The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired Seattle quarterbacks coach Dave Canales as their new offensive coordinator. In an offseason full of unknowns, this adds yet another question to that burgeoning bag of questions this franchise must answer.
Canales has never called plays before
And that’s largely because we have no idea what Canales’ tendencies are from a play calling or philosophical standpoint. Because he’s never done it before!
But that doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t look at where he came from and what system he’s been involved with. And that would be a system where Seattle ran the ball early and often, at least when they were able. In 2018, the Seahawks led the league in rushing (2560 yards, 4.8 ypc). They followed that with 2200 yards in 2019 (4th most), 1971 in 2020 (12th), 2074 yards in 2021 (11th) and 2042 yards last year (18th). A steady decline, but even at their lowest league ranking from a yardage perspective, they still averaged a healthy 4.8 yards per carry in 2022, good for top 5 in the league.
In case you all forgot, the 2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished dead last in rushing attempts (386) and yards per carry (3.4).
So, if background and training is any indication, the Buccaneers will run, and they’ll rotate who carries the ball.
I’ve talked about potential QB options for the Bucs ad nauseum the last few weeks, which you can read about here, so I’ll address other issues with building a possible Canales-led offense as follows…
Time to shake up the RB room
I hate to say it, as he’s had such a hand in Tampa Bay’s offense the last few years, but Leonard Fournette’s days in Tampa are likely numbered. Running back production is very much replaceable, and he is a prime candidate to be cut for salary cap relief.
That leaves Rachaad White as the team’s de facto #1 back, with Ke’Shawn Vaughn the likely backup. It will likely mean the team needs to find a strong, physical back either in the draft or through free agency that can rotate early down snaps. White has shown great potential with the ball in his hands as a receiver, so that’s not a glaring need. But getting a back who will see the field early and often will be a significant part of the Bucs’ offseason plans this year.
Left side of offensive line needs a facelift
This is really where they are going to have to retool if they want to become more of a running team. This group couldn’t get a yard for love or money when it really needed it last year, so it’s hard to say much is safe or certain with this group. Well, one is certain, and that’s obviously the talented Tristan Wirfs being cemented at RT, case closed.
Everywhere else is under scrutiny, both short and long term.
Ryan Jensen SHOULD be good to go, as he’s coming off a significant knee injury that sidelined him all but the final game last season, but there’s not much on tape to see where he’s at health wise since. As long as he’s back at at least close to what he was before, and the team is comfortable with his recovery and the condition of that knee, the Bucs will be fine at center. Robert Hainsey did a commendable job at the position in his absence and is a suitable backup.
The guard positions are where the bigger question marks lie. Shaq Mason is set to become an unrestricted free agent after next season, so he’ll either have to be extended or a replacement will be needed. Left guard was a struggle for much of the season, with Luke Goedeke struggling often. Nick Leverett is an exclusive rights free agent, which means the team can offer him a one-year deal and preclude his ability to negotiate with other teams. Leverett was adequate and an improvement over Goedeke, but is he capable of performing at a level that will allow this team to be a physical, productive running team? Drafting a quality guard in the first three rounds could reasonably be in the Buccaneers’ plans.
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As could another position – and one of great prestige and importance: left tackle. Donovan Smith played at a high level…and then 2022 happened. Smith was routinely flagged, costing the Buccaneers crucial yards and points in close games they could not afford to give up. It was undoubtedly a step back for the big man.
Smith did play a lot of the season with an elbow injury, but the Bucs must evaluate if that was a factor in his lackluster play. They must decide whether he can bounce back in 2023 and co-anchor a line that will need to become a strength of the team again in order to flip the script on their dreadful rushing output. If not, the Bucs could be looking for a left tackle in the draft, as high-end ones in free agency don’t grow on trees.
The pass catchers should largely be unaffected
It’s possible the Bucs could look to add another tight end to pair with Cade Otton, who flashed great potential his rookie season. Cameron Brate could be a cap casualty, as releasing him would save around $2 million. Ko Kieft’s physicality as a run blocker fits well with a run-heavier scheme that Canales was a part of in Seattle.
As far as receivers, Russell Gage being jettisoned could also save close to $3 million, but when healthy, he’s shown to be a very quality WR and would be an excellent WR3, so it’s possible he could stick around to help whoever the Bucs bring in at quarterback. Mike Evans will NOT be moved, given the meager $2.3 million the team would save from such a move. Not to mention having to replace that level of production with that small of a salary cap savings.
So expect to see a lot of the same faces back next season from the wide receiver and tight end rooms, with perhaps a new face or two.
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