The Steelers had their first of three days of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. This is the first real opportunity for the Steelers’ coaches to see what they have in terms of the roster and how they fit into the Steelers scheme. This includes the brand new offense being implemented by freshly-promoted offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Or is it?
The way Canada talked, the offense is going to come down to what Roethlisberger wants to do. “His voice, his vision, what he sees is what we do,” Canada said.
There are a couple of ways you can look at this. If you are an optimist, you view this as Roethlisberger has picked up the new offense quickly and Canada has the confidence in Big Ben to run his offense as he sees fit.
But if you are most Steelers fans, the sky is falling and you have flashbacks of Roethlisberger and his dink and dunk offense with former OC Randy Fichtner just sitting back doing nothing.
I tend to lean toward the former and while we will have Roethlisberger making calls and changes on the field, it will be within a new scheme and not the same old same old.
If Roethlisberger is to go out with his head held high, the organization needs to lend him a helping hand in the form of a reliable run game and balanced offense.
With Matt Canada taking over the reins, we’re going to see a different scheme, that’s certain. But I would think some of what we saw in 2020 was of then-QB coach Matt Canada’s doing.
Roethlisberger isn’t getting any younger, but he still has the ability to produce, as evidenced by 3,803 yards, 33 touchdowns, and a QB rating of 94. That was with Pittsburgh’s receivers dropping balls at an alarming rate.
Just imagine what he can do with a little help from his (RB) friends. Unfortunately, the run game vanished between the first half and second half of the 2020 season, so did the offense’s success and winning games.
NFL Network reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala recently tweeted these jarring stats: When the Steelers rush for 100 yards, Roethlisberger is 106-20-1 (.839). When they don’t, he’s 50-54 (.481). Since 2018, he’s 12-0-1 when his team gives him 100 rush yards, 9-11 when it doesn’t.
Well, this is jarring: When the #Steelers rush for 100, yards, Ben Roethlisberger is 106-20-1 (.839). When they don't, he's 50-54 (.481). Since 2018, he's 12-0-1 when his team gives him 100 rush yards, 9-11 when it doesn't.
Ben had a terrific season in a pass-first (heck, pass-always) offense, especially considering he was 38 and coming off what could’ve easily been a career-ending injury. Sure, his interceptions went up in the second half of the season (four in first eight weeks, six in last eight), but some of that had to do with the offense’s predictability than Ben’s accuracy. Logic tells us that the more one throws the ball, the higher the chances of being picked off.
If the Steelers expect Roethlisberger to survive his likely last season, they will need to show an undying commitment to a ground attack. Run the ball down defense’s throats and take some pressure off Big Ben.
Take a look at Aditi’s follow-up tweet:
This is jarring, Part II. There was a turning point in the #Steelers commitment to – and interest in – its run game this season. (And I would argue it actually came at halftime of that sixth game, in Tennessee. Tweet to follow.) pic.twitter.com/Izpt83SbmS
Pittsburgh had more rush yards (684) through six games than it did in the last 11 games (667). That’s unacceptable and played a role in their lack of success down the stretch.
As it stands today, Pittsburgh’s running back stable consists of three unproven guys in Benny Snell, Jaylen Samuels and Anthony McFarland. James Conner remains unsigned and won’t be unless he agrees to a reduced role and salary. Even then, the Steelers sound like they’re ready to move on.
Not only do the Steelers need to bolster their backs, but they’re going to have to revamp their offensive line to include guys who can run block. Of the six free-agent linemen, only one is signed — reserve left tackle, Jarron Jones.
The Steelers can get there. They just need to make the right moves and stick to their (run game) guns — for the sake of Ben Roethlisberger’s legacy. We all know that players are often remembered for how they exited. Help him make it a great exit.
Matt Canada takes over as the offensive coordinator of a Steelers team that could look way different in 2021.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach Matt Canada was promoted to offensive coordinator, replacing Randy Fichtner after a three-year run.
Canada, eh?
For as tempting as it may be to fill the rest of this space with jokes about maple syrup and other fun references to north of the border, consider yourself spared from this point forward.
The 49-year-old has extensive history calling plays at the collegiate level, dating back to 1997 at Butler. He has coached running backs (Northern Illinois (1998-2000) and was even the interim head coach for Maryland in 2018. Predominantly, Canada coached quarterbacks and was an OC at eight schools.
The 2021 Steelers will look much different than last year’s version. In all likelihood, though, the offensive system may not be radically changed. Canada was the 2020 quarterbacks coach, which was his only season in the NFL as a coach.
Coaching tendencies
Canada is known for his creativity and radical presnap shifts. Another aspect of his play designs and calling is masking the same play with multiple looks. For example, he may see a matchup to exploit, such as a wide receiver screen, and dress up the presnap look multiple ways to attack the same weakness from very different formations.
The Steelers will work on emphasizing the running game in 2021 after a disastrous effort last season. Running back Anthony McFarland Jr. played under Canada at Maryland, and with impending free agents likely to exit, there’s an interesting opportunity for the 2020 rookie.
“Coach and I talked about that, because I’ve asked coach Tomlin, with Matt taking over, will we be looking at different players differently? Coach is always going to talk about what we have and how we can adapt what they do to what we currently have.
Maybe as we move into the future, further down the road, and we’re deciding on a wide receiver type or a running back type or a quarterback type or an offensive lineman type, we may shift as we evolve and learn what coach Canada’s offense is about,” Colbert said.
Being flexible and adaptive right out of the gates will be what fantasy footballers observe from Canada’s offense, regardless of what happens at quarterback. In college, Canada coached a spread system with QB Chandler Harnish, went on to Wisconsin to implement a power-running system, and then tutored Jacoby Brissett into a quality spread quarterback.
The gist of Canada’s system — whenever we see it in full view — is to play fast and prevent players from having to think too much on the fly. Overcomplicating things isn’t his style, even though the presnap movement looks ridiculous at times. There’s a method to the madness, and it’s to tip off the quarterback about the defensive scheme, as well as make the opponent constantly guess.
Expect something that sort of resembles Sean McVay’s system after the snap with all of the jet sweeps and misdirections to get a defense to mentally lean toward a certain outcome.
Prior to the hiking the ball, Canada and McVay’s offenses are much different. McVay runs the same formation multiple times and forces defenders to guess which play comes next out of a look he has shown them several times.
The concept remains the same: constant manipulation of the defense’s attention, ultimately in order to attack with fundamental plays at their core.
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Personnel changes
First of all, Big Ben’s contract is an issue. He’s willing to restructure and has said money is not an object to him. This situation is extremely fluid and could change by the time this sentence is finished being typed.
The Steelers will investigate all options, but financially, restructuring Roethlisberger and adding one year to his existing deal is the smartest approach for handling the salary cap (the reduced figure this year hamstrings Pittsburgh). Cutting Roethlisberger will save $19 million in cap space but also eat up $22.25 mill in dead money.
James Conner — a Canada running back at Pitt — is set to hit the open market. There’s little chance at this point he returns, but never say never. Look for the tandem of McFarland and Snell to shoulder the load.
At receiver, JuJu Smith-Schuster is a free agent in March, and there’s almost no chance he renews with the Steelers. The offense found a gem in rookie Chase Claypool last year, and Diontae Johnson could be poised for another step forward in his game.
Starters left guard Matt Feiler and left tackle Alejandro Villanueva are free agents, too, and it remains unclear if either will be back. Center Maurkice Pouncey retired following the 2020 season, and that’s probably not a bad thing given his slumping play.
Everything hinges on Big Ben’s situation. The Steelers have Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins behind him on contract. Rudolph is a mildly better fit for the offense than a 39-year-old Roethlisberger, but Haskins doesn’t mesh.
McFarland’s utilization and corresponding fantasy worth will be hyped throughout the offseason. Keep tabs on news surrounding his expected touch share and how he fares in eventual on-field practices, COVID-19 willing. He could emerge in this offense as a regular fantasy contributor.
Both Johnson and Claypool will be surefire fantasy starters if Big Ben returns. In the event Rudolph or another guy is starting, each receiver’s ceiling is rather limited.
Tight ends were a staple of Canada’s system in college, and Eric Ebron could be a focal point of this offense in 2021. Multiple tight ends are common in Canada’s designs. Another boost for Ebron is longtime NFL tight end and mentor Alfredo Roberts was recently tabbed as the new tight ends coach. While Ebron’s durability limitations make him a risky fantasy option, there’s considerable potential here to find a value buy late in drafts.
A bunch of things will change as the coming months unfold, of course. The Steelers had a quality teacher in Fichtner who struggled as a designer and in-game playcaller (rewatch the first half of the playoff loss to Cleveland). Canada’s history shows he’s an exceptional architect of plays … we’ll see how he fares with when to call what in his first year as an NFL OC.
Can an old dog (Ben Roethlisberger) learn new tricks (Matt Canada’s concepts) in 2021?
One of the big questions this offseason — after promoting Matt Canada to offensive coordinator — is what the offense might look like.
Though Canada has experience as OC at the collegiate level, including Pitt, he’s never before run an NFL offense. Ben Roethlisberger, on the other hand, has been running the Steelers offense for 17 seasons. Canada may learn more from Big Ben than Ben will from Canada.
We won’t know what the Steelers’ new offense will look like until the season starts; even then, it can be a slow reveal. Glimpses of Canada’s philosophy stood out early in 2020, but they moved away from it as the season progressed.
But one thing we do know is it won’t be your typical Canada Pitt-style offense. He’s known for presnap motions and shifts, play-action, misdirection — enough to keep defenses guessing. There will certainly be elements of that, but I can’t imagine the playbook will go much beyond what Roethlisberger is comfortable with. Maybe an old dog can learn new tricks, but he won’t want to learn an entirely new offense at this point in his career — nor will the Steelers want him to. Ben will have to do some things differently from 2020, but overall, Canada’s creative and intriguing schemes will be tailored to his quarterback’s strengths.
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Less pass, more run
At 38 and with a surgically-repaired elbow, Roethlisberger should’ve been passing less, not more. But when it became apparent the offensive line wasn’t able to do much more than pass protect, that’s the route they had to take.
In 2021, though, that will have to change.
A tall task ahead of Canada is to get a run game going that was last in the league in 2020. This should open up the passing game and allow Big Ben to get the ball more than seven yards downfield.
But who will be leading the rushing attack? James Conner is a free agent next month and Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels are far from feature backs. It was a small sample size, but Anthony McFarland didn’t offer much in his rookie season.
Does McFarland have what it takes to be successful in the pros? If anyone can bring it out in him, it’s Canada, who coached him for a season at Maryland. In 2018, McFarland put up 298 yards rushing, a 14.2 average, against Ohio State. The week prior, he averaged 7.2 yards per attempt for 210 yards at Indiana.
Pittsburgh will likely take a flyer on a back late in the draft, but it’s hard to imagine whoever that is making more of an impact than the experienced Snell, McFarland and Samuels.
It’s critical the Steelers show a vast improvement on the ground to help Big Ben, or they’ll be lucky to finish the 2021 season at .500.
Dolphins OC candidate officially promoted by Steelers
The Miami Dolphins’ offensive coordinator search forges on this offseason with little end in sight. One of the Dolphins’ reported finalists for the position, Steelers quarterbacks coach Matt Canada, appeared to be in, then out, then back in contention for the job. We now know, officially, that Canada is out of contention for the job — because he’s been promoted by the Steelers to take the same position for Pittsburgh. The team announced the news yesterday after a string of interviews for the position.
We have promoted Matt Canada to offensive coordinator.
Canada was included on the list of initial candidates for the Dolphins, only to be reported to be Pittsburgh’s choice for the position last week. But the Steelers hosted Pep Hamilton (another Dolphins candidate) and former Browns head coach Hue Jackson last weekend for interviews, calling into question whether or not Canada had the job as locked up as it was initially reported.
He does.
From here, the Dolphins will either look to tap into a new pool of candidates from teams recently having exited the playoff picture or else move forward with one of the few remaining reported finalists for the position. Three of Miami’s originally reported targets remain: Dolphins assistants Eric Studesville and George Godsey plus Hamilton, who was the Chargers’ quarterbacks coach in 2020. An additional name to watch is former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Ken Dorsey, who has served as the Buffalo Bills’ quarterbacks coach in 2019 and 2020. Dorsey’s hand in the development of Bills quarterback Josh Allen is undoubtedly the nucleus of his resume and the Dolphins are looking to construct an offense that is tailored to the strengths of their young signal caller.
Dorsey, who has a connection to new Dolphins quarterbacks coach Charlie Frye thanks to their playing days with the Cleveland Browns, has become a popular name over the last 24 hours — he received a formal interview request from the Seattle Seahawks yesterday.
Per source, the Seahawks put in a request to interview Bills QBs coach Ken Dorsey for their offensive coordinator job. They aren’t the first. Dorsey’s name has been a popular one.
The Miami Dolphins’ offensive coordinator search has been, well, extensive. Miami got word near the end of the week immediately following their season-ending loss to the Buffalo Bills that veteran offensive coordinator Chan Gailey would be stepping down from his post, leaving the Dolphins in position to hire their third consecutive play caller in as many seasons in the Brian Flores era.
And, about a week ago, the Dolphins’ list of rumored candidates was reported. Included were:
Dolphins RB coach Eric Studesville
Dolphins QB coach George Godsey
Clemson OC Tony Elliott
Chargers QB coach Pep Hamilton
49ers run game coordinator Mike McDaniel
Steelers QB coach Matt Canada
But as last weekend unfolded, it seemed as though Miami’s shortlist of candidates was whittling away. First it was reported that Elliott desired to stay at Clemson. Then it was reported that Kyle Shanahan, amid departures from his staff in San Francisco, would promote McDaniel to serve as the 49ers’ offensive coordinator and that Matt Canada was in line to be promoted from the Steelers’ quarterbacks coach role to take the offensive coordinator role in Pittsburgh.
Presumably, there were three remaining candidates: Godsey and Studesville from within the Dolphins’ building and Hamilton. And we haven’t gotten any traction towards a resolution since. But the news from yesterday threw the whole situation for a loop. The Pittsburgh Steelers interviewed Hue Jackson for the position Canada was rumored and penciled in to take as the team’s offensive coordinator. So now Canada may be back on the table for the Dolphins after all.
The Pittsburgh Steelers interviewed former Browns Head Coach Hue Jackson earlier this week for the offensive coordinator position per a league source.
If Pittsburgh settles on Hamilton, the Dolphins will have no one to blame but themselves — they’ve been the only team reported to show significant interest for over a week but never made the hire, so one would assume Miami’s preference lies elsewhere, either with an internal candidate or perhaps with Canada after all.
We’d say that this vacancy will come to a resolution soon — but we thought that last week as well with the 2021 Senior Bowl looming for this coaching staff; so who knows when the hire is made. Before next season would be a safe bet.
Dolphins OC candidate poised for promotion in Pittsburgh
The Miami Dolphins have spent this past week focused on interviews for their vacancy at offensive coordinator. While previous coordinator Chan Gailey’s offense enjoyed more points than any Dolphins team on this side of Dan Marino’s prime (their 404 points scored was the most for a Dolphins team since 1986), the general perception of Miami’s one-year experiment was that the Dolphins left too much mean on the bone in 2020.
And as other teams around the league begin to secure their head coaches and other teams still look to promote from within to secure key assistants, the Dolphins should consider themselves somewhat on the clock.
The process has already begun and the Dolphins are reportedly down one of their finalists to replace Gailey as the team’s play caller. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported yesterday at that Pittsburgh is expected to promote QB coach Matt Canada to offensive coordinator.
The #Steelers are expected to promote QB coach Matt Canada to offensive coordinator, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. A creative mind originally from the college game, Canada also interviewed with the #Dolphins but now stays in Pittsburgh.
Of the six names reported to be on Miami’s short list, Canada is not the first to presumably have his name crossed off Miami’s list. Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott reportedly informed the team he’s more interested in staying at Clemson for the time being. Additionally, 49ers run game coordinator Mike McDaniel is reportedly in line to receive a promotion to offensive coordinator in San Francisco. Those losses to the short list, in addition to now Canada’s pending promotion in Pittsburgh, leaves the Dolphins with just three of their initial candidates left; two of which are in-house candidates in George Godsey and Eric Studesville.
The other, former Chargers QB coach Pep Hamilton, seems to be firmly in the running as well. But the Dolphins’ dilemma now will be whether or not to add additional candidates from the staffs of the teams losing this weekend — or whether or not someone from the first round of interviews was able to sweep them off their feet.
Steelers quarterbacks coach Matt Canada is on the shortlist of candidates for offensive coordinator in Miami.
Dolphins are believed to be taking a hard look at Steelers QBs coach Matt Canada for OC. Canada consulted with Miami last year, acquitted himself well in Pittsburgh.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Steelers quarterbacks coach Matt Canada is on the shortlist of candidates for offensive coordinator in Miami.
Pittsburgh hired Canada last January after relieving Randy Fichtner of the dual QB coach/offensive coordinator role.
With the Steelers not renewing Fichtner’s contract, one would think that Canada is in line for a promotion in Pittsburgh. However, Canada’s creative concepts are better suited for a young, mobile quarterback — of which Ben Roethlisberger is neither.
The new Pittsburgh Steelers fullback was brought in to inject some life into the ground attack.
The Pittsburgh Steelers want to take some of the pressure off their star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the best way to do that is to find a way to revive their once successful ground attack.
Cue: Derek Watt.
Though Watt has been more of a special teamer in his four-year NFL career, his talents should help increase production on offense, as well. After all, former Chargers running back Melvin Gordon couldn’t have amassed 3,599 yards and 36 touchdowns without a little help from his friend.
The Steelers have been at or near the bottom of the league in rushing the past two seasons and desperately need to utilize the fullback more.
While Steelers fans shouldn’t expect the second coming of Dan Kreider, I don’t believe Pittsburgh would’ve signed Watt to such a lucrative contract if he wasn’t going to be a key player in the run game. Watt is a tenacious run-blocker which should help running back James Conner tremendously. Teams that are successful on the ground like the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens have solid fullbacks in Kyle Juszczyk and Patrick Ricard.
There’s no doubt T.J. Watt nudged the Steelers to consider his free-agent older brother, but Tomlin and special teams coordinator, Danny Smith, also got a look at Watt with their own eyes. In the Steelers-Chargers game in October, Watt was part of 21 special teams snaps and six snaps on offense.
Steelers quarterbacks coach Matt Canada, who was Watt’s offensive coordinator during his freshman year at Wisconsin, offered valuable insight as well. In 2012, Derek played in all 14 games (five starts) and contributed 150 yards on 12 catches. He was also an integral part of their successful run game, making key blocks for running back Montee Ball, who enjoyed a record-breaking season.
Canada may be quarterbacks coach by title, but he was also brought to Pittsburgh to inject some creativity into what has become a predictable offense. Canada knows Watt’s strengths and how to use them.
As for the Steelers, they’re still in the discovery phase when it comes to Watt. “I think we are in the process of discovering that as we familiarize ourselves with him and his skillsets and the things he does well,” said head coach Mike Tomlin during a press conference on Thursday. “The known aspect of his game that was really attractive to us was his high-level of productivity on special teams.”
“And because we had an opportunity to play against his team last year, we also were very respectful of his functional fullback skills. But some of the off the beaten path things, some of the additional things, we are going to learn about him along the way.”
Tomlin pointed out that Watt and then-Steeler Tyler Matakevich led the NFL in special teams tackles in 2019.
Special teams is a critical phase of any football game, and the Steelers can always use help on that side of the ball.
In 2019, Watt played in 325 special teams snaps with a Pro Football Focus grade of 90.5. On offense, he logged 72 run-blocking snaps (58 grade) to just four pass-blocking snaps (34 grade). Watt did score a touchdown, but only had eight rushing attempts for 10 yards, so it doesn’t appear that he’ll be cutting into Conner’s touches.
Conner welcomes the presence and versatility that Watt brings to the Steelers.
“It’s been awesome having Derek,” said Conner in a Wednesday press conference. “He comes to work every day. He’s a leader as well. In the classroom, he sets the tone in there with his knowledge and how he’s picking things up. On the field, he brings energy. He will help our team out a lot, especially on special teams as well. You know, the way he comes down on kickoffs and being a fullback, he does it all.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers have some new faces on staff, among them Matt Canada. Steelers Wire looks into what he could bring to the offense.
After 24 seasons, Matt Canada said goodbye to college football in 2018. Although he was offered coordinator positions, Canada chose instead to spend some downtime with his family at their beach house on North Carolina’s Topsail Island.
He did remain active watching and studying game film and visiting college and pro teams before returning to the grind that is football — this time in the NFL.
As one of the first orders of business in 2020, the Steelers hired Canada for his first-ever pro league endeavor.
“I think Mike and I both felt it was an opportunity that we had and good to add somebody to the staff that can help with the young quarterbacks as well as help with the offense,” Rooney said in an announcement. “We’re happy someone like Matt, who we knew from down the hall here [at Pitt] and liked some of the work he’s done. We’re happy to have him on board.”
Canada’s extensive resume includes several roles at Northern Illinois and Indiana, and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Wisconsin, NC State and LSU.
Except for Northern Illinois and Indiana, Canada never remained at any school long enough to get comfortable yet just long enough to make a mark.
In 2012, the Wisconsin Badgers finished No. 12 nationally in rushing, and Canada helped lead them to a Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl appearance.
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pitt Panther fans may remember Canada as the coordinator who installed a record-setting offense in 2016. With a school-record average of 42 points per game, the Panthers had the No. 10 scoring offense in the nation. That offense averaged 448 yards per game and scored 35+ points in all but two games. Canada’s effort earned him a nomination for the Broyles Award, an honor presented annually to the top assistant football coach.
During the 2017 season, under Canada’s guidance, LSU quarterback Danny Etling finished with 16 TD (two interceptions), and the Tigers finished No. 1 nationally with fewest turnovers. The team won six of seven SEC games, posted a 9-4 overall record and made it to the Citrus Bowl.
After LSU, Canada headed northeast to Maryland, where he began as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2018. That fall, he was named Maryland’s interim head coach after the Terps’ head coach, D.J. Durkin, was terminated soon after the heatstroke death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair.
Among the quarterbacks that Canada has developed are former NC State quarterback and New England Patriots third-round NFL Draft pick Jacoby Brissett who threw 42 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in two seasons at NC State, first-team All-MAC quarterback Chandler Harnish (Northern Illinois), two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten quarterback Ben Chappell (Indiana) and second-team All-Big Ten quarterback Kellen Lewis (Indiana). He also coached Pitt’s own Nathan Peterman, who threw for 27 touchdowns to seven interceptions during Canada’s renowned 2016 season.
Canada in Pittsburgh
While Canada is new to the Steelers, he’s surrounded by plenty of familiar faces. Since Pitt shares the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex and Heinz Field with the Steelers, Canada got to know Rooney, Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner during his time with the Panthers.
“I knew Randy a little bit when I was at Pitt across the hall there,” said Canada during a press conference last week. “I came over and visited with him a couple times.”
“Certainly, enjoyed getting to know our system, and he has done a great job bringing me up to speed with that,” he said. “It has been great with him and our entire staff.”
Additionally, running backs coach Eddie Faulkner spent five seasons under Canada at three different schools.
Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The familiarity continues with players, as well. Canada has coached running backs James Conner (Pitt) and Jaylen Samuels (NC State) and fullback Derek Watt (Wisconsin). The Steelers also drafted Maryland running back Anthony McFarland and safety Antoine Brooks in 2020, as well as offensive lineman Derwin Gray in 2019.
Canada’s concepts
It’s been two seasons since the Steelers had a coach dedicated entirely to the quarterbacks. Fichtner handled dual duties of quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019. With a stable of relatively inexperienced quarterbacks behind Ben Roethlisberger, it was evident that a coach to focus on guiding Mason Rudolph, Devlin Hodges and Paxton Lynch was sorely needed.
“They don’t have as much helmet time and playing experience,” Canada said. “I am working with everybody, but there is certainly a difference [between Ben and younger guys]… I am just kind of coming in to facilitate what I can in any way with [Ben] and then also with the younger guys.”
“I’m letting Ben — you know, Ben does have way more experience than I could ever imagine in the NFL,” Canada continued. “So, I’m listening. We’ve talked reads, concepts, and those things — how he’s done it and what he’s done.”
Canada understands the distinction between college and the NFL, and he’s embracing it.
“I think football is football, but it is a different game… There are different parts of it that I have tried to learn, and I certainly have a long way to go, and that is why I am excited with where I am at. I am in a position to learn and assist Randy in any way I can, to assist the quarterbacks in any way I can, and just be part of the group.”
Fichtner is looking forward to incorporating some of Canada’s fresh concepts.
“It’s one more opportunity to throw ideas around,” Fichtner said. “It’s a big job. I believe it’s a fun job. It keeps communication at a premium. I also know when it comes to ideas when it comes to thoughts, things you can bring to the table, things he can bring that are different than me, are fun to see and develop. I’m really excited about it.”
What are some of those different things Canada can bring to the table? Canada’s offensive concepts have been called intriguing, creative, and even revolutionary by college football experts. Offenses he’s previously installed manipulate defenses with presnap motions and shifts. His systems have been anchored by fly sweeps, reverses to tackles, shovel passes to tight ends, misdirections, and inverted triple options enough to drive defensive minds mad.
Whether Canada is being groomed to eventually take over as offensive coordinator is something you’d have to be a fly on the wall to know. While Canada maintains the title of quarterbacks coach, it appears he’ll be more than just that.
