Todd Bowles Commits To Equal Snaps, Equal Starts For QBs In First Two Preseason Games
August 8th, 2023
More clarity today from Todd Bowles, though Joe recognizes every NFL situation is fluid and yesterday’s truth is sometimes tomorrow’s fiction.
The head coach was clear after practice today that whatever QB starts on Friday night for the first edition of real football since January (Joe is drooling in ecstasy), the other QB will not only start the following week against the Jets, but that quarterback will get an equal number of snaps.
Of course, Joe is referring to veteran Baker Mayfield and competing third-year man Kyle Trask.
Joe’s not sure why Bowles would make that statement. Suppose Mayfield starts on Friday, pulls a Jameis and throws a pick-6 on his first pass, and then, say, he does it again five throws later on the next drive before giving way to Trask?
Does that mean Trask would only be allowed match Mayfield’s snaps a week later at MetLife Stadium?
Or suppose Mayfield lights it up as Friday’s starter and there is massive separation between the quarterbacks by the end of the game following, say, Trask looking like he did in past presason games?
Joe gets that the Bucs want to sound like a bunch of late-1990s soccer moms when it comes to keeping a level playing field on the QB competition. However, Joe might feel more excited if Bowles said he would love to see either quarterback play so damn well between now and Preseason Game 2 that the quarterback battle is over before that game kicks off.
August 8th, 2023 at 12:32 pm
It seems like Trask is performing better and will (should) get a fair shot. He got to watch first-hand the greatest QB of all time for two years. All good QBs have strong arms. What differentiates the great ones from the pack is their decision-making ability in the two-second window after the snap. Which (if any) targets look OK? Or, do I run and slide? Or do I throw the ball away. Brady was the very best at this. A great model for Trask to emulate. As “A Buc Fan” has stated, got to read the situation quickly and correctly. My guess is that Trask is up to the task. We’ll see. It will be interesting.
August 8th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
So you want practice to determine who wins the competition rather then meaningless preseason games? Just be patient Joe, and let it play out. We’ll have our starter after the second preseason game. One extra week of competition will keep both QBs sharp, and there’s plenty of time for the winner to prepare for the opener.
August 8th, 2023 at 12:43 pm
Casual
Don’t forget about method of preparation, footwork and leadership. For all we know Trask and Brady could be in frequent contact. BTW Joe, will you ask Trask if he’s sought any advice from Brady this past offseason?
August 8th, 2023 at 12:44 pm
This is only happening because Baker looks like crap. Trask has Dilfer level potential….maybe.
August 8th, 2023 at 1:44 pm
So are the Bucs going to go turtle in pre-season or are they actually going to play in their new offense?
August 8th, 2023 at 2:13 pm
Joe … ‘Joe gets that the Bucs want to sound like a bunch of late-1990s soccer moms when it comes to keeping a level playing field on the QB competition. However, Joe might feel more excited if Bowles said he would love to see either quarterback play so damn well between now and Preseason Game 2 that the quarterback battle is over before that game kicks off.’
Oh please Joe, it seems like you’re trying to sabotage (not sure that’s the right word but we’ll go with it for now) any possibility of a fair competition between Mayfield & Trask. Todd Bowles has been crystal clear from the very beginning that it’d be a COMPETITION for the starting QB role. He’s bent over backwards attempting to undo some of the ‘What Ifs’ that the media’s Doubting Thomases keep throwing out there. He’s already said that he doesn’t want to make a decision until after preseason Game 2. Why can’t the media just accept that at face value?
August 8th, 2023 at 2:21 pm
Dilfer was solid durring 1996 and 1997 even 1998
it was 1999 that he fell apart. he was so bad Tony Dungy had to bench him… for a 3rd string rookie! of course having maybe one of the best defensive units of all time. Holding greatest show on turf to 11 points, but losing. wonder if Dilfer started that game what happens.
August 8th, 2023 at 2:25 pm
make that 97 and 98 for differ, not so much 96, until the later half when the whole team turned it around.
August 8th, 2023 at 2:42 pm
I hope either QB separates themselves quickly so the QB1 can get lots of reps. We have the preseason games and joint practices to help decide. The joint practices are very beneficial without the injury risk like games. Maybe after the Jets practice?
August 8th, 2023 at 2:51 pm
Dilfer was the starter until he broke his ankle against Seattle in 99 that’s how he lost his job
August 8th, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Of all the things you could pick on Bowles for, this about the last thing on my list.
He’s just saying that the plan is for both to get equal time / snaps playing with the 1s to make the evaluation fair. Not a big deal at all.
August 8th, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Game 2 is the dress rehearsal for every team in the NFL its just a fact we shouldnt overlook. Trask is in the lead to be the starter.
August 8th, 2023 at 3:24 pm
Well, all powerful Joe’s, since you have so much say in this qb competition. Just tell us who is starting already. Enough with the teasing. GO BUCS!
August 8th, 2023 at 3:37 pm
Patience, Butterfly!
August 8th, 2023 at 3:39 pm
Correction:
“Patience, Grasshopper!”
August 8th, 2023 at 4:58 pm
nick houllis Says:
August 8th, 2023 at 2:21 pm
Dilfer was solid durring 1996 and 1997 even 1998
it was 1999 that he fell apart. he was so bad Tony Dungy had to bench him… for a 3rd string rookie! of course having maybe one of the best defensive units of all time. Holding greatest show on turf to 11 points, but losing. wonder if Dilfer started that game what happens
_____________
Wrong! But, hey. It happens to everyone… welll. Not me.
Dilfer lost his job to Eric Zeier. Zeier was hurt in his first and only start… I think a 20-3 loss to the Lions. Dilfer came back and played much better. Then Dilfer got hurt… and Shaun King took over and made his first start against Seattle… I think we won that 17-6 or something like that. Pretty sure Jon Kitna had something like five INTs… anyways. Dilfer didn’t get it back because King was playing the best football of his career.
August 8th, 2023 at 5:34 pm
I know the NFL only cares about QBs but I’m way more excited about …
1. Run Game – It’s been hyped. Let’s see it.
2. New OL – Can they open holes and pass protect?
3. OLB – Is Shaq back? Can JTS or Yaya turn it on?
4. D Speed – They invested heavily in getting faster on defense. Are we headed back to 2002?
August 9th, 2023 at 6:43 am
Equal snaps with the ones?
OK
Go Bucs!
August 9th, 2023 at 7:26 am
I remember being excited about king. Then the first time I saw him the next year I thought a lineman was wearing his number. He ate himself out of a promising career. That was disappointing.