Can The Bucs Prevent An Offensive Step Back?
May 5th, 2024
Offensive coordinator Liam Coen.
Look, there is a reason why former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales got the gig in Carolina.
Canales helped resuscitate/rescue Baker Mayfield’s career (to a lesser degree, Kyle Trask’s too), and a bunch of Bucs under Canales improved significantly (Rachaad White, Cade Otton, Mayfield) or had near-career years.
Since Canales left for Carolina, Tyler Sullivan of CBS wonders if the Bucs will take a step back offensively with Canales gone.
Does the offense dip without Dave Canales?
Tampa Bay is going on its third offensive coordinator in as many seasons after Dave Canales jumped for the Panthers’ head-coaching job earlier this offseason. Canales was credited for the Bucs strong play on offense last year and the resurgence of veteran Baker Mayfield. While new OC Liam Coen comes to Tampa with a background working under Sean McVay in Los Angeles, it’ll be interesting to see how this offense is impacted by Canales’ departure.
Well, without Bucco Bruce Arians to look over his shoulder, Byron Leftwich was downright horrible. The dude is still unemployed. That should tell you something right there.
Joe thought Canales was way too hung up on running between the tackles. He didn’t have Marshawn Lynch to run the ball. He didn’t have Ryan Jensen or Ali Marpet to block. But damn if Canales wasn’t going to go down fighting running between the tackles.
Whenever Canales did decide to open up the offense, the Bucs’ passing game could hang with just about anyone.
Joe hopes new Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen will be a bit more diverse. But the man in charge wants to run the ball. So there’s that.
Could the Bucs offense go backward a little? Sure. Early on that wouldn’t be a surprise. But around October, if Coen is as good as NFL insiders believe, the Bucs offense ought to be better than last season.
May 5th, 2024 at 11:12 am
It seems weird that Coen has had no press coverage since the one time when he was hired. I want to hear from him.
May 5th, 2024 at 11:23 am
Five of the seven draft picks were for the O. Sure looks like it will be better.
May 5th, 2024 at 11:24 am
Was it actually Mayfield or Canales? Similar to was it Mike Evens or Johnny Football? We’ll probably find out this year!
May 5th, 2024 at 11:27 am
Great coordinators tailor their systems to their players’ strengths. Canales did not do that and we saw the results in the rushing attack. As much as Barton and Bucky will hopefully give the run game a boost, I’m hoping Coen can add something as well. All together it has to be an improvement over last season.
May 5th, 2024 at 11:30 am
I’d like to see and hear more from Coen more as well. That suit with the flower looks like it came straight out of Cam Newton’s closet. I hope he calls plays better than he dresses.
May 5th, 2024 at 11:37 am
Last season the offense had a new scheme, 1st time playcaller, new OL alignment, a rookie RG, and a rookie WR3. Canales was known as a positive guy who kept the offense together during the midseason slump after the bye.
Coen will bring in a similar offense, experience in playcalling, and familiarity with Baker. The Bucs should have a better OL and RB room. We should be better this year, especially if Carberry/Picucci can get the OL going.
May 5th, 2024 at 11:48 am
Hey ! Canales was not a offensive genius running a juggernaut offense.
He was barely in control of his side of Sundays.
We won’t miss a beat with the new OC
May 5th, 2024 at 11:52 am
Canales was semi-OK. He was a rook OC. He could have been worse, and we have no idea how much Bowles influenced the playcalling.
I suspect Coen will light things up. Vastly more experienced from a dynamic O, even at a second-tier SEC school he showed some real spark.
If the IOL improves, I look forward to a much more productive offense.
May 5th, 2024 at 12:12 pm
Few HCs/Coordinators/Position Coaches are stylish dressers. They’re focused on their jobs instead of their clothes. Besides most grew up as atheletes and are more comfortable/used to waearing shorts, jeans and T-Shirts. Don’t let Coen’s fashion bother you.
I’ll be happy with Coen’s first year if he gets the Bucs running game in the top half of the league and can improve the passing game to a top 10 in scoring again.
May 5th, 2024 at 12:12 pm
It will take a few games to gel at the very least. Defense will have to carry the team during the first 3-5 games.
After that? We’ll see.
May 5th, 2024 at 12:16 pm
I’m of the opinion that Clown will be an improvement too. In my opinion, Canales was only slightly better than Leftwich. Mind you, I thought he showed real promise. He is a really positive guy, but so was Raheem Morris. Both have moments of brilliance. Sometimes too much positivity is less than helpful.
May 5th, 2024 at 12:17 pm
Coen! Not Clown. Effin autocorrect bit me.
May 5th, 2024 at 12:20 pm
What we thought would be a true West Coast Offense from Dave Canales looked like anything but. Hardly any motion at the snap, misdirection and outside zone schemes like he said we would do. Not sure of a lack of personnel contributed to that or what.
I’ve watched several Kentucky games since the hire of Coen and you can see he does use all 3 of those things quite frequently.
They started out the season winning the first 5 games until getting a bully beating by Georgia. Down the stretch they looked like an inferior team, of course they were in the SEC.
It’s really hard to know what kinda coach he is unless there was a huge UPSET that he masterminded. They lost to every ranked team last year.
We have different horses at Tampa, so hopefully he becomes one of those bully beaters now.
May 5th, 2024 at 12:20 pm
I don’t see a regression. Coen has more experience calling plays and implementing an offensive system than Canales. I expect improvement. We have a few more weapons this year. Should be very good.
May 5th, 2024 at 12:33 pm
It definitely sucked losing Canales like that. I wish him luck versus everyone but us. He is definitely a quarterback whisperer. But Mayfield is the one who chose Coen for the OC so he must feel pretty good about him too. Kentucky has definitely been a lot better in recent years. Not on Alabamas level but better than most. There may be a little drop off at first but hopefully after the first few games we should really be humming
May 5th, 2024 at 12:37 pm
Gotta be available to talk in order to quote him. The Bucs only made him available to talk once since his first presser.
Monday Bucs are scheduled to allow offensive coaches to talk.
May 5th, 2024 at 12:43 pm
32nd Ranked Rush
32 teams. How do you step back from last?
May 5th, 2024 at 12:45 pm
Canales had never coordinated an offense. The system was COMPLETELY different from what was previously employed.
This year, Cohen has coordinated an offense, and the work Canales did last year won’t be completely for naught, as the two philosophies and systems are somewhat similar.
Oh, and the Bucs have a LOT more talent on offense and defense.
You’d have to be insane to think they’ll be worse.
May 5th, 2024 at 12:49 pm
I’m sure Canales will be missed in some way, seemed like a guy the players responded to. Should be a playcalling upgrade with Coen and we have improved the OL. I expect us to be around 24 ppg this season.
It’s a real shame Canales left after 1 season though. I’m sure I will be happy with the Coen change this year but getting a 3rd round comp pick would have been so sweet.
May 5th, 2024 at 12:51 pm
Anyone concerned about Lefty shouldn’t. Retiring at 43 about making 40 million after taxes doing what you love and achieving the ultimate goal is the American dream. He may take a Qb coach job at some point is he gets tired of golfing daily.
May 5th, 2024 at 12:51 pm
“Can do” Canales…aka El Hornāy ( especially on Cinco de Mayo ) was the benefactor of a few season saving plays and parlayed that into a 6 year deal from the new Daniel Snyder as the Panther owner. Stick to hedge funds, fella…or better yet don’t as a division rival.
New offensive pieces will lead to more sustained success me thinks.
May 5th, 2024 at 12:57 pm
Would expect Coen’s to unleash the offense in ways we hoped Canales could do, bring in the McVay/Shanahan style…
He’s an experienced play caller & scheme’s well to opponents weaknesses.
If the OL meshes, the skill players will THRIVE… Chunk & Explosive plays a plenty…Run game success will allow play-action to take the top off. I look for the Bucs to be as explosive as they were under BA.
I also don’t blame Lefty for 2022…That’s on Bowles. He was behind dumping the Risk it-No Biscuit for TB12’s preferred NE Dink&Dunk…(& IMO, that’s where a ton of animosity between Bowles & Lefty came from…Especially after Todd scapegoated Lefty& O staff after 2022 was an offensive flop!)
May 5th, 2024 at 12:57 pm
Joe, the only reason Canales got the job with Carolina was because their new GM, and him were buddies. Granted he did well with Gino, and Baker, but it’s who you know in Dave’s case. With Barton manning the middle of our O line, and the additions of McMillen, and the 1000yard rusher from Oregon we’ll be even better. Plus Baker, and Coen worked together already, and there’s no QB competition distraction either. No reason not to be a better unit.
May 5th, 2024 at 12:58 pm
It seems like the National perspective that the Bucs offense was in better hands with Canalas isn’t the local opinion. Most people around here are pretty confident that Liam is going to be even better. Time will tell.
May 5th, 2024 at 1:07 pm
Last year was Mayfield’s floor with Tampa. He didn’t need Canales or anyone else at Cleveland to get them to an 11-5 record in 2020. Sick of Baker getting beaten up by no nothing “fans” because he tried to play the entire 2021 season with a torn shoulder labrum. His reward was a sellout by the Browns for a guy who has played(not very well) 12 games in the last 2 years. Baker will have an outstanding season if the new line comes together quickly. Outstanding means close to 40TD passes and about 12INT. Baker gets Tampa to SB before Watson and Browns.
May 5th, 2024 at 1:07 pm
As is frequently the case I agree with Cobra.
“Canales was semi-OK. He was a rook OC. He could have been worse, and we have no idea how much Bowles influenced the playcalling.’
I might add the disrespect continues!!! Canalas had NEVER performed in his position before. Mayfield had at least THREE years as good as last year and that’s with crappy Cleveland!!! THREE years that matched last year. So who made who? I would respectfully suggest that Canales owes his job to Mayfield not the other way around.
If you look at Mayfield before his injury, considering one less game per season Mayfield has actually been consistent in terms of completion %, TD’s and Yardage. He did make significant progress beginning with the Rams at reducing his ints from 2.9% down to 1.6% and he held it below 2% with the Bucs last year at 1.8%.
So AGAIN…Mayfield was as good as last year in three prior seasons!!! Do we really think Canales was a good game planner and play caller? R U kidding me?
Bottom line….MAYFIELD MADE CANALES NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!!!
May 5th, 2024 at 1:47 pm
We’re winning at least 10 games, im feeling 11….hope you guys are laying some cash down on the over like me last night. 7.5? pshhhhhh
May 5th, 2024 at 1:49 pm
Last year Mayfield, had competion at the quarterback spot. This years he walks in as the starter, we have seen that act before.
May 5th, 2024 at 2:06 pm
Very reasonable to expect some hiccups early on, just like last season. That’s the reality of things. But with his experience, I think Coen will have them firing on all cylinders faster, and more importantly, more consistently, compared to what we saw last year.
They’ve also added a lot of new offensive players this year.
May 5th, 2024 at 2:07 pm
The rams offense did not fair too well under Coen hopefully that was because of injuries. I sure we will find out
May 5th, 2024 at 2:08 pm
Last in rushing. 18th in scoring at 21.2 pts/game. We’re in trouble if we do worse than that.
May 5th, 2024 at 2:23 pm
I know I am a broken record on this, but Goodwin and Gilbert were strong OL coaches when it came to teaching pass protection but weak when it came to coordinating a run game.
Everyone cr*ps on them for the run game, but we were elite in their tenure here in our pass protection. Pro Football Reference has been keeping a stat since 2018 of how much a teams quarterback was pressured.
That “Pressured” category was composed of “hurries”, “hits”, and “sacks”.
In 2020, the Bucs were 5th best at 17.6%. Only 3.2 percent worse than the best team. The worst team gave up those pressures at over 30%.
In 2021, the Bucs were 1st, at 11.1% – over 5% better than the 2nd best team.
In 2022, the Bucs were 1st again, at 13.1 percent. Over 3 percent better than the 2nd best team.
In 2023, the Bucs 7th best at 17.6 percent. But less than 3 percent worse than the very worst team.
If the Bucs start to give up more pressures this year, it is likely because of the coaching change. I will be curious in 3 years how Carolina is doing in limiting pressures against their QB.
May 5th, 2024 at 2:26 pm
FWIW, Canales was “the tallest midget” hire. Who else wanted the job? What he lacked in real OC and play-calling cred, he made up with enthusiasm…which only goes so far.
Bowles was on the mega hot seat when Canales was hired, and I doubt the cream of the OC crop wanted anything to do with the Bucs with questionable job security.
I suspect, fan-hope really, that Coen can take the O where the level of decent talent should be.
IF he can generate a legit running game, the O should be very productive. I have faith in Mayfield (if healthy.)
If the O fails and the Bucs are near the bottom of the division and Conference standings, I would not be surprised if the entire staff gets blown out.
Bowles and Co. are on the room-temperature seat.
May 5th, 2024 at 2:32 pm
Recall that there was no real Buc QB when Canales was hired. Why would any experienced OC want to take a job with the HC on the hot seat, and no proven QB?
May 5th, 2024 at 2:35 pm
His friend is the new Carolina gm #!!
May 5th, 2024 at 2:40 pm
Their goal is a 50/50 season. 8-9-or 10 wins.
May 5th, 2024 at 2:48 pm
*Correction*
In 2023, the Bucs 7th best at 17.6 percent. But less than 3 percent worse than the very “worst” team
worst team should be changed to best team.
So last 4 years
2020 5th best.
2021 best
2022 best
2023 7th best
No other team finished all 4 years in the top 10.
Our 15% pressure rate over that 4 year was over 4% better than the 2nd best team.
May 5th, 2024 at 2:51 pm
No because Baker has to learn his 20th offensive system in 6 years and he’s still probably injured from that NO game last year but just isn’t telling anyone. We’ll go 4-7 again to start then he’ll start guessing what defenses are doing and then bring us to maybe an 8-9 or 7-10 season because that’s his M.O. , follows up a statistically good season with a flopper.
May 5th, 2024 at 3:09 pm
There is a reason why Mayfield was the 1st player chosen in the draft and spoiler alert. It’s not because he sucks. We have an elite QB here in Tampa. We will definitely be back in the playoffs this year and win our division
May 5th, 2024 at 3:28 pm
Does the offense dip without Dave Canales?
———–
Lets see, 20th in scoring with a middling pass game, in a year where only 9 QBs started all 17 games.
Yeah, unless it’s another year with an insane number of injuries at QB, the Bucs offense will have to be better – and in particular Baker is going to have to step up over his middling 18th finish in QBR.
Again, Baker was LAST in the NFL in passing, and scoring, among QBs that started all 17 games – and he stays last in both categories even if you expand that out to account for QBs who sat out the last game because they had the playoffs locked up.
Baker, to earn his salary, will need to be better – and more importantly more consistent, or he’ll be cut after the season as the Bucs clean house. Hopefully, even if that does happen, they keep Licht around, he’s done a great job – and no reason to run him off just because Bowles is a moron who took over an aggressive team that lead the NFL in passing, only a year after winning a SB, and decided to destroy that to run it up the middle over and over again.
May 5th, 2024 at 4:07 pm
We now know what we’re going to call him if things head south
“Fred McNeil Says:
May 5th, 2024 at 12:17 pm
Coen! Not Clown. Effin autocorrect bit me”
May 5th, 2024 at 4:30 pm
Go munch another rod muncher. Mayfield was an elite qb who almost willed his team into the NFC Championship game. If you still can’t appreciate him go route for another team
May 5th, 2024 at 4:35 pm
The team has improved (on paper) but our schedule is tougher. We could go 9-8 or 10-7. To early for me to predict other than based on being a staunch fan. We’ll see better in August.
Go Bucs!!!
May 5th, 2024 at 4:47 pm
catcard202 … ‘I also don’t blame Lefty for 2022…That’s on Bowles. He was behind dumping the Risk it-No Biscuit for TB12’s preferred NE Dink&Dunk…(& IMO, that’s where a ton of animosity between Bowles & Lefty came from…Especially after Todd scapegoated Lefty& O staff after 2022 was an offensive flop!)’.
Guess I missed something over these past couple of years Catcard. I kinda thought that the 2022 problems stemmed from our OLine mediocrity, from the turbulence in Tom Brady’s life, and from Byron being in well over his head without BA to ‘red pen’ his game plans. If anyone was ‘scapegoated’ it was Todd Bowles because he spent that whole year compensating for the poor offensive production that Lefty & Brady were providing.
I’m convinced that Bowles stayed hands-off of the Bucs’ offense in 2022. Proof? In his 4 years with the Jets, they ran on 41.7% of their plays in 2015, 41.7% in 2016, 43.4% in 2017 and 42.2% in 2018. Very consistent for the most part, and I think Todd’s belief is that 40-45% dedicated to the rushing attack is acceptable in today’s NFL.
But in 2022 the Bucs only ran on 33.3% of our plays, roughly 10% LESS than the Jets ran it in the 2015-2018 years with Bowles as their HC. Last year, with Canales as our OC, Bucs ran it on 41.9% of our plays, in line with what his 2015-2018 Jets’ offense did and roughly 10% HIGHER than what his 2022 Bucs’ team did under Leftwich. You seem to know a lot about football Catcard, and my gut tells me that you would’ve fired Lefty a lot sooner than Bowles did. Seems to me that Bowles didn’t really exert any ‘control’ on the offense until after the 2022 season played out.
May 5th, 2024 at 5:13 pm
Our offense should be better……another year with Mayfield throwing to Evans, Godwin & Otton…..another year’s development for Palmer, White…
Drafted an interior line upgrade…..and have a WR3 & added to the RBs….
Definitely better…….certainly should be.
May 5th, 2024 at 6:19 pm
I was never a big fan of Canales personally, but I’m STILL pee’ed-off over getting SCREWED out of that 3rd Round Comp Pick… There is NOT ONE world in which that (rule) makes ANY amount of sense in. I’d sure like to see the person responsible try explaining it!!!! So, WHAT… Are you supposed to hire a ‘minority’ coach and then hope that he SUCKS for the first-year!?:/ Ridiculousness.
May 5th, 2024 at 6:27 pm
I felt all along, that the Bucs FO should’ve raised all kinds of Total HAIL to the League about that… I mean, why wouldn’t you!? Seems to me that the Bucs are always, willing/trying to play the “good guys” towards the League, NEVER straying an INCH. That’s fine… Then, they should owe us another (recent) Super Bowl SOON. We stepped-up when L.A. was having problems & then ended up getting screwed due to COVID. That one, should NOT count. They have to give us at least one more shot of hosting within the next 5-6 years, at a minimum. It’s Only Right, & Fair. We’ve gotta get one more in before they start talking seriously, about a brand new stadium… Cause, you KNOW that’s going to take friggin’ FOREVERRRRR.
May 5th, 2024 at 6:44 pm
It could possibly, work out quite well, given on current timeline… Should have our new franchise QB still on his ‘rookie’ deal by then, with a couple of years of experience under his belt, & everything. Bucs ‘Back-To-Back’ at RayJay!!!!
May 5th, 2024 at 7:14 pm
A woman’s perspective. The suit with the flower was very sharp. Coen looked amazing!!!!
May 5th, 2024 at 7:25 pm
Munch and the Trolls are at it again running down Baker because that is what “band camp boys” do. When Baker leads the 2024 team to an 11-6 record with 40TD and 4,200 Yrds passing and QBR of 100, Munch and the band boys will say, ‘yeah, but he had 15 passes batted down at the line of scrimmage.” All QB’s have passes knocked down including the 6’6″ variety. Going to be a fun season. Munch and the Traskers better get with it because Baker is going to be around Tampa for a long time.
May 5th, 2024 at 8:46 pm
Ed Says
“Last year Mayfield, had competition at the quarterback spot. This years he walks in as the starter, we have seen that act before.”
This is not true. There was never a true competition. Mayfield was the starter the moment he signed.
May 5th, 2024 at 8:52 pm
Buccos Says
“There is a reason why Mayfield was the 1st player chosen in the draft and spoiler alert. It’s not because he sucks. We have an elite QB here in Tampa.”
Well, I don’t see that at all. He lost 6 of 7 games during a streak last year. Elite QBs do not do that.
At best, he’s earned a chance to prove he is serviceable, which is exactly what Bowles wants.
That said…the Bucs are giving him an improved offensive line. Barring injury, he should have no excuses for not proving you right.
It will take time for the new OL to gel though…so I’ll give him a first few games as a buffer.
May 5th, 2024 at 8:53 pm
Gipper, you are dreaming…and I’m saying that as a guy who wants him to do well.
May 5th, 2024 at 8:58 pm
Defense Rules Says
“Guess I missed something over these past couple of years Catcard. I kinda thought that the 2022 problems stemmed from our OLine mediocrity, from the turbulence in Tom Brady’s life, and from Byron being in well over his head without BA to ‘red pen’ his game plans. If anyone was ‘scapegoated’ it was Todd Bowles because he spent that whole year compensating for the poor offensive production that Lefty & Brady were providing.”
I think it’s somewhere in the middle actually. The offensive line was riddled with injuries.
Most of everything else you said is right, I think, except that Todd Bowles was not made a scapegoat…he didn’t lose his job.
If the offensive line had been healthy, and Marpet had not retired, I would imagine Brady would have had a winning season…even with his home issues. Of course, he would have had to ignore Lefty’s playcalling.
May 6th, 2024 at 12:18 am
All you gotta do is look at Belicheat pre and post Brady to know whether great coaches make great players or great players make great coaches. There is no other benchmark needed. I think a great coach can lead a horse to water, but he can’t make him drink.
Coaches can only take a player so far, but it’s the player who goes the rest of the way.
May 6th, 2024 at 6:41 am
Mayfield did remarkably well considering having the worst run game in the league. How does that not factor in when assessing his performance last year?
May 6th, 2024 at 11:20 am
The usual dumb statement about one player. How exactly did Baker lose 6 of 7 games by himself? Get this idiot. One player by himself no other players involved on the entire team in a team game lost 6 out of 7 games. Remarkable.
May 9th, 2024 at 11:06 am
I did not see Canales throwing any passes or doing any first down scrambles last year.
I see alot of stuff coming in from the Joes via CBS these days. Hmm are they the better of all the evils Joe? Never heard of most of these guys. Makes me wonder what online journalism school these so called journalists graduated from and have they done any studies on the now defunct “fourth estate”
May it rest in peace.
Go Bucs!