A Magic Number For Winning With Rachaad White
October 5th, 2025
Joe is so fired up to see Rachaad White get a shot as the No. 1 running back today with Bucky Irving injured.
Among other things, Joe will be keyed on one number.
That number is “14.”
Seventeen times in White’s career he has carried 14 or more times in a game. And what is the Bucs’ record in those 17 games? It’s a whopping 13-4.
That’s through 3 1/4 seasons since the Bucs made White a third-round draft pick in 2022. In those 17 games, White amassed 306 carries for 1,173 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Bucs are also 6-1 when White gets 20 or more carries.
No, Joe is not lobbying for White to dethrone Bucky Irving. That would be ridiculous. But Joe has been flummoxed why the Bucs haven’t used White much in the run game since Week 2 against Houston, when White was very sharp with 10 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown.
October 5th, 2025 at 10:07 am
Where’s white been in the passing game? Play calling has been questionable to say the least
October 5th, 2025 at 10:11 am
I do think Bucky is being overused. White should be getting more carries. And I also agree I’m not sold on play calling either
October 5th, 2025 at 10:12 am
This being Rachaads’ contract year Iexpect you will see him extremely motivated all year just as he looked in the Houston game.
October 5th, 2025 at 10:21 am
I predict a big day for Rachaad. And I agree with Keimosabe. White needs to get more touches in the passing game. He’s so damn good when receiving. So too is Bucky, but Bucky ain’t in today. Feed White!
October 5th, 2025 at 10:25 am
I have been saying since training camp, White really looks good. I agree he should be used more . I don’t think Bucky has the body to carry the ball that often. Still think you can come up with situations where you have both in the game at the same time. They both run, catch and block well, so let’s confuse the defense some.
I believe you need to give the new OC some time at the position. We need to give Coen his due. He did well here and is doing well in Jacksonville. He is a superb play caller and OC.
October 5th, 2025 at 10:39 am
Coen as offensive coordinator was 10-9 and everyone seemed to love him.
Grizzard 3-1 and fans are out raged.
Coen had starting 5 on the offensive line for 16 of 19 games. Grizz 1 of 4 games.
October 5th, 2025 at 10:55 am
Oline injuries has derailed the game plans and 3rd down conversions.
One more month and the offense will be almost 💯 %
Go Bucs!!!!
October 5th, 2025 at 10:57 am
Buddha , I really don’t think fans are outraged at Grizz. I think we are all watching and waiting to see more. You can’t run Bucky to death. He hasn’t used his tight ends. Just hoping to see a little more.
October 5th, 2025 at 10:59 am
Joe tells us what is the Bet that you have placed on White this season?
October 5th, 2025 at 11:07 am
Seahawks are 6th against the run and have yet to give up a rushing TD this year.
Should be a good test for White.
October 5th, 2025 at 11:14 am
Put more lipstick on the pig.
October 5th, 2025 at 11:17 am
I want more Tuck!
October 5th, 2025 at 11:21 am
I vote to let white get first touches to kinda get the defense use to one way of running then switch it up we got 1 great rb 2 good rb and 1 solid rb use these mf
October 5th, 2025 at 11:28 am
@ Buddha – it’s not about the record. Not what we’re talking about. It’s just a lazy argument, that has nothing to do with it. If that were the case, then you can find a ‘thousand’ of those types of examples, that everyone knows would just be absurd (when comparing one OC or DC to another). There’s just a whoooole lot more to do with it than that… Starting with your own eyes. Even, a ‘half-bind’ person can SEE-IT. It’s about Scheme and Results (of THAT particular UNIT). Game-Plan. Play-Calling. Pre-Snap Motion. Eye-Candy. Tempo. Pace. Rhythm. 3rd-Down%. RedZone TD%. Run-Pass%. More Dink & Dunk, Short to Intermediate, vs Deep Downfield. Fast-start vs Slow-start. Opening-Drive TD% (‘the script’). The Middle-8.” Etc. Etc. It’s about the “Eye-Test.” A blind squirrel can see-it! There’s no reason to feel that you have to make or invent excuses, or lie about it.
October 5th, 2025 at 11:33 am
Joe … ‘The Bucs are also 6-1 when White gets 20 or more carries.’
Music to my ears Joe. San Fran squeeked by the Seahawks 17-13 in Game 1 by rushing the ball 36 times (119 yds) to passing the ball 35 times (26 complete for 277 yds). The 49ers had the ball for 72 plays to 50 plays for the Seahawks, and 38 minutes TOP. Game was closer than it should’ve been because Purdy threw 2 INTs.
I’d love to see us do something similar, and I think we can. Our OLine does a better job run-blocking IMO than they do pass-blocking, so using a balanced, fairly equalized attack like the 49ers did could work if our run game averages 4.4 YPC like we’ve been doing. And if we do end up running it say 30-35 times, no reason a healthy Rachaad shouldn’t get at least 20 of those.
I think we can produce 4 scores against Seattle’s #2 defense using that approach, either 3 TDs & 1 FG (24 pts) or 2 TDs & 2 FGs (20 pts). In either scenario, our defense has to keep Seattle’s offense in check & our S/Ts needs to start being special.
October 5th, 2025 at 11:41 am
@ #99 the big fella – You are correct. Most of us has patience and understand that he is a brand-new play-caller working with some disadvantages. I believe most are just upset with the WEAK Bucs FO for choosing a 62-year old ‘defensive-minded’ middle-of-the-road HC, over a young 38-year old stud, modern day, genius play-caller. And, NOT ‘pulling the trigger’ by making the BOLD move, when we already had HIM inside our building and grasps. You just could NOT LOSE Coen, no matter the cost. The relationship he developed in such a short time, with Baker and the entire rest of the team, was MAGICAL. And, the Bucs FO KNEW-IT too, because otherwise, THEY wouldn’t had freaked TF OUT by so desperately trying to reach HIM, after being alerted to him already being in JAX. So, I think it has A LOT MORE to do with how poorly the Bucs FO mishandled the entire situation.
October 5th, 2025 at 11:44 am
We’re just spoiled now. Knew we would be. Even though, Grizz worked closely alongside of him, it’s still hard to replace a ‘special’ talent like Coen.
October 5th, 2025 at 12:18 pm
More Tucker will be better for the team right now. Tuck shoulda taken the starting role and keep white in his usual backup.
October 5th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
It’s so weird Grizz hasn’t been using him more
October 5th, 2025 at 12:42 pm
Darin … ‘Tuck shoulda taken the starting role and keep white in his usual backup.’
I can think of 3 reasons not to go along with that Darin:
1 – White has a 23 carries this year for 108 rushing yds (4.7 YPC average). Tucker has 1 carry this season for 2 rushing yds (2.0 YPC average). MAYBE the coaches are seeing something in practice that we’re not?
2 – White has 8 catches in 9 targets (88.9%) for 34 receiving yds (4.3 YPR). Tucker has 0 targets in the passing game. Maybe there’s a reason for that?
3 – White is almost universally considered to be the better pass blocker. Size may be one consideration (White 6’0″ & 214 lbs vs Tucker 5’10” & 205 lbs) but who knows. When it comes to protecting Baker Mayfield, I for one want the absolute best pass blocker out there, right now especially with the situation our OLine is in.
October 5th, 2025 at 12:56 pm
I’m way more excited to see Sean Tucker finally get some touches.
We see R White every week and he looks ok. Not great.
Tucker has potential to be great.
October 5th, 2025 at 1:15 pm
The misplaced hate for White from Bucs fans never ceases to amaze me.
October 5th, 2025 at 1:30 pm
The Eye Test
Yeah
About 14 of those 19 games last year the offense put on a Show that was the most entertaining eye pleasing offense Bucs fans have ever been blessed to witness
Nothing was as beautiful/fun to watch as the Dungy/Kiffen defenses were but that was a completely different kind of game back then.
Coen’s beautifully choreographed offense last year more times than not was damn sure worth the price of admission
GO BUCS
October 5th, 2025 at 1:31 pm
Deff agree with several of the other commenters that Bucky is a tad bit over used which is hard not to when he’s deff your best weapon on the ground. White has shown he can be dangerous in the passing game and he has gotten a lot better in the run game. Use him. Deff use him more in the passing game and I mean a lot more than he’s bin used. Grizz is a 1st time play caller and as Joe detailed he’s having to deal with a lot more injuries. Kudos to him for keeping it together and we are 3-1.
October 5th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Per Adam Schefter:
“Turns out that Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving’s shoulder injury, which he did not report to the team until Tuesday last week, is more of an issue than his sprained foot, per sources. Irving is dealing with a shoulder subluxation that is expected to sideline him at least two weeks. Irving will not play today vs. the Seahawks and he’s not expected back for next week’s game vs. the 49ers, either.“
Listen, you don’t NEED a healthy OL to rotate your RBs. Textbook way to mitigate having reserves on your team is running the ball and helping your OL and its backup out.
White and Irving were a tandem for us last year, and even this offseason were tiered & projected along with the duo of Jahmyr Gibbs & David Montgomery as one of the more potent 1-2 punches coming into the season. As far as usage rate, we haven’t even been close to finding a balance between the two to instead force the issue with Bucky like he’s Johnathan Taylor or Derrick Henry.
That’s on Grizz, and no matter the health of the OL why run primarily 1 guy behind a less than optimal RB? The position has been devalued over the years partly because they take the beating they do week in and week out. Now we’ll be w/o Bucky who sounds more hurt than anything reported.
October 5th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
Well, you can not keep playing musical chairs with constant offensive coordinator changes. It’s gone beyond ridiculous. Plus, I’m not all that gung ho over Coen. If he was so stupendous, how come he didn’t open up the play book? He sure wasn’t dealing with all the injuries Grizzard has had to game plan for. I’m also one of the fans on here who has not slammed White. He’s an excellent receiver along with Otton, and Grizzard has to know it by now. Plus, he watches out for Bake. I hope Bucs bring their A game today. Shove it down the refs’ and Seaturkeys’ throats!
October 5th, 2025 at 3:53 pm
The greatness of Coen was his blocking schemes. The man know how to set up blocking especially in the run game. Some of you need to out of your feelings being hurt because the way he left. Baker threw for 40 tds and we scored the. most points ever. If he was still here Charlie Heck would’ve never had played and we’d be a more balanced offense. There was a good reason why he didn’t have many deep throws, Baker isn’t great at them. He stayed in Baker’s strengths.
October 6th, 2025 at 9:54 am
QHIT NEEDS MORE TOUCHS IN THE PASSING GAME .HE ACCELERATES THERE !!