Former Buccaneers running back Rachaad White, Tampa Bay’s 2022 third-round draft pick, was a versatile and quality player for the Bucs the past two seasons.

He also was unhappy with his usage and treatment last season.

White didn’t think the Bucs kept it real with him. Todd Bowles and former coordinator Josh Grizzard said he would go with the hot hand last year at running back, but White was thriving and didn’t think the Bucs honored their word.

After the season, White opened up.

“… And I ain’t never been the guy who cause a problem. I always wanted someone else playing the backfield with me. But if we gonna say we gonna do the hot hand thing, and a guy got the hot hand, you know, then let’s just be a man of our word and be real about it. But if that’s not what we’re doing, then I’m professional, I’m man enough to understand.”

White averaged 4.3 yards per carry last season and had 4 rushing touchdowns. He was always known as a reliable receiver and a strong pass blocker. Bucky Irving averaged 3.4 yards per carry and 1 TD. Despite significant injuries and mental health challenges, Irving got more work than White.

Former Bucs guard Ian Beckles (1990-1996) thinks White has been a major loss, especially in Sunday’s loss where pass blocking was a major issue against Minnesota.

“The Buccaneers miss Rachaad White,” Beckles said on his podcast. “I’m going to tell you right now, whether it’s Bucky, I’ve seen receivers back there, they ain’t blocking worth a sh*t. And they’re not helping, and Rachaad White was that guy to do grimy things. And we don’t have nobody doing grimy stuff no more.”

Beckles went on to throw darts at the Bucs’ offensive line play Sunday, and the Bucs and Vikings offenses overall.

“There was a lot of instant breakdowns [on the O-line,] Beckles said “… Some really, really, really bad offensive line play. I mean really, really, really bad. …

“If you’re an offensive person, I’m sure you were throwing up in your mouth…. I don’t think I’ve seen a more inept offensive game.”

Interesting to Joe was was Beckles throwing darts at Todd Bowels. Rarely does Beckles toss blame at a head coach, and certainly he hasn’t been that guy with Bowles.

Beckles was somewhat aghast that Bowles told media after the game that the Bucs are just a game out of first place.

“That’s something you may want to say to your prayers, but for God sakes, don’t say it to the press,” Beckles said. “As a Buc fan or somebody in the media, we don’t want to hear that sh*t. We just don’t want to hear it. We want to know why we suck.

“We’re a soft football team,” Beckles continued. “It doesn’t seem like our head coach is being accountable. … It’s time to hit the panic button.

“Todd Bowles is dead man walking.”