Buccaneers insider dissects team's new OC Dave Canales' first impression in Tampa (Exclusive)
Dave Canales joins the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they enter a crucial era in their franchise's history. After winning it all with Tom Brady back in 2021, the team must now make do without the quarterback's years of experience and prowess.
With the 45-year-old veteran recently calling time on his NFL career, the Buccaneers are looking to make sweeping changes in the post-Brady era.
Among them is the hiring of a new offensive coordinator in Dave Canales. Tampa Bay insider JP Peters, while appearing on Sportskeeda's Ballfather podcast, was asked about the new hire. He said:
"It was so refreshing to hear somebody at the podium, an offensive coordinator, talking about the real meat and potatoes of the new NFL offense. He talked about it being simple but looking very complex to the defense. You know, there were so many great buzzwords that he used."
Peters further went on to explain how the young OC's first press conference has definitely won him some admirers in Tampa:
"You don't want to lose the press conference. He hasn't put any points on the board yet, but if one got points for talking, you know, he scored about 45-50 points in the press conference. Really knowledgeable guy who's full of energy. And that's something that you feel that this Buccaneers staff needs right now."
Canales was previously employed with the Seattle Seahawks as their quarterback coach. Now set to take on a new role, Peters explained how the experience of working alongside Pete Caroll will definitely come in handy for Canales:
"He's been tutoring under some really good guys in Seattle. Pete Carroll is arguably a Hall of Fame coach. But Carroll never made Dave his OC. He passed over him at least three times. But everybody has the time, right? He's 41 now. So this is his time to take his shot at calling plays."
The new OC will have big shoes to fill in Tampa, filling in for Super Bowl-winner Byron Leftwich. With a rebuild ahead, the former Seahawks coach must be smart with his play calls to give his side the edge.
Dave Canales' NFL coaching career: Has he ever been an OC before?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' hiring of Dave Canales as their new OC definitely raised some eyebrows. While he definitely gained some praise for his time in Seattle with the likes of Geno Smith and Russell Wilson, it's been a while since he called plays.
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In fact, this is the coach's first OC gig in the NFL. During his decade-plus in Seattle, Canales never called plays for the side. He held the roles of QB coach, wide receiver coach, and passing game coordinator while with the Seahawks.
In fact, during his inaugural Buccaneers conference, he said that he last called plays for a team back in 2004-05 for a JV high school football team.