“I Miss Bucky”
October 15th, 2025
Bonded pair.
The Bucs keep scoring points against good teams. So it’s easy to forget how much Bucky Irving and Mike Evans mean to the Tampa Bay offense when they’re on the field, which they haven’t been for the past two games.
On the running backs front, Rachaad White has filled in very well, as Joe expected.
White had to be salivating for the chance to the top-dog back when Irving went down with foot and shoulder issues. White, 26, is in a contract year and he wasn’t getting a lot of touches.
Still, White wants Irving back on the field. And he swears he isn’t just saying that for show, per his recent comments on Fan Duel Sports Network.
“It’s cool, but, you know, I miss Bucky. I’m going to just be real; I’m not coming over here giving everybody the answer they want to hear,” White said.
“I think we both bring a lot of different things to the table. You know, I say this all the time. ‘There’s nothing wrong with having two good backs.’ I think we both keep the defense on their heels and toes because our running styles are different.”
White went on to say he and Bucky are uniquely different players but also effective.
Joe wrote and said this offseason that chatter about White being traded during NFL Draft week was borderline lunacy. The man scored 9 touchdowns last season and is durable and inexpensive. Good teams don’t toss those players aside.
This year, White has 4 rushing touchdowns on just 54 carries, one of the best ratios in the NFL. Irving has zero rushing yards in the red zone despite 7 attempts. (Yes, that’s a real stat.)
Joe loves Bucky. He’s electric. But White has matured into an extremely valuable and versatile player. Hopefully, rookie playcaller Josh Grizzard figures out how to maximize both backs when Bucky returns.
October 15th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
Joe … ‘Hopefully, rookie playcaller Josh Grizzard figures out how to maximize both backs when Bucky returns.’
B-I-N-G-O!!!
October 15th, 2025 at 4:56 pm
Need to extend him….he’s a Dawg, keep him.
And get Maxx Crosby…we’re making a run for the SB, it’ll be worth a first and his salary, plus we could use a MadMaxx on the roster lol.
October 15th, 2025 at 5:02 pm
They were supposed to be a tandem. They were supposed to rival Gibbs-Montgomery for best 1-2 punch in the league, but Josh Grizzard wanted Bucky to be not just the lead back, but the bell cow. I don’t even care why he thought that was the thing to do, I just wish he figured out what we had with Rachaad in the 2nd half of the Texans game.
Gibbs & Montgomery on the other hand are averaging a combined 5 yards per carry, have both contributed in the Lions pass game and have combined for a total of 10 TDs scored. They’re going to be a tough task for our defense.
October 15th, 2025 at 5:05 pm
I am now going to admit I was wrong about White. It’s another example of why I’m not a coach or GM.
I hope he continues to run hard and gets a nice payday at the end of this season.
October 15th, 2025 at 5:14 pm
What seems to be a forgotten is that Cade Otton was missing from the offense earlier in the season as well as White. It’s entirely possible that White didn’t get as many touches as Grizzard wanted him to have for the same reason Otton didn’t…….they were too busy being extra blockers while the offensive line was being juggled.
It makes sense to me that a more balanced use of White & Irving will now be possible.
October 15th, 2025 at 5:22 pm
We need both going foward. Resign White Please
October 15th, 2025 at 5:31 pm
With the WR corps ,still in the ER, having them both on the field at the same time more often is appealing.
October 15th, 2025 at 5:49 pm
We need help on D. Sign Maxx Crosby!! Don’t waste this season thinking we will be ok. D wins Championships. look at 2002 and 2020.
October 15th, 2025 at 5:57 pm
I really feel like Chaad wants to stay and make a team friendly deal. I mean with all of the culture talk it seems like the guys rather not break the bank but stay with a stable organization with a team they really love. It could even extend his career if we maintain a solid 1-2 punch over the next few years.
October 15th, 2025 at 6:08 pm
I don’t think it’s “lunacy” to consider trading away ANY current player on your roster, whom you think has a ‘high-probability’ of not being able to re-sign. I think you have to look at ALL options, and then go from there. So, I think it was definitely ’on the table’ where you had to at least consider-it!? But, then, when you factor in the Bucs current state as being a possible legit ‘contender’ in more of a ‘win-now’ mode, while having their ‘franchise-QB’ and a handful of aging ‘franchise-cornerstones’ (in Vea, Mike, Chris, & LVD) still on the roster… I think it was a pretty easy decision to make by KEEPING HIM. Might as well. IF everything happens to fall apart, then you can always, ‘move-him’ before the deadline. I think now, it would be nice to extend him. The good thing being, he should still have at least a couple more of good seasons left in him… He doesn’t have a TON of ‘wear & tear’ AND he’s ‘splitting’ carries. He’s in his prime. So, I wouldn’t have a problem with giving him a 2-3 year deal, IF he’d take-it. Plus, Running-Backs are CHEAP. I mean, what would it take… about 3yr/$20MIL, with $10MIL or so, guaranteed (no state income tax, and don’t have to move away to a possible worse situation)!? Hell, I don’t know!? I would like to see HIM used in the passing game more, once Bucky returns. Grizz is starting to!!!!
October 15th, 2025 at 6:19 pm
Would he accept that!? Would the Bucs offer-it!? Can he do much better than that, elsewhere!? I’m afraid these contracts are going to begin to BALLOON and get outta hand with this upcoming CBA and Tv-Deal on the horizon. Everyone knows it’s coming. The CAP is going skyrocket!!!! If Bake keeps this up and at this pace, then they better be getting a deal worked-out THIS upcoming offseason. Hope he’s willing to be nice… Cause, I’m not sold that he will be. Fingers Crossed.
October 15th, 2025 at 6:30 pm
I think Rachad leaves IF there’s an opportunity for him to be #1 or #1A back for another team. It will be hard to keep him as #1B, unless the Bucs pay him a lot. I don’t see that happening with Tucker here and available to play. Only think Tucker has to get down is PassPro and he’s improving in that.
I see Shake N Bake getting $55m+/yr and moving to Buck and Tuck + Williams in 2026+, WRs are set (ME13 may have 1 more year IF he gets 1K this year, if not, he may retire), RT and LT set.
October 15th, 2025 at 6:33 pm
Be patient my friends lol!!!!
Grizz is revealing creativity week by week!!!
6-1!!!!
GO BUCS!!!
October 15th, 2025 at 6:59 pm
I believe him. He knows he has a place in this league regardless
October 15th, 2025 at 7:05 pm
I agree what others are saying about White. He is a team first guy and a blue collar back who should be splitting time with Bucky. Other teams like Lions have a big play back like Gibbs and a hard runner like Montgomery. Falcons have a superstar in Robinson but they rotate Algier in a lot. Grizzard should emulate what is common in the league. 2 backs are better than one and White can handle short yardage and extra protection while Bucky gets to stay fresh. Running either of them more than 15times a game is too much.
We are better off with the games being won or lost by Mayfield than trying to establish a running game. It’s still a passing league and with all the weapons Baker has downfield they’ll score more points through his arm than any running back taking up 20 carries.
October 15th, 2025 at 7:11 pm
Just finished watching the all-22 of the game. White was reminding me of my all-time hero, John Riggins. I sincerely hope we retain him
October 15th, 2025 at 7:12 pm
The maturity, humility, and respect that this team has for one another is amazing. It’s a cut throat league but this roster is special. Just need a legit pass rusher lol
October 15th, 2025 at 7:49 pm
Tucker?
He is as talented as any back on the team and he gets no love and little play time. White doesn’t give him a shout out here?
Culp?
Can you imagine being Devin Culp. You’re 6’4, run a 4.4, avg 17 yards per catch a year ago, have one missed catch. 100% of the passes you caught went for a 1st down!!!!
You’re an absolute stud. You’re a mismatch everywhere on the field. The Bucs are down to TWO tiny little 7th round WR and you STILL CAN’T GET IN THE GAME!
Tucker and Culp are the two biggest mysteries on this team.
Joe … Any inside info would be appreciated
October 15th, 2025 at 7:54 pm
I was reliably told Culp has ‘hands of stone’
October 15th, 2025 at 10:14 pm
Itt kills me when I read these post saying I don’t mind giving him a 2 or 3 year extension WTF does u r approval mean shizz who cares what anyone on this site thinks u r job is to watch & root for the Bucs nothing more,so keep them 10 bucks in u r po ket cause u ain’t got million s so u r opinion is worthless
October 15th, 2025 at 10:20 pm
Rachaad has learned a lot on how to run from Bucky. He’s a very effective runner and doesn’t dance around anymore.
Tucker isn’t what I thought he was against the Stanks last year. Watching him return kickoffs is straight up painful to watch. He doesn’t have great vision and will run into a pile of bodies instead of running to green. He runs hard and probably is our fastest back but can’t trust him in pass protection.
I’m not sure if Bucky getting injured this early in his career is a good sign for the future. They definitely can’t make him a bell cow his body can’t handle it.
October 15th, 2025 at 10:43 pm
BAKERSBucs…lol you’re right!
October 16th, 2025 at 12:17 am
Solid Job by Rachaad. He has changed his running a bit and looks like he may have finally stopped with the Barry Sanders routine.
Go Bucs!
October 16th, 2025 at 1:24 am
This is what I have always said since early last season.
We’re at our best with both playing and getting snaps