The Misuse Of Rachaad White
December 14th, 2023
Irresponsible use.
Joe tried, really. But the honeymoon is over.
Joe really has no idea what the Bucs offense is trying to do other than to grind down one of the most talented young players in the league.
Joe came across a stat last night that details in Joe’s mind how the misuse of Bucs running back Rachaad White is bordering on criminal.
In the open field, White is just about lethal. He is excellent catching the ball in space. On Sunday (and yes, also in one of his best runs of his career in Munich last year) White showed he can run outside, too.
Inside? Meh.
But the Bucs use him like he’s Marshawn Lynch. The Bucs constantly slam this guy between the tackles and folks, White is no fullback. White is on pace to carry the rock 260 times. That’s absurd for an open-space kind of guy.
Just to compare, Todd Bowles’ former teammate John Riggins carried the ball more than 260 times only three times and he was the focal point of a ground-and-pound attack with Washington.
Mike Alstott never ran 260 times. The closest he came was 242 in 1999. Lynch in four seasons carried the ball more than 260 times.
Joe brings all of this up because White is currently third in the NFL in yards after the catch (YAC) with 494 in the passing game. Only Cheetah Hill and Ja’Marr Chase have more.
Yet, let’s slam White between the tackles for maybe three yards time and again.
(FYI, per various sites, White has more YAC than receiving yards. That’s because YAC is calculated from the point a receiver catches the ball. Receiving yards are only how far a receiver has advanced the ball past the line of scrimmage.)
The way the Bucs misuse White is outrageous. Bucs offensive coaches ought to be working half the night away looking for ways to scheme him up in the passing game to get him in open space.
The Bucs averaged 19.4 points a game prior to Sunday when they scored 29. Seven of those points was an eight-yard short field after a Carlton Davis pick and two points came from a safety. So the Bucs offense scored 20 points at Atlanta.
Right at the average.
It’s pretty clear to Joe these guys don’t want to score points. Explosive plays and converting first downs and scoring points is not a priority. Rather, setting the offense up for third-and-long is what the Bucs strive for.
It just sickens Joe to see a guy who has developed into a world-class threat be used like a 1970s fullback. Next thing you know White won’t re-sign with the Bucs because he will be physically fried.
What a beautiful way to ruin a Team Glazer investment.
Joe doesn’t want to hear any more from Bucs coaches about scoring points or getting more explosive plays. It’s double-talk. They have the talent to open up the offense. They choose not to do so.
The way the Bucs misuse White is so irresponsible, plain and simple. That’s all there is to it.
Players with the most yards after catch this season:
Tyreek Hill – 601
Ja’Marr Chase – 512
Rachaad White – 494
Breece Hall – 469
Rashee Rice – 467
Deebo Samuel – 460
DJ Moore – 450
CeeDee Lamb – 441
Puka Nacua – 438
Amon-Ra St. Brown – 433— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) December 14, 2023
December 14th, 2023 at 5:19 am
This is one of the reasons Bowles needs to go. There’s no rhyme or reason why we shouldn’t be doing the right thing. Bowles has his fingerprints all over this. It’s so frustrating to go from one of the top explosive offenses in the league to a plodding boring one. And that even happened with Brady.
Maybe it wasn’t Leftwhich’s fault after all… Dang. Cuz were seeing the same crap with Canales, except maybe Todd relents and let’s go of the leash earlier than he did last year… Either way a change needs to be made. Robert Saleh is doing the same thing to Zach Wilson. Honestly I don’t think any defensive coordinators should be HCs any more. Dang near every one of them pulls the same shtick. Except maybe Ryan’s in Houston. Jury’s still out. But if I’m an owner, offense all the way and just get good DC’s.
December 14th, 2023 at 5:30 am
Totally agree, White next year will be useless from all the carries this year.
All of our coaches suck!
December 14th, 2023 at 5:32 am
We should have had Lombardi Lenny for those inside runs.
December 14th, 2023 at 9:12 am
Joe says……..one of the most talented young players in the league……..
Geeeeeezzzzz what a generous mornig Joeeeee……
December 14th, 2023 at 9:15 am
Bowles wants to grind clock and keep his defense fresh. He’ll do this at the expense of an explosive offense. His philosophy is flawed and doesn’t come close to matching up with today’s NFL. And he doesn’t even have a D that can win that way!
December 14th, 2023 at 9:16 am
I agree with Joe’s post completely. I would add however that the mistake perhaps was made as Joe suggested back before the season in not picking up another dependable NFL RB…preferable a ground pounder in the off season.
They rolled with unproven draft picks and signing Chase Daniels. In fairness Daniels has been injured and he looked pretty good against the Falcons.
Perhaps a much greater role for Daniels will take some of the pressure off of White.
December 14th, 2023 at 9:18 am
I have been saying this for half the year now . White should be used the same way the 49ers use Debo .
December 14th, 2023 at 9:22 am
HC is the problem…. you’re FIRED!
December 14th, 2023 at 9:25 am
19 points a game….. LAST year, we only scored 18 per game. I can’t quite explain WHY, but this is why we need to start Trask
December 14th, 2023 at 9:28 am
StPete, you mean Chase Edmonds, not Daniels, lol…
Don’t wanna have a QB as our 2nd string RB, haha.
December 14th, 2023 at 9:51 am
THANK YOU JOE my point exactly. Why is it our coaches to play to our player’s strengths. RW1 breaks people angles. Same thing in defense as well. One can only imagine what BA could do with him. JOE I don’t think it’s the OC I believe it’s all Bowles. Leftwhich had the same offense as canales and both have produced the same points per game and run game which is 1 of the worst in the league. 2 diff OCs yet same results and pretty much same players to outside of a few. All points to Bowles
December 14th, 2023 at 10:00 am
Yes and no. Do believe run, run, run is an edict. Don’t believe Bowles is telling Canales where to run. Canales is running the old Seahawks offense with Marshawn Lynch between the tackles.
Additionally, Canales has said in the past he’s not fond of running outside because in his eyes he believes outside runs are too much too hit and miss whereas running inside, he believes, once it gets going (if it gets going) is more consistent.
December 14th, 2023 at 10:06 am
Hello and thank you for bringing a few things up about R.White.for so many years I have always had the idea that the Bucs have used some ridiculous
playbook from some Charlie Brown or something.they are so hell bent on.
It’s like pull your head out of your @$$ and let’s try anything please… The
system has been gone and yet that’s all we have. Can anyone open their
eyes? that won’t work they have their heads in the ground like an Ostrich
New things are not the Buc way.
December 14th, 2023 at 10:17 am
They ran well last game, up the gut even, in the second half. It is ideal, if a team can do that consistently. Hopefully, they will keep it up, but another strong runner is needed. Chase Whatshisname is almost always hurt. A third back. Try the rookie from Syracuse again?
White runs upright but so did Marcus Allen. One of the best!
December 14th, 2023 at 10:25 am
At this rate, by the time White’s rookie contract is up, his body will be spent
December 14th, 2023 at 10:31 am
That’s how it goes with most NFL running backs. I do not think trying to preserve them helps, either. Got to use them when you can!
December 14th, 2023 at 10:51 am
Bucfan1988
Yep. Thanks for the correction!
December 14th, 2023 at 11:15 am
Omg the sky is falling so dramatic
December 14th, 2023 at 11:27 am
Here’s what consistently pisses me off about our running game scheme. This is supposedly a mid-zone scheme, which should be aiming for just inside the playside tackle, which is fine, there’s an option to pop the run outside too if the defense collapses in. The problem is, the Bucs are obsessed with motioning Godwin into an almost wingback position and either dragging another defender into the box or bringing a safety down into the box. It’s counter productive, it just makes the water muddy.
December 14th, 2023 at 11:32 am
Spot on Joe.
Is it the arrogance, incompetence or Ignorance of the coaching staff to continue slamming white into the defensive line….?? That’s the question..
December 14th, 2023 at 12:07 pm
Just 4 more games of this crap. We’ll find a way to miss the playoffs. Don’t deserve it anyway, though, who in the NFCS does?
The Glazers and Jason Licht hopefully have begun exploring head coach options.
December 14th, 2023 at 2:26 pm
They have the talent to open up the offense. They choose not to do so.
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True. So very true.
I consider this to be “aiding and abetting” the opposition.
This should give the Glazers grounds to terminate his (Bowles) contract when they fire him.
December 14th, 2023 at 5:33 pm
Canalis is not a good offensive coordinator.
December 14th, 2023 at 5:50 pm
Their plan seems to be “If we keep running up the middle no gain, EVENTUALLY the opposing defense will get a little gassed and we will pop one open”.
The problem with that is, you end up in a giant hole against good teams, and then you literally can’t run the ball cuz you’re down by 2 or 3 scores.
December 14th, 2023 at 8:06 pm
It came out in Canales press conference. The plan is to have 0 turnovers and we can win ballgames. To do that you throw the ball as least as you can and as long as you are still in the game you pound the rock. You run the ball until you are blue in the face. The Bucs under Todd Bowles aren’t playing to win. They are playing not to lose. That is “their” key to success. Let’s not put the ball in jeopardy by throwing it and let’s run it. If we have to punt Bowles probably looks at that like it’s less risky than throwing the football. I see nothing else that makes any sense. We are playing not to lose the game!
December 14th, 2023 at 8:19 pm
If Bucs win this weekend, will the fire Bowles rap stop for a week? It’s getting tiresome. Canales really is green and wet behind the ears. You run White in sweeps and screens and sling him the da## ball. Even a fan listening on radio (me) has picked up on that one. That 31 yard TD romp was a BIG HINT, Canales!
December 14th, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Joe Like I have said for months – its not going to happen until it absolutely does have to happen (which is why you see the explosive plays at the end of games we are losing ) because Bowles is a defensive coach. Like another poster just wrote
Smashsquatch Says:
December 14th, 2023 at 9:15 am
Bowles wants to grind clock and keep his defense fresh. He’ll do this at the expense of an explosive offense.
The only way this changes is if the media such as yourself start associating Bowles as an offense coach as well. Human nature – we want our organizations to excel in the areas we are known for. It makes us feel good about the job we are doing and enhances reputation.
IF Canales is let off the leach and the Bucs become an explosive Team Canales gets all the credit and job security. I am not saying Bowles thought it through but its second naure to our human nature to lean that way.
December 15th, 2023 at 10:27 am
This is all about time of possession and keeping “his” defense off the field. Fast first downs are the last thing Bowles wants.
Memo to Todd: How about a few three and outs by your defense if you want them better rested?