Todd Bowles Downplays Loss Of Dave Canales

May 7th, 2024

It’s sort of been a rough couple of Tampa Bay days for departed Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales.

New Tampa Bay playcaller Liam Coen didn’t hesitate to throw him under the proverbial bus, and Todd Bowles didn’t exactly pound his chest for the Canales method today on The Rich Eisen Show on SiriusXM.

Host Eisen asked Bowles what he would say to fans concerned by the Bucs losing their offensive coordinator following Baker Mayfield’s revival season.

“I would say that Dave helped Baker as much as Baker helped Dave,” Bowles replied. “It was a two-way street from that standpoint. Dave put him in some positions and Baker bailed Dave out some. So I thought it was a good collaboration. I’m happy Dave got the [Carolina] job but we still have Baker and we’re still confident in him. And with Liam Coen coming in, we feel we have some continuity there.”

Joe was a little surprised by Bowles’ answer. Joe would have bet a few bucks that Bowles would have gone to the “it’s a team effort” coachspeak card and focused more on the smooth transition to Coen, for whom Mayfield played in 2022.

Should be a fun two games against Carolina this season.

33 Responses to “Todd Bowles Downplays Loss Of Dave Canales”

  1. Ken Says:

    Both Licht and Bowles seem to be loosening up a lot this year and not being anywhere near as guarded in there responses. I think some of Baker’s cockiness is rubbing off on them.

  2. Boss Says:

    quality response

  3. Buc4evr Says:

    Coachspeak: Canales was way over his head and his poor play calling showed it. Coen has to be better.

  4. Boss Says:

    cockiness……lol

    I once heard a guy refer to another guy as cock strong…..

    maybe thats bake…….. just wish he would look of mike sooner

  5. Crickett Baker Says:

    Wow. From his words, it didn’t sound like he views Liam as much of an upgrade. That is surprising, and not in a good way.

  6. SenileSenior Says:

    Some posters here don’t take Bowles at his word. I find his candor refreshing when he chooses to open up a bit.

    Go Bucs!!!

  7. SlyPirate Says:

    READING BETWEEN THE LINES
    “We’re really not going to miss our rookie OC and his 32nd ranked running game, 28th ranked offense through 12 weeks. Tough loss.”

    Still think the Bucs would have canned him.

  8. 74 Bucs Fan Says:

    Motion was missing and will be part of our new O. I look forward to seeing a more creative approach pre-snap to get the D on their heals. Never understood that lack of using motion to force the D to show their hand.

    Seems like a simple concept – understanding that it adds to the learning process, but if it gives you an advantage pre-snap then what is rattling up in that skull?

  9. Rod Munch Says:

    Canales threw the ball too much for Bowles – he needs someone to do what he says, and that is run it up the middle on all three downs (obviously followed by a put).

    Canales can take his ‘tricky’ fancy pants scheme to Carolina – Mr Ginger will do as commanded and stop all this forward pass nonsense. It’s not needed. All you need is meat and potatoes, minus the fancy potatoes. Just pound it up the middle, and that is how you get to the Super Bowl!

  10. unbelievable Says:

    No way the Bucs were going to can Canales after last season IMO, @SlyPirate

  11. Bucben61 Says:

    With any improvement on the offensive line and with the running game this offense will be fun to watch . There’s lots to like about this bucs 2024 team. The bucs didn’t rebuild after Brady instead they retooled and still won the NFC south

  12. AtlBuc Says:

    If i’m not mistaken, Canales never called plays before. He was learning on the go and it showed

  13. drdneast Says:

    I’m sure Bowles is somewhat miffed that Canales got a head coaching gig so fast. He’s also probably not pleased that Canales jumped ship so fast after Bowles gave him his first OC job, especially when he had no play calling experience.

  14. Mike Johnson Says:

    Canales is about to find out quick. Welcome to the world of NFl HC. Its a world of dinosaurs. A few false moves and your lunch is eaten and you are gone. He will learn on the fly. But it won’t be enough to outsmart Todd Bowles and the Boyz this upcoming season.

  15. BillyBucco Says:

    Usually KNOWING the offense a team is gonna run is the advantage.
    See Bucs 2002 SB win.
    I think we will beat Carolina twice rather easily.
    I hope the first sack is against Hunt, their 100 million dollar guy lol.

  16. Drunkinybor Says:

    Dave did nothing to deserve a head coaching job. Well I.gues he did because he is one. Carolina is going to be terrible for a decade. Dave wasn’t even ready to be a O.C. until week 10. Carolina made a Bucs mistake luke when we hated Raheem Morris. He’s not ready but while those losses pile up guys will appreciate that special smile he has. To be fair Raheem got us to a 10 and 6 record. I dont see more than 5 wins.for Dave in the next 3.

  17. Bobby Says:

    Don’t trash Dave Canales, he seems to be a good person. I think he is going to be a good head coach. I worry after this next season. If Cohen does well for the Bucs, he will be a Head Coach elsewhere next offseason. And the Bucs again will be looking at 3 different Offensive Coordinators in 3 seasons. Baker will be learning a new system again too. Thats got to be frustrating for players to not be able to consistently stick with the same system and same OC. What made Brady develop into what he is. Brady and most of the great QBs often play under the same coach, same Offense system for majority of there careers. Baker in his entire career has been unable to have consistency with OCs and playbooks. Despite that though he has done well. Go Baker!!

  18. Matt Proper Says:

    I’m not much on coordinator’s however for what it’s worth, I think the Steelers are moving towards 2 quarterbacks that can throw all the time, anytime.

  19. realistic-optimistic Says:

    BillyBucco Says:

    Usually KNOWING the offense a team is gonna run is the advantage.
    See Bucs 2002 SB win.
    I think we will beat Carolina twice rather easily.

    We know his passing game tendencies, but I’m pretty sure our running game was designed by Bowles. It looked eerily similar to Lefty’s run scheme.

    We heard all Summer how Canales was going to run more wide and mid zone, then the season started and all we saw was wham, duo, and inside zone for the first 10-12 games.

    There’s a good chance we split with CAR.

  20. FrontFour Says:

    Much ado about nothing.

  21. BucU Says:

    Canales and Bryce Young. I can feel the fear from the Bucs organization.

  22. bucnjim Says:

    He’s in our division so he’s the enemy. That’s how he should be treated! Bowles is straight forward with everyone that he wants to run the ball. I doubt he really cares how it’s done as long as it gets done. Good luck Coen!

  23. Defense Rules Says:

    Todd Bowles … ‘It was a two-way street from that standpoint. Dave put him in some positions and Baker bailed Dave out some. So I thought it was a good collaboration.’

    Got a hunch you could say that exact same thing about any OC or DC at any level of football. Funny thing about humans, we all screw up sometimes & need others to bail us out.

  24. Zoocomics Says:

    I do believe the talent on this roster rose above Canales playing calling and him having to learn as he went.

    Canales might be better suited as a HC than as a coordinator “at-this-point-in-his-career.” He was under Pete Carrol for 13 years; he probably knows better how to run an organization better than scheming and calling plays. Not being such an expert on play calling allows him to focus more on game management and situational football and let his coaches coach. He gets the right people around him at coordinator, and he could find success. The problem is can he surround himself with enough player talent before his time runs out?

    The guy has charisma and he’s inspiring, players will immediately like him, but too many losses will turn that locker room on him.

  25. Beeej Says:

    As evidenced by the e two Detroit games, the e offense made HUGE strides between the beginning and the end of the season

  26. Bojim Says:

    Why is everything Bowles says coachspeak? Seems to be saying LFG.

  27. D Cone Says:

    Even with an Offensive line that gave up 62 sacks the Panthers were ranked 20 in rushing yards per game. That’s one thing that Canales won’t have to focus on too much and can use to better the passing game. Eight of the Panthers losses were one score or less so he isn’t really getting a dumpster fire like many many think. In the last couple years some pretty bad teams have been turned around and are now contenders.

    Like all Draft Picks teams take a chance on players that are untested in the NFL. Panthers took a chance on Canales.

    At least Dave has shown he can take potential turds and give them at least short term success. At the most important position it is an asset.

    Now that he can use the skills learned under Pete Carroll and not have to conform to Bowles he will do very well. One win here of there in the Division could decide who makes the Playoffs and who goes fishing.

    Bucs better not sleep on Carolina. 12 point differential in 2 games was hardly a domination in 2023.

  28. garro Says:

    Todd is always…always gonna say only what totally covers Todds butt Joe.

    He saw an opportunity to defer any blame to Canales and prep his new man for some blame down the road if this thing goes south. Continuity? I don’t see it. Not from what Coen has revealed it won’t be much like what Canales showed.

    Go Bucs!

  29. Winny Testaverde Says:

    Hot Rod Mulch has added another to his Buc Hall of Fame ( actual shame )…joining departed Winston, McCoy, Matt The Gay Blade and now “Can do” Canales.

    Baker…former # 1 overall pick taken by the career graveyard Cleveland franchise…did more for the 10th pick at OC for last year’s Bucs is an accurate if not obvious conclusion.

    I’m very glad Canales aka El Hornāy is with the enemy cats now. Good for business…

  30. We Make Custom Teez Says:

    Canales is overrated, honestly. There’s barely any improvement from what we saw under Leftwich. Just like Brady used to cover up the bad play calling and game-day adjustments, now it’s Mayfield doing the heavy lifting. Moving from 30th to 28th in the league isn’t exactly what I’d call a success. 🤷🏾‍♂️

  31. gp Says:

    By taking the HC job in Carolina, Canales broke the mold and became the first OC that Bowles hasn’t fired at the end of the season.
    Just something to think about.
    Whether or not his ouster was in the works is now a moot point.
    I’m willing to bet that his game planning will look just a little bit different in Carolina though.

  32. BakerBucs says Says:

    R.munckin same old blah,blah,blah I am over u r total BS post take 1 for the team & hit the road pal

  33. BakerBucs says Says:

    Canales okay call will b diff. alrite he aint calling the plays that’s what a OC is fir