Next man up?
Joe thinks it is a safe bet that Rachaad White will get his share of carries Sunday in Seattle.
Bucky Irving missed his second day of practice yesterday. He was in a boot and on Wednesday. A guy in a boot and on crutches isn’t usually a guy who starts at running back four days later.
The Bucs’ run game has not taken off yet this year. It’s squarely in the middle of the pack, ranked 16th in yards per carry at 4.4. Last year the Bucs were third in the league at 5.3.
One reason for the stunted run game is the offensive line. It’s been a trainwreck with injuries. Two weeks ago none of the projected starting five played at their normal positions.
One would think now that the Bucs have Tristan Wirfs back at left tackle and left guard Ben Bredeson and center Graham Barton have returned to their normal positions, at least the left side of the line is beginning to stabilize.
Rachaad White thinks so.
If Bucky cannot go Sunday, White will have his number called often. He spoke yesterday about the September chaos on the offensive line.
> “It has been pretty tough when we have been battling the injuries up there and guys have been coming in — stepping in — and moving from position-to-position,” White said. “I would say those guys are athletic up there, for sure, being able to move around.
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> “Guys being back at their natural position that they have been playing, and the camaraderie and consistency is getting up there. We feel pretty good about it.”
In no way is Joe trying to take anything away from Bucky, but the way White has looked the 23 times he has carried the ball, Joe has seen a new spark or an edge in White. He’s averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
If White keeps getting decent production on the ground early against Seattle, it’ll be interesting to see if Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard feels White to try to get him on a roll.
Joe is a whole lot more comfortable with White toting the rock 25 times than Bucky.