Dave Canales: It Wasn’t Chris Godwin, It Was The Entire Offense
December 24th, 2023
Bucs OC Dave Canales.
Several fans like Joe think getting the ball to Chris Godwin more in Green Bay was the catalyst to one of the best offensive outputs of the season for the Bucs.
Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales last week had Godwin line up in slot a bunch. It was there that Godwin had the best success of his career playing for Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians.
Didn’t that offense last week in Green Bay look like Bucco Bruce Arians was calling the plays sometimes? Sure did to Joe. And no, Joe doesn’t believe in coincidences. Godwin plays a bunch of slot and the offense explodes? Hhhmmm?
So Joe asked Canales if playing Godwin at slot made that much of a difference. Canales didn’t think so, because he said Godwin has played several snaps at slot this year.
Instead, Canales believes everybody on offense stepped up.
“Not really,” Canales said if Godwin playing at slot made a major difference. “He’s been playing a good mix of it throughout. I think really what you saw was the guys all together, collectively – from the front, to the [wide] receivers, to the quarterback – just really buying into the details of what we’re trying to do.
“I think we talked about it last week: [we are] spending a little bit more time detailing out some of those pass game things that we’ve been trying to get going for a while now. At the beginning of the season, my sell to them was, ‘Guys, there’s going to be a game, and you’re going to feel it, where the run game is going, we’re efficient on third down and making some of those, and working in the redzone.’ [Win over Green Bay] was that game that it all came together.
“I was just really proud of the lumps we’ve taken, the challenges that we’ve faced, and continuing to come back on Mondays and Tuesdays and really work through those issues and for it to all come together in a really cool environment. [It was] my first win in Green Bay of my career. It was really amazing, just the feeling of it.”
That was just fun to watch last week. It will be even more fun if the same results transpire later today.
Yes, the Packers were fighting for their lives for a wild card berth, too. The Jags are better than the Packers and have a winning record, unlike the Packers.
If the Bucs can rack up 35-plus points again this afternoon and chalk up another win, Joe will be a true believer that last week was no fluke.
December 24th, 2023 at 2:27 am
We’ve seen too much terrible football from Canales to blindly believe he suddenly figured it out. Hopefully he’s right, though. Doesn’t hurt to be cautiously optimistic. Definitely rooting for a win … three more, actually.
December 24th, 2023 at 2:27 am
It is true that godwin has played some slot this year. My take is still this. Mayfield has been hyper focused on getting the ball to Mike. He was not looking Godwins way (at all). Once Mike got his thousand and the heat was off…
Helps a bunch that they have put him back to more snaps in the slot though. Canales has also changed the O line blocking in the run game., and opened up the play book to get others more involved including the White passes.
“Didn’t that offense last week in Green Bay look like Arians was calling the plays sometimes?”
Crossed my mind on more than one successful play, I gotta admit Joe. But many believe the biscuit offense to be old and washed up like Brady was. Yeah right!
Go Bucs!
December 24th, 2023 at 3:19 am
Come on Joe, I bet Arians came down from the front office and had a meeting with Canales he’s also still employed by the Glazer’s they needed to start winning. Bowles is Arians guy he wants him to succeed. If they keep this going I’m thinking they all had a pow wow and decided to open up the offense
December 24th, 2023 at 3:27 am
I have definitely noticed more downfield passes to White.
Time to throw is probably the biggest factor for those and Mayfield climbing the pocket to throw was really good last week. One of the first games of the year however where the middle wasn’t blown up by the opposing defense.
Im a huge believer in pre snap motion and not just lazily switching sides.
Running with energy is important and the pre snap motion on the White TD catch showed 3 guys that would have scored and an easy 1st down as well.
I think White CATCHING the ball out of the backfield is a huge advantage in this game.
If he has 5 or more catches we win.
5 or less and I think we potentially lose.
And for Gods sake, please throw some go routes, sub, go routes, then a come back or curl. We need to be wearing out the defense, even on plays that don’t work.
If this Tampa running game has truly turned a corner, this team has the potential to be dangerous in the playoffs.
December 24th, 2023 at 4:40 am
Joe … ‘If the Bucs can rack up 35-plus points again this afternoon and chalk up another win, Joe will be a true believer that last week was no fluke.’
I don’t expect this Bucs’ offense to rack up 35-plus points against quality defenses (Jags defense is better than their #21 ranking; they’ve just been reeling in these last 3 games). Jaguars will be super-motivated for this game because (1) they’re fighting for a playoff spot with the Colts & Texans in their division, all at 8-6; and (2) they’re on a 3-game losing streak in which their defense has allowed a total of 88 points, almost 30 PPG.
More concerned at this point however about our defense, and especially if Trevor Lawrence gets cleared to play. Jags have their own problems offensively & defensively, but they’re still very dangerous. Bucs can beat them though if we put together a complete game similar to what we did against the Packers.
December 24th, 2023 at 7:10 am
I don’t see the Arians viewpoint. I think it is really as simple as Mayfield had a good game and the run game is getting better. They only threw one more pass (28) than they ran it (27). In Brady’s last year with Arians he averaged over 40 passing attempts per game. The biggest difference I saw was Mayfield made quick decisions and made some precision throws he had not been making. I hope it means things are clicking for him in this offense and not just a good game from a streaky QB. We’ll see today.
December 24th, 2023 at 7:39 am
Chris is great at finding the holes in the D from the slot and can win at a much higher percentage ( size vs speed matchups ) from the slot . He doesn’t scare opposing db s out wide and opposing D Coordinators are jumping up and down when he is out wide . ( Canales has got a case of Huad and by chance he just figured it out and is again being too stubborn to admit he has been a dumb arss all year with Godwin . Just another case of Dumb Jock Disease and honestly Bucs fans , Godwins Wife woke up the dumb jocks !! Now Baker targeting Evans , well hell ya he doesn’t have a great slot guy reading the zones ( also missing the physical size match up) when Godwin is out wide , so moving Chris inside is huge ………. Hmmmm let’s see , let’s take one of the top 3 slot guys and move him outside where he isn’t even a top 20 guy ,,,,, people you just can’t make up how bad / stubborn the NFL coaching can be . ………. HUAD = Head Up Ars Disease !! Canales has had it all Year trying to make players fit rather than Him fitting the players !! WTF did you just ignore Godwins history and tape ?? That’s a case of HUAD . Todd just sits there Clueless the whole time !!
December 24th, 2023 at 7:54 am
Considering Mayfield averaged less than 200 yds a game in those previous 2 wins something changed.
December 24th, 2023 at 8:28 am
Hey Eckwood, Who drives the bus? The players or the coaches? Who designs the plays? The coaches or the players? How long do you think it takes for a new OC to have his system down, and all of his own questions about players skills answered?
I am excited we have a new OC who wants to run the ball. It is not effective yet, it takes time to get everyone on the same page. Lots of new parts on offense. I see a hyper energetic coach who has his system and is sticking to his plan. We did fairly well in the first quarter 3-1, second quarter not so good, third quarter we are gaing our footing and putting all the plays into action on the field, fourth quarter we so far are 1-0. Next up is Jacksonville.
GO!!!!!BUCS!!!!!
December 24th, 2023 at 8:37 am
Chris in the slot puts him back in his natural position. And connecting with him should open things up for Mike. But the key to a win is getting a complete game from everyone. That’s what good teams do to win these games. Not sure if this team is there yet.
December 24th, 2023 at 8:38 am
Still talking about GB game?
December 24th, 2023 at 9:07 am
Putting Godwin in the slot also helps our running game because he’s a good run blocker
December 24th, 2023 at 9:10 am
There is no bigger Bucs fan than me. However, they aren’t SB ready yet. I have been yowling all season for Canales to wake up and throw the ball tp ME13, CG14, RWhite (sweeps, screen, outta the backfield etc.), and Otton. Well, speaking of the devil. BM is spreading the ball around. Hey Canales, when Bucs get in the Jags’ redzone, how about a QB bootleg option? Has he even called one for BM this season?
December 24th, 2023 at 9:19 am
Canales found their weakness and attacked the middle of their defense. This weakness had been exposed on Green Bay’s last three games. We just continued the attack.
Jags weakness is their o-line. Vita and company should make their offense panic.
LFG!!!!!
December 24th, 2023 at 9:35 am
Godwin only works in the slot if you have a legitimate #3 flanking him. (Remember AB?) Now Ward isn’t AB, but he’s fast and he has experience and knows the system, so the defense has to respect him some. But we need to temper expectations a bit. Tommy Devito and the Giants put up 24 against the Green Bay defense. If we can do that against the Jags and Saints, then I’ll be a believer.
December 24th, 2023 at 9:38 am
Godwin has played slot this year, they were all on running plays.
December 24th, 2023 at 10:25 am
when good podium turns into good play calling…
way to go OCDC !
December 24th, 2023 at 10:44 am
Just win. However. Whatever. I don’t care if it is 3-2, and the P takes a safety with a second left on the clock.
Just win 2 more.
“Save Bowles!” That’s the rallying cry.
December 24th, 2023 at 10:51 am
That was a bullspit comment and he loses a lot of credibility with me for saying it. Of course it was Chris. It was the first game this year where they properly utilized the man. I believe that Bowles forced Canales to consult with BA before this game and learn how to make this offense run around CG14. It was night and day and clearly Canales doesn’t want to admit that he has been misusing him all season. If half of those worthless runs up the gut had been passes to Godwin in the seam we would be 11-3 right now. We should all thank Arians for teaching us where Chris belongs on a football field and how to use him. Merry Christmas
December 24th, 2023 at 10:55 am
“Precision throws” and “no hesitation” are accomplished when Mayfield has the time to throw and receivers are where they are supposed to be. Not sure why these concepts are difficult to grasp for typical fans? Brock Purdy has excelled this year because Kyle Shanahan makes sure both happen in the 49ers offense.
December 24th, 2023 at 11:35 am
The OLine is playing the best it has all season- so are the receivers and TE- and especially the RB.
But it really comes down to Mayfield- will he continue making good reads, good decisions, stepping into his throws instead of throwing off his back foot, getting rid of the ball quickly – he did most of that vs GB.