Dave Canales: Bucs “For Sure” Felt Flat
January 5th, 2024
Bucs OC Dave Canales.
Look, Joe is no psychologist and doesn’t play one on TV. So Joe has no idea how a team could come out with so little energy for such a big game with huge implications.
The Bucs did just that on Sunday. With so much on the line, they took the field as if it was another practice. And the slimy Saints took advantage with a groin stomp.
Yesterday Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales was asked if the Bucs were “flat.” Canales was honest and didn’t try to hide it.
“Yeah, I think I could feel that, for sure,” Canales said. “Even in those types of games, what do we rely on? Our basics – the assignments, the execution – those are things that were kind of uncharacteristic for the way we’ve been playing football for the last couple of weeks.
“[It was] really a timely wake-up call for our guys. We can’t just show up and expect these things to happen for us. It takes a lot of intentionality. Even with all the holiday season and all of that – whatever that is – we have to maintain our focus.”
Unless these guys had their heads into their WAGs’ plans for New Year’s Eve parties or they thought they had the NFC South wrapped up, who knows why they got so mentally lazy?
Joe remembers former Bucs commander Greg Schiano said he had heard a story of Bear Bryant saying he could never tell how his team would play just based on practice. Schiano said if a legend like Bryant couldn’t figure out why or how a team would be flat on gameday, he wasn’t going to try to figure that out.
Whoever does, that man will make a fortune working for some NFL team(s). Or perhaps working for a sportsbook in Vegas?
January 5th, 2024 at 9:11 am
I think either Dave or Bowles were “flat” for not using any kind of hurry-up offense when down 3 scores in the 3rd quarter vs Saints.
Many on this site said that the Bucs always look like they are trying to take time off the clock rather than run a high speed offense. I’m not a fan of Derek Carr but jeez you could see how quickly he got the ball out last week and how the routes were set up to attach the corners playing off.
The Bucs, all I saw in the first half was when in passing situations Mayfield was holding on to the ball, double clutching and there were not formations set up to get the ball out quick.
Canales has to be questioned on why the slow pace of the offense. Knowing they fall behind early in the games how about scripting something new like calling plays at the line of scrimage and running some west coast style throws to Godwin and Palmer. Otton isn’t enough of a threat to keep throwing to him
on 3rd down behind the sticks. He catches it 7 yards out and can’t make a move to get to the first down marker. A slow tight end isn’t what the team needs.
January 5th, 2024 at 9:17 am
Rachaad was one of the culprits. He looked hesitant and sluggish, much like he did earlier in the year. They playoffs are officially upon us, and if the Bucs don’t treat Sunday’s game as such they’re toast.
January 5th, 2024 at 9:20 am
So … the Bucs lost “focus” and “intentionality”?
Against the Saints?
For the NFCS Crown?
For the Playoffs?
If you say so.
The Saints didn’t.
January 5th, 2024 at 9:58 am
The chemistry between Mayfield and Palmer needs to improve to take double coverage off of Evans and Godwin..or draft a WR in 1st round next year
January 5th, 2024 at 10:08 am
I have a hypothesis that the team knew of the lame game plan (“Run, Run, Run”) and were uninspired. Maybe, maybe not.
There are things a coach can do to focus and motivate his team but you’ve got to be careful. A team can’t rely on motivational ploys week after week. That roller coaster gets exhausting. Remember Buddy Ryan as coach of the Eagles? That’s how he coached and the team started seasons hot and cooled rapidly as the season wore on. A mini version of that may be what befell us last week. Our guys put a lot into the Jags game, then Christmas came and a mundane game versus a team we play twice a year just couldn’t provide the juice.
January 5th, 2024 at 10:09 am
Teams lay a dud sometimes….Bowles teams seem to do it more often than we’d like. It is what it is….win and we’re in, lose and Bowles is out….win/win situation as far as I’m concerned
January 5th, 2024 at 10:09 am
I wonder if they’ve closed the book on Gage
January 5th, 2024 at 10:23 am
Think the coaching was flat and at least some of the blame is on the play calling and inability to adapt. Canales is the one that needs a wake up call. Hope he becomes a HC for another team. Not impressed with this guy at all and don’t care how much coach speak and how positive he is, he is a lousy OC.
January 5th, 2024 at 10:38 am
The Baker Mayfield fanboys are right. On paper Baker Mayfield is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL when comparing him to the quarterbacks on the best offenses in the NFL. For example, currently the Dolphins have the #1 offense in the NFL with 59 total touchdowns and the 49ers have the #2 offense with 58 total touchdowns.
1. Tua Tagovailoa has 4,451 passing yards, 28 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions, 67 rushing yards, zero rushing touchdowns, and 13 fumbles
2. Brock Purdy has 4,280 passing yards, 31 touchdown passes, 11 interceptions, 2 rushing touchdowns, and 6 fumbles
3. Baker Mayfield has 3,907 passing yards, 28 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions, 156 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and 8 fumbles
Statistically, Baker Mayfield is on par with the best quarterbacks in the NFL and deserves a $40 million dollar a year contract.
January 5th, 2024 at 11:05 am
Makes you wonder why there weren’t any in game adjustments when the OC admits that the team seamed flat…. F it keep running it up the middle for one yard, that’ll get their heads in the game.
This is why Bowles failed last year as the HC, you can’t just sit back and watch your team fail, Bowles the offense is your responsibility too whether you like it or not.
January 5th, 2024 at 11:06 am
I’m all for Baker coming back… but not for $40 million a season…. no chance. He still needs to prove himself on a year to year basis… $20 million a season over three… if he doesn’t like that… or something similar $75 over three MAX… we take our chances elsewhere.
As for the team falling flat…. sure…. except maybe we looked flat because the Saints were coming off a mini-bye week. Teams playing the week after a Thursday night game have a noticeably higher winning percentage than over the course of the rest of the season. Saints were rested and better prepared… and they should have been.
January 5th, 2024 at 11:10 am
Someone please just let these guys play more up-tempo? They’ve proven time and again that’s how they move the ball best and yet they’re turtle paced and predictable 80% of the game.
January 5th, 2024 at 11:15 am
Gage and Jensen are killing our salary cap. Unless Jensen bounces back, its time to draft a huge strong C first rd. Then get a more complete TE or WR 2nd, unless we’re not keeping Baker. If we’re not, then C first, QB 2nd.
January 5th, 2024 at 12:40 pm
Bad bad bad luck with Gage and Jensen.
Team hasn’t really recovered yet. Brutal blow to the organization.
January 5th, 2024 at 1:15 pm
Brandon you do not understand. There is no way Baker Mayfield is offered less than 30 million a year by the Bucs as he is likely going to have at least 4 teams offering him that much.
January 5th, 2024 at 1:22 pm
Really madman and BucU here we 1 win away from playoffs and you guys are worried about 2 guys not even playing really ???
January 5th, 2024 at 1:26 pm
If he does not win Sunday he not getting 30 mil from us.
January 5th, 2024 at 2:20 pm
One bad game and no word from WyomingJoe? Come on man.
January 5th, 2024 at 2:20 pm
Jensen’s football career is most likely over. It’s really hurt the offense without him in there.
January 5th, 2024 at 8:36 pm
Excellent point Brandon
January 6th, 2024 at 6:52 am
Beeej Says:
January 5th, 2024 at 10:09 am
I wonder if they’ve closed the book on Gage
More like a pamphlet.
January 6th, 2024 at 8:46 am
Is flat another word for choke? It’s OK to use the ‘C” word. If we’re honest all of us have done it one time or another in one of the life’s big moments.