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 8:26 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.