Things Change In The NFL… Fast!
February 2nd, 2024
Carolina coach Dave Canales.
It was late November. The Bucs were 4-7. A dark cloud hovered above One Buc Palace.
Every website that types about the NFL was done or close to it with Bucs coach Todd Bowles. Fans were pining for Houston offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
Even Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales admitted in his weekly press conference he had “honest conversations” with his family that he may be one and done with the Bucs as an offensive coordinator.
Then the Bucs turned it around winning four straight including blowout wins at Green Bay and at home against Jacksonville where the sleepy, plodding Bucs offense came alive and Baker Mayfield played his way into the Pro Bowl.
Almost exactly two months to the day Canales said he and his family were bracing for unemployment, Canales was introduced as the Stinking Panthers’ new coach.
His family, instead of being huddled around the kitchen table wondering where they would be in six weeks, were instead celebrating Canales’ promotion and building a new life in Carolina.
It just goes to show how quickly things change in the NFL.
Joe suspects whoever Bowles selects as his new offensive coordinator will have speed bumps. If the offense starts slowly to begin the season, that doesn’t mean it will end the season slow.
And if Mike Evans and/or Mayfield choose to play elsewhere next season, there won’t be speedbumps. There will be massive potholes. Losing Canales didn’t exactly help the Bucs in their pursuit to retain of the two free agents.
Canales’ story illustrates how quickly things change in the NFL. One minute a team is circling the drain, a month later it’s about to wrap up a division title.
Or, an offensive coordinator might be on the brink of losing his job, and two months later he is the new face of an NFL franchise.
Jerry Glanville said it perfectly. “This is the NFL, which stands for ‘not for long.'”
February 2nd, 2024 at 12:24 am
DID EVERYONE SEE NFL MVP BAKER MAYFIELD WON THE QB SKILLZ COMPETITION AT THE PRO BOWL!!!! JUST MORE PROOF, AS IF ANY WAS NEEDED, THAT BAKER MAYFIELD IS THE REAL GOAT AND IS THE MAN TO LEAD THE BUCS TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!!
#TEAMPOSITIVE!
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:11 am
I jumped on board and desperately want him back now. It is really unfortunate they have to get another OC. That’s been most of Baker‘s issue… 8 HCs & 6 OCs in six years, NFL needs to change that rule.
I understand you don’t want to hurt a guys chance of moving forward, but if a team hires an OC or DC they should be required to give a minimum of two years.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:25 am
It’s like you were just starting to warm up to the hot chick you were dating and think she might be the one, and then she immediately dumps you for your arch rival.
At least we still have Bowles as HC
/sarcasm
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:27 am
I think Evans and Mayfield will leave and the offense will officially be a ghost town complete with tumble weeds rolling down the street……
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:28 am
I understand the Bucs are looking for a OC that will side right in to where the Bucs left off 2 or 3 weeks ago with few bumps in the road and also match well with Mayfield but, what’s the problem with the hire? 8 or more candidates, half who have sign elsewhere. Are they turning the Bucs down, are the candidates not a fit ( why waste time interviewing if the candidate isn’t a fit) , is it because of job security with Bowles? I just hope they are able to find a decent OC waiting so late so they don’t regress so much this up coming season.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:29 am
David … ‘if a team hires an OC or DC they should be required to give a minimum of two years.’
I agree David, but what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Accepting an OC or DC position has to come with the same assurances from ownership IOW that a head coaching job comes with. There should be a minimum salary allowed, and it should be guaranteed for those 2 years.
I’d think that there’d also have to be a strict ‘no tampering’ policy, enforced by the NFL. And as part of that, all OCs and DCs would become ‘hands off’ until the Super Bowl is over (in other words, create a level playing field for all teams).
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:41 am
The Bucs need at least 4 coaches. OC, WR, OL and ST. My thinking is Bowles and Licht have identified these coaches and will announce them next week if not the weekend I do think some coaching positions will be filled from on staff members. Again I am not a GM or coach this is just my opinion
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:41 am
OF COURSE Baker won the Precision Passing competition. And he wasn’t even trying hard, lol! Just saw some footage showing Stroud crying after his loss. Baker, always the gentleman, went over to Stroud, gave him a big hug and said “start getting used to losing when you play the Bucs kid.”
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:59 am
We hired Canales last year after all of the better candidates went to other teams and it looks like the same thing this year but maybe once the fog clears about whether we’ll still have a Mayfield and Evans, we can attract a decent OC.
My opinion is Canales wasn’t ready to be OC but was coming along or learning on the job. He’s definitely not ready to be a HC but he has one thing going for him….he knows how to sell himself even if he’s just blowing smoke up someone’s arse.
His lack of adjustments in the Detroit playoff game should have been disqualifying. That plus we were still near the bottom in offense.
His ambition got the better of him as well. 2 more years here to actually improve the offense and build a resume’ would have been a smarter move. There will always be HC openings (unfortunately) and certainly better than Carolina. He probably knew he should strike now while he has the league fooled into thinking he “resurrected” Baker’s career. I think ME13 and Godwin did as much for Baker if not more than ol’ Rah Rah Dave.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:07 am
Other way around. Hard to get those guys to re-up if they don’t know who their OC will be.
Look at it from his point of view: He thought he was going to get fired two months ago. Next thing he knows Bucs win a few games and then he’s offered a head coaching gig and a six-year contract working with a No. 1 overall draft pick at QB.
You go from thinking you will file for unemployment to being offered an NFL head coaching gig in a few weeks and six years of job security/paychecks? Yeah, Joe would jump at that too.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:10 am
There shouldn’t be any job interviews or offers until after the Super Bowl.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:10 am
Problem is that they won against the Bucs! Just saying….. As you like to use! Lol
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:55 am
Keep Evans and Mayfield. If Patriots are still interested in Godwin trade Godwin for a New England’s 1st Round pick in 2025. Save 60 million.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:30 am
We all know who had the better day between CJ, and Baker when they played an actual game. Yeah Stroud set records that day, but hey Baker fans he beat Stroud in a silly pro bowl throwing thing. Anyone who thinks Baker is better then Stroud is really just in love with Mayfield.
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:29 am
Losing Canales to Stinking Panthers just pisses me off. Team was starting to come together and cannon ball just rips though the hull. Sucks.
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:29 am
Canales only had a 1 year deal with the Bucs, correct?
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:05 am
Or, OR have an offensive minded head coach that also calls the plays so you don’t have to worry about continuity on offense every few years
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:11 am
what would really be cool karma for this guy……..???
if next year the carolina teppers regress a wee tad bit…
and are playing with the 0-17 number to end the season…
challenging the winless detroit lions of years past for the worst season in nfl history…
and watching him work or extra hard at the podium for an entire year, gassing heads and his fanbase on how they’re making progress and how things are almost there, and they are starting to gel…
it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out – because he’s gonna be swimming in deep waters over there – and swimming with sharks too (the owner)…
the thing is, he’s young-ish, and signed what, a 6 year deal…?
so one would think the owner will at least ride with him for a minimum of 2 years……or maybe 3…
so he shouldn’t hit the hot seat until midway thru year 2, if at all…
i wish we’d get our new OC locked in, so we can stop hyper focusing on this guy…
unless as i eluded to before in another thread…
maybe just maybe, we aren’t really looking for a new OC, but actually looking for a new HC……you never know
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:03 am
There are rules. When coaches are hired they are usually hire with a 2 yr contract. That’s why teams usually have to give permission to allow the interview. I the coach is let go they still get paid for that final year.
As far as Dave, he did what is best for his family. He had one year left on his contract probably around 2 million. If TB has a bad year he is unemployed. Now he has a 6 years of job security, probably north of 30 million. Do the math.
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:11 am
I believe Bowles may have a bit of a reputation as a career killer for offensive guys. Solid coordinators are passing on the job, Canales & Co. all bailed at the first opportunity. Very few teams are having a dozen interviews for their open OC positions, they seem to know and get who they want fairly efficiently….but not Bowles. I think coaches know what Bowles is about and are smart enough to see the game has evolved to favor aggressive offensive play. As an OC, their hands are tied because Bowles is obsessed with clock management (except at the end of playoff games) and winning teams prefer to attack vs delay.
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:18 am
Defense Rules Says:
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:29 am
David … ‘if a team hires an OC or DC they should be required to give a minimum of two years.’
I agree David, but what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Accepting an OC or DC position has to come with the same assurances from ownership IOW that a head coaching job comes with. There should be a minimum salary allowed, and it should be guaranteed for those 2 years.
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Earth shattering stuff, fellas. Apparently, you two didn’t know that all coaching salaries are 100% guaranteed for the duration of the contract. Quite profound thoughts but you might want to holdback from sending them to the coaches association because it’s already been done and then some.
February 2nd, 2024 at 9:51 am
heck it was only one month ago our OC was crying in a press conference about the opportunity Bowles gave him when others didn’t and how he wanted desperately to prove Bowles right for hiring him. To thank him he quit, took 2 of our coaches with him. became direct competition to Bowles, and potentially put his job at risk. If I were in the front office Id warn our players to be safe, if Dave Canales sends you a thank you card, its probably ticking….
February 2nd, 2024 at 10:34 am
Baker’s win in the Pro Bowl Precision Passing compettion shows one thing:
He’s amazingly accurate when he does not have 300 lb linemen in his face.
Maybe the Bucs should plan on improving that for him.