“We Want To Know Who The Starter’s Going To Be”
August 16th, 2023
Baker Mayfield talks to ESPN super insider Adam Schefter this afternoon — as Todd Bowles walks by.
Joe doesn’t doubt that Baker Mayfield is Tampa Bay’s No. 1 quarterback, but Bucs players are yearning for it to be official.
It’s only natural. The QB is the de facto team leader and the season is around the corner.
Plus, as many astute analysts have said repeatedly, a true QB competition can slow the jelling of an offense. Once the top dog is named, he can get all the first-team practice reps and work on a higher level with key offensive players.
Mike Evans crystallized that point today.
“We want to know who the starter’s going to be, you know, soon,” Evans said after practice against/with the Jets. “So we can just keep working and [the starting QB] can take control of the offense.”
There’s a great chance a formal Bucs quarterback declaration will be made Sunday after Saturday’s night’s preseason game. That would be 21 days from opening day.
In the joint practice today, competing QB Kyle Trask had a rough day but closed with a strong series, though it continues to smell like the Bucs are just going through the competition motions.
As JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman reported a week ago, Mayfield has been evaluated as the No. 1 QB at One Buc Palace.
August 16th, 2023 at 7:00 pm
ME13 makes a great point!!
August 16th, 2023 at 7:11 pm
Just let it play out. SUPPOSING that Trask has an awesome game against the Jets Saturday night, but Mayfield fizzles (like 2 or 3 turnovers and as many sacks). Will everyone still be saying ‘We’ve gotta name Baker the QB right now’? I doubt it.
August 16th, 2023 at 7:15 pm
@DR. Yes, it doesn’t matter what Trask’s does on Saturday. The whole competition thing was a farce from the beginning. Kyle never had a chance to get a fair shot. It’s like what happened in Carolina last year with Baker. Darnold never got a fair shot.
August 16th, 2023 at 7:43 pm
Of course Todd Bowels will start Baker Mayfield’s sorry as because he’s anti-no-risk-it-no-biscuit and plays football like a turtle hiding inside its shell.
RIP No Risk It No Biscuit!
August 16th, 2023 at 7:51 pm
It is what it is, just name Mayfield the starter. Doesn’t really matter who the starter is, our o-line has real problems.
August 16th, 2023 at 7:55 pm
When the players are speaking out you know it’s time to make a decision, Canales is dragging this thing out like it’s a college football team.
August 16th, 2023 at 7:56 pm
If Trask outplays Mayfield by a lot then they will wait another week to decide. If Mayfield is equal to or better Trask on Saturday then he will be named the starter shortly thereafter
August 16th, 2023 at 8:02 pm
The only reason why Baker Mayfield is the starter is because he’s a name and they are trying to sale tickets. Kyle Trask just like all the other quarterbacks the bucs drafted was unfortunately drafted by the bucs a organization that destroyes young quarterbacks careers. And next year it will be another young quarterback who’s career will come to a end. This is one fact Joe don’t want to talk about.
August 16th, 2023 at 8:24 pm
Pretty funny have this post after one titled Mike Evans: I no longer need preseason.
Footballs are same size, same weight, have the same amount of air ( unless you are in New England) and rotate counterclockwise from a righty and clockwise from a lefty when it’s coming your way. Any given pass is going to hit your hands, be over your head, or short. Adjust accordingly.
Canales will make the call when he is ready. If the way he does things keeps his QB’s on edge and results in QB playing better and protecting the football then it’s going to help towards winning.
It’s the quarterbacks job to get the ball to the receiver and the receivers job to run the routes consistently and catch the dang ball. It is more important for the QB to have the timing should something happen during a game.
Canales is going to be calling the game and I don’t see a reason to question his methods before the season has started.
August 16th, 2023 at 8:24 pm
This is Baker’s team until it isn’t!
August 16th, 2023 at 8:28 pm
Well it was a farce of a competition last year in Carolina. This year I think it’s different because he’s been in camp and signed by the team early. But the last I checked why are we counting interceptions in practice it’s practice. I believe that’s where you’re supposed to get it together. It’s practice folks.
August 16th, 2023 at 8:32 pm
Yea I man are they gonna to wait until the week before the game to start. The quarterback has to prepare
August 16th, 2023 at 8:36 pm
Baker is the starter for now and it does not matter how well Trask plays. Maybe at some point in the season Trask or Wolford will get an opportunity to play.
August 16th, 2023 at 8:40 pm
@Bucsfan13… Just to make things clear. Baker was never given the QB1 spot in Carolina, he earned it. I was in Carolina for 6-7 practices and it wasn’t even close; Baker was just better. He should win the job here because he’s the all-around better QB. Period. I must admit, Trask has impressed me, but he needs work. Go Bucs.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:33 pm
yomingJoe Says:
August 16th, 2023 at 8:40 pm
@Bucsfan13… Just to make things clear. Baker was never given the QB1 spot in Carolina, he earned it. I was in Carolina for 6-7 practices and it wasn’t even close; Baker was just better. He should win the job here because he’s the all-around better QB. Period. I must admit, Trask has impressed me, but he needs work. Go Bucs
Here to say I agree with you.. Baker had 3.5 million of his own money invested on getting that job in Carolina. That alone should have brought out his best. Darnold was getting 18.5 million whether he played or not when Carolina picked up his 5th year. I was not at those practices so I’ll take your word for it.
Baker again has 4.5 million dependent on getting the starting job. Trask is going to make more than 12 of the free agent QB’s that signed a one year contract in 2023. He also had a chance to showcase his ability and increase his value.
Some guys like the mobile QB’s and some like the guys like Brady and Aikman in his day when he would stand in the pocket deliver the ball and take one in the chops. Get up and do it again.
How Trask and Baker played is like Art and up to interpretation. Personally Picasso’s looked like a 5 th grader did them.
Baker is better in what Tampa might need to win. Take that as a ‘ Baker is Better’ if you want, Best I can do.
I say Baker should be the starter 4.5 million times. Go Bucs.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:42 pm
Joe says;
“In the joint practice today, competing QB Kyle Trask had a rough day but closed with a strong series, though it continues to smell like the Bucs are just going through the competition motions.”
Really Joe,
Trask had rough day but he closed with a strong series. First, how you finish what it really counts.
*Changing the play and throwing 60 plus yard bomb to Palmer against the Jet all pro corner is the rough day.
Throwing a TD is rough day.
Throwing no picks is rough day.
How did Baker do Joe ?
*Dink and dunk against the Jet second defense.
*No TD.
Do you really think Baker is super bowl qb and should start dink and dunking in two pre-season games against vanilla defenses as Todd B. says.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:51 pm
Discombowlesulated ain’t it.
August 16th, 2023 at 10:23 pm
The Bucs don’t ‘destroy’ quarterbacks. They just suck at picking them. The only QB in their history who went on to be anything more than a journeyman was Steve Young. The rest? Meh. If they were that ‘talented’, some other team would have maximized their skill (like SF did with Young).
August 16th, 2023 at 10:25 pm
Baker Mayfield will start. He is clearly the starter. With another rough day for Trask against an opposing defense Mike Evans has seen enough and made it clear today. It’s no sham, it’s no conspiracy. Baker is the better quarterback and team team leader and the team knows it.
August 16th, 2023 at 10:26 pm
Watch his highlights,,he makes throws that only a small handful of qbs in this league can make…give the guy a chance!!!
August 16th, 2023 at 10:30 pm
Even though as I have been saying I believe this entire process has been wrong headed – stashing Trask away behind a middling journeyman is not good organizational strategy. That being said, Trask needs to turn heads on Saturday
Let’s not sugar coat things. He needs to play well.
I will admit the 8/9 with a TD was Baker’s statement. Trask has to answer with a statement of his own.
Ira and gang have been saying this is all about Bowles and his coaching future.
I think it’s more about Mike Evans and his football legacy. Who do you trust that with? I think safely we can assume Evans prefers a veteran QB. As Mike goes so does the sentiment of the entire offense.
The NFL stands for Not For Long, however things can change for month to month and sometimes week to week.
Trask is going to need to shine in front of the big crowd to grab the attention of his peers. At the end of the day that’s what is going to matter the most.
I wouldn’t be shocked if the source Joe has been quoting is a player.
After last year’s precipitous fall and Tom Terrific waisting no time to call it career – Brady’s own evaluation was “these guys stink”. Everyone took that to heart. Vegas still hasn’t budged at 6.5. It’s made this team salty.
There is a belief that Mayfield is going to blow up. I think it’s a product of the season of optimism and don’t personally see it, but that belief is there. They want to prove the doubters wrong – with Baker Mayfield. I think that’s crazy, but that’s what is brewing according to the Joe’s.
Trask needs a breakout performance to get some buy in from a lot of people.
If not then he’s got to wait until Baker falters. Probably will happen at some point this season, but if you’re Kyle Trask that means more lost time not getting the career building experience he needs.
August 16th, 2023 at 10:33 pm
I think he knows the long-term solution is Kyle ‘big daddy’ Trask!!!!!
August 16th, 2023 at 10:41 pm
Wow i thought Baker and Schefter were the same person all these years.
This guy aint a starting NFL QB period! get real with the BS
August 16th, 2023 at 10:48 pm
May the best man win.
Go Bucs!
August 16th, 2023 at 10:50 pm
You wanna be the Cleveland CLOWNS? Go ahead and F’around and find out start Baker.
August 16th, 2023 at 10:54 pm
Steelers fan Says:
“Wow i thought Baker and Schefter were the same person all these years.”
.
.
Could be. You can’t see “Schefter’s” face in this picture. It’s like Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus. Nobody has ever seen them in the same room together.
August 16th, 2023 at 11:19 pm
If you think the Buccaneers have big question marks on the offensive line, take a look at the Jets. They were awful. Six sacks and five hurries. And a pick sick. Buccaneers looked like the better team.
August 16th, 2023 at 11:23 pm
I’m not seeing how Trask is out-performing Mayfield….he simply, ISN’T. The only argument Trask team can make is Trask, if given enough reps, (which he’s been denied thus far) will pass Baker’s production at some point. An NFL coach isn’t gonna use that logic. If we are 1-3 or worse at the bye, Trask prolly get his big chance
August 16th, 2023 at 11:30 pm
I totally expect Baker to get the job. The Bucs made a big mistake not grooming a Brady replacement. Brady joined a long list of qbs that played at least one year too long. And the Bucs were not properly prepared. Trask came in and got no real exposure at all behind the two other backups neither of which were not more than camp meat and clip board holders. Trasks second year was more of the same. Then Brady retires and the Bucs had no experienced back up to replace him. Now they have Trask, the red haired much ignored step son, and Baker a much traveled but repeatably dumped left over with at best a spotty record.
August 16th, 2023 at 11:35 pm
Stormy. The bucs has drafted hesiman trophy wining quarterbacks and the bucs failed every last one of them . That’s just the facts even Jamies is playing well now it’s Dennis Allen that won’t give him a chance go ask saints fan how they feel about Dennis Allen. They wanted Jamies to start and you can look how he played last week. Jamies is a better quarterback than Baker Mayfield any day. Some he thinks he’s better than Carr but Carr got the national meadi behind him. And the national meadi hated Jamies !!! Trent Dilfer actually won a Superbowl and Steve Young had Bill Walsh. When Jamies had Sean Payton he had 14 touchdowns with only 3 picks before he got hurt. Next year the bucs will destroy another rookie quarterback watch and see lol 🤣🤣!!!
August 16th, 2023 at 11:56 pm
Oneilbuc, there is no way Winston is better than Carr. Carr is going to win the Saints the division this year.
August 17th, 2023 at 12:00 am
Trask will get his shot AFTER game 6. I just don’t see Bowles giving up on his guy after only 4 games.
That said…I can’t wait. It’s going to take all I have within me to watch the games this year, and I have not missed any games in a very, very long time.
I just have no…excitement for this team atm. But I won’t follow another team. So its torture by watching, or focus on my work instead. Who needs to rest on Sundays, right?
August 17th, 2023 at 1:03 am
I wonder if the coaches are listening to the players.
1. Mike wants them to name a QB
2. Wirfs wants to play preseason to learn his position
3. JTS wants to play preseason to practice his craft
August 17th, 2023 at 2:10 am
Bucs need to start Trask this season is a wash anyway we aren’t sniffing the playoffs with this coach sorry. Need to play trask and see what we have then we know if we need to draft a QB next year or not. We’re going to have a top five pick so we will be in good position to select a real QB. Then next year we can clean house and get a new coach and QB. It would seem kind of silly to draft one when we haven’t even started the one we wasted a second round draft pick on. Never draft gator qbs they always bust.
August 17th, 2023 at 5:44 am
Like a bunch of kids wanting a cookie before dinner. The Bucs will name a starter by Sunday. Baker will have three weeks to prepare as the starter, plus he’s already been taking starting reps since spring. Baker could start, and blow out something on the first play. If that happens it’s best Trask gets all the reps he can now with the starters also. Once Baker is named that changes. Look at the big picture. Keeping this going really helps the all the QBs get better. We may need all three to play this year.
August 17th, 2023 at 7:06 am
I have no idea where they got this Trask had a rough day idea, I use Joe’s play by play notes and tally how each quarterback does , according to Joe’s notes ,( granted Joe does say he misses a play here and there and the yardage gained on each play is a guesstimate but they appear to be fairly accurate), Trask , working with the ones was 9 of 14 for 106 yards and no interceptions, Mayfield was 7 of 13 for 30 yards working with the twos , ( his notes also had Mayfield attempting a long pass to Evans that was incomplete, so maybe somebody tried to slip a ringer in there), 9 of 13 for 106 yards against what is projected to be one of the top defenses in the league is hardly a bad day and it is definitely better than Mayfield’s 7 of 13 for 30 yards!
August 17th, 2023 at 7:38 am
Oneilbuc, do you have anything else to offer besides the same old criticism of the Bucs for not developing QBs? Joe doesn’t have to talk about it because you won’t let it go. And please don’t try to intimate that Dilfer was a good QB. You know better. His only requirement in Baltimore was to not turn the ball over.
August 17th, 2023 at 8:25 am
The reason Bucs have not named a starter is because they have not made a final decision on this matter. Please do not forget that Trask is the pick of Jason Licht and BA , so do not be misled into thinking our GM does not want Trask to do well for sure. If Baker is named QB1 on Sunday , listen to the description about how very close the competition was , which will foreshadow the switch to Kyle when it happens, and it will happen whether due to Mayfield injury or lack of performance. ME13 and Godwin are hoping Trask is the guy as he is much more capable of putting the ordinance far down range and on target. WR’s want to have the opportunity for nice stat years , especially going into a contract year. Oline better improve fast or none of this QB banter matters.
August 17th, 2023 at 8:49 am
It would be nice if one of the QBs stepped up and showed a reason why they should be starter. Right now it looks like the third wheel is kicking arse and taking names.
Baker is the default setting on a bad video game. He is not the future of the Bucs.
August 17th, 2023 at 9:05 am
Bonzai. Carr has been getting a lot of passes his whole career I’m not saying he’s trash . But with those teams Jamies had here Carr would have been a worse than Jamies. Especially with the coaches!!
August 17th, 2023 at 9:08 am
gators suck.. go dawgs
August 17th, 2023 at 9:08 am
The only thing I got out of this long list of losers is that a Squeelers fan can actually operate and send an e-mail. Never met one with an IQ over 55, but, THAT guy MUST be about a 58.
August 17th, 2023 at 9:34 am
Maybe it’s just me but this preseason seems totally disorganized? Am I the only one who thinks that?
August 17th, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Davidsays u r an annoying individual of u have only contempt
plz take u r bs to Cleveland they will b happy to have u bucaroo