Dave Canales Would “Love” To Be In Tampa Long-Term
January 13th, 2024
Likes working for Bucs.
Yesterday, it struck Joe hearing Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales discuss how a potential touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield to Mike Evans was missed last week at Carolina.
And Joe thought, “Man, all three of those guys could be gone next season.”
Mayfield is currently on a one-year contract. While there has been all sorts of chatter about the Bucs wanting Mayfield to stay and Mayfield saying he wants to stay, until pen is put to paper, that’s all empty feel-good talk.
Then there is Evans. The greatest receiver in Bucs history, who just led the NFL with 13 touchdowns, is a free agent. Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has gone on record saying he looks forward to several more years with Evans on the roster.
Then again, see above.
And then there is Canales. Already the Stinking Panthers want to interview him for their head-coaching vacancy. Who knows how many other teams are interested?
So yeah, all three guys could be gone in the coming months if the Bucs don’t use the franchise tag.
Canales, smoothly, said he’d be fine calling Tampa his home for a few years.
Asked yesterday if he’d like to get a second season with Mayfield given the progress the two have made since the spring, Canales wasted no time lauding working for the Bucs.
“I’d love to be in Tampa for a long time,” Canales said.
Canales made it clear whatever notoriety or job offers come his way as a result of his work — rescuing Mayfield’s career and/or reinvigorating Evans’ career or developing Rachaad White into the most dangerous receiving back the Bucs have had since Warrick Dunn — Canales said all the credit should go to Mayfield, Evans and other players.
“I just love that kind of guy,” Canales said of Mayfield’s moxie, drive and ability to bond with his teammates. “I love being around him.
“As we all know, in our profession, no team is ever the same from one year to the next. [Leaving for a new job] hasn’t happened for me in 14 years – there [are] changes that happen, there are hard decisions that have to happen all over the board. …
“I’m really just trying to cherish these moments. To be able to go to the playoffs 11 out of 14 years, I’m so fortunate, so lucky to be able to have that reality. I’m really just trying to enjoy this week with the guys.”
So long as the Bucs are competitive and Todd Bowles remains in charge, Canales can afford to be patient and choosy when it comes to a head coaching gig. Who wants to work for an owner (David Tepper) who is heavy-handed if not meddlesome with a hair-trigger temper, a guy who has all the patience of a housefly?
It’s not like the Stinking Panthers have a proven quarterback or a deep roster.
If somehow the Bucs win a playoff game (or two?) and show life on offense like they did against the Packers or Jags, perhaps Canales’ tenure with the Bucs will be shorter than he thinks.
"We won together, we lost together, but we stayed together. This story is still unfolding."
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— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 12, 2024
January 13th, 2024 at 12:15 am
How about a Carroll Canales reconnection in TB!
January 13th, 2024 at 12:15 am
Bring in Pete Carroll for 1 or 2 years (he’s 71 and that might just be perfect for him). Get the salary cap under control. Refresh the roster. Get some more experience for Canales. Settle the QB situation. Build a new coaching staff. I think that could all be done without any decline in team performance. I don’t know how this season finishes but the above scenario would likely bode well. Easier said than done though.
January 13th, 2024 at 12:17 am
Beat the sputtering Eagles first then we’ll see
January 13th, 2024 at 12:25 am
If Bakefield is hirt too much he better put Trask in there.
January 13th, 2024 at 12:27 am
With Caroll as HC, Canales could build his offense for the future and Pete could oversee a new DC taking pressure off Dave. We should be able to remain an 8-9 or 9-8 team (hopefully better) during the transition. That’s the best long term scenario I could imagine for the Bucs.
January 13th, 2024 at 12:39 am
Todd & Citrus County: interesting idea but I suspect Coach Carroll will draw interest from other clubs which might be a more attractive fit for him like the Chargers and the Raiders. You can bet that the ATL and Washington will also want to talk to him if they have not already….. Plus Carroll is a West Coast guy, earning his cred by winning a couple of National Titles at USC and the Lombardi in Seattle, he might just want to stay out West…….
January 13th, 2024 at 1:09 am
FortMyersDave Says: he might just want to stay out West…….
And he just might not want to stay out west. I sure wouldn’t.
A good portion of Carroll’s career has been outside of CA. Dave Canales may give great reviews of the Glazers and Florida. Brad Idzik was in Seattle with him and worked for the Glazers. It could come together. If Belichick goes to Atlanta, a head to head challenge might be very luring for Carroll especially since they both coached the Pats. With Chucky in New Orleans, Belichick in Atlanta, Carroll in Tampa, the NFC south would have all eyes on it.
January 13th, 2024 at 1:26 am
And if Carroll came to Tampa, his offense is already established.
January 13th, 2024 at 1:55 am
Think the Bucs should re structure the team in the offseason, whether through the draft or free agency, to be better at running the ball next season. We have the worst rushing offense and Bowles still tries to be run heavy.
January 13th, 2024 at 4:08 am
The Two things I question with Pete Carroll are: 1. He has historically had good running teams and we don’t have a currently have the players on the team to support that. 2. Canales career under Carroll seemed to include as many steps
backward as forward, IMO.
Canales had to leave, to get his chance to advance his career.
January 13th, 2024 at 4:36 am
One of Canales biggest strengths is the optimism he brings to the team. Paired
with a like-minded HC just might take the team to the next level.
We need an offensive that is innovative that is more willing to take chances on offense and not rely on his defense so much.
January 13th, 2024 at 4:43 am
Tapper is a carbon copy of Daniel Snyder a flash billionaire that does not understand how to be an owner of a NFL team… Tapper will step in the poo sooner than later I’m sure of that! Carolina will not be relevant for years to come.
January 13th, 2024 at 4:46 am
Pete carroll is heading to the glue factory with Belichick, Saban, and the rest of the coaches my age, and older. No way those old men can keep up with that job, at their age, take it from someone who’s there. There comes a time, Neil Young.
January 13th, 2024 at 5:21 am
Ok, but ask him again after some owner backs up the Brinks truck with a HC job offer.
Go Bucs!
January 13th, 2024 at 5:47 am
Still have a sorry run game, Bakers always whinning about being hurt so Evans is the only one I want back could care less about the other two.9
January 13th, 2024 at 6:15 am
Employees will always say they love where they are and want to come back. Exhibit 1: Nick Saban saying he is staying with the Miami Dolphins and the next day leaving for the University of Alabama.
January 13th, 2024 at 6:16 am
Pete Carroll would dump Mayfield and light it up with Trask.
January 13th, 2024 at 6:19 am
“Canales said of Mayfield’s moxie”
Oh, please, stop it with the “moxie”. That’s the old “hustle”, as in, “He sucks but I like his hustle.”
January 13th, 2024 at 6:23 am
@flogrown – Agree. Carroll passed on Mayfield as a Seahawk QB.
@Brent Clark – Agree, Tepper is a nightmare owner. Can’t imagine anyone wanting to coach and play on his team.
January 13th, 2024 at 6:29 am
Dave Canales … ‘”We won together, we lost together, but we stayed together. This story is still unfolding.”
Now THAT is a classy bottom line Joe.
As an aside to an excellent piece about Dave Canales, some of you folks who want Todd Bowles gone for some old-timers like Carroll & Belicheck make me question if you’ve really thought it all the way through or are just anti-Bowles for the sake of being, oh ya, anti-Bowles.
BOTH are in their 70’s & are coming off long-term gigs with their respective teams. What would be their motivation for jumping to the Bucs? Money? Tax-free state? Warmer climate? Ya right. And for how long would they stay our HC? BA lasted 3 years. Would they give us 2 years? 3 years? Would they bring in a whole new staff … to them as well as to us?
Todd Bowles may not be as demonstrative (?) as some of you apparently want a HC to be, but some of us care more about PERFORMANCE season-to-season than we do how they perform (?) on TV. As a commander I always preferred guys who were self-motivated, exhibited great judgment, and didn’t need me to hold their hand. They were the ones who did the best in combat. The leaders at the top are only as good as the people they have working for them IMO.
Todd’s put together a pretty good coaching TEAM here, and I think that’s a key factor in us improving somewhat this year (especially given the horrific salary CAP constraints he had to deal with). And his performance as our DC is VERY GOOD for those who haven’t noticed because the bottom line in the NFL for a defense is POINTS ALLOWED. After his first year here (when he had to implement a whole new defense with a bunch of newbies AND deal with Jameis’ miscues virtually every game) he’s done exceptionally well. Our defense is clearly our strength right now. This current year it’s ranked #7 in POINTS ALLOWED. New England (4-13) ranked #15 defensively (and #31 offensively). Seattle (9-8 like us) ranked #25 defensively (and #17 offensively).
Thanks, but I’ll take our defense, and Todd Bowles at this point (even though I still wish he’d get down to wearing just 1 hat). The grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence.
January 13th, 2024 at 7:08 am
flogrown Says:
January 13th, 2024 at 6:16 am
Pete Carroll would dump Mayfield and light it up with Trask.
—-
and then you would wake up.
January 13th, 2024 at 7:11 am
Agreed – Defense Rules. We have found that out many times, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
We made it to the playoffs. And many didn’t think it would happen at the beginning of the season without Brady.
January 13th, 2024 at 7:35 am
Canalas isn’t going anywhere, First year OC, with the 30 rank running game, 20 points a game. No opening drive touchdown. He still needs to cook
Mayfield is hot and cold I’ll take the Baker that played in the Packers, Jaguar and the first Saints game. Baker is a number 15 QB.
Evans is a Hall of Famer if he is out there in fA there are going to be quite a few teams interested. Baltimore Chief and Texans.
January 13th, 2024 at 8:13 am
Lots of great comments here. My 2cents:
Canales has shown play-calling growth this year, he’s a quality individual who is respected by his players, and he should be retained for one more year.
Bowles has done well as a DC with the poor DL talent we have, but needs to stop running the soft zone in the middle of the field. Bowles as a head coach showed growth allowing Canales to throw a little more, but Bowles should never be a HC again. I would like to retain him as DC.
Licht needs to draft better along the DL so we can get a better 4-man pass rush. It’s easy to judge the DL players but maybe we need better DL and OLB coaches. We also need to get more talent at RB. I’m still not a White fan. Maybe a cheap free agent. He should bring in Dante Scarnecchia to review our OL to decide if we need to coach them better or do we need better talent. Do we get talent via draft or free agency? The entire OL needs to hit the weight room hard.
The Glazers and Licht need to tell Canales that no matter the HC, he needs to score 30pts a game with no turnovers. If running isn’t working in a game, forget it. The HC needs to honor that, and hands off Canales. They need to make a HC decision to keep Bowles or bring someone in. I like Bowles as DC but not HC. I don’t mind Belichick as HC, but not GM.
January 13th, 2024 at 8:40 am
They’re 9-8 in this transition, Canales has only been an OC for a year, Bowles is still learning and making the playoffs. The way Jason hits the draft, they’ll get the players they need to get better, and they’re a young team still. I do don’t think starting over is a good idea right now. Unless they got Harbaugh or another proven winner.
January 13th, 2024 at 8:55 am
Primarily in response to D.R.’s excellent post and Hodad’s point about age.
I’m perhaps the oldest here, I open with a 76th birthday anybody here can feel free to top it.
“No way those old men can keep up with that job, at their age, take it from someone who’s there. There comes a time,”
I absolutely take your point but I would like to counter. If you view life in %’s or chances…again my old man the bookie pounded that into me..A guy here who is 40 has better “odds” than me of making it to next week. But they are far from insurmountable odds. Yes a higher % of 76 year olds will have health problems that lead to death…but it’s FAR from absolute.
AGE getting debated at last because of our Presidential race and now two HOF coaches who are 71 and looking for jobs. Age is literal…chronologically you are as old as your birth certificate says you are. But age is also biological. Start with the genes a person inherits through no fault of their own. Then mix in personal responsibility, people who take care of their bodies have greater odds of living longer. Do we think a guy who is morbidly obsese, feasts on Big Macs, and does not believe in exercise is the same biological age as a guy who watches his diet, exercises regularly? Then there is psychogical age. IF I had the talent and experience to be the next HC or President I’m not qualified because I no longer have ANY desire to be either. If I happened to be tremendously motivated I believe I could do it. MOTIVATION is critical. Psychology is also important.
I’ll conclude with two observations. First…BBelichik has literally been a LOSING coach without Brady…both before and after Brady…with 2 different franchises, without Brady BB has the exact same win % as Todd Bowles! Interesting coincidence eh? BB looks like an out of shape slob who moves ponderously and reveals very little energy. Carroll on the other hand is like a 71 year old Canalas…he does not lack physically. BTW have you guys noticed the shape Canalas remains.
Bottom line age is just a freaking #. Does that # have “implications” yes but they are not absolutes and every individual is different.
So I’ve been blessed to still be able to exercise…I do not take this for granted…I’m not “proud” of it…Gratitude is my attitude!
So the 2nd piece of advice…I do this not because I wish to live longer. I could die five minutes from now as ALL of us could. I exercise and diet NOT to live longer but IN CASE I live longer.
January 13th, 2024 at 9:18 am
I like Canales, and I don’t agree that he’s been the problem on offense. You can have the perfect playcalls, and all the greatest WRs and TEs, but somebody has to make the throws.
Bowle’s defense has not always been pretty, but it is the key to our 9-8 record this year. We are almost always “in the game” despite repeated sluggish performances from the offense. Winfield has won 2 games by himself. My gripes with Bowles are almost all related to his HC hat (and there are many gripes here).
I almost wish BA had handed the baton to Lefty. They we could have fired him and retained Bowles as DC. But imagine how bad this team would have looked with Lefty at HC. lol
January 13th, 2024 at 9:20 am
Trask bois give it a rest it’s not happening
January 13th, 2024 at 9:46 am
Not impressed really. Play calling is suspect. But that might be Bowles with the between the tackle over and over. Then you have Baker and his total inability in the first halves. He may have gotten everything he could with those two involved. Then there is the Mayfield who played even though he couldn’t throw over ten yards and he didn’t. That was a bad decision. He made it. The defense is why the bucks are in the playoffs. The defense will have to be the reason we win in the playoffs. No one knows if the offense Baker in particular will show up.
January 13th, 2024 at 9:47 am
Canales is nowhere near ready for HC duties and you could even question his OC performance this season. Yes we had a “winning record” and made the playoffs but barely 20 points per game? And as mentioned above, not a single TD on their first possession which is where the plays are scripted by Canales after crafting a game plan? This doesn’t scream offensive genius. He needs much more time.
He’ll get plenty of interest to satisfy the Rooney Rule because he’s considered a “minority candidate” but I really doubt any team would say “He’s our guy” except a pinhead like Tepper. Unless of course he really sells himself and the team owner is willing to suffer through a few years of losing while he develops just to get a fresh, young guy locked up.
I think he’ll improve as an OC (like Lefty, more room to improve than to get worse). I can see him getting a HC gig in 5 years, based solely on his “rah rah” upbeat personality.
Josh McDaniels was a much better OC than Canales is now and look at how he fared as a HC. Two different skill sets. I would hope Canales waits to avoid that embarrassment.
January 13th, 2024 at 10:32 am
Hodad Says:
January 13th, 2024 at 4:46 am
Pete carroll is heading to the glue factory with Belichick, Saban, and the rest of the coaches my age, and older. No way those old men can keep up with that job, at their age, take it from someone who’s there. There comes a time, Neil Young
Funny you should mention musicians. Metallica has been performing for over forty years and still sell out arenas. Are they as good? No but they know the songs.
Have you seen the age of the guy running the country? Granted Football is more difficult but it’s still 11 on 11 until some brainiacs determine that 9 on offense against 8 on defense is optimum for safety.
Belechik is 15 games away from a record and I doubt he goes the way of Barry Sanders. Maybe Bill goes to the Falcons to give their Owner what the Football Gods denied him @ 28-3.
Atlanta has 3 possible cold weather games in 2024 and plays the Pats and AFC East in 2025. Bill could set the all time record @ the Patriots and stick L’ on his old Division should he decide to use glue and not a pin.
January 13th, 2024 at 11:25 am
Todd W, I like how you think! If TB sputters Monday night, Pete Carroll would be a great addition.
January 13th, 2024 at 11:25 am
D Cone
Like your musical comparison. Never a huge Mettalica guy but I respect their success for sure.
In 1965 I saw the Rolling Stones at Cincinnati Gardens and the show wasn’t even sold out. They still had the original lineup including Brian Jones. They were stars back then but not the monsters they grew to become.
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards turned EIGHTY last year!!! They have a tour scheduled, including Orlando, for this year. I’m not surprised that Mick can still do it…But Keith Richards is an absolute FREAK. How a guy can consume that much alcohol, drugs, and chain smoke is still rocking…hell walking above ground at 80 is stunning.
Again it’s just %’s and odds and somehow Keith Richards drew to an inside straight in life luck.
And speaking of age…LVD is 33 perhaps 34 next year. London Fletcher played at a high level for the WFT until the age of 37 when the injuries finally caught up with him. LVD could not only have another season in him he may have 2 or 3 depending on his physical luck, and his desire to keep playing.
January 13th, 2024 at 11:54 am
There are a lot of great comments here that left a lot to think about. Especially @DefenseRules @Hodad @stpetebucsfan
While I appreciate “with age comes wisdom” however, new people with fresh ideas need to have opportunities. Vic Fangio, for example, had been a coach for 40+ years before getting an opportunity. There are a ton of examples like this of young and older coaches languishing without opportunities. It is time to stop riding re-treads until they pop. It is only potentially holding the NFL back in my opinion.
There is also the thought that someone in their 70s is not a long term option for a franchise. Which is what each and every one of these franchises is searching for as it is proven that stability promotes success over the long term.
January 13th, 2024 at 12:05 pm
I agree that teams will be looking for a long term option as coach but older guys like Carroll and Belichick and others don’t have to stay more than a couple of years to rebuild a foundation that can last in the long term. Think Bill Walsh in San Fran. What he built continued through Seifert, Mooch and then Harbaugh.
A responsible owner and good GM and scouting can keep the wheels turning in the right direction once a direction is established. (Also a big name hire can put butts in the seats $$$)
January 13th, 2024 at 12:28 pm
Glass Half Full Guy
I was just about to explain my reasoning for wanting Carroll to come in for 1-2 years but you did it for me.
January 13th, 2024 at 12:37 pm
Glass Half Full Guy … ‘older guys like Carroll and Belichick and others don’t have to stay more than a couple of years to rebuild a foundation that can last in the long term.’
Very true, but I tend to think that the Bucs have a fairly decent foundation to build on right now. I’m convinced that the Bucs started our rebuilding process this year (right after TB12 left) & that it’ll continue at a quick pace for about the next 2-3 years (due to salary CAP issues more than anything else).
The Glazers are good owners (think Tepper as the alternative) and Jason Licht is a quality GM with an ever-improving track record. Our coaching staff has been fairly ‘stable’ since BA arrived in 2019 (validates your point IMO). We’ve done a far better job in these last 5 years of developing our youngsters than we did in the 15 or so years prior to BA arriving. Reason? The coaching carousel hampered player development.
And it’s precisely because of the job this coaching staff has done in terms of player development that I’m reluctant to see us throw it all out the window in the hope that ‘something better is on the horizon’.
January 13th, 2024 at 12:38 pm
Would love to see him stay. Next year would be very interesting if they can keep the key players and coaching staff with a few $ to spend in free agency. These guys finished with a winning record using band aids and rubber bands. And a lot of heart, god bless them.
January 13th, 2024 at 12:43 pm
BTW you’re absolutely right Defense Rules. Bowles has his faults, but player development isn’t one of them. I think this staff has done an excellent job. How many “experts” that predicted disaster for this team look pretty stupid RN, and they’ll look stupider after the Bucs tan that Iggle a$$Monday. LFG
January 13th, 2024 at 1:57 pm
Todd W Says:
How about a Carroll Canales reconnection in TB!
I LOVE THIS IDEA
January 13th, 2024 at 1:59 pm
Thanks DR. FWIW, I wasn’t suggesting that the Bucs go for Carroll or BB but that a struggling team like the Chargers or maybe even Chicago (if they can get their act straight upstairs) might be a desirable fit.
Speaking of messed up front offices, can you imagine if Mark Davis doesn’t hire Pierce as HC and Maxx Crosby asks for a trade? I could see parting with a couple of guys to make that dream scenario happen. Lol
January 13th, 2024 at 3:41 pm
For me it all boils down to this; I want Canales to be the HC for the Bucs. However, he isn’t quite ready. The Bucs simply can’t let him get away. If Pete Carroll is his mentor and is available, why not bring him in as a seat warmer ? It seems to me that would be an ideal situation for Canales and the Bucs. What a buzz that would create for the team. Unless we win the Super Bowl or the NFC Bowles doesn’t provide that and he likely isn’t the long term answer anyway. Even if Bowles wins the SB he doesn’t and likely won’t bring the energy and vibe we need. Yes, I’m another septuagenarian like some others here and I think Carroll can do just fine for 1 or 2 years. Even if we win out this year (and I hope we do) Bowles doesn’t offer any worthwhile instruction for Canales. Compare the resumes of Bowles and Carroll and ask, which do we need ?
January 13th, 2024 at 4:09 pm
@JimBobBuc
“The Glazers and Licht need to tell Canales that no matter the HC, he needs to score 30pts a game with no turnovers.”
The number one offense in the league averaged 29.9 points for the year. I think you’re a bit delusional on this one.
January 13th, 2024 at 4:19 pm
@ Glass Half Full – I’d love to grab Crosby, as would just about every team in the league. A true edge rusher and leader, just elevates everyone around him.
The offense has looked good at times, but it’s been very inconsistent, both within games, and from week-to-week. I’d say they mostly played well in 5-6 games this year: Vikings, Saints, Texans, Titans, Packers, and Jags. Hopefully, that’s what shows up Monday night, but I think it’s as likely that we get a repeat of the past two weeks.