Bucs Offense Is Holding Each Other Accountable

Nobody on the Bucs offense is happy with a six-point performance in their most recent game. It’s put this group, which was supposed to have a big turnaround this season, a bit under fire as it’s only averaged 18 points per game through the first five games of the year.

But not all is lost for the offense, and no one is turning on each other during these struggles. The positives you can turn to is that the offensive players are learning more about themselves along the way. It’s also important to identify that the Bucs are only five games into this new offensive system, so to think this is the best production we’ll see out of Tampa Bay is a bit far fetched.

The Bucs are holding each other accountable at every unit of the group. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who hinted that he still hasn’t shown everything this offense has to offer just yet, was in love with the way that the offense was taking ownership for their performance.

Canales shared a story Thursday about something he saw during practice this week when no media or any cameras were around. He expressed his vision for what he wants this offense to turn into, and he saw the early makings of it this week.

Bucs Offense Showing Leadership Qualities

Bucs C Robert Hainsey and the O-line – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs are a young team, but they have plenty of veteran leaders who have played at the highest level and reached the mountaintop of the NFL, as well as a quarterback known for being a natural leader. Dave Canales saw some of that leadership on display in practice this week.

“Yesterday, just to kind of share a moment for all you because you weren’t out at practice, but the seriousness that the guys came out with yesterday together in the huddle,” Canales began to say. “A couple times in the practice I’m watching them talk. They’re talking, they’re taking ownership of this thing and my highest visions for our offense, my highest view of us long term is a group that can work those things out together in the huddle.

“It kind of like gave me chills a couple of times, where I really just feel like I’m this guy back there just reading off a paper. Because Baker’s talking to the wideouts and the linemen are talking together and communicating with the tight end. Yesterday was such a fantastic example of that of what we’re looking for, is Hainsey and those guys really taking ownership for this offense. It’s theirs.”

What Canales is driving home is that everyone has to do their part, including himself. He’s the one calling the plays, but even if there are guys wide open, the job still needs to get done. Canales doesn’t want it to be “his” offense, he wants it to be “their” offense.

“We give them a plan that they’re excited about, hopefully we give them plays they love and from there we got to take ownership and really drive it and be out there on Sunday where it’s them playing,” Canales said. “They’re not an extension of me, they’re not an extension of their coaches, this is their team, this is their offense and their defense and their special teams.

“I believe we’re heading in that direction and it was really cool to see the last two days just kind of how serious the guys have been in the huddle, in the locker room as well just kind of talking with each other.”

Are The Bucs Playing Pissed Off?

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Following the loss to the Lions, quarterback Baker Mayfield said that the offense needed to play “pissed off.” When asked if that should be the case, Canales sounded as if he’s on the same page, even though he wouldn’t necessarily say it in those words specifically.

“Yeah, I think so. I think that’s kind of what he’s alluding to, I don’t know about pissed off,” Canales said. “Definitely just locking in and taking that accountability and that ownership that this is ours and it belongs to us. I love where we’re at and where we’re headed.”

It speaks even more about the leadership this unit has.

“It’s fantastic,” Canales said. “And that’s the cool part too, because we have some good veteran leadership on our offensive side. Now it’s kind of like ‘Guys, we’re giving you permission to lead.’ We’re showing you hopefully an example of how to lead in a positive manner with each other. They’re doing it. I can see that happening for us.”

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