L.A. Points Of View On Baker Mayfield, Todd Bowles
August 26th, 2023
Baker Mayfield in his pre-Bucs uniform.
Joe always enjoys watching the Tom Brady of offensive tackles hit the whiteboard and break down football.
He’s damn good at it and, yes, Joe is going old man and referring to Hall of Fame right tackle Jackie Slater.
Slater logged 20 seasons for the Rams (1976 to 1995). Think about how brutal that was during an era of double-session, full-contact practices. Throw in 18 postseason games and 7 Pro Bowls, and Slater has seen a ton of football.
After a college and pro coaching career, Slater now talks a lot of Rams and NFL football on YouTube with his former teammate, retired Rams QB Vince Ferragamo. Ancient Bucs fans will remember him as the QB that beat Tampa Bay in the 1979 playoffs.
Joe will not get into Slater’s cool Xs and Os here, but Joe will share that Slater was impressed by Baker Mayfield last season during his four Rams starts following a late-season trade. Again, 69-year-old Slater studies all games of his beloved Rams and attends some practices.
In a recent study of the NFC South, Slater lectured about how Mayfield is an excellent fit for Todd Bowles, who Slater explained must prove to Bucs ownership quickly that he’s a viable head coach that’s actually building a program in addition to seeking wins.
It comforted Joe to learn that Slater sees the Bucs as winning seven or more games this season. Slater is a personal friend of Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and understands how Mayfield will fit into the Dave Canales approach in Tampa. Also, Slater understands the impact and loss of Tom Brady, considering his son is a Patriots legend and future Hall of Famer.
However, Joe headed for the TUMS when Ferragamo, the former QB, predicted the Bucs to be a very poor team.
He didn’t kill Mayfield, but Ferragamo doesn’t see Mayfield as a franchise QB.
“It’s almost like a sinking ship and they’re throwing life preservers out there,” Ferragamo said. “Yes, maybe Baker Mayfield can help out a little bit and create the offense but, you know, their defense is going to have to really step it up.”
August 26th, 2023 at 1:33 pm
Someone pointed out that the CBS Madden 24 Simulation preview for the year has has the Bucs losing to KC in the Super Bowl – so we got that going for us!
It has Mayfield throwing for 4,529 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions and having a big day in the NFC Championship game. If that happens, then Mayfield isn’t going to be worrying about that measly $12-million he lost.
This same simulation, however, has the Colts getting the #2 seed in the AFC, AND the Panthers and Falcons making the playoffs.
So… I think it was an off-year for the simulation.
August 26th, 2023 at 1:35 pm
Agree…Mayfield is the perfect Bowles QB. His up the guts handoff is pro bowl stuff. They are 2 peas in a pod. Perfect match. His ability to lose close games is at the top. He has had plenty rest along with the other starters and is Hot to Go!
August 26th, 2023 at 1:43 pm
Let’s Bake!
August 26th, 2023 at 1:44 pm
All you need to see is everyone’s prediction of the BUCS record. All below .500. That says alot about the QB. Let’s hope every expert is wrong.
August 26th, 2023 at 1:49 pm
Great! Now I am ancient. 🙂
August 26th, 2023 at 1:50 pm
I watched the 79 game. Heartbreaking.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:04 pm
1979 NFC Championship was recently voted the worst playoff game to watch in history. Rams won 9-0 on three Frank Corral field goals. Bucs star QB Doug Williams was 2 for 13 before tearing his bicep and exiting in early 3rd quarter. Mike Rae replaced him and also went 2 for 13 for 42 yards , but had to share leading passer yardage with RB Jerry Eckwood who completed a 42 yard halfback option pass.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:18 pm
I was at that Rams game in the S end zone. The Rams linemen looked like MONSTERS.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:32 pm
That was a gut punch loss. My Momma remembers it well.
She might be ancient, but she stills got a mean right hook.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:35 pm
“TampaBayBucsFanSince1976 Says:
August 26th, 2023 at 2:04 pm
1979 NFC Championship was recently voted the worst playoff game to watch in history. Rams won 9-0 on three Frank Corral field goals. Bucs star QB Doug Williams was 2 for 13 before tearing his bicep and exiting in early 3rd quarter. Mike Rae replaced him and also went 2 for 13 for 42 yards , but had to share leading passer yardage with RB Jerry Eckwood who completed a 42 yard halfback option pass.”
I was at that game with your mom and Wanda Cloud, think someone else too, can’t remember
August 26th, 2023 at 2:41 pm
All of that speculation is true. If Bowles wants to hold serve with his offenses that average less than 20 pts a game, Baker can do that. When you average less than 20 you need to keep the other team from scoring 20, so it really is all on Todd Bowles this season. We shall see.
August 26th, 2023 at 2:47 pm
I’ve never seen the 79-80 game, but I do know the 99-00 Rams game was complete BS. I’ve never rewatched it since it still pi–es me off. The Bucs should have got their first SB that year. But, it did lead to that all-time classic 2000 MNF vs the Rams where Warner threw an INT returned for a TD right before halftime and Sapp completely knocked Kurt’s head off on the return – it was beautiful. Also that’s the game where Lynch destroyed Faulk with that massive hit. You can find that game on YouTube, it’s absolutely worth rewatching. I was there that night, and I think it was the hottest crowd I’ve ever seen in person, regular season or playoffs.
August 26th, 2023 at 3:02 pm
Rod, Let’s face it… that CBS Madden 24 Simulation preview is as good as any of these so called expert talking head predictions!! Maybe better using artificial intelligence!!
August 26th, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Rod,
I was at that Rams game too. Man, that was a fun night. The Dunn lateral to King to keep that last drive going was so classic.
–I’m also one of the ancient ones who remembers the ’79 championship game loss to the Rams. My ’79 Defense name is in honor of that incredible group of players. Unfortunate result, but man, what progress McKay and the team made from an 0-26 beginning for the franchise. And a badge of honor for any Bucs fan who lived through it.
August 26th, 2023 at 3:08 pm
I was also at the first Buc win, The fans tore down the goal post and scooped up all the security in the field goal net. I think it was v the Cards. I got tix in the parking lot for the NW stands in old sombrero on the 10 yd line.
August 26th, 2023 at 3:21 pm
The Bucs’ first win was against New Orleans. Archie Manning, their quarterback, had trash talked during the week so the victory was extra satisfying. I’ve suffered with this team since the first game. The bad times make the good times even better!
August 26th, 2023 at 3:41 pm
Staring Mayfield is a wast of time and I hope I’m wrong but it just doesn’t make sense at this point. You have a guy who played good all training camp and preseason and you drafted him in the second round if he’s good you got your guy if he’s not then you draft a quarterback it’s that simple. Losing franchises makes moves like this. Even Washington rather go with their young quarterback who they drafted over a veteran quarterback who’s a ok quarterback. This is a stupid move by this franchise and coaching staff.
August 26th, 2023 at 4:18 pm
“HC Grover Says:
August 26th, 2023 at 3:08 pm
I was also at the first Buc win, The fans tore down the goal post and scooped up all the security in the field goal net. I think it was v the Cards. I got tix in the parking lot for the NW stands in old sombrero on the 10 yd line.”
I was working at the Kmart on Florida and Waters….they announced it over the PA system lol
August 26th, 2023 at 4:22 pm
Oneil, I can not believe you even voiced your opinion that the Bucs should start the season with ONE QB. It really shows how out of touch you are.
August 26th, 2023 at 4:52 pm
It was so fun. We tailgated off a side street from Himes for free and had a blast.
August 26th, 2023 at 4:54 pm
Back then you could get cheap tix in the parking lot pre game then just walk in an give the tik. No ‘security check’ just fun.
August 26th, 2023 at 4:55 pm
How can you be impressed with 111 yards against Green Bay?
LOL
August 26th, 2023 at 4:56 pm
I will give Baker and the Bowles cleaner my conditional approval, because I want the best for the Bucs.
I will, however, give them a short leash, or rope. If Baker is still the Baker of old I want to see him pulled. We will need to know if Trask is capable.
Failure to pull a failing Baker will be a vote against Bowles for me. I might be a waste of time, but we don’t know that yet.
August 26th, 2023 at 5:09 pm
Rams fans, like me, wanted Baker Mayfield to stay. He brought electricity to a fading team with a miraculous win against the Raiders on Primetime. He showed up! At the same time, Rams fans are grateful enough that we felt Baker Mayfield deserve his own team. Go Bucs – but not against the Rams!!
August 26th, 2023 at 5:34 pm
Ferragamo…. that dude was awful in every stop along the way. Supposedly great tools but always looked unprepared… much like his review of Bucs roster. He didn’t even look at it much like he never looked at secondary receivers. Slater was a preparation freak. Not Ferragamo. This is still true.
August 26th, 2023 at 5:42 pm
All this Bowles-has-to-win is crazy. If we can win 7 games with this roster and payroll that would be a helluva accomplishment. No money for either an o line or a QB. No money for impact players on the d line. The game is won up front. We’ve been weak in the trenches since the 2021 season ended. It’s the price we’re paying for that Super Bowl. Realistically we’re a 5-7 win team.
August 26th, 2023 at 5:54 pm
Vince Ferragamo was the Marcus Mariota of his day…It doesn’t matter what people prognosticate, it matters what happens, and if the Bucs win 8 games and Bowles keeps his job it’s going to be years upon years of mediocrity.
August 26th, 2023 at 6:41 pm
Back in the day when the Bucs were so bad they would have popular bands play for the fans. I remember see a band call Men at Work. They were so good.
August 26th, 2023 at 6:49 pm
That 79 playoff game was a gut punch and I don’t like to think of it much!
Ferragamo sucks
August 27th, 2023 at 1:14 am
I was there in 77 when the goalpost went down against the Cardinals.
I guess I am Ancient!
August 27th, 2023 at 9:22 am
Who the heck cares bout 1979 that’s the problem this 2023 mayfield won the spot Period Trask is a backup bakers resume is a thing of beauty.he will b u r qb for quite sometime,u haters r just jealous of his talents compare them to u r own & that shud shut u up
August 27th, 2023 at 4:50 pm
HC Grover Says:
“I remember see a band call Men at Work. They were so good.”
.
.
LOL. Heck no. Men at Work was like the worst thing Austrailia ever exported. 😂
August 28th, 2023 at 11:01 am
Why r all u monkeys talking bout 1979 there r no compatibles with 2023 what so ever.i c the so called experts r like politicians called experts but r never rite bout anything except cheating.so let me get this straight u pay someone millions a year to run their mouth & they r an expert isn’t that exactly how politicians work but all speculation is just a guessing game.B
baker is going to be fine !!