“Not Something That Comes Naturally For Me”
March 21st, 2023
“Kyle, you’re going to have to fight this cat from Day 1.”
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield made a visit to NFL Network this week and Joe was watching, of course.
Mayfield referenced personal growth through his journeys with the Browns, Panthers and Rams. Thankfully, host Andrew Siciliano asked Mayfield to detail that “growth.”
Quickly, Mayfield said it’s been “all over,” but he honed in on being a backup for the first time when he was benched in Carolina last season (when the team chose to tank).
It was a difficult time for Mayfield but he feels it fueled his maturity.
“When I had to take the back seat in Carolina and just, ‘How can I affect our team? How can I help us win in whatever role or capacity I’m in? You know, I know I have a lot to offer. I’ve played a lot of ball. But I know I’m a great teammate, so how can I help this team win?’ Mayfield said. “And that was a huge thing for me to not be the starting quarterback but also still helping us win, and how can I continue to push everyone else around me through that process. It was definitely teaching me patience (laughs), not something that comes naturally for me but I enjoyed it.”
Joe doesn’t believe Mayfield is wired to be a backup. Joe also never thought Jameis Winston was wired that way, though Jameis settled comfortably into No. 2 and No. 3 quarterback roles since leaving Tampa Bay three years ago.
As for Mayfield saying he’s “a great teammate,” something he said at his Bucs news conference, Joe hopes that’s true. The Bucs should be getting a sixth-year quarterback with diverse experience, and a mature guy who should be appreciative of the golden opportunity handed to him last week.
March 21st, 2023 at 12:02 pm
Not making excuses but yet found it plausible…
He mentioned having to learn an offense 2020 during the pandemic over zoom..
He was traded to Carolina after Offseason ended…
Trade to the Rams in December and thrown right in…
Maybe, just MAYBE, he can turn out to be a winning qb for the Bucs….
It would be nice to have the qb position solidified for several years!
March 21st, 2023 at 12:06 pm
Mayfield is going to bring a tremendous amount of energy and fire to this team, im excited. Stay upright and find the open man
March 21st, 2023 at 12:07 pm
In fairness, his last season in Cleveland he played the whole year with a damaged shoulder
March 21st, 2023 at 12:14 pm
So..Ok Baker, You have been humbled. And now here is your clear shot at being a starter in the NFL. What are you going to do with it? Trask is no competition. We didn’t even ply him when Brady went down. This is Bakers last chance to truly show what he is capable of doing. I hope he knows that. I think he does. I believe he will give this team his all. Lets see.
March 21st, 2023 at 12:21 pm
Kyle Trash
March 21st, 2023 at 12:23 pm
A full offseason, great weather, and a team he chose
March 21st, 2023 at 12:24 pm
Mayfield played with a bad shoulder and a pretty quarterback-unfriendly offense that often featured three tight ends.
You know, like the kind of offense Bowles likes.
March 21st, 2023 at 12:25 pm
Yep….he enjoyed the backup role at Carolina so much that he asked to be released……’nuff said!!!
March 21st, 2023 at 12:28 pm
Why doesn’t K Trask ever comment publicly? Can’t recall the last comment from him??
March 21st, 2023 at 12:36 pm
Sure a lot of Mayfield lovers here I personally think hes no more than a glorified backup like Jaymiss.
March 21st, 2023 at 12:43 pm
4th time just might be the charm
Bwahahahahaa
Ryan Leaf the 2nd
March 21st, 2023 at 12:50 pm
Would love to speak with Trask for a story. He first has to make himself available to speak and/or the Bucs have to make him available. Gonna guess that won’t take place until sometime during OTAs next month.
March 21st, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Hopefully baker has grown up a bit, and been humbled. Agree with Joe that he isnt wired to backup duties. He won’t be the backup unless he completely falls on his face during camp, and or in the first 4-5 game. Tigers very rarely change their stripes. Imo, he’ll be given every opportunity to be the starter, simply because they don’t believe in Trask
March 21st, 2023 at 1:02 pm
A remarkably sane speech by a former”Chosen One”.
I hope it has gotten deeper than just skin deep, but only time can tell.
I do think he will still try to hard and end up with too many interceptions, that is how he is wired, street ball.
The biggest question is still our OC and how he can scheme for two very different QBs. It would be easier is was a Swiss Army knife instead of a Baker.
March 21st, 2023 at 1:05 pm
He’s a great leader. He’s a great team mate. He’s a tremendous blowhard!
March 21st, 2023 at 1:10 pm
Daniel Jeremiah has Wil Levis going to the Bucs at #19 I hope not. I have a bad feeling he is going to be a bust. I just don’t see the hype for this guy. I would much rather have Hooker he doesn’t even need to play next year we have Mayfield.
March 21st, 2023 at 1:10 pm
wehigh acres Says: Trask is not an all-talk-no-action guy like Backup Mayfield, who in 6 seasons has achieved the exact same playoff record as Tim Tebow: 1-1.
You’re right. He’s a no-talk-no-action guy who’s thrown 3/9 for less than 30 yards 🙂
March 21st, 2023 at 1:33 pm
We have plenty of NFL game film on Baker Mayfield. We have a pretty solid idea what he is capable of.
What we don’t have is NFL game film of Kyle Trask.
The way the Tampa Bay Bucs handled the Atlanta game #17 last year was completely ridiculous and idiotic.
Allowing Tom Brady to go out and play a worthless half of football then bringing in Blaine Gabbert to play the 3rd and half of the 4th has the dumbest thing I have seen from this franchise since drafting Roberto Aguayo in the 2nd round.
Blaine Gabbert isn’t even on this team right now. The Bucs should have allowed Kyle Trsak to play that entire game. At least we would now have a full game of NFL film to use to analyze Kyle Trask…
Why? Why did Tom Brady need to play that worthless game at all? Just for Brady’s ego? Why did Blaine Gabbert need to play at all when he isn’t even on this team right now?
Was it BL? Was it head coach Todd Bowles? Was it our GM JL?
Whoever made the decisions that day need to have their head examined because that was totally idiotic.
So here we sit. No real game film to analyze with Trask at QB. Gabbert is gone and Tom Brady got his ego stroked.
Stupid is as stupid does.
March 21st, 2023 at 1:38 pm
Somebody made a comment a couple days back that went mostly unnoticed.
They talked about Trask not speaking up and how that, that’s the biggest problem he has. And now that we’re finally getting to the why not’s or the what for’s, I’ve gotta agree with that. Nobody knows what we’ve got with him because we can’t get a “current” temperature reading on the guy.
Does he want this or not? Where does he seem himself in the next 5 years? And, what is he willing to do to keep it?
As in any position of power, it has to be taken! And you better believe that you have to fight even harder to keep it. And none of us know (yet) if Trask has that “Eye of the Tiger” in him. And there in lies the in fighting between us. We just don’t know
March 21st, 2023 at 1:49 pm
I thought this was about Trask and his leadership, or learning a playbook, or reading a defense. My bad.
March 21st, 2023 at 1:50 pm
Hope he can scramble…. Lol.
March 21st, 2023 at 1:52 pm
Marine, agree with how they handled that ATL. game. The excuse for Brady starting and playing for a half? Remember Bowles said they needed to work on things. Utter rubbish. They’d had 16 weeks to work on things. I’m sure Brady (who was eager to try and polish a turd) was equally culpable. You’re also correct that we’ve never seen Trask with a full go and the lights on. But we don’t have the benefit of seeing him live in practice. It probably looks like poop, evidenced by the fact that he has dressed for exactly one NFL game. Please don’t give me this nonsense that Brady was the reason gabbert was the backup though. It’s a competition based league. The best players either play, or are slotted into their appropriate roles
March 21st, 2023 at 1:52 pm
May the best man win. Parts of me still cringes at the thought of even uttering “Let’s go Baker” at any point this upcoming season, BUT Kyle Trask has also had limited exposure to the public so I don’t really trust trust either of these guys more than the other. We’ll see, we’ve got plenty of time for our QB situation to play out, just hope all our guys stay healthy so this thing can play out and we get a winner without the “what if” of one of the other QBs being healthy.
March 21st, 2023 at 1:59 pm
@ Redeemer
“Please don’t give me this nonsense that Brady was the reason gabbert was the backup though. It’s a competition based league. The best players either play, or are slotted into their appropriate roles”
I agree.
But the same coaches have said multiple times that they are very impressed with Kyle Trak’s work ethic and the vast improvements he has made.
I am not a Gator apologist – unfortunately I am a USF fan…
Personally – I believe Baker will beat out Trask. But I am frustrated – the Bucs brass should of had more common sense than they showed in Atlanta during week #17.
The whole thing was simply moronic IMO.
March 21st, 2023 at 2:07 pm
I agree with Marine Buc its the Bucs own fault they have virtually no gametime experience in Kyle Trask. Any other team in the nfl that had used a second round pick on a quarterback would have found time to play some. These brainiacs did not even have him activated for most of the games in the last two years. It almost look like they are going out of their way to keep him from playing.
March 21st, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ball out Baker prove us wrong 💰
March 21st, 2023 at 2:46 pm
Redeemer & Marine Buc … I’d guess that it’s the HC & OC together who decide which QBs will sit where in the pecking order. Gut feel is that if you happen to have an Alpha dog named Tom Brady, that he’ll probably have a pretty big say in the decision of who ‘backs him up’ also.
Brady had quite a few ‘backups’ in his 20 years with the Patriots, but I doubt that any of them got more than a handful of snaps while Brady was the Alpha dog. Pro-Football-Reference only shows snaps back to 2012, but Brady had over 1000 in each of those seasons except the one in which he got injured (2016) and Jimmy Garoppolo filled in & went 2-0. Jimmy was traded the next year to San Fran.
Kyle Trask was never going to be anything but our #3 as long as Brady & Arians were here. I suspect that TB12 vividly remembered how he won the job from Drew Bledsoe & that was never gonna happen to him. I have no idea if Trask can become a decent NFL QB, but I dearly hope that Canales & Bowles give him a FAIR CHANCE to at least try.
March 21st, 2023 at 3:21 pm
Is Todd Bowles fired yet ? otherwise, this will be a lousy season whoever the QB is.
March 21st, 2023 at 3:25 pm
@ DR
You are probably correct – a combination of Tom Brady’s ego and BL/TB’s stupidity…
Neither Tom Brady nor Plain Blaine Gabbert are on our roster right now.
Trask should have had the whole week to prepare, practice and play that game in Atlanta as the Bucs starter – it was a wasted opportunity.
I am looking forward to seeing Trask play this preseason so we can actually have a little game film to analyze instead of hating on a player who wasn’t even been given a proper opportunity.
March 21st, 2023 at 3:51 pm
Mayfield won’t be a backup if his main competition is Trask. I don’t even know what Trask is capable of, but based on experience alone, Mayfield is the starter. Unless Trask plays out of his mind and looks like a legit franchise QB in camp (unlikely), Mayfield is your starter.
March 21st, 2023 at 4:00 pm
I’m with MarineB and other like-minded fans. But Bowles did much more to discredit the team than the one activity mentioned–and they were all referencing the offense. (ie. Not going for it on 4th, keeping Darden way too long when he barely tried to play anyone else in returns and said “he didn’t do anything wrong” etc.))
One thing I liked about Mayfield’s speech was that the only time he used the words “you know” he also used “I know” 🙂 He did overuse “uh” and “um” a lot, but those were his first in-team media addresses. I also REALLY liked his attitude on figuring out how to help his team in any position he found himself in. That is where he grew a bunch, IMO. Looking forward to finding out more from Trask, wholeheartedly, one way or the other.
March 21st, 2023 at 4:16 pm
I am not wired to b a backup NFL QB either. I want to start or else. I can throw a 10 yd pass.
March 21st, 2023 at 4:19 pm
I love the optimism, I hate to be pessimistic, but… Baker had two years in a row with a Super Bowl ready team in Cleveland. Great running backs, some good receivers (if not great), and one heckuva defense. The only reason they didn’t go very far was because of him.
This year I believe the Buccaneers need to focus on offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, safeties, another young receiver… get the team ready for the QB that emerges
OR go all in & trade up to get a franchise QB next year
March 21st, 2023 at 5:55 pm
By all accounts of the Bowles philosophy thus far, we are going to run the ball 40 plus times a game and pass maybe 20-25 – ball and clock control, keep your D fresh and attacking all the time
If it takes 13-9 or 16-14 score games to win, so be it
Doesn’t this sound exciting?
Does Baker have the patience to be Trent Dilfet reincarnated?
I am so uninspired for this season to come – ugh
March 21st, 2023 at 6:08 pm
@Mike Johnson…well said!
March 21st, 2023 at 6:51 pm
No one will ever give poor Kyle Trask a FAIR CHANCE. LOVE THE CAPS!
There is a deep conspiracy within the Bucs organization to keep Trask down, and especially to keep his fans from ever seeing what they’ve got in Trask. The Bucs know his fans want to see him thrown out there. In fact sources say the Bucs make him practice alone, in isolation, away from everyone. Not even the coaches watch him. They hate him. They hate his fans more. And irs not fair, because he had such great college stats. No one will ever know what kind of pro Trask could have been.
So unfair.
SAD!
March 21st, 2023 at 7:34 pm
I’m all in. His upside it up there. Till he shows otherwise. Sometimes all we have is hope. GO BUCS. Regardless next season just got interesting. Can’t be more drama than losing 15 pounds during season and missing 11 day of training camp due to divorce. I was at the games I saw it. This is a team sport. If QB is in head/stressed (and 45/old) that’s isolating. That’s what killed last season. (One of the things)
March 21st, 2023 at 7:44 pm
DR, yes in 2016 Jimmy G replaced Brady, he was suspended for 4 games. Jimmy G got hurt and Brissett came in and went 1&1. Brady came back and had the greatest comeback in NFL history against Atlanta down 28-3 in the 3rd qtr. They didn’t keep Jimmy G because they would of had to franchise him. Brady went on to a SB in 2017 that Belichick’s stubbornness lost, Brady threw for 505 yds and 3 tds. Then in 2018 back to the SB where they beat the Rams. Brady made Jimmy G irrelevant.
March 21st, 2023 at 7:48 pm
What really happened between Mayfield and OBJ with the Browns? Did Mayfield learn anything? Probably not. It caused a lot of trouble in the locker room. I wish Baker well. But, my wishes don’t mean JS. Baker reminds me a lot of Johnny Manziel. A hopeless case.
March 21st, 2023 at 8:28 pm
MAYFIELD VS TRASK (another wrinkle)
The Bucs have a new offensive coordinator; meaning, they have a new playbook that no one knows. Trask has run one offense for a hot minute and a total of 9 pass attempts (3 receptions). Mayfield has run multiple offenses for multiple years. Mayfield knows how to learn and implement a new system quickly (ie won his first 49er game). Trask doesn’t. Mayfield will get up to speed faster than Trask and he’ll earn the OC trust.
This isn’t a competition.
March 21st, 2023 at 9:18 pm
SlyPirate, building on what you just said… The problem with Trask has been that he’s a slow learner! He is very talented. But a slow learner. That’s why he was always the backup before he was the starter in H.S and College. Some players are like that. They require more time to grasp the playbook. This will doom him again. He’s just figuring out the last playbook. And now he’s got a new one again. BM is the starter!!! KT fans, his time has not come yet!
March 21st, 2023 at 11:19 pm
Whatever. Let’s just give Trask a chance.
See, for the last two years they’ve had him in the basement, doing laundry and playing Madden video football. Since we fangirls haven’t seen him that means no one has, right.
Let’s throw him out there! Why not?! Forget about having to earn it, it’s his right and privilege because he threw for a bunch of yards in college! That’s all you need.
End the Trask suppression conspiracy now!
March 21st, 2023 at 11:55 pm
Agree with Defense Rules, give Trask an equal chance to win the starting role and let the best QB win.
March 22nd, 2023 at 12:48 pm
Hey SlyPirate, Could you please share your information on what games Baker Mayfield played and won for the 49ers?
Goatfarmes sure do know a lot about QB, not Quarterbacks but Quality Bollocks… Got to keep that herd growing.
I would like to hope that the actual OC and GM and HC all have input into the QB depth chart. I do very highly doubt they ask either of the Joes or Ira their thoughts and concerns, I can guarantee they do not ask or care what any of the JBF’s posters have to say about any depth chart or football or draft opportunities available in our draft slot. I could be wrong in this assumption, but I would bet my last silver dollar, with faith that they do not.
Bring on Mayfield, be good to see him play against the Panthers this season twice. Trask, Mayfield, and QBs to be drafted sound like good competition, and a good 1-2-3 in the QB room. Line up shut up and let’s play.
Go!!!!! Bucs!!!!!
March 24th, 2023 at 1:08 am
Fans don’t let Baker to full you. He is the loser with terrible attitude. He is only happy and become team player when he is starting. He had three chances with three different team and failed them all. There are no real jobs that give you so many chances to succeed. Bucs held their second round pick beyond Tom B. which is understandable but hiring Baker and starting him a head of Trask is the worst thing they will be doing.
March 24th, 2023 at 8:13 am
First of all, I think you all are underrating Kyle Trask. He was a great college QB. I think 2 years under Tom Brady will have made him a much better player. Baker has had many chances in the NFL and he’s failed out of all of them. I am 100% rooting for Kyle Trask and hope he beats out Baker. And I think he can.
March 24th, 2023 at 8:17 am
First of all, you all are underrating Kyle Trask a lot. He was a great college QB. 2 years behind Tom Brady will 100% help him. Baker has had 3 chances in the NFL and he has failed out of everyone. Baker is trash. At least Trask could be solid. I know Trask has the right mentality. At least give Trask a chance to see what he is. Baker is an average Backup who never lived up to his draft pick.