Was Offense Saturday A Taste Of What’s In Store?
August 29th, 2023
Bucs OC Dave Canales.
In the last worthless preseason game, Joe thinks fans got a whiff of what we can expect from new Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales.
First, receivers found openings in the Baltimore defense. You know, players in space?
Then, with the first-team offensive line in the game, running backs found openings. The Bucs finished with 158 yards rushing. Not too shabby.
But then there was the unpredictable. Anyone expect to see tight end Cade Otton pull off a Benn’ed Around for a first down with a 12-yard gain? (Yes, Joe knows it was a handoff and not a true Benn’ed Around reverse.)
After the game, Bucs coach Todd Bowles suggested what fans saw from the offense was just an appetizer.
“I thought it was a great fit,” Bowles said of the marriage between Baker Mayfield and Canales. “I thought the offense fit him very well.
“This offense has everybody grasping the concepts and [it’s] starting to come together. Hopefully that continues Week 1.”
After watching the schlap that was last year’s offense, this year’s offense with Canales should be fun if it is anything like it was in the first half.
Blame whomever you want for last season when the Bucs offense didn’t look in synch or run smoothly in the preseason. And it rarely improved unless the Bucs’ backs were to the wall in a game and Tom Brady worked his fourth quarter magic.
It’s dangerous to take the bait from how anything looks in a worthless preseason game. But Saturday night whet Joe’s appetite.
August 29th, 2023 at 2:05 am
I couldn’t believe I saw Otton take a freaking handoff. He got what? 12yds too?! I was stunned. In a good way.
August 29th, 2023 at 3:24 am
It is really dumbfounding to think how bad and unimaginative the Bus offense was last year. No one wants to really say it Bruce Arians -must have been really involved in the offense when he was coach and Leftwich was over his head and was OC in title only.
This Canales OC looks like they actually use play action aplenty, bootlegs and pre-snap motions and looks to help sniff out the D and create space. Very encouraging thus far and the skill players here with an average QB could make this a solid Offensive team. Of course, the running game needs to be respectable.
GO BUCS!
August 29th, 2023 at 5:39 am
Brady was checked out and Leftwich is still unemployed.
August 29th, 2023 at 5:46 am
Funny how when the offense was among the best, Emperor Brady got all the credit, but when they stunk, he received none of the blame. Could be possible that Brady was the major problem and Leftwich lacked the weight to swing the axe in Brady’s direction.
August 29th, 2023 at 5:58 am
Wow if what we saw from the offense was an appetizer then I can’t wait for the main entree. I believe once this offense start clicking on all cylinders, it would be top 5 if not better. I like the precision n timing of throw n catch from qb to receiver. Receiver is out of his break n zoomed in pronto to catch quick released pass. I like what I see in RWhite, he’s going to make a name for himself. I’m impressed with Cody “Mauler”. Once he knocks his man off course he aggressively go on the attack to help out others. He’s definitely a clone of RJensen. Wirf is a no brainer, he looks dominant n better at left tackle. Unsung hero is Ko Kief, he is a good blocker that gets in the mix, he’s fiesta n nasty. Being that Canales is unpredictable, I believe he has a crunch time play especially designed for Ko Kief. “Bucs” are “vikings” ready.
August 29th, 2023 at 6:19 am
The Rise and Fall of Byron Leftwich:
2020-Inherits Tom Brady and wins Super Bowl. Offense seemingly moves ball at will by averaging 30.8 points per game. Considered genius by some. Interviews for head coaching position with Jacksonville Jaguars, but stays with Bucs.
2021-Comes within a last second bomb to Cooper Kupp of making it to second straight NFC Championship Game. Bucs offense still considered juggernaut by averaging 30.1 points per game.
2022-Center Ryan Jensen sustains freak injury in training camp and is out for year. Pro Bowler Ali Marpet inexplicably retires at the tender age of 28. Does not give definitive reason for exiting NFL at prime of his career, but many conclude decision was made after a string of concussions. Starting guard, Alex Kappa, also bolts for free agent money by signing with Cincinnati Bengals.
With patchwork line, new head coach and quarterback finally showing his age, Bucs offense falls precipitously, scoring 18.4 points per game.
Previous coordinator star, Leftwich, now considered bum by reporters and fans. Although using the same system of previous two years, play calling became “unimaginative.”
Leftwich fired after 2022-23 season. Takes fall for new head coach’s shortcomings and OL woes. Many call him dumbest offensive coordinator who ever lived.
Not one to complain, or challenge his sudden new status as moron, Leftwich falls off face of earth, his Super Bowl ring photographed on Mars by Perseverance Rover.
August 29th, 2023 at 6:50 am
JA – nice fan fiction but Leftwich clearly was not calling plays 100% under Arians and it showed. When left on his own as a play caller for the first time, well we saw the resulting mess. Fair point about the O Line but his complete lack of situational awareness and imagination with game planning players open or any kind of trickery was simply blatantly obvious.
Canales’ offense this last game really sparked some new hope for this Bucs fan for this season. That was BEAUTIFUL to watch after last season. More please!
August 29th, 2023 at 7:20 am
Fair minded——
Good point about Arians overriding and calling some plays, but even if Arians had been the full time OC last year, the riskit-biscuit was dead. The 2022 OL was simply incapable of giving Brady the time to throw downfield like the previous two years.
And my Leftwich bio synopsis was more intended to convey how fast and far one can fall from grace in today’s NFL than an attempt at sympathy or empathy.
August 29th, 2023 at 7:26 am
But Joe, I thought you said the Bucs did absolutely nothing this offseason to address the run game…
August 29th, 2023 at 7:41 am
Every time I read, hear of, or think about the Benn’ed Around I laugh out loud! It’s one of my favorite JBF memes
August 29th, 2023 at 7:43 am
Canales, Canales, Canales.
Make Tampa Great again!
Is it too late to switch Bowles and Canales roles.
TB to just coordinator. DC to head coach.
Give me the guy with energy.
August 29th, 2023 at 7:51 am
If the O last season had any imagination they would have gone even further than they did. I wouldn’t say SB because the D still sucked. Bucs may see some success early in the season until DC’s figure Canales out. The verdict is still out, let’s see how he fairs under pressure. It was good to see or not see the dive down the middle on 1st down and 2nd &11, still preseason.
August 29th, 2023 at 8:17 am
Had a crush on Canales in the preseason, fell head over heels when Otton took that handoff… dont crush me Davey!
August 29th, 2023 at 8:42 am
Everybody is forgetting Byron Leftwich with Arizona Cardinals and Josh Rosen picked in the first round. That was a disaster before leftwich came to Tampa with BA. BA covered up a lot of negatives of Leftwich, and when BA retired, the negatives showed back up.
Hope to see something refreshing with the new OC – Dave Canales and this offense. Go BUCS!
August 29th, 2023 at 8:48 am
2022 offense:
1st: up mid, 2 yards
2nd: WR screen to Godwin, 1 yard
3rd: Evans runs 3rd fly pattern of series, Lenny parks in flat, Godwin and Gage run 5 yard underneath patterns…
4th: punt
August 29th, 2023 at 8:49 am
Pleasently surprised is the vibe I’ve gotten watching both QB’s throughout preseason.
I was worried about the O-line and run game a lot more until seeing them put together such a clean 3rd game when the starters came in. That gave me a ton of hope in a dangerous way lol. Please don’t let me down!
August 29th, 2023 at 8:49 am
“Was Offense Saturday A Taste Of What’s In Store?”
.
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Nah. I talked to Leftfoot yesterday, and he told me that was all just fantasy football.
August 29th, 2023 at 8:50 am
Leopold Stotch Says:
“I couldn’t believe I saw Otton take a freaking handoff. He got what? 12yds too?! I was stunned. In a good way.”
.
.
I think it was Ko Keift who threw the block to spring him on that play.
August 29th, 2023 at 8:54 am
Truth be Told Says:
“This Canales OC looks like they actually use play action aplenty, bootlegs and pre-snap motions…”
.
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I’ve also seen pulling tight ends and guards on kick-out blocks and traps. Stuff Leftfoot didn’t know he was allowed to do. 🏈 It’s awesome!
August 29th, 2023 at 9:04 am
When you hit bottom there’s only one way to go (Dallas playoff game)! Things are looking up! Trending in the right direction! Gaining momentum! LFG!!
August 29th, 2023 at 9:06 am
President Canales Says:
“Is it too late to switch Bowles and Canales roles. TB to just coordinator. DC to head coach.”
.
.
Ah, no. At least TB has experience as a head coach. If Canales is going to have success as an OC, let’s let that happen first before piling more stuff on and maybe overwhelming him. One step at a time.
August 29th, 2023 at 9:28 am
Aside from all the blabbing about whom to blame for last year’s offense, one thing that is clear from the preseason games is that there will be a lot more quarterback motion including bootlegs and play action passing. To do that requires a mobile quarterback, and both Mayfield and Trask are very mobile, even if not “run first” players … and the offensive line did a better job of making holes for the runners, and the runners did a better job of hitting those holes.
Will that continue for the rest of the season? Well, every NFL team studies the tape on every one of their opponents so we can assure us that adjustments will be made to suppress whatever it is that we do best. Then it becomes a matter of which team imposes its will on the other team. A fantastic offensive design that does not execute is worse than a mediocre offensive design whose players impose their will on defenses.
So we’ll just have to wait and see how well this all progresses through the season, and beyond.
August 29th, 2023 at 9:31 am
To be honest with all of you I don’t think Bruce Arians offense was particularly that good either.
It was an offense that had Chris Godwin Mike Evans Rob Gronkowski Tom Brady Leonard Fournette Antonio Brown Julio Jones and a top tier offensive line.
There was so much talent on the offensive side of the ball that they could impose their will on defenses.
So that offense the defense knew what was coming but were incapable of stopping it.
By the time last year came around Brady became a shell of his former self as he no longer had the protection of the line as he did the two previous years. He also was sorting through his own personal issues. We had no Gronkowski no Antonio Brown and we had a Chris Godwin who for the early part of the season was still recovering from injury and a fairly injured and no longer effective Julio Jones.
Yet in spite of this we kept running an offense predicated on us beating them with superior talent rather than with creative play calling that would get players in the best mismatches allowing them to succeed.
This is why I am actually excited for the offensive under Dave Canales because the truth is that he even if the talent is not as good as last year and I believe it is outside of perhaps quarterback, this scheme will get guys open and then allow them to use their talent to get yards after the catch. It will be creases developing in the running game from the new zone blocking scheme. Guys like Mike Evans will not only have to rely on longer contested catches but will get balls thrown to him in space the way Cooper Cup did and then can be allowed to use his size to break tackles against smaller corners.
I think this is why one of the primary things that Dave Canales was emphasizing when he took over and was talking about the quarterback battle was somebody who could secure the ball. It does not seem like you need a ton of arm talent or the most mobility in the world to make this scheme work. So as long as you are an average talent or better at the quarterback position you can still thrive in this offense. But it is also an offense that cannot afford a lot of turnovers which I think puts too much stress on the defense and this offense is not one that will score on deep plays and short drives.
August 29th, 2023 at 9:37 am
Bucs woeful offense had many culprits: a checked out and aged Brady, loss of Arians, Leftwich being in over his head, Oline issues and Boles inability to provide leadership as a defense focused HC. Some of these issues will hopefully be fixed but until we see the new players and coaches facing live fire and seeing how injuries play out, it is hard to imagine a winning record at this point.
August 29th, 2023 at 9:40 am
OH, Joe remembers! Whenever Joe brought that up readers killed Joe. Four years later, sure looked like Leftwich’s Arizona days wasn’t a fluke.
(FYI anyone see Notre Dane’s offense over the weekend? Sure looks like they made a smart call by passing on Leftwich.)
August 29th, 2023 at 9:49 am
I don’t think Rosen is even on a team now, he had a cup of coffee with Minnesota and Cleveland last year, a pity
August 29th, 2023 at 10:29 am
The TEs will finally be used properly like the pass to Wells.
Also Kieft took coverage off of Godwin, on that TD pass, but I see Godwin doubled in regular games which will open those seam passes to the TE.
This offense looks legit.
Minnesota won’t know what hit them.
August 29th, 2023 at 10:46 am
If we’re going to be playing against backups all season, watch the tape and you’ll see the Ravens weren’t playing a single starter, then sure that’s what we can expect from the offense.
August 29th, 2023 at 11:15 am
Canabuc – I agree with much of what you say, but at this point, no matter how creative and exciting Dave Canales’s offensive design is, it still comes down to player making plays and imposing their will on the other team. People give way too much credit as well as way too much blame to coaches, when it is players who either make plays or they don’t make plays, not the coaches.
I don’t care if the offense is dull as dirt and 100% predictable, as long as it barrels past the defenders and scores points. Those Bucs fans who were around in the Dungy and first year of Gruden know what I mean. We had great offensive linemen, and we had “Thunder and Lightning” who either ran by the defenders, or simply put his head down and ran through defenders. I just absolutely loved it in the fourt quarter when we just gave the ball to Mike Alstott, every defender knewe what was coming, and they could do nothing to stop it.
A coach can have an effect sure, but maybe 20% – the other 80% comes from the guys taking the snaps.
August 29th, 2023 at 11:18 am
Vikings have a weak and rebuilding defense, but they can score in bunches with Jefferson – a very good matchup week 1
Confidence is key for this young team, they need a good start
August 29th, 2023 at 12:44 pm
No one wants to really say it Bruce Arians -must have been really involved in the offense when he was coach and Leftwich was over his head and was OC in title only.
The best thing BA did was keep Brady in check by means of his red pen. Byron’s main fault was giving Brady too much leeway. Without BA’s reins, Brady yeilded his star power over Byron and drove our offense into the ground. Great QB. Horrible schemer.
August 29th, 2023 at 12:47 pm
August 29th, 2023 at 9:40 am
(FYI anyone see Notre Dane’s offense over the weekend? Sure looks like they made a smart call by passing on Leftwich.)
Joe, this is SEC territory, we don’t watch Notre Dame
August 29th, 2023 at 1:11 pm
I think Bowles put parameters in place that effectively killed the Arians type offense. No agression, and the aggressor usually wins.
August 29th, 2023 at 1:25 pm
I agree with Canabuc as well. BA’s offense wasn’t the best, it took elite players to pull it off. Duane, you don’t need to be mobile for play action or a bootleg throw. Brady did it for 22 years until the killer B’s took over.
August 29th, 2023 at 1:36 pm
So you only watch SEC games? #Sad
(FYI there were no SEC games on when Navy-Notre Dame played.)
August 29th, 2023 at 8:59 pm
Bowles didn’t kill Arians offense with parameters lol. It was gone when Arians was gone and the hamburglar was interjected full time
August 29th, 2023 at 9:29 pm
I think I know what you mean, lol, and maybe you are right. But I don’t know of too many OCs who are more interested in resting the defense than scoring points, which is how the Bucs played last year.
August 29th, 2023 at 10:16 pm
This.
August 30th, 2023 at 1:39 am
A taste?
Yes and no.
I’m sure we have only seen a fraction of Canale’s offense, and what we have seen looks better.
However as a long time fan I have been guilty of believing in preseason performances continuing into the regular season, and been sorely disappointed.
If Bowles can manage to keep his hands off the offense we may have a shot at scoring more points.
However I think the key will be not playing from behind. So it really depends more on the defense keeping the score down. We don’t have Brady’s comeback skills to fall back on this season.
August 30th, 2023 at 8:09 am
My Niece is crazy about Dave Canales. She thinks he is Handsome.
IMHO, we lucked out getting Canales.
August 30th, 2023 at 4:32 pm
A bunch of premature ejactulators.
August 30th, 2023 at 4:56 pm
I agree fully Joe, that offense was refreshing to watch. Creating mismatches, receivers actually, room for the RB’s to make a cut. I just shows how pitiful Leftwhich really was.