Article: Former Bucs OL: Dave Canales will be 'wave of radical change' in NFL

[WarPanthers89]

Article:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen never got the chance to take the field with Dave Canales as his offensive coordinator. Nonetheless, the former Pro Bowler realizes what a divisional rival is getting in the 42-year-old play-caller.

As first reported by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Carolina Panthers are expected to hire Canales as their next head coach. And Jensen, who appeared on Thursday’s episodeof the Short and to the Point podcast, was asked which of Canales’ characteristics will help him thrive in his new position.

“I mean, his leadership,” he told host Jessica Kleinschmidt. “The first time I met Dave, I was a little unsure of him. First time bein’ an offensive coordinator. He was just such a like happy-go-lucky guy. And I’m like, ‘Okay, let’s see how this is gonna work out.’ But, when it comes down to the root thing, he’s such a man of relation. He wants to have relationships with all of his players and lead them through the tough times.

“I mean, you just look at us, like Week 11, we’re 4-7, and that could’ve been a very big transition, and the whole thing could’ve just imploded. But throughout that entire struggle, where we lost five of six, Dave was the same person every day. Came to work, got the guys ready to play, stayed the course. And I think that’s something you look for in a head coach. And I think he’s gonna be very successful at it.”

The 32-year-old was sidelined for the entirety of the 2023 campaign due to a knee injury. He would, however, have a front-row seat to Canales’ first year as a play-caller—where the Buccaneers captured their third straight NFC South title.

Jensen was joined by former teammate Garrett Gilkey, who also just so happens to be Canales’ landlord in Tampa. He too had some praise for his renter.

“I personally believe that he’s gonna be a wave of radical change in the NFL,” Gilkey said. “Him and his wife, Lizzy are amazing people. Their whole posture towards community and relationships and vocation is something we haven’t seen since, like Tony Dungy.

“And so, I’m really, really, really excited to see the way in which his leadership not only proves to continue to be successful in the different teams that he’s with, but honestly how it’s catalyst of change in our industry that needs it.”

www.pantherswire.usatoday

Edited January 27 by WarPanthers89

[Mr. Scot]

I'm not getting my hopes up for anything like that, but it's great to hear praise from an offensive lineman.

[LinvilleGorge]

Let's hope so. 

[KatsAzz]

The fact that the Tampa Bay players speak highly of Panthers new Head Coach Dave Canales is certainly a plus.

[top dawg]

41 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I'm not getting my hopes up for anything like that, but it's great to hear praise from an offensive lineman.

Sure, it's good to hear about player support, but at the end of the day, how much "radical change" do you need to play the game at a high level?

I guess that my age is showing, but playing O-line is playing O-line (not that he was really speaking to O-line play necessarily), and we need more talent along the O-line. 

At the end of the day, I still believe that football is about talent acquisition and doing the things fundamental to your position better than the other guy. That goes for coaches and players. I also still believe in smash-mouth football and using the run to set up the pass and the pass to set up the run.

Edited January 27 by top dawg

[jayboogieman]

[mc52beast]

We heard a lot of very positive things about Rhule and Reich as well. I want results.

[KillerKat]

[top dawg]

1 hour ago, KillerKat said:

[rayzor]

I like the guy. I think he's got the potential to be great here. I still need to see it, but I think he can pull it off. The more I hear and read about him and from him, the better I feel about him.

I'm not going to start saying the p word, but I feel like we're going to see an improvement. At this rate abd after last year I'd be content with getting back to 5 wins as long as we see this team get better.

[4Corners]

A dirtbag off the field but a winner on the field. 
A choirboy off the field but a loser on the field. Quite the paradox. Hopefully Dave can be the rare one of great on and off the field. 

[LegioX]

Yeah..not getting hopes up. Until I start seeing “consistency” and atleast 1 step forward in all aspects. I’m not getting overly excited.

[electro's horse]

sweet a player that never played under him

[Wolfcop]

I will say, its good to hear that he will be a difference in the community. Not sure I saw as much of that since Ron.