Bucs Offense Got More Production With Marcus Arroyo In 2014
October 23rd, 2023
The 2014 Bucs offensive coordinator, Marcus Arroyo.
Remember the halcyon days of The Lost Decade? How could you forget?
You remember. It was the 2014 season. Lousy Lovie Smith took over with his hand-picked quarterback Stewart McClown. And when then-offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford all but resigned in preseason with a mysterious heart ailment (perhaps Tedford could see the handwriting on the wall as he left for good in late September), the Bucs had no choice but to promote quarterback coach and ill-suited Marcus Arroyo to offensive coordinator.
Before he came to Tampa, Arroyo had zero NFL experience. And it showed as the Bucs’ offense plummeted to one of the worst in the NFL.
The Bucs finished ranked No. 30 in total yards that season.
But you know what? In the Bucs’ first six games, Arroyo’s offense put up better numbers than the 2023 Bucs.
(Just like the current Bucs, Arroyo had two stud receivers to work with: Veteran Vincent Jackson and rookie first-round pick Mike Evans.)
Joe will compare the numbers through the first six games of 2014 and 2023.
2023
Total offensive yards: 1,811
Total points scored: 103
2014
Total offensive yards: 1,841
Total points scored: 120
Current Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales has said he wants to cram his complex offense down the throat of his offense. He thinks they will learn it faster that way than if he just dumbs it down and gradually adds elements each week..
Besides, Canales said, if he dumbs it down, he believes defenses will find it easier to stop. (Like it’s not already easy to stop?)
The problem is, unless Canales’ players can master this offense very soon, the damage will have already been done. And Canales might be trying to teach his offense all over again to another team next year because the Bucs’ coaching staff will get blown out in January.
It might be wise to start getting the ball more to the best weapons, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin rather than one of his worst, misplaced slot receiver Rachaad White.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:02 am
Where is the screen game ?
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:03 am
Again who is surprised by this? What did you think was going to happen when a heavily defensive minded coach, who suppousedly is hands off on the offense, hires a rookie OC whos never called played before? It was yet another stupid decision by Bowles. Canales might turn out to be good but expecting anything other than a train wreck this first season was naive.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:08 am
75 days and counting until Todd Bowles is fired.
It’s painfully obvious he is not a good head coach and Arians quitting on the team has derailed the franchise. Can’t win in this league with an inept offense and a pass defense that makes bad QB’s look good.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:12 am
This is pretty much a tank year. Seeing what we got in everybody there’s no reason why they would be playing Vaughan that much.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:13 am
Well I am sorry but I see the handwriting on the wall. Bring on Trask. No he will do no better behind this line. And our running game will still suck just as our RB’S do. Bowles and his coaches are done .He wants a running team and will not change. With this Oline it won’t help anyone anyway. All they will have to do is blitz Trask. So complete new team next season.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:16 am
Please no to Trask as that will give Bowles an excuse to buy him another year of wasting fans time, money and energy each week.
Media, please chill with the ticket post or fanbase bashing when the team performs like this at home.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:19 am
Benching Mayfield for Trask starting = new QB in April (Michael Penix?) and very likely a new coach in January. If Todd Bowles believed he could win with Trask he never would have signed Mayfield.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:20 am
Hate to say it but Baker is a backup, he plays just like one, way too inconsistent. We need to put Trask in there if we lose a few more just to see what he has. Chances are both aren’t very good.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:21 am
@DBS
Yeah Bowles wants the run game to rest the defense but if we don’t have points then you are hurting the defense anyway. Our Oline and RBs are like a Toyota Prius and Bowles expects them to tow 5,000 lbs. which isn’t going to happen. Need to stop being what we are not, a run team. Trask will struggle as he won’t have time just like Brady and Mayfield. The Canales is new and he admitted last week that the Oline and RB find his schemes too complicated but they need to learn them. They won’t learn them by Thursday in Buffalo.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:27 am
We’ll mr happy go lucky at least wins his press conferences. That’s what matter guys?? Right? RIGHT??
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:29 am
Ahhhh… a Derak Sharp stick in the eye!
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:29 am
It’s not really about “knowing” the offense for our guys. It’s about the defense knowing our offense. It’s about Mayfield missing open receivers. It’s about getting the to White when you should get it to Evans and Godwin and the other studs. It’s also about Otton not running out the route that lead to an interception. Knowing what to do and where to go? We’re fine there but not fine with effort and execution.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:29 am
I thought this offense was built on movement and misdirection. Isn’t that what was advertised to us?
I haven’t seen any of it. Baker is better on the move. Bucs seem to be effective when running a more uptempo offense. They don’t do that. Other than the crappy screen plays, which we haven’t seen a ton of lately, this offense is a dumbed down/ineffective offensive it was last year.
I mean, seriously, think about it. How is this offense different than last years offense?
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:33 am
Baker is what we thought he was. Coming down for Dec 3 game my second one of year. If I even decide to go to game, tickets will be as cheap as parking.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:33 am
oh so that’s the problem, his offense is “too complex”
What a load
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:35 am
Kyle Trask = Stephen Garcia.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:37 am
If Baker went down on the first play who has to come in? If he has been studying and practicing he should know enough to put points on the board and work the powers people think he has.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:37 am
I feel sorry for Trask if he gets the nod after The Buffalo loss. He’ll have the same running backs, same offensive ( I do mean offensive) play calling, etc. hard to make a positive impression,impact with the coaching schemes.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:42 am
Wait a minute, now it’s a complex offense to learn? I thought this was supposed to be an easy, QB friendly, offensive line friendly, RB friendly offense? Now that it looks like doo doo, we’re being fed it’s complex? Not buying it.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:46 am
Bucs entire coaching staff gets outcoached by the Falcons is all you need to know. These are all Bowles coaches. Dude needs to go and take his lame staff with him. What a miserable game to watch in that stadium. It was hot again and they put out another sloppy game. I don’t mind the sun and heat when you have a entertaining product, but that was BS. This is why you have empty seats and fans from other teams filling them.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:49 am
WHo would want to be a QB with 2 inept Coaches. Fire Bowles ! Canales, oh man…. his play calling is no better than Leftnut! and MAyfield, use your legs more often with this kind of Offensive lineman… and as for SNow WHite…. forget it,,,, he is not even a 3rd string RB in any other teams.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:49 am
He’s going to lose the locker room just like he did with the Jets. If the Bucs get blown out Thursday the season is a wrap.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:50 am
In a few weeks he’s gone from the next hot head coach candidate to potentially fired lol. The NFL is a wild ride
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:52 am
Hammerhead: if that happens it will be next to impossible for Trask to be successful given the play calling scheme and the lack of talent in the interior O-line, at WR and at TE. Essentially the team has even less on its roster now than Brady had a year ago as Lenny and Brate > what Canales is starting at RB and TE this year and Brady struggle to get the team to 8-8 before tanking the ATL finale and then getting boat raced in the playoffs. It would almost be like a back door tank if Trask started and essentially Trask would be the fall guy for failure and a scapegoat as the OC and Bowels will talk a lot about nothing with key words like “baby steps”, “growing pains”, “lessons learned after a defeat”, “moral victories”, “showing a lot of heart and hustle” (My favorite slogan from the 2002 Devil Rays under HAL McRae, essentially telling the world that the team sux so it is suitable for the 2023 Bucs as well) etc…… I can not wait to here how Bowles and the OC spin yesterday’s train wreck during this week’s pressers before the ensuing beat down in Buffalo.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:53 am
correction on lack of talent at WR and TE = RB and TE, WR is the only position the Bucs are not far below average on offense.
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:02 am
The lack of a run game is hurting the Bucs more than anything else. Baker gives the Bucs the best chance to win. I don’t think 64% passing, 275 yards, 1TD/1INT is worth being benched over because of a bad running game and bad run blocking. Baker is going to have bad throws here and there but in terms of TD/INTs he’s playing as well as Trevor Lawrence and Lamar Jackson. He’s had a better season right now than Joe Burrow and Dak Prescott. I’m not saying he’s the answer but Baker really isn’t the problem.
The bottom line is that Baker is an average QB and Kyle Trask is a backup. Trask should only start if the season is over.
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:07 am
Dismal numbers but we have made some progress. We just keep beating ourselves at very inopportune times. I have seen some bright spots with adjustment Canales has made. Some of the problems really are more to do with players.
Go Bucs!
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:09 am
DBS Says:
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:37 am
If Baker went down on the first play who has to come in? If he has been studying and practicing he should know enough to put points on the board and work the powers people think he has.
I think thats where traskites are giving themselves away as to what they really think of Trask. He is a professional QB right? Then why claim he should not be put in now for Baker if Baker needs to go? Going into the Bills game we are still only one game out of first place with nearly a dozen games to go – so why not? The job of a backup QB is to be ready always. Arguing as they do (even while claiming Trask won the competition) – only after the Bills game screams -we know deep down our guy is not what we claim he is.
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:09 am
At least Arroyo had an excuse: zero NFL experience.
Canales has been around for a while. What’s his excuse?
What an O! Can’t run, can’t pass.
At this point, Ridder > Stiff Arm. Think about that.
At least there is McLoughlin & Carmada…
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:17 am
As teams gather more film each week, it is apparent that Canales is a first time OC. Bucs were badly out-coached at that is a trend that will continue as the season progresses. Th offensive line is terrible, the running backs are awful. Mayfield is ducking and scrambling for his life on every passing play… It will be a LONG second half of the season for the Bucs.
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:17 am
Until we can pass the ball we won’t be able to run. They are keying on the run game because they are not afraid of Mayfields arm. He’s not beating them even though they sell out for the run. And I wish he would stop telegraphing his throws. Tired of all the batted balls and DBs knowing where the balls going.
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:18 am
Brock Purdy was way down on the depth chart before they were forced to play him, and look at what he has done. So for all you guys that say no to Trask, why dont you just give he kid a chance before you write him off. There is no way he can do any worse than Mayfield. Who knows he just might be a suprise. Baker sure aint it.
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:20 am
The only misdirection in this offense is which way the DL pushes the 3 interior offensive lineman
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:22 am
Something is wrong here people. We can’t run for the past 23 games. Now we can’t pass or run with the worst offense in the league. What the hell is wrong. Joe Bucs fan’s enlighten me.
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:35 am
In my opinion here is likely what happened no one was willing to coach with Todd and we just took whatever we could get in an offensive coordinator and it’s not working out. Also, Joe’s get your head out of the sand Mayfield’s throwing the ball he doesn’t have to throw it to White 45 times a game clearly he’s not seeing the field.
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:38 am
I feel sorry for Baker, He has no Offensive Linemen to protect him for at least 3 secs. No RB to relieve pressure from the passing game, WR’s who cannot get themselves open against young secondaries. QB needs help in those areas to succeed. Put Mahommes, Allen in our team, I’m sure it will be the same result. HEck we have the GOAT last year and it made him retire. COme on BUCS !
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:42 am
I recently watched the press conference Trask gave after the Bucs announced Mayfield as the starter. I definitely detected a pissed off man. He knows he beat Mayfield in training camp and in the preseason games and deserved to start. I would be shocked if he’s not looking for an exit from this dumpster fire of an organization (and fan base).
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:50 am
Joe I think its now clear Mayfield ain’t the guy and the exclamation point on that will be hammered down on Thursday night.
Mayfield was brought in here to stack wins for Bowles. That was the line on why they would screw over Trask for him.
“Why would you not start the guy you drafted and groomed for 2 seasons?”
OK that’s not happening. Now what?
Or is this just a screw Trask deal?
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:51 am
Carter 100% this whole thing is a burning trash fire.
October 23rd, 2023 at 10:55 am
You mean that same Brock Purdy playing with the one of the most dynamic running backs in the history of the NFL?
They were forced to play him due to injury.
October 23rd, 2023 at 11:05 am
D-Rome Says:
“You mean that same Brock Purdy playing with the one of the most dynamic running backs in the history of the NFL?”
You mean like Baker playing with the best receiving corp in the NFL and still not being able to score? Like that?
“They were forced to play him due to injury.”
You’re missing the point. Which is that the “consensus” on Purdy was 100% WRONG as nobody – NOBODY – knew what Purdy could do until he was put behind center.
October 23rd, 2023 at 11:24 am
This was my issue with Todd Bowles… He almost wanted it this way. “Running the ball” and “ball control” are Todd Bowles priorities not scoring points. Where as Bruce Arians wanted to score as many points as possible. The problem is Todd Bowles way of thinking is the 1980’2 and 1990’s it doesn’t work anymore no one does what he is preaching its outdated. It has nothing to do with run games etc just score points anyway possible
October 23rd, 2023 at 11:28 am
Carter,
San Francisco also has great receivers and a great TE. They also have a great defense and a great offensive line anchored by the best LT in the game. It’s a team game and right now the Bucs have issues on this team that, quite frankly, Tom Brady could not overcome last year (remember that 8-9 record?). Run blocking and the run game was an issue last year and it’s an issue this year. You put Brock Purdy on this team and he’d be far worse than Baker Mayfield. Statistically speaking, Baker is playing better than Joe Burrow and Dak Prescott right now. He’s playing about as well as Trevor Lawrence and Lamar Jackson. Don’t be that goober that thinks the QB is to blame for all of this. QB really isn’t the problem here.
Baker is more athletic than Kyle Trask. Baker gives the team the best chance to win. Trask absolutely should get his opportunity if/when the Bucs are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
October 23rd, 2023 at 11:33 am
It was interesting watching the dolphins game last night. They have one of the best running games in the league. First half they couldn’t run for crap. Couldn’t get anything open in the middle. Second half? They made a major adjustment and started running outside and had success. Now. McDaniels has been a run game coordinator before and knows how to get the run. Game going. Is flashy as the dolphins are with their passing game, they are nearly as effective with their running game. So it can be done. And nobody was talking about their running backs before the season started either. Quite a contrast to what we have here.
October 23rd, 2023 at 11:47 am
Carter, I do not understand why people are convinced that Trask cannot be any good, give the kid a shot! Bucs are scoring 17 a game WHAT do they have to lose???
October 23rd, 2023 at 11:58 am
DRome ……your saying Mayfield =>than Brock Purdy. You have to be kidding me. Mayfield is getting decent pass protection. He does nothing with it. And Mayfield has a better set of receivers. Stop making excuses for his bad play.
October 23rd, 2023 at 12:03 pm
It’s Corn Says:
oh so that’s the problem, his offense is “too complex”
What a load
^^^^^
Canales is a con. I wonder how he’s going to spin it over time. Right now, it takes time to learn the complex system. He loved “How the team took responsibility for the offensive problems” … you notice he didn’t. I wonder if/when he start passively-aggressively throwing people under the bus.
I’m worried that he ultimately takes our culture back a decade.
October 23rd, 2023 at 12:03 pm
I think what Arians accomplished as a HC with Brady was awesome but basically everything he’s said about anyone he’s mentored has been bs. Bowles is awful as a HC, Leftwich was awful as an OC….Im sure Bowles considered heavily Arians assessment of Mayfield in his decision making to bring him in. Trask wasn’t remotely prepared to ever be the prospect we drafted in round 2. Arians credibility is suspect, he’s just not honest about the realities of his coaching staff.
October 23rd, 2023 at 12:42 pm
Mike C Says: “Carter, I do not understand why people are convinced that Trask cannot be any good …”
I do. One of the Joes is an FSU alum and Tampa Bay is infested with FSU fans, as is this website. These are the same geniuses who were convinced Jameis Winston was the Second Coming. There you have it.
October 23rd, 2023 at 2:20 pm
I know these guys are professionals but some guys just can’t do certain things. Let’s take the running game for instance. We now use a zone blocking scheme. Part of the offense is to run right or left and the O-line zone blocks and the running back looks for a lane to run through, many times the cutback is available. There are two problems with this. Every time we run this basic play some of the O linemen have to do a reach block and cut off the defenseman from getting into the backfield. Everytime we run this thing there is a lot of penetration usually blowing up the play. The other problem is our running backs have no vision and can’t seem to find the seam and get thrown for a loss. Either way we don’t apparently have the players to do this. So stop already!
October 23rd, 2023 at 2:23 pm
Joe … ‘Current Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales has said he wants to cram his complex offense down the throat of his offense. He thinks they will learn it faster that way than if he just dumbs it down and gradually adds elements each week.’
I think you hit on probably the biggest problem we’ve got to solve first Joe. Have done a lot of teaching over the years, and throwing the whole enchilada at students from Day One is never the answer (too much to digest quickly leads to throwing up which leads to what we’re seeing on the field from the Bucs’ offense).
Looks to me like the Bucs’ running plays are slow developing and VERY predictable. Our RBs frankly are slow speed-wise, slow to react, and slow to anger. Our OLine is OK going backwards (in pass protection), but someone apparently needs to give them the OK to go forward also (in run blocking?).
For Mayfield’s part, with a decent running game he can be an OK QB. Without a good running attack, he can’t carry a team (and that’s not just this year). Obviously he’ll start against Buffalo Thurs night, but I’m convinced it’s time to see what Trask can do (and if he flops, more on to Wolford). If both of them flop, do what it takes to draft one of the top QBs in 2024.
Moving White to WR3 sounds doable to me (he’s certainly not getting it done as a RB). I’d like to see what Tucker could do with a full start for one. Also need to look at all the UFAs on the street. For instance, Falcons cut loose Caleb Huntley (5’10” & 229 lbs) this off-season (probably to make room for Robinson?). He was a rookie last year, and ended with 76 carries for 366 yds (4.8 YPC average, with a YBC/attempt of 2.9 yds & a YAC/attempt of 1.9 yds. Grab someone like that and give them a chance to show what they can do. How much more do we have to lose in our non-existent running game?
October 23rd, 2023 at 3:27 pm
Carter and Mike C. I agree with you 💯 percent why not give him a chance I think they’re scared he might be a good quarterback. In training camp Kyle Trask was better than Baker Mayfield and everyone knows it. Kyle Trask should have been the starter from the jump.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:07 pm
It isn’t the complexity of the offense, it’s the poor play calling for field position and game situation. We get 1st and goal at the 10 and we went with a spread formation and threw three straight plays that didn’t involve picks, play-action, isolation, nothing. At least one of those plays should have been designed to run clock, and at least one should have been from a bunch or heavy formation. Just poor altogether.
Plus… 3rd and long and Otton is always on the field instead of someone that can actually get space 10 yards down the field. The personnel selection based on down and distance is awful. People wanna blame Baker but this offense is set up to fail. No perimeter runs. Little misdirection or counters. Dives and belly plays and occasional pulls from spread. NEVER a QB keep from the spread even though it would be easy on the two 4th downs we couldn’t convert.
Yall worried about Canales becoming a hesd coach is laughable. He’ll be lucky to be an offensive coordinator at this point next season.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:09 pm
People need to STFU about Trask. No way in the world Trask does better than Mayfield with this awful play calling. Weaker arm, robotic, far less mobility, throwing on move not a strength. Trask would be getting us blown out every week.