Todd Bowles: Receiver Rachaad White Is A Key For Mike Evans, Chris Godwin
October 31st, 2023
“Check it down, Bake.”
Joe remembers that forced Baker Mayfield pass nine days against the Falcons that became a brutal fourth-quarter interception.
Head coach Todd Bowles saw what everyone else did on the play except Mayfield, apparently.
Rather than force the ball to Cade Otton near the Falcons’ 12 yard line, Mayfield could have gone to an easy checkdown toss to running back Rachaad White on the 2nd-and-8 play.
White has been excellent picking up yardage on short throws in the past two games, and Bowles told WFLA-TV sports chief Dan Lucas that more of those to White should soon get defenses to bring down defenders to cover or slow White.
The head coach said he looks forward to that happening and subsequently getting Mike Evans and/or Chris Godwin in more 1-on-1 coverages.
White is money out of the backfield as a receiver. His hands are golden and he runs after the catch in ways he doesn’t when a ball is handed off into his gut.
Bowles may be correct. Perhaps this is the week a team (the Texans) respects White so much as a receiving back that it opens opportunites for the Bucs’ stud receivers.
October 31st, 2023 at 2:21 pm
I think this is code language to explain why Checkdown Charlie will double down on checkdowns. It’s 4D Chess, man, a set up for when the Bucs are in the playoffs, and everyone thinks Mayfield will just keep checking it down, and boom, after 300 times in a row of dumping the ball off for 3 yards on 3rd and 9, Mayfield will take a downfield shot! They’ll never see it coming!
Of course the bigger issue is figuring out how you get into the playoffs with a 5-12 record, but it is the NFC South so anything is possible!
October 31st, 2023 at 2:26 pm
Make or break part of the season. Bucs need to win the next two. If not, blow the whole thing up.
October 31st, 2023 at 2:30 pm
As a reminder, the Bucs discussed pass plays to White back in August. They are just now getting to them. This coaching staff is garbage.
October 31st, 2023 at 2:44 pm
Question Bucs fans. A OC can call a play in the game but isn’t the QBs responsibility to read the defense and check out of the play or find the right check down, scrabble or whatever, but not force a throw or throw into double coverage ?
October 31st, 2023 at 2:46 pm
All you people complaining about Mayfield being ‘checkdown charlie’ – he’s being TOLD to play this way.
And, shocker, sometimes it’s actually the right call. When your run game sucks out loud, you can effectively substitute a short passing game (checkdowns) for it.
If you’re gaining 4-5 yards on first down, you’re ahead of schedule. Short pass or run, makes no difference. Short pass for 5 yards beats the hell out of running for no gain up the gut.
October 31st, 2023 at 2:46 pm
“defenses to bring down defenders to cover or slow White.” The thought of needing more defenders to bring down White made me belly laugh! Thanks Joe’s.
October 31st, 2023 at 2:51 pm
Wow! Now if our offensive linemen could actually run block then Rachaad White would be a pro bowl running back 🤩
October 31st, 2023 at 2:56 pm
Hodad…We really need to be 3-1 over the next four weeks. Blow it up is right as you said.
October 31st, 2023 at 2:57 pm
My son and I sat there in the 4th row of the end zone, and watched in amazement how smooth White ‘s moves and catches appeared!!! then after a handoff totally different player even with holes?? Coaches can’t see that?
October 31st, 2023 at 3:05 pm
Instead of celebrating when a play happens to be made, or a when ball is intercepted, or a touchdown is made, maybe the players should be concentrating on the next play instead of acting like a bunch of clowns at a three-ring circus with their theatrics
October 31st, 2023 at 3:14 pm
Just what this offense needs, more checkdowns. “Protect the biscuit at all costs.”
October 31st, 2023 at 3:16 pm
Texans are 4th in Points Allowed and Turnovers. 8th in yards allowed. 10th against the Run and 15th against the pass.
Only weakness I see is they are down the list in sacks which means Mayfield might have time to see who he is actually throwing the ball to. Down side is they only have 3 fewer sacks than the Bucs and Stroud will have just as much time.
Bucs might finally score some points. Team with the best QB wins this one.
If both teams score their average points Texans win 21-17.
October 31st, 2023 at 3:28 pm
StormyInFl Says:
October 31st, 2023 at 2:46 pm
And, shocker, sometimes it’s actually the right call. When your run game sucks out loud, you can effectively substitute a short passing game (checkdowns) for it.
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Here the fun part – Since Baker has to be the issue they say the run game is no issue because you can pass short buuuut –
Baker passes short? – checkdown charlie
See its not about common sense or logical reasoning . Its whatever criticism that could get Trask on the field. We all know that ,
Its all for naught though becasue Bowles isn’t listiening .
October 31st, 2023 at 3:48 pm
If the other team is dropping the safeties because they know we can’t run the ball, downfield passes are stupid. Makes much more sense to get 8 yards per catch from White (who has caught 29 out of 30 targets, by the way?)
October 31st, 2023 at 3:56 pm
“Excellent”, “Money”, “Golden”. Let’s not get carried away with the adjectives here Jose. White has been decent, adequate and, occasionally, pretty good. However, that is light years ahead of the awful he has been running with the ball. Not all his fault, but he does share a great bit of the blame. But, I agree, keep throwing the ball to him and that will make things better.
October 31st, 2023 at 3:58 pm
I don’t know that we should think of the short passes as checkdowns as much as they are in place of handoffs. Sometimes they are but also they are an improved play over the run up the gut.
October 31st, 2023 at 4:11 pm
The Bucs stud receivers don’t need opportunities opened up for them, they’ve already had plenty.
Mayfield just can’t get them the ball.
Go re-watch the Bills game. Mike Evans was running wide arse open play after play after play, but Mayfield was either looking the other way, or scrambling the other way.
October 31st, 2023 at 4:34 pm
unbelievable Says:
October 31st, 2023 at 4:11 pm
but Mayfield was either looking the other way, or scrambling the other way.
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Thanks you soooooo much. I’ve been saying Traskies claims of open receivers “all over” involves looking downfield without any reference to what else is going on.
Now you have admitted it. Even if he is engaged avoiding a sack and running for his life because of the oline – if there a second of separation ( even if it will close like lightening ) its ” see there there – he’s open. Baker missed him”
lol….. Theres not a QB in the leagues that can use radar to avoid the rush without ever focusing away even for a second from downfield . Even a bat has turn to do echolocation which only goes to show when media and real experts tell you Evan’s is being blanketed and even shows you the coverage -beleive THEM
not the Traskie.
October 31st, 2023 at 5:10 pm
Stats are great for entry into the HOF, otherwise they are pretty worthless when you get into the game. Showing other team stats & your past stats are pretty worthless & meaningless. It takes a complete team effort to win. That seems to be missing on the Bucs. Poor coaching & a lack of effort & talent from to many players.
October 31st, 2023 at 5:12 pm
As I recall, the checkdown was a favorite of Brady’s last year.
October 31st, 2023 at 5:58 pm
What I found really disturbing is on drive home 620 a.m show, our O-line men, with Marpet even commenting on how Buffalo timed our snap count all game and had them on their heels whole night!!! How in the world does somebody, linemen, O.C, Baker not mention it then and go on hard count, or on 3 instead of one etc to draw them offsides!!?? Hearing that was alarming at best
October 31st, 2023 at 6:02 pm
Fingers crossed. Go White. Go Bucs!
October 31st, 2023 at 6:07 pm
Kidfloflo Says:
October 31st, 2023 at 5:58 pm
What I found really disturbing is on drive home 620 a.m show, our O-line men, with Marpet even commenting on how Buffalo timed our snap count all game and had them on their heels whole night!!! How in the world does somebody, linemen, O.C, Baker not mention it then and go on hard count, or on 3 instead of one etc to draw them offsides!!?? Hearing that was alarming at best
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Because unfortunately, playing with the cadence would likely have screwed the Bucs more than the Bills as the Bucs keep comitting pre-snap penalties on their regular cadence. It’s like trying to run before you can walk.
October 31st, 2023 at 6:13 pm
When do they start?
October 31st, 2023 at 7:08 pm
Kidfloflo, the Bucs did try to change the snap count and we had at least 3 false starts all on Goedeke. Our O-line lacks discipline so if our O-line can’t hold there water when the snap count is on 2 or 3 then you have to go on 1 or first sound. Other teams watch film and will try to emulate what Buffalo did until we show we can fix it.
October 31st, 2023 at 7:59 pm
Munch, that is pretty funny. It is a shame how true it is.
October 31st, 2023 at 8:14 pm
I am SO tired of the BS I keep hearing about “checkdown charlie”. If the QB takes what is available, that’s the right play. GENERALLY, if he’s checking down, its because the designated receiver is covered. Receivers on the other side of the field can be wide open – does not matter if the play is designed to the opposite side. Just that simple. Look at the all-22 – the primary receiver on most of the plays in the Bills game was covered or double covered. That’s when the checkdown is used. The QB does not have the time to search the whole field for the player who they left uncovered. THAT is the OC/play designer’s job, not the QB. IF the OC/play designer does not design plays to get a specific player open, that’s on him.
October 31st, 2023 at 8:25 pm
We say it last year. RW1 is a stud when receiving. He’s good border line great in space. He makes people miss he runs thru tackles and he moves the chains that’s why I say he’s better than good. His strength is of a receiving back. He lacks the vision to find the hole lol if we can pair him with a back who has good vision that would help teach RW1 and help us. Our run game is beyond trash.
October 31st, 2023 at 8:52 pm
Bring Darrell Henderson!!!
October 31st, 2023 at 9:46 pm
Stormy and Ugo out here talking complete sense. Gives me hope for our fanbase. 👏👏
October 31st, 2023 at 9:49 pm
Well would ya look at that! Some real football $hit. I’m diggin it! Go Bucs!
October 31st, 2023 at 9:58 pm
Hmmmm, just now figuring out a viable alternative to running the ball is to toss to White?! Lol
October 31st, 2023 at 10:18 pm
Face it folks, the Bucs are a poorly coached team. No discipline on O line, no holes so don’t bitch about White dancing. Poor clock management. Secondary looks like they have never played a zone before. It all comes down to coaching, then executing!
October 31st, 2023 at 11:00 pm
“White has been excellent picking up yardage on short throws in the past two games, and Bowles to…”
Actually it’s been going-on for a year: Rachaad was a starter in the second half of last year and continuing through this season. Count-up the amount of “1st downs” alone, not even counting things like the two winning TDs from Brady screens last year.
“White is money out of the backfield as a receiver. His hands are golden and he runs after the catch in ways he doesn’t when a ball is handed off into his gut.”
Rachaad White is featured in at least two “film studies” on the regular, Buccaneers fans channels on YouTube from th Bill’s game. He hits the holes like slingshot; proven by the tapes. Proven by the tapes: he hits the holes by hesitating until they actually open; an extremely skilled finesse-RB.
If there IS a hole, he’ll hit it plenty good.
Rachaad White is owed an apology from the doubters and baseless critics who’ve been trying to assign the running-game-blame on Rachaad White, when it’s been the fault of the O-line all along.
If the O-line ever learns how to run-block, watch out!
November 1st, 2023 at 12:08 am
Buccaneers were 7-6 going into week 14 in 2021. Win this week and that is quite possible.
November 1st, 2023 at 4:35 am
Yup!
We must be the easiest team in the league to defend right now. Canales?
Go Bucs!
November 1st, 2023 at 8:16 am
The fake Buc fans are in full battle cry, I see. BTW, I’ve been hoping for Canales/Bowles to FINALLY start calling games where BM spreads the ball around to White and Otton as well as HOFME13, GodzillaCG14, and the other two wideouts. They’re all in pretty good shape, even tho Evans has to watch his hammy. Got a good feeling about this next one, homer refs and all. Go Bucs!!
November 1st, 2023 at 10:41 am
@Tony – during the Bills game they specifically showed about 8-10 plays if Evans bring wide open. Not just for a second, but running wide open in space and / or clearly being a step ahead of the defender on him.
Whether he was avoiding a sack, looking the other way, or simply couldn’t see over the the linemen in front of him, the point is Mayfield could not find him. He had 4 targets going into the 4th quarter (2 of which were off by 5 yards at least).
That is simply unacceptable and downright irresponsible.