Bucs' Bowles: Rachaad White tried to make 'too many big plays' vs. Eagles
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles believes he could've gotten more out of Rachaad White on Monday night, saying the running back needs to change his approach in certain games.
"We’ve got to stay on our blocks a little longer, and obviously, it goes hand in hand," Bowles said Tuesday, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
"Rachaad has got to hit it. I think he tried to make too many big plays when it was a grind-out type of game. You're not going to get big plays on these guys."
The Buccaneers struggled to get anything going on the ground against the Eagles. White carried the ball 14 times for 38 yards and zero touchdowns, good for 2.7 yards per rush. Tampa Bay picked up only one rushing first down all night.
Philadelphia has been a tough team to run against through three weeks, leading the league in rushing yards allowed per game. However, Tampa Bay rushed for 120 yards in its Week 2 victory against the Chicago Bears.
"You've got to start hitting it up in there, getting 2, 3 and 4 yards and hoping you're going to break one later on," Bowles added.
"But he probably had too many cuts trying to make an explosive play, something out of nothing, as opposed to taking what they give him. Then, given the magnitude of the game, knowing it was going to be one of those games, he can get better that way, and he will."
White has 150 yards and one touchdown on 48 carries this season. The Buccaneers selected the 24-year-old in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Tampa Bay takes on the New Orleans Saints in Week 4.