Smart, Successful Pivot To Rachaad White
September 15th, 2025
Heroic Rachaad White.
Guess who took the first Buccaneers handoff tonight in Houston?
It wasn’t Bucky Irving.
Joe wrote last week about how running back Rachaad White was criminally underused against the Falcons in Week 1.
White is a weapon. He proved his versatility last season with nine touchdowns. He was no longer the White of 2022 and 2023. That’s a guy you include in your gameplan no matter what.
Joe noted how White had only three touches in Atlanta, his lowest total since Week 3 of his rookie season. There was no logical reason for it, especially on a day when tight ends didn’t catch a pass and Bucky Irving was sputtering.
Tonight was a very different story and Joe gives massive credit to rookie playcaller Josh Grizzard.
White took the Bucs’ first handoff of the game on the team’s first drive. He had entered the game on the second snap from scrimmage and lined up in the backfield with Bucky Irving out wide.
White was in the plan, and Grizzard stuck with White’s hot hand running the ball.
Bucky Irving finished with 17 carries for 71 yards; White had 10 carries for 65 yards and the winning touchdown. The Bucs’ run game was impressive.
Good coordinators adjust.
Grizzard adjusted so much versus Week 1 that White was the go-to guy with the game on the line. On the Buccaneers Radio Network, Baker Mayfield said White’s two-year run up the guy for the winning score was a play installed last week.
Joe’s been hard on White in past years, but he produced last year and should be rewarded until that stops happening.
White also should be lauded for his critical fourth-quarter fumble recovery of a Baker Mayfield dropped ball at midfield (nobody touched him). Yeah, Riley Dean’s punt was blocked on the next play, but that fumble could have turned into a scoop and score.
What a night for White.
September 15th, 2025 at 11:10 pm
Game ball!
September 15th, 2025 at 11:14 pm
This guy has killed himself into being a great player. A mindset similar to rionde barber imo.
He has earned my respect
September 15th, 2025 at 11:16 pm
2-0!
GO BUCS
September 15th, 2025 at 11:19 pm
I second MadMax! Need to get Rachaad more touches!
September 15th, 2025 at 11:19 pm
Keep feeding him. It was egregious mismanagement to hold him to 3 touches in game 1.
September 15th, 2025 at 11:23 pm
Game ball indeed. White is smooth
September 15th, 2025 at 11:23 pm
Whats up with the kicker missing three kicks all under a dome? This is a major problem
September 15th, 2025 at 11:24 pm
Shaad reshaped his body this offseason and lost like 10-12 lbs….
You can see it when he runs….
He’s more explosive now and split second quicker which is helping him when he’s hitting holes…The good thing is he still has the power and hasn’t lost it.
This is where Shaad needs to be at weight-wise..
September 15th, 2025 at 11:26 pm
White has my respect too. We’ve seen him evolve into a heck of a valuable chess piece.
September 15th, 2025 at 11:27 pm
White was running with a ton of determination. Great job. Very happy for the guy.
September 15th, 2025 at 11:30 pm
This is exactly why I was calling everyone out who wanted to run him out of town last season. He is a weapon. Running and catching passes. And he’s still our best RB in pass protection.
I hope Grizzard starts using more 2 back sets like we did last year. Those were lethal.
September 15th, 2025 at 11:32 pm
Let’s smash the run and have Baker stay clean for a game or two.
September 15th, 2025 at 11:33 pm
I was ready to dismiss White last year, especially with the emergence of Bucky. I am happy to say I was wrong. White has gotten so much better. I’m glad he’s balling, hope he’s not too sore tomorrow. Congrats.
September 15th, 2025 at 11:40 pm
Great call to utilize White !! He showed us all how much of a fighter he is. Thank God he recovered Bakers fumble !! We still have that three headed monster in White, Irving, and Tucker !!
Go Bucs !!
September 15th, 2025 at 11:43 pm
They are a great one to punch.
27 carries for 136 combined and 8 receptions for another 51.
That is extremely impressive when most of the offensive line is not playing and the other team knows you need to run the ball and get rid of it as quickly as possible
Heck of a gutty win!!
September 15th, 2025 at 11:43 pm
R-White is definitely quicker this year. Find the plays he likes and use him.
September 15th, 2025 at 11:52 pm
Read everyone’s post and not SINGLE poster mentioned Whites ability
as an outstanding blocker.
That very fact makes the Texans have to think there may be a pass play.
Perfect play call by Grizzard.
Am amazed how many posters here must be just, oh, you know, just don’t understand foobow.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:00 am
White was the MVP of this game
This team needs to get healthy and they miss Liam Coen, BADLY
September 16th, 2025 at 12:07 am
He’s the same player he’s always been, just now you have a modern NFL scheme is the difference.
With that said, White was playing a lot more because he’s the best blocking back on the team – and the offensive line was terrible. Also, at the goal line, White was in because, again, he can pass block, so the defense can’t just sit on the run.
But great job by White, and great job by Baker.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:20 am
Rod Munch, a little late on the take.
Seems to me the Bucs have no choice but to dial down and use all RB’ to last the season.
Have also been impressed with Sterling catching every tight pass.
Dennis played all over the field. David has lost a step.
Your thoughts Rod Munch?
September 16th, 2025 at 12:21 am
That was the most Chaad looked like his ASU self, but in the pro environment I think I’ve ever seen. The foot work was on point and you can tell he’s gotten stronger. Great running tonight, maybe Grizz gets better sticking with the hotter hand.
September 16th, 2025 at 12:32 am
White is a team player. The kind of team player the bucs will need to succeed.
Impressed with Dean.
Everyone who can stay healthy is a plus one player.
Anyone who ever questioned Bowles decision to give up a touchdown on on purpose or having White run in the winning TD don’t no much.
September 16th, 2025 at 1:04 am
Resign him Jason! Cant miss on this.
September 16th, 2025 at 3:39 am
@Hammerhead – there is no reason to state the obvious that has been mentioned before on here, only 1000+TIMES, and what EVERYONE already KNOWS.