“This Is A Real Starting Level Talent”
August 24th, 2023
Baker Mayfield didn’t just get named Tampa Bay’s starting quarterback, he won the job by beating out a real NFL starter.
That was the message today from Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales. The proof is there for all to to study, he said.
“If you watch Kyle’s film and you throw on any of the [preseason] games across the league, you’ll see this is a real talent. This is a real starting level talent at quarterback,” Canales said of Trask. “He just has calm in the pocket. He’s accurate. He just stays cool throughout the whole thing. Good or bad series he’s right back on it. So, pretty cool.”
It is very cool. Trask looked like he could start and win games, albeit his preseason work is a very small sample size. So right now he seems to be a quality and intriguing NFL backup, which the Bucs desperately needed at an inexpensive price.
Canales talked a bit about the quarterback competition, noting Mayfield “felt the heat” from Trask during a few-day stretch early in training camp.
August 24th, 2023 at 11:00 am
This smells of politics. You can’t ignore the fact that Antonio Brown getting his production incentive at the cost of Rojo getting 1,000 years in a season, or even starting Leonard Fournette over Rojo while clearly knowing Rojo was the better runner. We are not immune to political decisions. This is another one in my opinion. Hopefully this works out. I’m not optimistic. We’ll see.
August 24th, 2023 at 11:03 am
“albeit his preseason work is a very small sample size”
And yet Mayfield’s 9 preseason pass attempts are an adequate sample size. š
August 24th, 2023 at 11:04 am
Bucs picking Mayfield to start the season could very likely turn out to be a blessing long-term for Trask. If Baker fizzles (and I’m convinced that he’s on a short leash), and Kyle does well, he’s an instant hero and becomes the starter next year too. If he does just meh, got a hunch everyone will blame Bowles, Canales, the OLine, the RBs, the TEs … whoever … before they’d blame him.
Of course, if Baker does well, Bucs have a real conundrum. Kyle will have sat for yet another year without being able to prove himself in meaningful games. Baker will surely want a long-term contract for big bucks … from the Bucs or someone else. Yup, the classic definition of a conundrum. Or maybe it’s more of a self-inflicted wound.
August 24th, 2023 at 11:10 am
I was impressed. Mainly with the pocket mobility and confidence under pressure on top of making a few tight window throws.
The Jets pass rush is no joke. They absolutely destroyed the Panthers O-line/QB in their preseason matchup the week before so it wasn’t like Trask had his best day against total scrubs.
August 24th, 2023 at 11:10 am
I hope Mayfield stays healthy and plays great, but if something bad happens, I will enjoy seeing what Trask can do. It won’t feel like watching a sub-par product if he comes in to start at some point for whatever reason.
August 24th, 2023 at 11:16 am
I believe Trask has the potential to be a good NFL QB. The right team, the right coaches, the right scheme and he could flourish. But heās more of a traditional pocket passer and would do better in that type of scheme. The Bucs didnāt bring in Canales to run that type of offense. They knew what type of QB Trask was and they could have brought in someone else to build an offense around him. But they didnāt do that. We can speculate but if youāre outside of the ācircleā at One Buc then thatās all it is. So for whatever reasons the decision was made to bring in Canales and try something new. And for the money they had to spend, Baker was the best choice. I think the Bucs may be eyeing a future QB, that would fit better with this new scheme and theyāre going to try to get it up and running with Baker. If he balls out great, if not they have a plan to draft their guy.
August 24th, 2023 at 11:43 am
This is either coach speak or one of the more concerning things Canales has stated, in that it shows questionable evaluation of Trask vs. even other league backups playing this preseason.
ALL22 tape review and just the eye test showed that Trask struggled early in both games against only 2nd team defenses, got flustered easily, locked onto his first read and didn’t switch protections at the line.
Trask isn’t ready for primetime. He was the third best QB in both live preseason games and needs a lot more snaps before he should be viewed as an alternative to Mayfield.
This smells of politics and Licht who forced the competition and is still trying to get return on his second round pick at the expense of the current season.
August 24th, 2023 at 11:44 am
Smells like Canales wasn’t all in on Duh Baker being named starter. He has even less film in practice and preseason than Trask.
Maybe it was to keep Kyle’s spirits up, though I sure several other coaches are itching to give him a call.
August 24th, 2023 at 11:48 am
Why did the Bucs hire Baker? 1) They had failed to prepare Trask to replace Brady. 2) Baker had lots of experience. (UNFORTUNELY MOSTLY BAD). And he was cheap. For three years the Bucs had a blind spot with Brady and did not prepare for his eventual decline/retirement. There just are not many high quality experienced qbs sitting around hoping for a job. What is out there is other teams rejects, which the Bucs have now as their starter. That is the hard truth. I hope Baker becomes a star. If not, I hope the attention Trask has belatedly received has made him better prepared to replace Baker if or when it becomes necessary. As a loyal Bucs fan I hope Baker exceeds expectations. If not, then I hope Trask now gets a lot more quality coaching/practice time and is hopefully ready if Baker flops or gets injured.
August 24th, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Canales is correct. Trask is developing. Not finished product, IMO.
Another year would do him well. He will see time this year. Will he thrive… time will tell.
1 vs 1 NFL action is different then preseason. A step back would not surprise me either.
August 24th, 2023 at 12:06 pm
wild bill^^ good job
August 24th, 2023 at 12:33 pm
Kyle is under contract at a cheap price next year too. Whatever happens this year he should come back even better next having a real season as back up under his belt. Both QBs have done well hope it translates to a winning season.
August 24th, 2023 at 12:33 pm
Hey my new Bucs family. I’m a Sooner. My daughter is a Sooner. I’ve followed Baker’s entire “Bio film worthy” career. (I’m also a lifelong teacher/coach who actually knows what he’s talking about.) I promise that IF he gets protection, doesn’t get injured, and has good play calling, he will exceed all of your expectations.
August 24th, 2023 at 12:36 pm
When healthy Baker showed signs of being a legitimate top tier NFL QB. Injuries and some horrible coaching derailed that process. The coaching in Cleveland and subsequently Carolina was so poor that both organizations yet again started over. As for Baker’s performance in LA…the first week on the fly was good and he was less impressive the following weeks. I don’t place too much on those performances as the LA offense is one of the more complicated in the league. For the price and given the talent level on this team Baker was an obvious choice to bring in. Far better IMO than the other options out there including overpaying David Carr. Trask may have a future as a starting QB in the NFL…but the risk/reward to give a shot to Baker is too good. It virtually costs the Bucs nothing to go with Baker as QB1…if he is solid then we are looking at 10 plus wins…if he bombs then we see what Trask can actually do in regular season NFL games. Having Trask wait a bit longer costs the Bucs pretty much nothing…but I do believe that Baker will be a top 10 QB this year throwing to Evans and Godwin and having Rachaad White in the backfield. Go Bucs.
August 24th, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Wild Billā¦ the minute that you said Baker had MOSTLY BAD EXPERIENCE is the moment I knew you never really watched Mayfield play. One side of your mouth says he stinks, but the other side says that you hope he does well which is obviously a joke. The Jets front office and coaches told Chris Simms that Mayfield had the elite arm and experience reading defensesā¦ and SO DID THE BUCS! Canales is just hedging his bet talking up Trask. I do think Trask can become a quality backup, but not a top 10 or top 15 NFL QB. Baker is just much better.
August 24th, 2023 at 12:53 pm
TRASK IS THE FUTURE
I wasn’t a Trask fan. He’d never done a thing in the NFL. Preseason Game 2 was his coming out. Watch the game again. Trask makes so many great throws, under duress, into tight coverage.
I like that Baker is starting and Trask gets a little more time to prep. Let’s take our time developing him because he’s going to be the starter for a long time.
August 24th, 2023 at 1:07 pm
Not a lot of optimism around these parts, and maybe rightfully so. We won a Super Bowl and have had the blessing of having Tom as our starter the last couple years. If Baker does good, which a ton of people donāt expect him to, I think thatās a really great scenario for this team. We are built to win now (aside from maybe O-line?) and whether politics are involved or not, we will know if Baker is a quality starting QB by rmidseason. If he fails all the Trask Truthers will get their wish
August 24th, 2023 at 1:10 pm
Pretty sure Trask will see action this year.
August 24th, 2023 at 1:21 pm
Hopefully Trask can get out of Tampa and have a real chance to play.
August 24th, 2023 at 1:21 pm
You would think that after sitting behind Brady for two years that Trask wouldāve been well-versed on reading defenses. Could this be related to the comment Bowles made that Baker knew the playbook a little better? Did Trask know how to get out of a play and make an appropriate line call?
August 24th, 2023 at 1:22 pm
Rojo couldnāt pass protect to save his ass so try again
August 24th, 2023 at 1:55 pm
Either Mayfield or Trask will wear a different uniform next year. If the Bucs stink it up this year and draft one of the elite quarterbacks, I see Trask probably traded to a desperate team. Hope not, but I think so.
August 24th, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Wild bill youāre spot on. Whyomingjoe Chris Simms doesnāt know arm talent and honestly the jets the Laughing stock of the nfl donāt know that much either. They just landed rogders so their evaluation of baker over trask means nothing. Thereās more upside to trask than baker. Once trask learns to read defenses and go thru his progressions and make oline adjustments which only come from playing time he will be way better. Trask sat on a bench for 2 years had no coaches to develop him properly because we were all in with Brady to win champs and yet once trask got the proper training THIS year he was neck n neck in the so called competition. Go back and look at JOES notes trask didnāt commit nearly as many turnovers and made just as many if not more plays.weāre talking about a few months of good training and trask made leaps and bounds of improvement so much that JOE thought he was a imposter. When he keeps developing at this rate and if the coaches donāt stunt his growth by benching him he will be better than baker
August 24th, 2023 at 2:30 pm
In the jets game Trask and Wolford both looked surprisingly good. It was actually surprising. Too
See all 3 QB playing pretty good in preseason . Certainly not used to that. I hope it continues.
August 24th, 2023 at 2:31 pm
I’m pretty sure we will get to see Trask start a minimum of 2 or 3 games this year. More if Mayfield under-performs early.
Having to wait a bit longer to show what he can do in meaningful games, while continuing to develop behind the scenes – vs starting game 1 vs Minnesota is quite likely in Kyle Trask’s best interest long term.
August 24th, 2023 at 3:33 pm
Was watching Troy Aikmanās 1st career start last night. Like to watch how some of the HOF QBās started out. Strong Saints defense held Hershel Walker and the Cowboys to 7 yards rushing late into the 4th quarter. I saw how was for Brady last year and being a rookie Troy had it cut out for him for sure. Saints 28-0.
He hung in there though and took his lumps. Only one way to learn how to react to the Brito is to live it in real time. Sure he learned something that night.
Trask should get a lot of playing time tonight if they treat Baker like most teams treat their stars. Drive or two and he is out. If they keep him in until he has a good drive hereās hoping he is not still in at half time.
Pressure is off Trask and maybe that will loosen him up a little bit.
If he plays like Captain Fantrastic it will put him in a very good position.
One good QB used to say he was prepared as he could be because when he got his chance to go in he was not coming out.
August 24th, 2023 at 3:48 pm
How can a guy who’s never started in the NFL be an NFL starting-level talent?
This is just more bunk in this alternative-facts-social-media-conspiracy-theory-BS world we live in today where words, laws, established norms, and objective reality no longer have any meaning.
Mayfield beat out a career backup QB not a starting NFL QB. Period.
August 24th, 2023 at 4:05 pm
Brady is an NFL talent also and I bet he wouldnāt fit there system this year and he would get benched if he came back. Baker had double the Intās in training camp over Trask yet he is there guy. Also worst in NFL the last 5 years but he is there guy. Baker won 11 games and a playoff game during Covid season so he was playing 2nd and 3rd stringers. Jim Harbaugh coming to town next year.
August 24th, 2023 at 4:34 pm
I think they forgot there is one more preseason game. So Trask plays lights out and Baker flops gonnavlove to see that excuse. Lol
August 24th, 2023 at 5:04 pm
I hope Mayfield kills it. He only has to overcome a consistent knack of turning the ball over like Winston did. Why get rid of Winston if your going to just sign the same type of player. I think Winston is better than Mayfield with the same turnover problem. The stats say that too.
August 24th, 2023 at 6:12 pm
dalvincookrules Says
How can a guy whoās never started in the NFL be an NFL starting-level
talent?
Truth is you really canāt. You are rolling the dice.
Montana 0-1 first start. 2-5 the next 7 starts.
Aikman went 0-11 his first season.
I saw references to watching preseason game and compare to say Carolina and Houstonās potential starter he looks pretty good.
Could he go 0-11? Sure. Could he go 2-5. You bet ya.
Until they get in there and start you canāt really tell. Rodgers looked like a legit starting QB because he sat and learned for a few years. Jordan Love went the same route as Aaron and could come in and do well or struggle. Lions will be pissed if he comes in and wins the NFC North. Better chance he goes .500 or worse.
Part of the Investment a team makes is losses if they are going to see their draft choice thru.
August 24th, 2023 at 7:56 pm
what r u talking about tonysays bakers rookie year was not COVID year COVID year was BAKERS 3rd year he came in the in his rookie year in about the 4th game had outstanding rookie season wasn’t he named rookie of the year that season his 2nd year took to the play offs was to close to winning the game against chiefs to go to championship game . Mayfield has the qualities tdo go far in this league even Brady has his rough spots in the beginning & remember BRADY was a cheat so he is not the GOAT how the heck can u get that title & b a CHEAT
August 24th, 2023 at 7:58 pm
Why do all u bucs so called fans praise Brady he was & is a lifetime cheat stop the praise of cheaters how easy it is to forget facts him & belichek suck cheats
August 24th, 2023 at 8:04 pm
Translation: “I wanted Trask. Todd made be go with Mayfield.”
August 24th, 2023 at 8:04 pm
I notice nobody replies when I say BRADY was a cheat how can u reply because everyone knows it’s true
August 24th, 2023 at 8:07 pm
Defense Rules Says:
August 24th, 2023 at 11:04 am
“Bucs picking Mayfield to start the season could very likely turn out to be a blessing long-term for Trask. If Baker fizzles (and Iām convinced that heās on a short leash), and Kyle does well, heās an instant hero and becomes the starter next year too.”
Exactly what I said three weeks ago. Not to mention it will take the offensive line to get things flowing.
August 24th, 2023 at 8:07 pm
time to
August 24th, 2023 at 8:47 pm
Here’s what i think happened. When they signed Baker they told him he would get 1st shot at starting. Then Trask beat the crap out of him in every way in the offseason. They knew trask was killing baker and knew if they let this “comp” go on Baker was going to lose so they abuptly ended it and named Baker starter. Trask will be the QB1 very very soon (by the bye week forsure)
Trask is the future and a very high level QB of the future thats a known fact by the coaches and Baker.
Its like when your in high school and your a freshman you might be way better than the senior but your not gonna start right away but everyone knows its just a matter of time and that time is VERY soon!
August 24th, 2023 at 8:57 pm
Thats why Baker came to the buc for only 4mill. They told him you get 1st shot. They really couldnt go back on thier word.
August 24th, 2023 at 10:04 pm
I hope Baker and Trask both blow up….the more the merrier….and we wont have to worry about drafting a QB with our first pick….focus that attention on the O line. I cant wait to see our starters and where we are after 4 games.
We still need to get another backup though….send Wolford to the practice squad and let him heal.
August 24th, 2023 at 10:33 pm
Oh shut up Bonzai. We love Brady. A ball boy let some air out of a football ooooooo oh now You have TBS
August 24th, 2023 at 11:48 pm
Canales is a comedian. Kind of like Larry the Cable Guy only not as hickish. But definitely just as serious.
August 26th, 2023 at 3:35 am
If he fails as an OC maybe he has a future in the Bucs PR department. Lord knows the Glazers need some help there.
Go Bucs!