“I Don’t Think It Will Be” Baker Mayfield
August 8th, 2023
Ex-NFL suit down on Baker Mayfield.
As Joe has noted many, many times, outside Tampa, no one seems to think Baker Mayfield can resurrect his career with the Bucs, much less lead them to the playoffs.
If you can find someone in the national media who thinks Mayfield can be a solid starting quarterback with the Bucs (other than Rick Spielman and Shaun King) please point this person out to Joe.
Last week joining the one and only Chris “Mad Dog” Russo on SiriusXM Radio, Michael Lombardi, the former coffee fetcher for Bill Walsh, Al Davis and Bill Belicheat, told the audience that Mayfield is not the guy who will line up behind center in Minneapolis when the 2023 season kicks off.
Lombardi and Russo were discussing quarterbacks who might be able to turn around their careers when Russo brought up Mayfield.
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo: … And Mayfield maybe with Tampa…
Michael Lombardi: I don’t think it will be Mayfield. I think it will be Trask. Mayfield turns the ball over. Todd Bowles will — Mayfield didn’t play well at all last year. And if Kyle Trask does anything this summer I think it will be Kyle Trask.
Russo: All right, interesting there. I would think [Bowles] would go with the veteran to protect himself.
Joe finds this interesting on several levels. Lombardi is a huge fan of Bowles and both are from the Bill Parcells’ tree of football. Those guys stick up for one another like brothers.
Lombardi probably has insight into Bowles’ mindset on turnovers more than most. Joe will say that this summer, Bowles might be talking more about turnovers than lousy Lovie Smith did — which frightens Joe.
(Joe would sure like to hear Bowles engage in chatter on how to improve the run game from worst in the NFL since he wants to run the ball so much. Or, how he plans to concoct an edge rush. Joe would much rather listen to this type of football information than hear so much about Bowles’ new obsession, turnovers.)
The other interesting nugget is Lombardi’s son Matt was the Stinking Panthers’ assistant quarterback coach last season when Mayfield was there. So Joe is guessing Michael Lombardi has quality intel on Mayfield.
Joe still maintains unless Trask practices/plays so well the rest of August that he cannot be taken off the field, that Bowles will go with Mayfield because Bowles isn’t going to put his career in the hands of a guy who has a total of three NFL completions (unless Team Glazer has given Bowles assurances he’s safe to return in 2024).
August 8th, 2023 at 8:04 am
Mayfield is the next Fitzpatrick. Similar stature. Good arm, can move his feet pretty good. Can play well at times and at other times….not so well. Best suited as a high energy short-term fill in. He’ll make a lot of money, have a lot of fun and actually play a little. May also end up with 8 kids.
August 8th, 2023 at 8:14 am
Why do Joe feel like Mayfield is entitled to a starting job just because he started before should not mean a hill of beans, no one really know how Trask will respond as the starter because he never was one! Every QB who has started multiple games had to make their first start at some point and time. I hope that in the end they pick the guy who performs the best not who entertains the best we seen that show alraedy it was not pretty!
August 8th, 2023 at 8:47 am
I think that if Canales had the last word, Trask would be it. He was very happy of how Kyle picked up his scheme and has progressed in it. Duh Baker, not so much. Baker is just being Bakers and doesn’t seem to notice his OC yelling.
Hot Toddie is probably still on the fence, because he does want an experienced QB, even if it has been bad experience.
It all comes down to these first two preseason games. If Baker blows it and Kyle doesn’t his mind will be made up. If they both blow it Baker will be it. Trask still needs to prove himself.
August 8th, 2023 at 8:53 am
I stand by my assertion that Trask has to be lights out to win the job. I’d rather give Trask the chance to be the hero off the bench. Put the pressure on Bake to replace Brady and hold the job first. Easy decision.
August 8th, 2023 at 8:54 am
I wouldn’t say from the way we have heard from you at practice so far he won’t start Trask. And if he has better preseason games he wouldn’t either. But he could also have him on a very short leash. Not be afraid to pull him if it looks like it was the wrong decision. Same way as if he starts Mayfield. Because you’re always looking at the possibility neither will work out. That is just my opinion. I have no dog in the fight .
August 8th, 2023 at 8:54 am
Joe you make no sense with that comment. Bowels is going to put Mayfield in who is playing below Trask and turns the ball over just because he has experience at being average to bad to save his job. Bowel is going to put the QB who has the best chance of winning. With Trask he aloso will get better as he gets more experience. Baker is maxed out.
August 8th, 2023 at 8:57 am
So many people talk about Baker and his experience and how he’s a vet. He’s experienced in throwing 65 ints over his career. He’s a consistent turnover machine and that’s before we talk about batted balls and taking sacks. If Todd starts this guy and we lose games then turns to Trask and we start to win, he needs to be let go. Why draft Trask and not start him? It would be a waste of a pick.
August 8th, 2023 at 9:10 am
Mayfield was bad. I watched his infamous Raiders drive for rams this morning. It was not impressive to watch. Mayfield threw an awful pick that was called back by an ticky-tack holding penalty and then crushed by a nine yard sack. After the play the Raiders got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for hitting the ball out of Mayfields hand. They won that game due to the Raiders defense mistakes. Not Mayfields ability.
His passes also reminded me so much of Jamies it was bringing back ghosts from the 30/30 season. I’ll pass and bet on Trask, the unknown, with a higher ceiling. If he fails Bucs get a QB next draft.
August 8th, 2023 at 9:15 am
IS Bowles still the coach ? oh boy… does not matter who the bucs put in the center…. Bowles does not know what he’s doing….
August 8th, 2023 at 9:15 am
The second preseason game is usually the tune up for the starters. Think it’s interesting Trask is starting the second preseason game. That’s also the week of joint practices with the jets, and Bowles timeline to name a starter. Next week with the jets will determine the starter.
August 8th, 2023 at 9:24 am
You might see Trask air it out a little more today in Practice if he feels that he is trailing. Perhaps Baker was announced against Pittsburgh to see if Kyle gets rattled. Was watching some highlights on Trask last night and he threw from his own 36 to the opposing 30 (34 yards), split 2 defenders, and hit his receiver in the hands on stride. He had just enough arc to clear the linebacker. I believe that the changes he has made in his Mechanics to better his shorter passes is giving him trouble on deep passes.
Still believe that it was decided Trask start @ the Jets because Game 1 is also on the road.
August 8th, 2023 at 9:29 am
I agree with most on here that Baker may have experience, but it is bad experiences. He has already had chances in camp and did exactly what we thought he would do.
There is a way better chance that Bowles keeps his job by playing the guy the team drafted. If it doesn’t pan out, it’s not like Todd picked him.
Now if he starts Baker and he does what I expect, Bowles might get fired before the end of the season.
This is an obvious choice.
Might as well wrap your head around it and pull for the guy.
August 8th, 2023 at 9:38 am
I fail to see the logic in starting someone simply because they have more” experience “, imagine if it were a boxing competition with one fighter who has a record of 100 wins and 100 losses,( coincidentally almost the same ratio Mayfield has of touchdowns to turnovers), and a new , inexperienced fighter , who is taller , stronger , has a better reach and is developing faster ,thus having a higher ceiling , and the “ “inexperienced” fighter outperforms the “experienced “ fighter in training , which one would you go with when your money is on the line?
August 8th, 2023 at 9:44 am
I think Bowles has to at least start with Mayfield….put him on a very short leash.
August 8th, 2023 at 9:51 am
I see it completely different. Trask could serve as the scapegoat for Bowles. Gave the young man a shot and it didn’t work. New OC and system.
Albeit, if the defense, special teams or game management sucks and loses us some games that’s a different story.
Trask starting makes this year a wash.
August 8th, 2023 at 9:58 am
How many coaches have lost their job with Mayfield under center? We know exactly what Mayfield is looking at his history. The dude is a bust look at what Cleveland was willing to do to get rid of him. He is a backup quarterback and no more.
August 8th, 2023 at 9:59 am
Joe,
You said it yourself Kyle looks better. So if Todd doesn’t go with the best guy he clearly wants to get fired.
August 8th, 2023 at 10:04 am
‘Joe would much rather listen to this type of football information than hear so much about Bowles’ new obsession, turnovers.’
I don’t see it as a NEW obsession with Bowles at all Joe. EVERY DC is ‘obsessed’ with turnovers; but more specifically Turnover Differential. If they’re not, they won’t be a DC for long.
Todd Bowles has seen first-hand the relationship of Turnover Differential to winning (teams that have a positive TO Differential win over 75% of those games). Held true for him dating all the way back to 2014 (as BA’s DC in Arizona). Interestingly, 2013 (his first as Cards DC) was barely an exception to that rule:
o 2013: Cardinals (10-6) .. 31 giveaways – 30 takeaways (-1)
o 2014: Cardinals (11-5) .. 17 giveaways – 25 takeaways (+8)
o 2015: Jets (10-6) … 24 giveaways – 30 takeaways (+6)
o 2016: Jets (5-11) … 34 giveaways – 14 takeaways (-20)
o 2017: Jets (5-11) … 24 giveaways – 20 takeaways (-4)
o 2018: Jets (4-12) … 30 giveaways – 20 takeaways (-10)
o 2019: Bucs (7-9) … 41 giveaways – 28 takeaways (-13)
o 2020: Bucs (11-5) … 17 giveaways – 25 takeaways (+8)
o 2021: Bucs (13-4) … 19 giveaways – 29 takeaways (+10)
o 2022: Bucs (8-9) … 22 giveaways – 20 takeaways (-2)
So Todd has 10 years of experience there (as DC and/or HC) and he’s had winning seasons EVERY YEAR that he’s had a POSITIVE Turnover Differential and losing records every year (except 1) that he’s had a NEGATIVE Turnover Differential (and that year, 2013, was almost a push).
Do ya think that in Todd Bowles’ mind there’s a trend there? A lesson to be learned there? Uhh, yes. I don’t blame him one bit for focusing on increasing takeaways and reducing giveaways. He’d be a fool not to.
August 8th, 2023 at 10:05 am
Joe I gotta disagree with you again on your last paragraph. No QB has NFL experience until they get to start. NFL talking heads and coaches are always saying they need to start their rookies to get them reps. Kyle was behind Brady so of course he sat. Mayfield is no Brady! He is a former 1st overall pick on his 4th team and has led the NFL in turnovers. Mayfield had 8 head coaches, what part of that gives him a pass for being the THIRD best QB in practices? How is this giving Bowels any sense of security? At least with Trask your building something.
August 8th, 2023 at 10:07 am
DAAAAYYM, Defense Rules brought the stats!!!!
August 8th, 2023 at 10:42 am
Who the hell knows what Bowles is thinking. This is the same man who thought D white was his best player, took the ball out of Brady’s hands in a tight game, and did nothing while Leftnut did what he do. So to me all bets are off no matter what Bowles or anyone else says.
Go Bucs!
August 8th, 2023 at 11:06 am
Joe is right.
It will be Mayfield. And it will cost Bowles his job. Our oc is our next coach.
August 8th, 2023 at 11:15 am
So, let me see if I have this straight. You’re trusting Michael Lombardi whose been fired from every NFL job he’s ever had to tell you who he thinks will start for Tampa? Please, he stunk it up big time when he was with the Browns organization – set them back years in player development and drafts. If Baker plays well in the pre-season games he’ll start against Minn. Tampa’s HC is screwed no matter who he chooses as QB unless they win.
August 8th, 2023 at 11:19 am
Oh, and by the way A BUCS FAN, LA’s wide receiver was mugged when he ran his route against the Raiders. Wasn’t even close. Open your eyes and stop being such a Florida homer…
August 8th, 2023 at 11:33 am
“Mayfield was bad. I watched his infamous Raiders drive for rams this morning. It was not impressive to watch” – A Bucs Fan.
Unreal how you can critize the performance of someone who won a game against a quality opponent with 3 days to learn a new playbook.
Reminder that the Rams offense sucked even with Stafford at the helm last season.
I’ve never heard a 98 yard game winning TD drive be described as “unimpressive”. SMH.
August 8th, 2023 at 11:40 am
If Trask outplays Mayfield the rest of training camp and in preseason games, I’m not sure what difference the experience argument. If Mayfield were a long established NFL starter, it might be a different story. They should, and I believe they will, start Trask if he outplays Mayfield, especially with the fairly large disparity in interceptions thus far.
August 8th, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Interceptions: Baker 9 and Trask 5 as of today right? And several NFL writers have noted that Mayfield makes “many more” impactful plays. If you’re a receiver, you gotta be rooting for Baker. Pre-season and Jets practices should be fun to watch. How about getting us some info about those practices JOE?! Details matter…
August 8th, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Joe says-Bowles isn’t going to put his career in the hands of a guy who has a total of three NFL completions (unless Team Glazer has given Bowles assurances he’s safe to return in 2024).
Of course they’ve assured him of another year. This is his first full season and he inherited an awful salary cap situation as well as inexperience in the quarterback room. The Glaziers are aware that Mayfield was selected because he was cheap and are not realistically expecting much with the exception of good coaching, discipline and competitiveness.
August 8th, 2023 at 1:12 pm
Amazing the spin being put out on turnovers in practice. If you are trying to win a roster spot or starting spot, practice is the time to gamble. When no game is lost on a failed gamble. WHEN Mayfield plays better than Trask in pre-season games, especially the last one, against opponent defenses that don’t know the playbook, it will become clear who should start.
August 8th, 2023 at 1:51 pm
Chances are when Canales started drawing up his offense he had Mayfield in mind to be the starter. Simply because Canales, or anyone else for that matter hadn’t seen a lot of Trask over the last couple of years. I think Mayfield starts they are going to give him a chance. He wasn’t brought in to ride the bench. If after 4 or 5 games we are seeing the Panthers version of Mayfield. They pull him for Trask.
August 8th, 2023 at 2:22 pm
@billybucco says:There is a way better chance that Bowles keeps his job by playing the guy the team drafted. If it doesn’t pan out, it’s not like Todd picked him.
Now if he starts Baker and he does what I expect, Bowles might get fired before the end of the season.
***************************************************************
BINGO!!!!!!
RIDE WITH TRASK, get the defense to play light out and tell dave to run the ball….
GO BUCS!!!!
August 8th, 2023 at 3:04 pm
I saw an article that suggested the Bucs should bring Wentz into the fold, might as well go for it. Seems obvious neither Mayfield or Trask are not NFL starters at this point, at least Wentz one time was an MVP candidate, even if he is a terrible teammate by perception. How about the Wofford guy as the starter? Isn’t Glennon is available to throw at the ground again?
August 8th, 2023 at 7:24 pm
Baker will start season and if by the early bye week he’s playing crappy and the team has a bad record they will make the switch with Trask having the extra week to get back into game speed. This is the reality whether u agree or not
August 8th, 2023 at 7:31 pm
Trask deserves to start. Give the kid his shot. Worst case we get a top 5 pick in 2024
August 8th, 2023 at 7:35 pm
Kidfloflo So far Trask from what I hear is playing better than Baker so far. If he continues this he will start
August 9th, 2023 at 12:05 am
Hey, Joe. I’ve gotten tired of the ‘Belicheat’ name. Yeah, I know the history. Can you let that go?
August 9th, 2023 at 12:35 am
Nah. That’s no fun.
August 9th, 2023 at 5:15 pm
There are NFL scouts and GM”s that would disagree with you. Baker has had to work with new coaches every year he was on Cleveland and still did the impossible. You all seem to forget that Cleveland went through over 30 QBs before Baker won a playoff game for Cleveland. He broke their losing streak of 2 seasons with no wins, wait there was 1. Say what you will, no other QB can adapt as fast as Baker and be a QB to lead a team as long as he has decent receivers, a running game and a freaking defense. Cleveland had no D. Baker constantly had to put up 45 points a game just to win. So stop criticizing him and do some real research instead of jumping on the hater band wagon.