“It Was Like We Were On A 10-Game Win Streak”
February 11th, 2024
Former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales.
Typical public coachspeak includes saying all your players are good and tough times aren’t nearly as bad as the big, bad media proclaims.
Behind the scenes, however, players usually hear contrasting messages.
But that’s not the world former Bucs playcaller Dave Canales plays in. Baker Mayfield touched on that several times last week in Las Vegas as he did various interviews while peddling car batteries for an auto parts chain.
Mayfield said the Bucs “could have thrown in the towel” this season when they were 4-7.
“But Dave’s approach, it was like we were on a 10-game win streak,” Mayfield told ESPN. “He shows up on Monday prepared for work. ‘Guys, we got a great opportunity here. We control our own destiny. Let’s get the little things right and go from there.'”
Mayfield’s comments are one reason why Joe sometimes says Canales saved Mayfield’s career and the coaching job of Todd Bowles. Without Canales being a relentless optimist and motivator, who knows what would have happened?
Remember, the Bucs were a Rachaad White run on fourth down from losing to Atlanta and falling to 5-8.
(For the record, Joe wants to throw hammers at glass windows when players or coaches reference how proud they are of a team not quitting in midseason. You’re professionals earning millions. Quitting should never be in play. Every day plumbers, teachers and farm workers don’t quit under far more challenging circumstances!)
February 11th, 2024 at 10:06 am
“Quitting should never be in play. Every day plumbers, teachers and farm workers don’t quit under far more challenging circumstances!”
Pity the poor Eagles, they were the poster boys for quitting.
I like the egalitarian approach but sadly plumbers, teachers and farm workers do quit. Well not so much farm workers unless we deport them. Teachers are leaving Florida schools out of fear of teaching the “wrong” book or subject.
And plumbers get bored as well.
I still admire all of those groups’ participants who do not quit!!!
I admire the guys serving with my son in the M.E. right now. They haven’t quit!
February 11th, 2024 at 10:19 am
Is tanking to get a qb quitting? I’d say yes
February 11th, 2024 at 10:23 am
Success in life is about persistence and determination. Just never quit. There are many stories of people who kept their eye on their goal and succeeded.
The formula is Persistence + Determination = SUCCESS
February 11th, 2024 at 10:23 am
“Quitting should never be in play. Every day plumbers, teachers and farm workers don’t quit under far more challenging circumstances!”
Quote by Joe, NOT Todd Bowles.
February 11th, 2024 at 11:12 am
Joe … ‘For the record, Joe wants to throw hammers at glass windows when players or coaches reference how proud they are of a team not quitting in midseason. You’re professionals earning millions. Quitting should never be in play. Every day plumbers, teachers and farm workers don’t quit under far more challenging circumstances’.
Color me IMPRESSED Joe.
February 11th, 2024 at 11:32 am
Players normally don’t quit midseason because even though they know their team will not make the playoffs, individual players can earn more money from incentives in their contract such as gaining “1,000” yards or scoring “10 touchdowns” or “winning X amount of games”. So players are “incentivized” or “given more money” not to quit midseason.
February 11th, 2024 at 12:33 pm
“Can do” Canales aka El HornedUp…is now the enemy. He was given a 6 year deal by a division rival for running a finesse back up the middle early & often. Evans & Godwin did what they do…and the kicker was clutch vs a Shankapottumus. The Panther’s actually have a back or two who can run between the tackles…so there’s that.
February 11th, 2024 at 12:35 pm
Amen to your final comment there Joe! Quitting stuff is b.s. Do your job!
February 11th, 2024 at 12:37 pm
As tanking should never be in play.
February 11th, 2024 at 1:06 pm
I don’t think MOST players quit as much as they just don’t believe they will win.
Either pre game or down 17 in a playoff game.
SF came back because they KNEW they were better than that.
Most NFL teams that are good, believe their QB can bring them back like KC or Buffalo.
It really is impressive in a year everyone said they would suck AND the record proved it at 4-7 they still dug deep and believed they had the talent.
Now, once again they KNOW they can win.
The 2nd year for these rookies should be fun to watch.
Side Note: When looking at FA OLBs I noticed Zadarius Smiths career arc.
2015 5.5 sacks 15 games
2016 1 sack 13 games
2017 3.5 sacks 14 games
2018 8.5 sacks 16 games
These are all with Baltimore. Then GB gambles on him finally having a decent season and look what happens with a different team.
2019 13.5 sacks 16 games
2020 12.5 sacks 16 games
Then he got hurt and went to Minnesota where he had 10 in 16 games and then Cleveland with 5.5 in 16 games.
Sometimes for some reason it takes “kids” time to develop.
Makes YaYa and Kancey look like studs even more.
We need Licht and company to find a guy that won’t break the bank bit a change of scenery or DC will ignite the talent.
After looking at the cap again and what in house FAs we have to sign, my hope of getting a GREAT edge rusher is draining.
February 11th, 2024 at 1:10 pm
@Joe- I understand what you mean about quitting but your being naive if you believe teachers, plumbers, etc, don’t quit on their students or customers in a lot of ways, and most aren’t getting hit by a 300 lb man who can run a 5.0 sec 40 nor are there actions in front of 50,000 and on video for all to see.
You yourself said the Bucs quit on Morris during a season, and one can find lots of examples in professional sports where teams know they have no shot and just go through the motions. It sucks, and it’s like stealing ticket holders money but it happens… alot. For the Bucs to continue to not physically or mentally not check out shouldn’t be ignored, however, I totally agree with you that it should also be expected of a professional football team.
February 11th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
Just sayin’ and BoJim
“Is tanking to get a qb quitting? I’d say yes”
Agree guys!!! Quitting is Quitting!
February 11th, 2024 at 2:23 pm
Joe, just like there are guys who would never quit even if it meant severe harm to them, these guys are human and human beings quit all the time. I would say there are many more quitters in the world than guys who would never quit. I don’t think it’s any different in sports. I think people tend to revert back to what they have always done. If a guy can only take so much until he throws in the towel in doesn’t matter how much they are getting paid they will eventually quit and mail in the season.
February 11th, 2024 at 3:05 pm
Question why wud any of these players ever quit they all know the farther they go in the season the more money they make.I don’t really see that scenario as good analogy WTF wud baker or anyone quit,this guy has millions on the line a Brite future in front of him so I doubt canales had a friggin thing to do with motivation I think another kick in the ass for Mayfield was new baby on the way that alone is all the motivation a 1st time dad wud need I remember that feeling for me – probably u also C anales is a back stabbing POS he is no head coach he was barely a HC baker gifted that jackass a head coach job or maybe that’s the best Tepper cud get look at that franchise only a rookie moron wud take that job like I said it’s all bout the cash
February 11th, 2024 at 4:33 pm
2 words for Canales. “Bye, Felicia”
February 11th, 2024 at 5:57 pm
I wish him the best but i fear Canales is walking into an impossible situation..
February 11th, 2024 at 6:41 pm
N ice a 10 game win streak…awesome that was great.
February 11th, 2024 at 9:57 pm
Could not agree more about “quitting” It should never even be an thought