, no name RBs spring up every week.
October 15th, 2023 at 1:50 pm
Baltimore Ravens practice squad has hidden talent at running back
October 15th, 2023 at 2:22 pm
Get him out. Too much doubt.
October 15th, 2023 at 2:42 pm
Jets willing to deal Dalvin Cook, he’s been a healthy scratch and bet we could get him for a 4th rounder.
Bring Cook back to Florida.
October 15th, 2023 at 2:47 pm
Low IQ fans still crying about Lenny being unsigned not knowing he’s a below average RB…
October 15th, 2023 at 2:48 pm
Lenny is washed. He’s in the Zeke Elliot stage on his career. Maybe a decent goal line RB but he was never really that great at that. There is a reason no teams are even taking a flyer on him. He’s made enough money that he won’t do it for peanuts.
This is funny:
Onetrickpony Says:
October 15th, 2023 at 10:56 am
I can’t believe Mike Alstott is still unemployed.
October 15th, 2023 at 3:16 pm
ROJO is ready and able , what a waste to look elsewhere when you have a RB that could be signed for league minimum . Jones is a home run threat and will make 2nd level tacklers miss.
October 15th, 2023 at 3:29 pm
i’m def hearing derrick henry…
and now saquan barkley are being dangled out there…
if giants lose to bills tonight, you can count on them moving him…
either or can be a quick fix if they’re healthy, and if you don’t sign them to the big contract they’re a quick seasonal fix in the backfield for the remainder of the season…
i think if we win today and potentially next sunday – while rb1 still looks crappy – we pull the trigger on one of these said dudes…
because they are both freakin’ dudes…and will make life easier for baker
October 15th, 2023 at 3:36 pm
You’re setting yourself up for disappointment if you think today will be a breakout day for any of our running backs. Detroit is excellent at stopping the run. Excellent.
October 15th, 2023 at 7:57 pm
Dalvin Cook is washed up. No way.
October 15th, 2023 at 10:47 pm
We must have the worst running backs in the NFL. On only a couple runs did they look like they were running with a purpose, with any kind of power. It’s nothing personal I am sure they are great guys but it just seems they are all lacking something that the real good backs have.
October 16th, 2023 at 5:05 am
Again Joe?
That horse was ridden to the glue factory a long time ago.
Go Bucs!