More Evidence Offensive Injuries Have Caught Up With Bucs
November 28th, 2025
Another plea to use Rachaad White as a slot receiver.
Since Mike Evans blew out his shoulder against Detroit when Lions corner Rock Ya-Sin sinned by riding Evans like a rodeo bronco and rocked the Bucs’ world by sending Evans to the injured reserve list with a broken clavicle, the Bucs’ offense has really, really struggled.
And the proof is in the pudding — as in stats dug up by Rich Hribar of Sharp Football Analysis.
It seems the Bucs have one of the worst “successful” passing offenses in the league since Evans went down.
Tampa Bay is now 30th in success rate on passing plays (38.7%), ahead of only Tennessee (37%) and Cleveland (31.7%).
Once again, a successful NFL play is defined as when the offense can get at least 40 percent of the needed yards to convert on first downs, 60 percent on second downs and 100 percent on third and fourth downs.
Without Evans and mostly Chris Godwin, teams are simply taking out rookie Emeka Egbuka. Defenses just aren’t allowing him to get open and his numbers have taken an expected dip.
Throwing these damn quick passes to wideouts on screen passes mostly parallel to the line of scrimmage sure as hell aren’t helping gain successful plays.
With Bucky Irving on the cusp of returning and Sean Tucker showing he can run pretty well, Joe will once again suggest the Bucs use Rachaad White as a slot receiver.
When past offensive coordinators schemed ways to get White open in the flat, he was damn dangerous. Joe hardly ever sees current Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard use that play. Put White in motion and get him on the edge.
Joe’s good friend NFL columnist/humorist Mike Tanier earlier pointed out only the Bucs and Chiefs have had four players line up in slot over 100 snaps each.
The Bucs’ receivers who have logged 100 snaps at slot are Emeka Egbuka, Sterling Shepard, Tez Johnson and Cade Otton. Egbuka, obviously, has moved outside to No. 1 receiver. The other three have had meh results.
So why not be a bit creative and give White a spin at slot receiver? You have to try different things to snap an offense out of a funk.
November 28th, 2025 at 6:22 am
It’s been a combination of the play calling, WRs not getting open, line not providing time and Baker missing throws when they are there. The off is just out of whack. And to think people don’t believe Evans being out is a big deal, he opens up the whole offense.
November 28th, 2025 at 7:25 am
Is Culp THIS bad? I mean the way Otton had played, the only way Culp could be worse would be catching the pass and running the wrong way to end zone.
November 28th, 2025 at 7:37 am
Otton is dependable when everyone is healthy and he can kinda roam in a soft spot of the zone, a te screen set up, or in the flat, and he’ll get you an occasional 5 catches for like 33 yards. What he isn’t: a guy you have running corner/flag routes, running down the hash, fades in to the endzone, or anything the requires him to play like a go-to or number 2 option, because his physical limitations – ESPECIALLY against teams like the rams are extremely glaring. I hate to dunk on him because I’m sure he’s a rock solid quality dude, but we have GOT to upgrade the tight end room about as much as the linebackers next yr and edge rush. That needs to be addressed. I will be god damned that we roll in to next yr with otton as number one and Payne as number two. I am way past over that
November 28th, 2025 at 7:58 am
Maybe get more use out of Tim Wright clone Devin Culp?
November 28th, 2025 at 8:19 am
Bucs biggest injury is the coaching staff. Broken brains.
November 28th, 2025 at 8:22 am
“ So why not be a bit creative and give White a spin at slot receiver? You have to try different things to snap an offense out of a funk”
How about because Grizzard does not have the first clue what he is doing.
November 28th, 2025 at 8:26 am
Ill wait a few more games but it is a stretch to think we’d have three OCs in a row moving on from the team. Agree on White. Everytime Joe mentions it I agree. Cant figure out why they at least won’t try it.
November 28th, 2025 at 8:43 am
Come on, Grizz, you worked for last season’s OC. Look back at some of the film from last year to see what was working. Is Ryan Miller still on the team, he has not been heard from for weeks. Bring up Garrett Greene, and as others have commented, get Devin Culp involved.
November 28th, 2025 at 9:20 am
@Jmark
How True..
LMFAO!
November 28th, 2025 at 9:21 am
Fire Todd
November 28th, 2025 at 9:22 am
Injuries are part of the equation. Something else to consider over the past few years the HC/DC has fielded a defense primary to force a punt or field goal then turn the pressure on the offense to outscore opponents. The OCs did that successfully enough and have HC status with other organizations. Currently with .500+ winning records. That formula isn’t working as well and to me it’s why the team feels different. Mike not getting 1k feels different to. Even if Bucs were having a bad game they still played for him. Baker wanted to throw that ball. Defense wanted to get the ball back. Guys wanted to be apart of that history.
November 28th, 2025 at 9:28 am
It seems Jmark has it pegged. With SO MANY weapons that have been out for the count, where are the TE’s? Why haven’t we given these guys shots? It certainly can’t be worse odds vs throwing a fade to tiny Sterling Shepard in the end zone! You’d figure the 6’7″ guy would have a FAR, FAR, FAR better shot at making it happen.
It was literally one of the dumbest play calls I’ve seen in a LONG WHILE! It looked completely UNNATURAL! I just don’t have a good feeling about Grizzards ability or feel for the OBVIOUS, much less the game…
November 28th, 2025 at 10:04 am
So why not be a bit creative and give White a spin at slot receiver?
Bc you need burst to separate which White is lacking severely.
November 28th, 2025 at 10:14 am
I’ve been calling for White in the Slot for 2 years
November 28th, 2025 at 10:16 am
Agree about using White in slot more. He can rip off big gains when the first tackler misses. Baker is great on roll-outs but Grizzard has not utilized this even with the lack of protection in the pocket. I would not give up on Otton even with some uncharacteristically bad plays this year. What about using Godwin in slot as well? Tez Johnson is much faster at this point and has come up big on a number of big plays. Godwin knows how to find the gaps even not being at full speed yet.
November 28th, 2025 at 10:17 am
I still believe a 2 back set with White motioning to the slot would help create separation and a potential mismatch. But hey, WR “screens” with no blockers seems to be Grizz’s capacity
November 28th, 2025 at 10:49 am
Other teams scout you. They review tape on your Offense and Defense. Thats why you gotta change things up Coach Bowles and Mr. Grizzard. Don’t take these AZ Cardinals lightly. Records can be deceiving as the Bengals proved last night.
November 28th, 2025 at 11:34 am
Or it could be the guys that get paid turn trash instantly didn’t baker just get the ok that he was getting the rest of his money from his contract and injuries adding up
November 28th, 2025 at 11:42 am
I’ve been wondering about this lately, too! I wonder if the Bucs have even considered it, (&/or) have thought about trying-it out at practice even!? If not, then again, WHAT ARE WE EVEN DOING!?
November 28th, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Tanier royally pissed me off saying the Bucs would prefer Tez was a practice squad player. I know he was trying to be funny but even with everyone back he’d be the 5th receiver, he’s been better than Shep. Just irksome because to me his hands are more reliable than E2 at this point.
November 28th, 2025 at 1:09 pm
I hate to say it but Evans was a little slow and couldn’t get separation from the cb, thus that collision and injury. Also, Bucs should have eased him back not have him try to make those difficult catches.
November 28th, 2025 at 2:10 pm
3 NFL Games yesterday
36 targets to 15 different TEs
Grizz has NO IDEA how to use this position. Thinks because we have (had) a loaded WR room, you don’t use all your other pieces. He needs to work matchups for them. Culp is a matchup nightmare waiting to happen. Speed, hands. Durham is a 3rd and 8 and a red zone matchup nightmare. Cade is solid, needs to be used on more than 3 yard routes. They don’t have to be GREAT, just used in the right matchups. Hell, the Bengals threw to 4 different TEs yesterday.
November 28th, 2025 at 3:12 pm
@BradyGronkFan What collision?? the DB grabbed on to Evans and rode him all the way to the ground. if that were a QB in this NFL, that player may have had a season long suspension.
November 28th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
I completely agree! Brilliant answer to a repetitive problem!
November 28th, 2025 at 5:41 pm
Cohen didn’t use White except for blocking much either. Cohen ,they turned to Bucky the majority of the time. It payed off in the short term. Grizzard followed
suit and it seemed Bucky’s runs didn’t duplicate last year although he was a weapon in the passing game. in the last couple of games grizzard has had White running routes out of the backfield But I don’t think mayfield was seeing the whole field
because he is trying the get the ball out fast and focussing on his chosen target.
White had about ten yards of green in front of him two weeks ago on 3rd and three play that Baker forced to Otton who got hammered by two defenders. Baker
has given us great plays since he has been here, but due to all the injuries, he has got to use all the weapons still available to him.
December 2nd, 2025 at 1:19 pm
Since the Detroit game, it has been blindingly obvious that the Bucs could only win running the ball, and yet they passed and failed in critical situations time and time again.
With Godwin and Irwin and Bredeson back, maybe the offense can “succeed” again passing the ball, but they are likely to lose ball games in the process. The Bucs still need to use razzle dazzle to keep opposing defenses off balance and they run the ball twice as often as the pass just like Carolina did to beat the Rams. Keeping the Bucs defense off the field is almost as important as gaining yards and scoring points.
Only pass on 1st & 5 or less, 2nd and 5 or less, and 25% of the time on 3rd or 4th and 5 or less, 50-50 on 3rd or 4th and long, and 75-25 on 3rd and 4th and desperately long.