Size Doesn’t Matter
May 11th, 2023
Bucs OC Dave Canales.
A common belief in NFL circles is that short quarterbacks cannot max out their talent because they cannot see over the big uglies on the offensive line.
(You heard folks bring this up a lot with Stinking Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young.)
Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales thinks that’s a bunch of bunk.
Speaking to the local pen and mic club yesterday at One Buc Palace, Canales was asked if quarterbacks are best when they are taller. Of course, the Bucs signed Baker Mayfield and some of his critics point to his short stature as a reason why the former No. 1 overall pick has struggled.
Canales thinks that’s a wives’ tale.
“It doesn’t matter, no,” Canales said. “Going back to junior college, I had a 5’11” quarterback and a 6’6” quarterback. Can the guy play catch? Can he get us to the right play and can he play catch? Can he pick up a NERF ball and throw it to my 11-year-old right now and put it on the money? That’s all that matters – the decision making.
“But, having the experience of being with Russ [Wilson] – I do have two shorter quarterbacks for NFL standards. So, I know how to operate within those issues, as well, to try and get them concepts where they have better vision and different things.”
Last year Mayfield seemed reborn, albeit briefly, playing for Sean McVay and the Rams. The Seahawks last year, where Canales was the quarterbacks coach, ran a version of McVay’s offense under offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, a McVay disciple.
So perhaps Canales, given his time with Russell Wilson and his time with Waldron, knows how to unlock the secret to getting the most out of short quarterbacks?
May 11th, 2023 at 8:53 am
“Size doesn’t matter” kinda made me chuckle Joe.
May 11th, 2023 at 8:54 am
I’ve seen a lot of tall QBs get balls batted down.
I agree with Canales.
Intelligence is more important.
JayMiss is 6′-4″ BTW.
May 11th, 2023 at 8:58 am
First leak of the day. We play (H) Green Bay Dec 17 1pm.
May 11th, 2023 at 8:59 am
This bubbly west coast dreamer is gonna get a rude awakening next fall.
May 11th, 2023 at 9:04 am
SBLV,
2024?
May 11th, 2023 at 9:09 am
Welp, Canales has Mayfield who is 6’1 and Trask at 6’5 so we’ll see. Catching up on the offensive staff press conferences from yesterday and so far, Brad Idzik and/or Skip Peete have been my favorite listens so far.
Idzik also let it be known, Canales has been leaned on by his former OCs like Schottenheimer(Marty Ball…loading), Shane Waldron and even Pete Carroll in-game to vet/make a particular play call . So that narrative of “he’s never called a play before” can be thrown in the trash, Canales has experience there, but we’ll have some time before we get a feel of how he calls entire games as an OC.
May 11th, 2023 at 9:21 am
Yes it is true , there are exceptions, size doesn’t always matter, in some things , and the race doesn’t always go to the fastest nor the fight to the strongest, but if you’re betting your hard earned money, that’s the way to go!
May 11th, 2023 at 9:51 am
Do interceptions matter?
May 11th, 2023 at 10:03 am
There have been many good QBs who are short…….Fran Tarkenton, Drew Brees, Lenny Dawson, Michael Vick, Russell Wilson, Sonny Jergensen, Joe Theismann, Billy Kilmer and many more.
Is it an advantage……no……it helps to be taller.
May 11th, 2023 at 10:04 am
Canales likes to hear himself talk.
May 11th, 2023 at 10:14 am
Much rather listen to Canales than Bloweszo. Every time I hear the losing clown talk it makes me want to take a nap. Just sucks the energy out of everything.
May 11th, 2023 at 10:36 am
Size might make a difference, but not a controlling difference. Just ask Drew Brees listed officially at maybe 6′ 0″ (if that), or Joe Montana at 6′ 2″ (just one inch taller than Mayfield).
The quarterback’s jobs in order of importance are (1) use his head, and (2) use his arms, and (3) use his legs. The elevation of his eyeballs is far down the list of important jobs for a quarterback.
May 11th, 2023 at 10:44 am
“The guy who takes care of the ball” will win this job.
Listen to what Canales said.
They want a game manager first and see being able to push the ball downfield as a bonus. So the details need to be accounted for.
Baker Mayfield leads all QBs in INTs since coming into the league. Be mindful of that.
Think about this – when Trask had his 9 plays last year he tried to attack downfield. Even the announcers were like look at the brass on this guy. First live bullets and he’s throwing deep balls.
So its going to be interesting. Mark my words, if Trask looks like he did at Florida, looks like he did in the preseason Miami game last year but with the number 1s – cry all you want – Mayfield will have zero chance. Trasks mechanics look great. His release looks great. Joe and everyone else is writing him off. Don’t be shocked if he wins the job.
May 11th, 2023 at 11:25 am
As a vertically challenged QB myself (one of those things is not true), I really hope that Canales is correct. But in my long experience as a human, I know that taller is almost always better. On the other hand, the president of my company is maybe 5-4 so brains beats brawn in business that’s for sure.
May 11th, 2023 at 11:33 am
Yeah Baker Mayfield sure was lighting it up throwing for 170 yards and less than one touchdown per game… Shades of Joe Montana right there.
May 11th, 2023 at 11:34 am
It doesn’t matter. Remember Mike Glennon? Dude was like 6’7 and still had balls batted down by O lineman.
May 11th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
He is right, it doees not matter.
Just watched a re run of the Chargers vs the Jaguars and BOTH Quarterbacks had ball batted down, and both are over 6 ft 5
May 11th, 2023 at 1:18 pm
Height does matter. Short QB’s have to throw a slightly higher trajectory meaning the ball is in the air slightly longer. I just refuse to believe NFL coaches don’t think it matters. Put a 5ft 10in QB behind a line that’s 6ft 5in. I don’t care how good the QB is there are going to be times the short QB can’t see the whole field. Short QB knows where his WR is going to be but can the QB see the safety lurking for the Int. I wouldn’t call 6′ 1″ Short that’s right around the cut off though? Bryce Young at 5ft 10in is short.
May 11th, 2023 at 1:29 pm
From Oct of last year…
“Week 4’s 26-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals saw five of Mayfield’s passes blocked at the line of scrimmage—the most any quarterback has thrown over the past five seasons. He now, additionally, leads the NFL in the not-so-flattering stat (10).”
May 11th, 2023 at 1:31 pm
There’s a difference between having a few balls batted down, and leading the league in the category year after year.
Now, one obvious solution, is move Mayfield out of the pocket more, like how Wilson is used. If you do that, you negate some of the issues with Mayfield being 5′ 7″ before he puts on his lifts.
May 11th, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Doesn’t matter. Our starter is 6’5”
May 11th, 2023 at 3:18 pm
This article doesn’t matter since the Bucs Starter is 6’5”.
May 11th, 2023 at 4:00 pm
@Letsbucinggo
“Canales likes to hear himself talk.”
I’m genuinely curious about what inspired such a horribly negative and insulting comment? Seriously! Did somebody piss in your cheerios this morning.
Todd Bowles is not a big talker, does that make him a better coach?
I suspect both Joes appreciate the coaches and players who will talk and share info and in some cases even entertaining personalities.
Personally I’ve yet to see the results of Canalas’ work with the Bucs offense.
Isn’t that the REAL measure? We’re cheap shotting him before the season even begins, hell before the first rookie camp.
May 11th, 2023 at 4:44 pm
That’s what she said.
May 11th, 2023 at 7:24 pm
Does everybody seem to forget Drew Brees? We saw him twice a year for the Last decade and he was a short quarterback and he was one of the best to ever do it. I’m sure there is some merit to being taller but being a good decision Maker is the best trait you can have ,that’s one of the biggest reasons why made tom brady so great.
May 11th, 2023 at 8:26 pm
Height does matter and must be addressed many ways. Rah Rah should know that. Russ Wilson had difficulty having to loop balls over his line. Which resulted in funny mechanics that had to be worked on. Rah Rah was there.. Wilson and guys like Brees need lanes and/or move to the right spot to throw.
It can be dealt with but it is disingenuous to say it doesn’t matter.
May 11th, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Lfg Kyle…
As much as I hate the Mayfield signing it was a good idea to bring a hungry guy like Baker in to compete with Kyle. Mayfield is going to give this opportunity everything he’s got because it’s literally his last chance to save his career…
On the flip side Kyle will give it everything he’s got because he has to prove he belongs in this league…This should be a really good QB battle… It’ll be interesting to see how the Bucs “wax on, wax off” approach with Kyle plays out…
To be continued…
May 12th, 2023 at 2:13 am
Hope Canles is spending as much time coaching as he is talking.
BTW he hasn’t done jack as an OC yet.
Would you buy a used car from a guy who had never driven the car? Its a great car! Trust me!
LOL
May 12th, 2023 at 4:40 am
List of things we needed to ask Canales….Mayfields size…???
What Canales said is…
Taller is better…its a fact! Except in rooms with low doorways and low hanging chandeliers. I’m 6-3 and have the scars to prove it. 🙂
Batted balls are a problem especially if the other team catches one or two.
Not seeing the field is just as bad. Jaymiss (sorry couldn’t resist)
Brees was able to use his feet to open up passing lanes and line of sight. Brees himself said this. Can Mayfield? We shall see.
May 12th, 2023 at 4:47 am
@Dooley
Wish somebody would have let me call A PLAY last year.
I could have applied for an OC job.
May 12th, 2023 at 9:46 am
Too bad Patrick Mahomes isn’t 6’5″…he could be a good QB????