“He Brings That Oklahoma Quarterback Mentality”
August 22nd, 2023
New Bucs starter reacts.
So newly anointed Bucs starting quarterback Baker Mayfield admitted it is good that this mystery of who is starting Week 1 is over.
As a result, Mayfield plans on treating the third worthless preseason game Saturday against the Crows just like he would prepare for a regular season game.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles announced his starting quarterback decision when responding to Joe’s question if the competition is close between Mayfield and backup Kyle Trask.
Bowles said he informed Trask and he handled it like a pro, partially because Bowles said he and Trask have such a good relationship.
Mayfield said Bowles made his decision this morning and then alerted Trask. After Bowles spoke with Trask, Bowles gave the news to Mayfield.
“Time for me to lead like I know how,” Mayfield said. “It’s an exciting time.”
Bucs wide receiver Rakim Jarrett reacted to the Mayfield news, “He’s a gunslinger. He brings that Oklahoma quarterback mentality. As a receiver, you kind of like that.”
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:40 am
Does this offense fit with a gunslinger. Baker would have been perfect for BA’s offense. I don’t think Canales wants a gun slinger.
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:40 am
I’m good with this & happy for both QB’s. Trask is ready if needed.
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:41 am
good scoop Joe
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:45 am
Bowles just assured his firing. He gifted the job to the worst performing QB in the league last year.
LOL what a joke.
Bring on Lincoln Riley.
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:46 am
The defense is better, the special teams are better, the offensive weapons are better, the offensive line MIGHT be better, and the offensive coordinator SHOULD be better… all Mayfield has to do is be average and we are better than last season. Brady was EXTREMELY average (at best) last season. He ranked 18th in both NFL QB rating metrics, behind Justin Fields at #18 in QBR… point is, between Brady’s constant audibles to smokescreeens and checking down on other plays prematurely until quarter number four, he is what held the offense back the most last year… not Leftwich, not Goedeke, not the terrible running game… it was Brady. Just Baker being a competitor will make the offense more dangerous. Before you blame the line… it’s Brady. Brady was sacked at a 2.9% rate last year, lowest in the league for the second season in a row. No, the line wasn’t great but Brady lost his nerve, decided he didn’t want to to get hit again, and submarined the offense. No the system is not great, not a lot of option routes or variances on different routes in a play, but it worked very well the previous three seasons… until Brady changed it. Mayfield will compete. The defense is strong. This team will be better. In a weak division, I’m looking at 10 wins or more.
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:46 am
At 3-9 last season his men have a 66% chance of not surviving the Battle.
Custer’s men had a better chance of survival.
“Colonel Mayfield your Cannonballs are going into the wrong Camp”
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:47 am
Hopefully now that THE decision has been made, everyone can get behind the Bucs & pull for all of them. And especially the OLine, because we could end up going through all 3 QBs in short order unless this OLine improves fairly quickly. No more playing against 2nd & 3rd stringers, it’s time for all our 1st stringers to put on their Big-Boy pants & knock some heads.
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:49 am
Neither Mayfield or Trask are going to lead the Bucs to the promise land so no need to get butt hurt over either one starting. Odds are both will be starting games before the season ends. Just Win Baby. Go Bucs
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:50 am
What a crock. By all accounts – even Joe’s – Trask did better in training camp than Mayfield. So Bowles based his decision on what? Mayfield’s 9 dink-and-dunk pass attempts in a single preseason game? What a clown show.
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:51 am
“Time for me to lead like I know how,” Mayfield said. “It’s an exciting time.”
Oh boy.
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:52 am
Here we goooooo…..
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:53 am
BM will choke. Trask is breathing down his neck. must be hard for a vet on his last shot to know they are running a team barely treading water above tank mode. That combined with bowels history would make me nervous AF.
Trask has nothing to lose, BM has everything to lose and has a history of losing.
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:53 am
LOL there are some butt-hurt and insecure men in here. Let’s see how well these comments age. Give Mayfield a chance. Go Bucs!
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:57 am
Glad to see that Baker is the starter. I know that we’ll soon be hearing a lot of BS from all you Bucs “fans” about how you can’t wait for him to fail. Baker is well aware that even though he’s only 28, this may be his last shot at being a starter. So, everybody suck it up and give Baker his shot. And be careful what you wish for with Caleb Williams.
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:57 am
With the Bucs O-line, being named the starter is the real loser.
August 22nd, 2023 at 11:58 am
I guarantee Baker will be off this team by the bye week.
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:01 pm
ABB for Head Coach. Anybody But Bowles.
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:03 pm
Hey Steelers fan , worry about your own mediocre team
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:03 pm
All aboard the Baker hype train!! Until the Vikings kick our butts week 1, of course.
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:04 pm
The new Dinkin’ Doughnuts franchise coming soon.
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:06 pm
Bowlezo will start Maybefield with the entire 1st string and set up Trask with our worst scrubs soon after.
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:07 pm
It’s pretty simple.. if we started Trask now and he looked bad absolutely nobody would be excited for a QB switch to Baker Mayfield… with Baker starting at least if he does bad people can be excited about what Trask could do since
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:14 pm
I’ve suffered through some really bad quarterback play as a Bucs fan but this situation is most distressing. A quarterback who is gifted the starting job because of his experience even though that experience is horrible. The team saw Trask out work and out play Mayfield. Let’s hope that Bowles doesn’t lose the team’s respect because of this selfish, political decision.
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:15 pm
Lincoln Riley is on the clock LOL
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:16 pm
That being said…. Let’s go Baker Mayfield!!!! 😱 I can’t believe I just said that.
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:18 pm
DruPol we’re not going to disbelieve our lying eyes. BM was REALLY bad last year.
Like REALLY REALLY bad.
This is one of the most galaxy brained moves this franchise has ever made – and there have been some doozies.
Its a Bucs Life.
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:20 pm
what ?
“He brings that Oklahoma quarterback mentality.”
What does that even mean ?
Publix brings that florida grocer mentality to produce?
WTF, what is an oklahoma quarterback ? Does he know how to grow corn anywhere ?
Will he fool around with his cousin ?
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:22 pm
If you truly don’t know, think Lincoln Riley.
And if you don’t know who Lincoln Riley is, Joe can’t help you.
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:25 pm
I’m in agreement with DR and I’m going to expand on it.
So this IS best for the team IN THAT the front O line is absolutely going to get whomever is behind center, killed. So it’s for the best NOT because Mayfield has more talent. NOT because he has the better upside. (He doesn’t) BUT BECAUSE of his experience with good and bad front lines, and his Ability to scramble… He SHOULD be able to negotiate the BEAT DOWN THAT IS COMING a little better than Trask! More than likely Mayfield gets hurt. I don’t see it as avoidable.
On the Bright side for the Trask should lead team, Trask gets the BENEFIT of being able to observe how the “actual” front line is going to perform (weak and strong ) and it WILL benefit Trask when he takes over. This gives Trask a HUGE ADVANTAGE that Mayfield isn’t going to have.
In other words, in my view and of humble opinion, Mayfield JUST GOT SCREWED! I mean let’s face it, he’s going to get PULVERIZED! Quit literally. If I were a true Mayfield supporter, I’d be terrified that this IS GOING TO finish his chances at ever being a franchise QB. “MAYFIELD” IS the one that just got screwed over guys.
So if you’re a hard core Trask supporter, rejoice. You’re prays (whether you get it yet or not) have just been answered.
And for the Mayfield supporters, I’d be JUMPING UP AND DOWN “DEMANDING” capable replacements for that VERY VERY BAD front line before your guy literally gets broken in half. DEMANDING…..
Everything is playing in Trasks favor. At this juncture, it sure as he!! isn’t an advantage to start the season off as the stake tar tar QB for hungry defenses. Not joking when I say I feel bad for Mayfield. He’s in trouble. Whoever starts IS IN TROUBLE!
I DO hope Mayfield makes it through at least a few games before he gets really hurt. Maybe time enough for Trask to figure out someway to negotiate that (gonna get you killed) front line.
And winning one way or the other, or if we have to because everyone got killed because of the front O line, we maybe forced into a a great draft pick and may end up with a Top End QB via draft..
I’m just going to strap in and hope for the best… whatever that maybe.
GO BUCS
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:25 pm
Joe so who do you think Caleb Williams is?
Patrick Mahomes? Or Kyler Murray?
That’s the big question.
We might as well start talking about that now.
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:42 pm
Let’s face it, whether it’s Baker or Trask you “fans” will stab them in the back at the first opportunity. You’re nothing but whiners. Now I want Baker to succeed more than ever. And I agree, Steeler, worry about your own team first since they look shaky and your QB has the smallest baby hands in the league… and that’s a fact! GO BAKER. B-A-K-E-R!!
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:48 pm
I was pulling for Trask to win the job, but he didn’t. As Terrell Owens once said, that’s my QB. For the Bucs that’s Baker Mayfield. As a Buc fan I want him to be the next Gino Smith. Trask proved he’s come along, and will be the perfect back up. When his number is called Trask will be ready, he always has. Let’s go Baker, and Trask, let’s go Bucs!
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:53 pm
Well, the fact that Trask looked to be advancing gives me some hope for this offensive staff. It gives me hope that they may be up for the challenge of grooming a top rookie QB.
On the other hand, if this team sucks this year this entire coaching staff may be shown the door anyway.
Quite the Yin and Yang situation we have going here.
August 22nd, 2023 at 12:57 pm
Hodad … love your attitude. Mike S… you can learn something from this man. So can all of us!
August 22nd, 2023 at 1:01 pm
We haven’t seen Tristan play yet. There seem to me to be some good starters on the Oline.
It is hard to be happy about the team knowing the HC is a liar along with some of his other less-than-desirable traits. I’m trying. 🙁
August 22nd, 2023 at 1:07 pm
Everyone let’s make it clear.
This is Todd Bowles choice.
Baker is his guy – that’s the QB he wants.
He would have named him the starter back in March if not for other stakeholders in the org preventing him from doing so.
Baker did just enough – protected by Bowles – to allow Bowles to name him th starter.
Good or bad this is on Bowles. This is his guy.
Also there will be no short leash for Baker. Bucs could be 0-6 and turn the ball over ever other series Bowles will rigidly make his point – Baker is his guy.
Trask will NEVER play a single down for Bowles.
Bowles will get fired and Bucs will get a new coach. Cardinals will get the #1 pick, Bucs will get a top five and Trask will get traded because a new HC will draft his QB.
This move ensures no winning season for 3 years.
Buckle up Bucs fans… The clown show is only beginning.
August 22nd, 2023 at 1:12 pm
I’m rooting/pulling for Baker! He does well my Bucs have a chance to do well!! THAT’S IT!!
August 22nd, 2023 at 1:16 pm
It’s funny how “The Bucco Realisto” hasn’t resurrected. He did so well for so long. Then he crashed and burn like a pick 6 from Winston.
Now we are about to get serious. Real bullets are around the corner.
Go Bucs!!!
August 22nd, 2023 at 1:16 pm
If history repeats itself (the combo of Baker Mayfield’s pro careerand Bucs erratic QB history), we’ll like see Trask start at some point this season. People saying because the Bucs didn’t pick Trask to start Game 1 means that selecting Trask in the 2nd round in 2021 was a waste. Com’on man… Let me remind you of several wasted QB picks in the FIRST ROUND: Jameis Winston, Josh Freeman, Trent Dilfer. Even if Trask becomes our long-term 2nd string QB, not a terrible 2nd round pick!
August 22nd, 2023 at 1:24 pm
Oklahoma Quarterback… Troy Aikman before he transferred to UCLA?
August 22nd, 2023 at 1:28 pm
Obvious … I have to admit that I share your rationale. I’m convinced that 2023 will be ‘A Tale of Two Teams’ for us. This team has a lot of growing to do because we’ve got so many new & inexperienced pieces, on both sides of the ball. Not necessarily a bad thing at all, but they will take time to come together.
Mid-point of the season (Game 9) is Nov 12th here against the Titans. That’s a winnable game IMO, but if we’re 3-5 or worse it, probably won’t matter much. If we can win that game, then go 5-3 or better the rest of the way (our 2nd half schedule looks to be a tad easier), we could have a winning season. And possibly even win our division; never know. Bucs just can’t afford to get too far behind the 8-ball in the 1st half of the season.
August 22nd, 2023 at 1:29 pm
A damn fine quarterback. Not fair to compare him to a guy like Mahomes. Josh Allen maybe.
August 22nd, 2023 at 1:56 pm
Obvious conclusion. Trask didnt even dress for games. Mayfield took CLE to a road win at Pitt and an almost at KC. If im a 60 year old HC on a short leash, i just dont know which way to turn… LOL.
August 22nd, 2023 at 2:11 pm
The haters are going to keep hating and I say, good for you. All that hate you have for Baker just keeps growing inside you like a cancer.
For everyone else, hopefully you will get behind this team. Remember before Baker got hurt he led the Browns, who were 4-44 over the 3 seasons prior to drafting him, to an 11-5 season and their first Playoff win since 1994. The next year he played hurt and still led the Browns to an 8-9 season. That’s the same record a healthy TB12 had with the Bucs last year in the NFC South. And the haters love to point out Baker was last in the league last year. And that is true, last year he was DEAD LAST. Even his overall win/loss percentage is only .458. And you know which team is DEAD LAST in the NFL? I don’t mean last year. I mean EVER in the entire history of the NFL, with a win/loss of .402? Yup that’s right, the Bucs. Even after Glazer spent a gozillion dollars to buy a Super Bowl team, we are still dead last. The worst team ever in the history of the league. So haters, hate all you want. Root against the Bucs because you want Mayfield to fail. Let that hate grow inside you. For everyone else I say, Go Bucs!
August 22nd, 2023 at 2:17 pm
wrong move but it will work out regardless!! Go Bake!!
August 22nd, 2023 at 2:42 pm
“Bowles made his decision this morning ”
LOL – OK coach. I’m sure thats exactly how it went down….
Todd woke up this morning and had the epiphany that Baker Mayfield won the QB battle and will lead us to the promised land….
So as soon as Bowles got to OBP this morning – he immediately called Trask into his office to tell him the bad news and then called in Baker who got the surprise of his life that he is the #1 QB…..
August 22nd, 2023 at 2:49 pm
Good for Mayfield ! But with Bowles as the HC, even if you put Mahommes as bucs QB, first play would be run through the gut, now you have 2nd and twelve, throw to Evans on the side, drop the pass, 3rd and 12, throw to Rashaad White gets tackled right away. Now, you have 4th and 8, here comes the punter….. Bucs life !!!
August 22nd, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Since I am a true BUCS fan, I approve this move. Get ready for the Baker Era..(this have been long in the making, believe it or not). You’ll be amazed!!
August 22nd, 2023 at 3:27 pm
He needs to bring a winners mentality. He was trying to convince with words since he stepped in the door. That’s a losers mentality. Prove it dberry
August 22nd, 2023 at 3:41 pm
Trask got shafted. Baker committed more turn overs and honestly it seems trask played just as well or slightly better than baker. I’ll be rooting for baker to do good but Bowles shafted trask.
August 22nd, 2023 at 4:08 pm
let the redemption story continue
I am all for it!
August 22nd, 2023 at 4:21 pm
This entire article made me want to vomit. He’s on what his 3rd team but he know how to lead? What a joke. Cannot wait to move on from this clown show that was forced on us.
August 22nd, 2023 at 4:28 pm
this is what happened: a pro football franchise, known over the last quarter century for inept football, (im talking about Cleveland) gave up on their injured QB and went after a weapon whose team gave up on him (Houston). Dont go by anything you saw of baker last year, Carolina decided to tank before the season was 5 games in. Rams knew they wouldn’t keep him, because baker isn’t going to stay as a backup. this post will either age well or not, but I think by end of the season, were sitting pretty with a franchise QB were proud of. Go Baker Mayfield, I see no reason Bucs dont beat out the Falcons for the 3rd division championship in a row. Bucs 9-8 Falcons 9-8 (tie breaker) New Orleans 8-9 Carolina 6-11
August 22nd, 2023 at 4:42 pm
“Gunslinger Mentality” = Bucs Winston PTSD
August 22nd, 2023 at 5:18 pm
DR,
Well said. And it sounds about right if All goes well with a Good Amount of LUCK that is. I’m not sold on our O line. My fear is lack of quality depth seeing as we don’t seem to have a quality starting O line in the first place.
I just can’t get two things out of my head.
One: The O line going backwards on Every time I specifically watched the line. Literally… (I haven’t gone back and watched a second time) Not sure that I can. Highlights only…
Two: It just feels like a Very Bad omen that it seems the O line has Already played a part in getting Wolford hurt… Honestly that guy has a Super Sweet touch (far better than the other two) on his throws and “it seemed” that he not only made it look effortless, it “seemed” that he was doing the BEST job of avoiding the rush. AND HE STILL GOT CLOBBERED! I ACTUALLY thought it was Mayfield that was laying on that gurney! I was relieved to find out it wasn’t because I TRULY BELIEVE WE’RE GONNA NEED EVERY QB we can get before this thing is over!
That’s literally how bad this O line not only looks but is performing AGAINST second to fifth string defenders! We DO NOT HAVE DEPTH! I have a strong feeling Licht HAD BETTER BE scaling the wires night and day to upgrade as much as possible! No Joke. And yes, we held 2 guys out but I DO NOT KNOW WHY… Those 2 need the gelling and experience as much as anybody else up there! After what we All witnessed, I would put that in the DESPERATELY column….
Let’s hope I’m Wrong and that the O line is far, far better than I think. And I think that We Will be losing guys here and there across that line as the season goes on.
As Clubber Lane was once asked and I’m going to go with it. He was asked what his prediction would be for the fight against Rocky and I quote…. My prediction? “PAIN”!
August 22nd, 2023 at 5:47 pm
Bowles may think he has a good relationship with Trask, wtf do I know? Maybe he does. But my guess is this was never a competition in Bowles mind no matter wtf he says in public. My guess is still that Licht is not happy that a second round pick got wasted by Arians and Bowles. They made virtually zero effort to develop him. They essentially ignored him for three years and now this BS about a “fair competition”. Maybe they are right. Again, wtf do I know? Maybe he’s flawed but there’s no denying he was ignored. And THAT is an indication of a breakdown between Licht and the coaches in the draft process. That pick could have been used for some other position. In my opinion, watching his college film Licht and Spytek saw something and I don’t disagree and the timing was masterful. IF someone developed him.
That didn’t happen, which looks like a pretty serious disconnect strategically. Arians got us a Super Bowl with Brady. Good for him. As for the rest of the shenanigans with retirement, hitting players, the golf cart, and all the rest. No thanks. You may have done more long term damage than good. I hope not but we’ll see.
August 22nd, 2023 at 8:37 pm
Kyle Trask is a Young quarterback. If he is as good as some people think, he will have an ample opportunity to make a name for himself and flourish in this league, either here or elsewhere. No big deal. The earth does not move because of this decision. As for Baker, he is likely on a short leash. The NFL is a performance league. You perform and you play. You don’t perform and you are gone. I hired a lot of people in my day as an administrator and when it came down to choosing between two quite good candidates, experience often trumped potential. I made my share of mistakes, but I was reluctant to put my future in the hands of a Rookie. Look around the NFL and you’ll find that’generally the case.
August 22nd, 2023 at 10:11 pm
Buddha Says:
August 22nd, 2023 at 8:37 pm
“but I was reluctant to put my future in the hands of a Rookie. Look around the NFL and you’ll find that’generally the case.”
Look around which league are you referring to ? Which teams ?
Most teams have already called their high round qb’s as their week one starter.
Except the lousy Bucs club hoping a clown qb to win the season for them.
Also good effective experience is what really matters not the failed ones. If that is the case then why didn’t Bucs just keep Gabbert.
August 22nd, 2023 at 10:33 pm
David, accept the fact that Baker is the better QB. Period! He’ll prove that, soon.
August 23rd, 2023 at 6:39 am
Oklahoma QB mentality? From a guy who has done nothing yet. About a guy who has done nothing yet and then Mayfield talks about knowing how to lead a team? Such a modest and classy leader. Oklahoma teach him that? Hope he plays better than he speaks.
Geez
Go Bucs!