When Liam Coen came aboard as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' new offensive coordinator in 2024, he inherited a quarterback coming off a career-best year, a wide receiving duo considered among the best in the league and a promising offensive line anchored by All-Pro Tristan Wirfs. Coen also inherited a rushing attack that finished 32nd in both yards per game and yards per carry in each of the two previous seasons.
At the center of that rushing attack was third-year back Rachaad White, who had finished fourth in the NFL among running backs in yards from scrimmage in 2023, with 1,539. White had fallen just 10 yards short of a 1,000-yard rushing season but had gotten over 1,500 overall yards through prolific work in the passing game and a huge volume of snaps. No running back took more offensive snaps in 2023 than White, who was essentially a one-man band in the Bucs' backfield.
Coen was determined to get the Bucs' ground game back in gear, and the team helped out by drafting a powerful center Graham Barton in the first round and shifty running back Bucky Irving in the third. Those additions plus a new scheme that mixes in more gap runs along with mid and wide zone as opposed to a heavy reliance on duo have produced outstanding results. Through 13 games, the Buccaneers rank eighth in the NFL in rushing yards per game (138.3) and fourth in yards per carry (5.14).
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Irving has been a big part of both resurgent numbers of course, leading the team with 735 rushing yards and averaging 5.4 yards per tote. But White's per-carry results have also improved significantly even as his volume in the run game has been reduced. After averaging 3.7 yards per carry as a rookie and 3.6 last season, White is up to 4.2 yards per tote in 2024. The biggest difference is White's decisiveness in finding and hitting a seam after getting the football.
"That has been an emphasis since we got here," said Coen. "We've had a lot of meetings and conversations and film sessions with Rachaad, showing him where we think he could take the next step. He's been bought into that, he's understood that can help him in his game and as well as, in the same term, help us and help us run the football more effectively."
View pictures from Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice on Thursday, 12/12/2024.
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #15 and Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 and Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 and Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 and Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Running Back Sean Tucker #44 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Center Graham Barton #62 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 and Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Pass Game Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Assistant General Manager John Spytek and Head Strength & Conditioning Coach Anthony Piroli of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Linebacker Deion Jones #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - General Manager Jason Licht during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Cornerback Tyrek Funderburk #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Guard Luke Goedeke #67 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Running Back D.J. Williams #30 and Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Wide Receiver Rakim Jarrett #18 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Running Backs Coach Skip Peete of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Running Back Sean Tucker #44 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Wide Receiver Marquez Callaway #85 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Wide Receiver Trey Palmer #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Linebacker Deion Jones #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 12, 2024 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In the Bucs' most recent win, in which the ground game topped 150 yards for the third game in a row, White carried most of the load after Irving left early with a back injury and only logged four carries. Running back Sean Tucker had three carries but White had 17, which he turned into 90 yards, averaging 5.3 a pop. White had four carries that went for either 12 or 13 yards, mostly hard-charging one-cut runs over the guards. He has had six such explosive runs in the last two games.
In addition to emphasizing the point about decisive running, Coen has also helped White produce better per-carry results by giving him more opportunities in gap scheme runs, which usually involve a lineman pulling and leading the way, providing a clear and obvious path for the ballcarrier.
"Sometimes the gap [run] just allows that to occur just a little bit more naturally than some of the zone schemes where you're truly pressing it one gap at a time, and it could hit in the D gap, C gap, B gap, front side A, or backside A," said Coen. "That's kind of how zone is. I think just defining some of those things are a little bit more beneficial for us at times.
"Sometimes some [running] backs are maybe better when you define the hole a little bit and then let their skill set take over. Sometimes when you're getting movement up front, the gap schemes can ultimately help you stay on track, whereas some of the zone schemes versus movement fronts and penetrating fronts can create some natural penetration early in the line of scrimmage."
White says the Bucs' ground game scheme in 2024 has allowed him to play fast and emphasize his strengths.
"For me, just go, man," he said. "Just be you, just have fun. Obviously, my run style is a lot different than a lot of guys but basically just being comfortable with being who I am, understanding the game, the time and place of certain things. I'd say that's where I've grown a lot."
