“I’m Locked In”
September 5th, 2024
Focused.
You may have heard this before. Just remembering it makes Joe want to barf.
The Bucs did not score one friggin’ touchdown all season on their first drive. Joe really doesn’t know how that happens. Aren’t plays for the first drive (sometimes, more) scripted? If so, what tape exactly was former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales studying?
If you think about it, it’s a miracle the Bucs made the playoffs because they shot themselves in the foot so often early in games.
Of course, when you are the worst rushing team in the league and you constantly slam the ball up the middle for nothing, that’s sort of the football equivalent to p!ssing in the wind.
Well, scoring early has been a focus of the Bucs this offseason and running back Rachaad White said yesterday these strikeouts on the first drive have to stop.
“I’m locked in more than ever,” White said of improving the offense and putting more points on the board. “We want to go out on offense to start out fast this year and to get going.”
Joe has to think the Bucs should score on their opening drive this season. The offense with Liam Coen should be more diverse. That alone ought to help. You had to figure teams new Canales was going to run White up the middle and they were ready for it.
Yes, Joe thinks Canales did several things well. Too many players had either career years or near-career years with Canales for Joe to think that was a coincidence. But man, when you have weapons like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Rachaad White, it was just inexcusable to go a full 19 games (which includes two playoff games) without scoring on your first possession.
Todd Bowles on opening the NFL season. pic.twitter.com/TM01LYTUFc
— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) September 4, 2024
September 5th, 2024 at 4:04 am
I have a sneaking suspicion that this season may reveal that we have a better offensive than we realized and that we did well last year in spite of Canales, not because of him.
September 5th, 2024 at 4:38 am
Wow
I was starting to worry!
Thought Joe might have been sick or something. I had not read a Run Game bash post yet today.
Now I can rest easy. All is right in the world…
LOL
Go Bucs!
September 5th, 2024 at 4:49 am
Joe,
We have been guilty of slow starts for the last two years. Fact is the 2022 offense
was worse than the 2023 offense in the first half. They only averaged 8.2 pts. a half compared to 9.9 pts. for 2023. Two things in common Suspect O line and
predictable running game by both offensive coordinators.
September 5th, 2024 at 5:23 am
Canalwater under Todd barely scored 20ppg. In the modern NFL, you’re not winning more than 8 or 9 games if that’s the best you can do. Exhibit A, the Bucs of 2022 and 2023.
Todd is no Monte Kiffin.
September 5th, 2024 at 6:00 am
The video of Todd Bowles made my day! I have never seen him that excited. Love it! Go Bucs!
September 5th, 2024 at 6:03 am
White will be one of the leagues best 3rd down backs by mid season if not sooner. Mark it.
September 5th, 2024 at 6:26 am
That is what happen when you have first year OC and trying to force the ball to certain player’s to try to get records.
September 5th, 2024 at 6:41 am
Lets also NOT give up yards and points to the other team’s offense on the final drive.
September 5th, 2024 at 6:49 am
“Too many players had either career years or near-career years with Canales for”
He’s in Carolina now, Joe. You don’t have to kiss Clownales’ ass any more.
September 5th, 2024 at 7:13 am
We will have to see if Canales philosophy is different from Bowles now that he is a head coach. Bowles has told everyone who is willing to listen that he doesn’t want the ball thrown all over the field. Does this lead to less points? You would think so. Does in contribute to not scoring a TD in the first quarter?
September 5th, 2024 at 8:43 am
Canales may have been the “QB Whisperer” for Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield so their receivers got yards but Canales could scream at the run game and it was dead last. Maybe it’s just me but Canales is just lacking as a run coach. If panthers do better in passing but lag in their run game then I would argue that’s the Achilles heel for Canales.
September 5th, 2024 at 9:06 am
Koala Says:
“Too many players had either career years or near-career years with Canales for”
He’s in Carolina now, Joe. You don’t have to kiss Clownales’ ass anymore.
^^^^^
Agreed. It’s super weird.
September 5th, 2024 at 9:13 am
It’s going to be interesting to see how the Canales vs Baker paths play out.
Last season was a weird down year for NFL offenses in general. From a career standpoint, Canales timing couldn’t have been any better for a quick ascension to HC. We weren’t that great of an offense lol, but that was the state of most the NFL.
September 5th, 2024 at 9:24 am
We’ve been guilty of slow starts since we lost Ryan Jensen. I believe that particular issue has finally been remedied
September 5th, 2024 at 11:23 am
word
September 5th, 2024 at 1:46 pm
I like our weapons for the passing game. ME13 n Palmer can take the tops off defenses CG14 the rook and Otton can work underneath and get he middle. White out of the back field is lethal. Baker should put up career numbers this year he’s got a 2 offseasons and a full season under his belt with mostly the same players he’s got a OC who seems legit only time will tell and same with the o line and the new boys upfront. They seem like upgrades but time will tell. Let em bake boys