The Lost Passing Weapon
November 1st, 2025
Joe remembers back in 2023 when Bucs running back Rachaad White was a dangerous weapon in the passing game, among the league’s best coming out of the backfield.
In that season, with a league-worst Bucs running game, White caught 64 balls, 36 percent of them for first downs. He averaged 8.6 yards per catch, which ranked fourth in the NFL.
Last year, 35 percent of White’s catches went for first downs as his yards per catch dipped to 7.7. Through eight games this year, White is averaging just 5.6 yards per catch. That ranks 24th in the NFL among running backs and just 28.5 percent of his receptions have gone for first downs.
What happened?
Joe’s not quite sure.
Joe does know the Bucs’ screen game has taken a step backward, and early in the year Baker Mayfield seemed disinterested in checkdown throws. Also, missing Mike Evans crowds the short-passing game landscape.
A key to the second-half of this season, Joe believes, is getting White on track again as a receiving weapon. Frankly, the Bucs could use him on first down to take pressure off the floundering run game and to possibly loosen up defenses.
Joe firmly does not expect Bucky Irving to return for the Patriots game in eight days. For the Bucs to knock off the Patriots, Rams and/or Bills, their next three oppponents, White likely has to have a couple of do-it-all running back performances.
November 1st, 2025 at 7:16 pm
Never thought Canales got his due from Bucs Nation. After a slow start, he had the offense humming, from Green Bay on that year..
November 1st, 2025 at 7:31 pm
Joe … ‘Through eight games this year, White is averaging just 5.6 yards per catch. What happened?’
Can’t be 100% certain Joe, but I think it’s because our new OC is using him differently. Last season Rachaad played in 16 games, was targeted 57 times, caught 51 (89.5%) for 393 yards (7.7 YPR). Interestingly his YBC was MINUS 123 yds, while his YAC was 516 yds. That gave him a YAC/Reception of an astonishing 10.1
This season Rachaad has played in 8 games, so doubling his current numbers would generally let folks compare apples-to-apples. Right now he’s caught 21-of-24 targets (87.5%) for only 117 yds (5.6 YPR). His YBC is MINUS 57 yds, while his YAC is 174 yds. Double his numbers (apples-to-apples), and he’s still way below last year’s receiving production. Especially the YAC.
Bucky BTW was doing much better this season than he did last season in terms of receiving. His rushing productivity was down, but his receiving numbers were way up. Through 4 games Bucky had 19 catches for 193 yds (10.2 YPR), with minus 41 YBC but an impressive 234 yds YAC.
November 1st, 2025 at 7:45 pm
Have you looked at the screen game this season? Lead blockers are almost non-existent. Coen would pull linemen out into space to lead the charge. This season it is a dump off with maybe a tight end in the near vicinity.
November 1st, 2025 at 8:23 pm
Good point/ article, but what this guy said ^ except I think its defenses keyed in on us from last years tape and for whatever reason they are not afraid of giving up what’s behind them.
November 1st, 2025 at 8:23 pm
Has JL made a trade yet?
November 1st, 2025 at 8:26 pm
“Joe firmly does not expect Bucky Irving to return for the Patriots game in eight days.”
Based on what? Have you heard something concrete, or is this just a feeling?
For the rest of us, we get the redundant, foot-shoulder, foot-shoulder …
What’s wrong with his foot, and what’s ailing his shoulder? This secrecy crap is getting old. Who are they trying to fool, potential opponents? When the injury report says “out” you’re not playing, and the opponent deals accordingly. Even the mid week report informs enough to provide a logical conclusion on whether a player will be suiting up or not.
That leaves one area where ambiguity can be advantageous … gambling!!
When the NFL jumped into bed with Draft Kings they became money whores, especially when they spent decades ordering Mouthpiece Roger to inform us fans about the evils of gambling.
Let the fans place bets if they wish to do so, but giving the NFL a piece of the action can be ripe for corruption. I still believe the fix is not in, but the look has gone from squeaky clean to a ubiquitous oil slick.
November 1st, 2025 at 8:52 pm
StucBuc Says:
“Has JL made a trade yet?”
Does it look like it?
November 1st, 2025 at 8:53 pm
So from the weeks updates, no one is coming back in the foreseeable future- no CG, no Luke, no JMac, ME playoffs only, now no Bucky for 3 more games…the SB appears out of reach now as our WR and OL rooms are woefully thin when 3 months ago we had the deepest O roster in the league
November 1st, 2025 at 8:59 pm
It doesn’t help that they don’t put blockers on his side of the field during screens.
November 1st, 2025 at 9:00 pm
“His YBC is MINUS 57 yds, while his YAC is 174 yds.“
This has been the case his entire career, and it was the same for Bucky last season as well. Our screen game truly is just an extension of the run game and White has held up well doing that since his been in Tampa.
November 1st, 2025 at 9:08 pm
I was really surprised that when you guys had Bowles you didn’t try to pin down some of these injuries and timelines. Not sure if it was something they asked you guys not to go after, but it sure would be nice to hear who is actually coming back this year. My big worry is Bucky, he sure reminds me of how Cadillac was run into the ground by Chucky. Bucky’s not big enough to handle the load the Bucs gave him and if they don’t get better at it, I can see him having a short career. I wouldn’t doubt he could already be done for the year or a lot more games sitting out.
November 1st, 2025 at 9:33 pm
White is also a very good blocker for Bake in the backfield. Sure better than Bucky was. That fact gets lost for some reason. That is probably part of why certain stats are down with him. I hope Grizz has been doing some serious homework as in looking at the first 8 games. Can we can the Coen talk? He’s history.
November 1st, 2025 at 10:10 pm
White is good when there are receivers downfield and defenders can’t key in on a rookie without and the RB in the flat.
Canales utilized him a lot because his offense basically sucked that season and they had no offensive line. They had no time to pass to anyone else most of the time. Canales is extremely overrated and will probably be run out of head coaching within a year.
November 1st, 2025 at 10:12 pm
I don’t think Baker has been focused on him as much. Give him a bit a pattern instead the little curls in the flat where he is just barely moving. It seems like he has been used more as a decoy than an actual weapon.
November 1st, 2025 at 10:35 pm
Am I the only one who thinks Barton hasn’t been good at center ? He constantly gets pushed back. Why not try him at guard and move Ben back to center ?
November 1st, 2025 at 11:04 pm
Will it be Grizzard or Grizztard?
Todd has influence as his boss and can and should make a difference
November 1st, 2025 at 11:25 pm
No trades forthcoming, you can bet on that. Grizzard definitely not as good. Mike McDaniel will be available after the season. He’d probably be a good OC, just not a good HC.
November 1st, 2025 at 11:42 pm
I was watching a replay of SB this morning on the NFL Network (Patriots v Falcons) and in that incredible game, Brady was throwing to another RB named White (James whote who scored teh winning TD on a screen) and it reminded me of what our R. White can do if given the chance.
I remember one of the Joes talking about using White as a slot receiver at times which is how the Patriots used James White often (even split out wide, too). Against the right defensive package where they’d have to try to cover him with a LB, good luck. Hopefully Grizz can be a little more creative with him soon, especially with all of our injuries.
November 1st, 2025 at 11:54 pm
JOE I agree with what you said about baker being disinterested in the check down. Past few games there’s bin several times I’ve seen white open on the check down and just for baker to take the a sack or make an inaccurate throw. Whites a beast in the passing game. Gotta get the ball into your play makers hands it doesn’t matter how. Just get it done grizz
November 2nd, 2025 at 12:33 am
Trouble on the o line. RBs have to either run or protect. The empty backfields and slipping out for catches last year just don’t work this year w the o line injuries. Limited number of RB receptions this season went down after Ko Keift season ended. They can’t have the TE in for protection so the back has to pass protect.
November 2nd, 2025 at 12:57 am
Check Rachaad’s stats before Luke and Cody went down. Then Kieft went down, another blocking machine. The backfield had to pick up the slack. Bucky is not a blocker, he is out. Where is the post on the lost running weapon? White is a total work horse back and does not get the credit he deserves for making other guys look better than they are stand alone. He is a total football player. Rachaad is worn down and needs this rest. He needs Luke back too. Evans is another guy that does a good blocking job. That a lot of stout blockers missing. That missing pass weapon is not on IR, nor OUT, he is playing every game probably not 100? Buc doesn’t know why Joe doesn’t know.
November 2nd, 2025 at 1:09 am
3rd round pick and rachad white for achane, who says no?
Do the lions gig and trade achane and Bucky out each possession
November 2nd, 2025 at 3:06 am
Where’s Playoff Lenny? Asking for a friend.
November 2nd, 2025 at 3:14 am
This is Griz’s first season as OC. I’m sure he’s been working non stop through this mini vacation and he’ll get it dialed in. This isn’t the time to panic. The defense is balling out and they’re starting to get that old Brooks-Sapp-Rice-Lynch Swagger. They just have to make it to the show healthy, and start peaking in December. If this happens and there’s a strong possibility it will, the rest of the NFL needs to look out because this is a dangerous team that can chew you up and spit you out. And not to mention a lot of these youngsters will light you up. I see big things in store for these Bucs.
November 2nd, 2025 at 5:08 am
he helps, he releases , not a defender in site and Bake doesn’t even look at him !!
This is killing 3 rd down , down and distance ……… the whole screen game is terribly carried out , including WR screens ………. Please let the LSU kid play rather than S Tucker not impressed ……….. Over all with the injuries I do have to give Baker and Bowles credit ……… Griz cover your f ing mouth when calling plays this is dumb jock disease 101 ………. Go Bucs
November 2nd, 2025 at 7:11 am
Just because Grizz has book smarts doesn’t mean he has common sense.
November 2nd, 2025 at 9:05 am
If the O line can provide better protection the RBs will play an important part in the receiving game. As the WR room is getting thinner more passes will run through the TEs and RBs.
November 2nd, 2025 at 1:18 pm
He’s mostly, only using him as just a check-down option, just standing out in the flats and doing nothing.
November 2nd, 2025 at 4:41 pm
Coen > Grizzard when it comes to the run game and screen game so far.
But let’s not forget how many injuries we’ve had on offense this year.