Dave Canales Seems To Be Learning On The Fly
October 2nd, 2023
Bucs OC Dave Canales.
Joe wonders just how good the Bucs would be with a run game?
The Bucs broke the slimy Saints’ streak of holding opponents to 20 points or less at 11 games. And it happened in Lincoln’s Tomb. Nice!
No wonder the slimy Saints fans booed their team off the field at halftime (LOL).
Jenna Laine of ESPN tries to explain one reason the Bucs rung up 26 points is because Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales made adjustments to throw more on first down.
This is just smart football. Think about it: The Bucs have the worst running attack in the NFL. (Sound familiar?) Joe doesn’t understand when an offense only has so many snaps in a game, to burn a third of those, or more, slamming the ball into a mound of bodies for no great benefit.
Joe is a big believer in points. Generally, you get points by moving the ball. Running to nowhere does not accomplish that.
Besides, the Bucs are built to throw and have two of the best receivers in the game. Not using them seems a tremendous waste (which may be a big reason Mike Evans is unsigned). Think about it: Why would Team Glazer want to cough up serious loot for two receivers when the coaches want to run a lot?
Joe is very happy Canales adjusted and took advantage — and still got in his requisite runs.
Something tells Joe that Canales isn’t going to be around these parts for long. He’s an impressive guy. The way Canales has resuscitated Baker Mayfield’s career and maybe saved Kyle Trask’s paychecks is saying a lot.
Joe could see an NFL owner wanting Canales to groom a first-round draft pick of a rookie quarterback.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:05 am
Drop the Bowles, leave the Canales?
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:07 am
All the teams with strong run games are good in the middle of their lines, the Bucs interior strength is not good. Expecting a RB to shed or break 2 or 3 tackles per run is just insane.
Bucs can have a productive run game if they run on the right downs, running on 1st down is not smart, wasn’t smart last year either. The strength of the Bucs offense is through the air and once Canales realizes that the better the team will be
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:08 am
^
I think this team is currently setup to use the pass to setup the run, instead of vice-versa. Though I was happy to see last game they use a play-action on first down and got a nice ball to ME13.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:12 am
Canales does not for major yardage , but it still has the effect of slowing the rush a few tenths of a second due to the fact that they have to respect the threat of a run.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:13 am
Called a Good Game.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:15 am
He will be the head coach in a couple of years
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:16 am
Bucs had 33 passing attempts , 33 rushing attempts vs Saints
and 1 sack
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:17 am
tbswarm, I’ve been saying the same thing since the beginning of the season. Notice how the run game started to get its groove on later in the game? The opponent can’t stack the box if they’re afraid to get beat by our stellar WR group.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:23 am
You are right on Joe. For the first time in the almost 50 years I have followed this team I see a foundation for this team to be relevant for a couple of decades. This is the Glazer’s opportunity to erase the “laughing stock” moniker once and for all. Brady and Arians bought us a temporary reprieve but that is all. It was a flash in the pan. The key is for Bowles and Canales to STAY HERE. I think Bowles would remain for as long as the front office stays stable. Canales must be retained whatever the cost may be. I’m hoping (and believe) Canales is smart enough to see that his future as a head coach would be best served by 7-8 years as an OC.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:23 am
I seriously doubt thats why Evans is unsigned. It’s the intelligent move to see how the year plays out. In a vacuum, what you spend on a 30-31yr old receiver can be allocated to a few other needs and/or some additional assets. The middle of the Bucs o-line is not a strength, they need to improve edge rush (JTS is an abomination) and Shaq isnt getting younger. Lavonte isnt going to play forever, Winfield needs to be the highest paid FS in football and what do we do with Devin White. It’s not that I want Evans on another team, I just think that with some of these commenters fail to realize is there are many many tough decisions that need to be made, sometimes at the expense of your own personal feelings. If Evans wants a 5 yr contract or something then that aint happening. Maybe a 3 yr with team option for 3rd yr. Long term competitiveness of the TEAM comes first.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:23 am
He’ll be here next year.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:24 am
The running game was fine yesterday. They won. That’s the only statistic that means anything.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:28 am
Another problem with not being able to run is taking too many plays to score….Yesterday, I think we had a 17 play drivel……that is a prescription for a drive ending turnover, sack or penalty……fortunately, we avoided that.
The only thing the run does for us is to keep the opposing defense honest…
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:30 am
DC > TB in the big picture
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:32 am
I guess Bowles gets zero credit for hiring Canales? Haters gonna hate. GO BUCS
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:34 am
SB~LV. ABSOLUTELY DC>TB in relative terms.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:36 am
I would still love for us to trade for Taylor so we can have a premier running back going into the last 3/4 of the season. Especially help our team going into the postseason.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:38 am
You have to keep working on the run game. There is also something to be said for establishing a physical approach and running off clocktime. It’s a conundrum. Somehow they need to balance working the run, because you never improve if you don’t keep pressing it, but you gotta move the friggin’ ball and score. It’s not realistic to throw the ball on every down. I think the approach they’re taking right now is about the best we can hope for. Eventually, the practice will pay off and hopefully by the end of the season, they can get some real momentum on the ground. In the long run, that will make them a better team.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:38 am
BA’s Red Pen Says:I guess Bowles gets zero credit for hiring Canales? Haters gonna hate. GO BUCS.
You are out of your mind.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:40 am
Loved the hire when they brought him in. Bucs needed a young creative mind on that side. Canals called a really good game yesterday. Want to see some adjustments after the bye n let’s rip!
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:47 am
I just had to speculate. Could the “not serious” hamstring of Mike Evans be the result of increasing tensions with Lattimore ? Could our wise head coach have decided that in the best interest of all to give # 13 a rest ?
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:48 am
THIS is a team with just a few holes on Offense. They can be filled this week. Two trades could help the Offense.
Trade #1– TB 2024 Second round pick and Ke’Shawn Vaughn for RB Jonathan Taylor and IND 2024 Fifth Round Pick
Trade #2—TB 2024 Fifth Rd pick and Rakim Jarrett for RB Chase Claypool and Chicago 2024 sixth Round pick.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:53 am
“ Joe wonders just how good the Bucs would be with a run game?”
Our offense would be complete and we would be good enough to compete for the Super Bowl if our pass rush wasn’t sweeter than syrup. And it doesn’t matter what down you run the ball on or even if the defense knows you’re going to run the football if your offensive line is good at run blocking. Plus Baker Mayfield is not good enough to win a game where he has to score more than 30 points so we will have to depend on our defense to keep teams to under 20 points. Which is pretty darn hard when you’re playing against the best offenses in the NFL
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:56 am
Trade Devin White for Jonathan Taylor straight up
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:58 am
Funny how the narrative is changing from “we can’t win if baker throws alot ” to “we are built to throw alot”.
October 2nd, 2023 at 12:04 pm
“Edward Kerber Says:
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:48 am
THIS is a team with just a few holes on Offense. They can be filled this week. Two trades could help the Offense.
Trade #1– TB 2024 Second round pick and Ke’Shawn Vaughn for RB Jonathan Taylor and IND 2024 Fifth Round Pick
Trade #2—TB 2024 Fifth Rd pick and Rakim Jarrett for RB Chase Claypool and Chicago 2024 sixth Round pick.”
1. Vaughn ain’t worth squat. He adds nothing. No way Indy goes for this.
2. Why? I’d rather keep Jarrett who has shown some sick ability over an overpaid malcontent like Claypool. This team is fine at WR.
October 2nd, 2023 at 12:05 pm
Just saw Peter King’s article and not one mention of Tampa/Bucs/Mayfield/etc lol.
October 2nd, 2023 at 12:05 pm
To Edward Kerber Says: Absolutely not. We can win with what we have and are doing just that. It’ all about the $$$$$$$. Trading for a big money running back would help to sink our long term prospects.
The Bucs have finally reached a point where they have a good foundation for the future. A 9-8 or 10-7 season with 1 playoff game for 2 or 3 years is much better than “rolling the dice” for a shot at a SB.
Sometimes I think the Glazer’s believe the fan base turns over as often as their coaching staff does.
October 2nd, 2023 at 12:06 pm
SB~LV … ‘DC > TB in the big picture’.
I usually agree with your takes, but can’t on this one. What’s gotten us this far this season is about 2/3rds Bowles & defense and about 1/3rd Canales & offense.
Our offense thru 4 games is credited with scoring 84 points, giving it a #19 ranking. But 7 of those points came from Shaq’s Pick-6, so they’ve really scored 77 points (18.8 PPG). Keep in mind though that the defense has given them TEN turnovers to work with in just 4 games. From what I can tell, the Bucs’ offense converted those 10 opportunities into 1 TD & 2 FGs (13 points), so even 18.8 PPG is probably a bit generous.
For its’ part, our defense has allowed only 68 points in those 4 games (17 PPG) to currently rank #7 in the NFL.
Still, like Ira wrote earlier, we’re playing some very good COMPLEMENTARY FOOTBALL, and that’s what’s gotten us where we are IMO. That’s huge for this young team, because we’re not constructed (at this point) to be putting up 30-Plus PPG. Baker’s doing great IMO at keeping the offense moving (we’ve currently got an excellent 47.4% 3rd down conversion rate, and a 100% 4th down conversion rate). I’m particularly impressed with his 69.6% completion percentage & with his willingness to run when the situation dictates. Also impressed that our OLine is steadily improving. Assuming that improvement continues, that’ll be huge for the rest of this year & for years to come.
October 2nd, 2023 at 12:09 pm
We can’t trade for Taylor with no money. We have stars of our own that we must sign next year. This isn’t Madden
October 2nd, 2023 at 12:09 pm
Lord Cornelius Says: Just saw Peter King’s article and not one mention of Tampa/Bucs/Mayfield/etc lol.
That is precisely to my point. If the Glazer’s don’t mess this up we can finally get some respect.
October 2nd, 2023 at 12:11 pm
I’m not worried about RB. White flashed yesterday and RB’s are not that hard to find.
It’s the OL that will determine the running game. So let’s check that out.
Wirfs is a beast…Feiler is also huge with lots of experience not as talented…then come the 3 kids. Center out the Buc’s are truly a kiddie corps. Hainsey is in his second year at Center and he was thrown in the fire quickly when Jensen went down. He apparently has the “brains” coaches like so Center can call out the line’s assignments. So there’s a guy with one year and 4 games.
Goeddeke is started less than a dozen games last year and that was at Guard.
He seems far more comfortable at RT but he has FOUR GAMES UNDER HIS BELT.
And then of course comes Mauch with FOUR GAMES of NFL experience.
Jeebus do we see some room for growth there. Mahomes is great but as Collingsworth pointed out his 3 interior OL are what he calls “the wall”
The Bucs wall is just now getting constructed and it looks like there is some talent to work with. Hainsey is the “vet” starting 21 NFL games…
October 2nd, 2023 at 12:22 pm
The one thing that seems to be overlooked is Jason Licht. He has been outstanding at his job. He has earned the confidence of the fans. He has built a Super Bowl winner. He’s finding O lineman from under the bushes. He has found a kicker and punter. He brought in Baker. I think the number is 13 rookies and UFA’s on the team.
Just look at the change in attitude of Devin White all of a sudden. The man knows what he is doing. He will do the right thing. Have a little faith in him. He deserves it.
October 2nd, 2023 at 12:22 pm
Chase Claypool? Really? GTFO!!
October 2nd, 2023 at 12:23 pm
Would be nice if he somehow stays next year also
October 2nd, 2023 at 12:25 pm
Canales AND BM have me on board the Bucs train!
very fun to watch!
TB gets some credit as well. still can’t decide if I want my crow blackened, grilled or fried.
may the JW homers can help me out.
October 2nd, 2023 at 12:25 pm
I whole heartdly disagree we’re not built to get 30 points a game. If you watch the tape you’ll know that’s BS. If it weren’t for a few drops as well as a few off throws, we’d be rocking 30+ points in all of our games except for Philly, and that was expected. We’re doing all this and the offense hasn’t even shown its true potential yet.
October 2nd, 2023 at 12:49 pm
There is something I have noticed about Jason Licht. This man genuinely loves his team and coaches. Several times he has been shown on camera hugging and congratulating with sincerity. I saw him tear up after Shaq’s pic six. Players will want to play for a GM such as that. The players all seem to love Mr. Coach Bowles as well.
Hopefully that love and respect will manifest itself in some hometown discounts. If Devin White will wake up and realize “the grass is not always greener elsewhere” and being the highest paid player is less important than a long stable career and a loyal following then others will as well.
The TRUE Buccaneer fan can see what we have and just sit back and watch.
October 2nd, 2023 at 12:54 pm
I wouldn’t trade for anyone at this point they have to sign big names on the roster currently after the season and I don’t think Mike Evans is one of them love him but at some point you got to move on sooner is always better than too late.
October 2nd, 2023 at 1:03 pm
Canales blocked me on twitter 😂😂😂😂😂🤷🏾♂️ I tore him a new one after the eagles game. Ya see he did better against the AINTS 😂😂😂😂 o well
October 2nd, 2023 at 1:09 pm
Citrus agree wholeheartedly with both of those posts.
October 2nd, 2023 at 1:13 pm
It’s still just one ball game and the 4’th game we have played this year. There is going to be ups and downs but if everyone stays healthy by mid season we should have a really good offense. To be able to run the ball and pass like we did against the Saints isn’t easy. They are a good defense, but in two weeks we play the Lions. The Lions are a pretty good ball club. Let’s see how we stack up against them before we start throwing celebrations.
October 2nd, 2023 at 1:15 pm
Jason has done a great job but I’d like to give props to his scouts as well. It would be nice to name some of them….they seem like forgotten men in the Bucs PR.
October 2nd, 2023 at 1:24 pm
The Glazers will increase Canales’s pay at the end of the year. He Will help us win another Super Bowl within the next 3 years.
Go Bucs!!!
October 2nd, 2023 at 1:26 pm
I personally think we improved on offense already. I thought you could immediately see adjustments in week 1. We looked awful in the first half and after half we came out swinging for the W. Even though the run isn’t working I like that we are at least trying. Hopefully in time well see improvement but we may not have the Guards and center to do it successfully.
October 2nd, 2023 at 1:27 pm
Would be nice to see them draft a big power back beck year like Estime from Notre Dame
October 2nd, 2023 at 1:27 pm
I need to clarify something I said. I made the statement that DC>TB ABSOLUTELY.
I meant NO disrespect to Coach Bowles. He has matured and grown into the role. Bowles is a former intelligent player that had to learn to be a coach. I believe Dave Canales was born to be a coach and understudied well in that role. It is my hope that Canales can continue his growth and hopefully down the road replace Coach Bowles. I do believe that is highly unlikely however. I now regret making that statement.
October 2nd, 2023 at 1:32 pm
To MONK; Nice call out to the scouting department.
October 2nd, 2023 at 1:33 pm
This offseason was by far the best management and scouting job I’ve seen for Tampa in years. Hopefully Kancey will finally show what we have all been clamoring about while he dons creamsickles against the Lions.
All the way through major undrafted guys, this organization did an incredible job with little money. That isn’t the mindset of a team looking to scrap from the pile of other teams, IE trade for Johnathon Taylor. Was surprised to see Tucker didn’t really play yesterday. I still think getting that guy the ball in space would be ideal. Zyon lit up Kamara yesterday. Love that kid’s attitude. Ryan Neal getting hurt on the 2nd play of the game was disappointing, but Delaney was a bright spot again. This team CAN win 12 games, just as Wirfs predicted. I wonder what he thought we would be at right now? Looking at the schedule I see 4 or 5 that should be easy enough if all holds true so far. Beating the Lions at Home starts NOW. LFG Bucs!!!!!!
October 2nd, 2023 at 1:37 pm
TO stpetebucfan Says: Thanks.
October 2nd, 2023 at 1:40 pm
To BillyBucco Says: I agree we COULD win 12 games and hope we do but I will be more than happy with 10-7.
October 2nd, 2023 at 1:42 pm
@Monk and Citrus,
Look no further than Spytek.
October 2nd, 2023 at 2:14 pm
To D-Rok Says; Spytek has it going on, that’s for sure.
October 2nd, 2023 at 2:45 pm
Pass to set up the run, then run to drain clock.
The D looked fresh the entire game, but the same cannot be said for the Aint’s.
Happy times in Tampa. How many expected 3-1?
October 2nd, 2023 at 3:07 pm
As a loyal Bucs fan of 44 years, I sure wish I had the da##ed energy to go to the Lions game. I absolutely love the original creamsicle colors and Bucco Bruce. Those colors and that smirky pirate is central FL, history and all. I’ve got a bunch of stuff from those days, including the Dark Ages. I get it why the Glazers changed things cos of the constant double digit loss seasons. They figured the team was cursed. Culverhouse sure was one. When the franchise was first announced, the fans in central FL raised the $$millions to buy it. The NFL screwed them and brought up Culverhouse from So. FL. He was already facing legal heat down there so you bet he bolted north. Creep spent more on his whores than he did the team. He died a very painful death from a rare cancer so guess that’s justice. Still, the Bucs were stamped as losers. It’s actually a fascinating story if you’re into it. I have never stopped liking the creamsicle pirate logo better than the pewter and red. Got plenty of both colors. Anywho, go Bucs!
October 2nd, 2023 at 3:21 pm
Dave Canales is a keeper!!
October 2nd, 2023 at 3:31 pm
This team is very well coached on both sides of the ball with a lot of good players on both sides of the ball. It’s really fun to watch. The team is good and now the NFL knows it. Jason Licht has done a hell of a job. Nobody mentions how good this year’s draft has been. This may end up being one of the best draft classes the Bucs have had.
October 2nd, 2023 at 3:52 pm
To orlbucfan ; after just now reading your post NO ONE can question your authenticity as a TRUE Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan. I feel safe in saying that few would know the Bucs history as you do. Here’s to you and Here’s to Mark Cook. God Bless
October 2nd, 2023 at 4:09 pm
“Trade Devin White for Jonathan Taylor straight up”
Can’t decide which is a dumber statement, this or an earlier poster saying Rojo is one of the best RBs in the NFL.
October 2nd, 2023 at 4:21 pm
Tbbucs3; Stupidity is in great abundance as you are most certainly aware.
October 2nd, 2023 at 4:41 pm
Sumosam … ‘This team is very well coached on both sides of the ball with a lot of good players on both sides of the ball. It’s really fun to watch. Jason Licht has done a hell of a job.’
I agree with you, and think it’s kinda humorous that so many who are onboard now that we’re 3-1 were the ones who were peein & moanin because Bowles wanted to move this offense away from ‘No Risk-It; No Biscuit’ towards a more balanced attack. Without a lot of $$$ to buy top-tier talent he had to rely more on developing youngsters to replace expensive veterans like Suh, JPP, Marpet, Jensen, Smith, Brown, Fournette, etc. It’s working out OK thus far, but we’re still just in year 1 of the transition away from spending big $$$ to build a team around Tom Brady. This team is still in its infancy IOW.
It seems bizarre that BA’s normally high-scoring teams went 0-6 against the Saints from 2019-2021. Our offense scored a total of 94 points in those 6 games … 15.7 PPG … against the Saints’ always-tough defense, with 15 giveaways thrown in for good measure (2.5 per game average). Gee I wonder why they didn’t win.
Bowles now has 3 straight victories over the Saints since becoming HC & switching to a more ‘balanced attack’. Our offense has scored 53 points in those 3 games … 17.7 PPG … against the same quality Saints’ defense, with only 4 giveaways (1.3 per game average). Not huge differences in offensive output, but it seems to have helped the defense in that they’ve allowed only 11.7 PPG in these past 3 wins, versus allowing 30.3 PPG average against the Saints in 2019-2021. Hmmm, I wonder what changed.
October 2nd, 2023 at 6:04 pm
I would like to suggest that the problem w run game is the types of plays called. Did we see any old fashioned pitch outs or sweeps? Saw some razzle dazzle but mainly lunges into interior line. Spread the field out and make them defend all their territory. Don’t aim for the heart of a defense, nibble the edges, make them run. Yesterday was first time RW wasn’t indecisive in his running, hit holes wo hesitation, Vaughn too.
Rest up guys, now its time for the hard part. Playing w pain and believing in yourselves.
Go Bucs!
October 2nd, 2023 at 6:19 pm
Dude is doing a good job a couple of years someone is going to hire him as a head coach.
October 2nd, 2023 at 7:39 pm
Laard, best quip of post!