A Judgment Night For Baker Mayfield
September 25th, 2023
One thing Joe and fellow Bucs fans have learned about Baker Mayfield is that he pays very close attention to what media says about him.
Since joining the Bucs, Mayfield has taken swipes at NBC Sports insider Peter King, among others. He even called out local TV reporter Kyle Burger in the spring for Burger’s social media footage that went viral and made Mayfield look bad.
Mayfield cares. Many players do, but few admit it.
That brings Joe to tonight’s Bucs-Eagles clash on Monday Night Football. Undefeated Mayfield is leading the Bucs into a scenario that the media vultures couldn’t imagine six months ago or even six weeks ago. He was gouged, gashed and called washed up all offseason by so many.
Now Mayfield is riding high and he’s already changed the minds of many Mayfield haters in the national media after just two Bycs games. But Joe recognizes that the Mayfield love flowing could fade by halftime and certainly be wiped out if Mayfield has a rough 60 minutes tonight.
That’s just the nature of the often slimy, hot-take, ill-informed NFL media.
For example, Joe laughs at the many clowns who now say they didn’t realize a month ago that Tampa Bay had so much talent on defense and how good Mike Evans really is. On what planet were they residing? No team in the NFC has been on national TV more than Tampa Bay over the past three seasons. The Bucs have five former Pro Bowlers and seven Super Bowl champs starting on defense.
No matter what happens in tonight’s game, Joe knows Mayfield will be scrutizined heavily. So win or lose, Joe hopes Mayfield comes out without getting overwhelmed by commentary he doesn’t like.
When a player cares a lot about the media, that sensitivity can sometimes lead to pressing and altered focus (see Devin White).
The Bucs need Mayfield playing within the offense, laser-focused and certainly not shaken up by headlines and hollering shows before the most critical Bucs-Saints clash on Sunday.
September 25th, 2023 at 2:50 pm
Does anyone remember the movie “Judgement Night”?
The movie was good but the soundtrack was fire…
September 25th, 2023 at 2:52 pm
Kudos to Baker Mayfield whose TD/INT ratio is infinity (3 TDs/0 INTs), which is even better than the 8:1 ratio (8 TDs/ 1 INT) that Fitzmagic had in 2018 after the first two games.
tickrdr
September 25th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
Hopefully he doesn’t come out to amped up. Justice remember these receivers can make you. Play in control and be competitive.
I think it’s judgement time for Canales. How does he respond if the game starts to get out of hand
September 25th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
As long as Mayfield doesn’t completely 5h1t the bed tonight he will be fine.
Very few of the so-called “experts” are expecting the Bucs to win against the Eagles.
I believe the Bucs can win but not if Philly can run the ball like they did against the Vikings last week.
Yikes.
Go Bucs!
September 25th, 2023 at 2:59 pm
I hope that Baker is calm and not too amped up at the beginning of the game. That’s my view of the first half of the Vikings game when he had some overthrows. I have seen other QB’s, some HOF guys, do the same at the beginning of a big game – too much adrenaline.
Baker needs to be patient and protect the ball. He’s been doing a good job protecting the ball and not forcing it down the field.
I hope Baker has a good game, but I’m not going to write-off him or the team based on what happens tonight. The national media will exaggerate the results of this game, that’s guaranteed. Good or bad, we need to learn from this game and take down the Aints next week.
September 25th, 2023 at 3:13 pm
It will be good to see how he responds to house money on the big stage. The talk about him tomorrow will be overblown regardless of the result. As a Buc fan, it would make a huge statement to actually win a ring of honor game, and follow up with a win on the road in New Orleans. The outside noise is just entertainment. LFG.
September 25th, 2023 at 3:16 pm
Of all the doubters, you all know the Kyle Trask fan club is standing by, waiting for (or hoping for) Baker to fail.
I guarantee it Baker has a rough night tonight, they’ll be calling for his benching in the game day thread.
September 25th, 2023 at 3:25 pm
Judgement night for the whole team.
September 25th, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Buc’s need the offense to start early and finish strong. DC needs to dip into his play book and make sure good things happen. Minimize penalties and maximize TOP. If the offense can get a lead, the defense can play more aggressive. Special teams also needs to have a great game. If all three phases have a strong showing tonight, 60 minutes of knock down drag out play by everyone, then they will have a chance to walk away with a W!!!! The team that makes the plays when needed the most will win. IMHO.
September 25th, 2023 at 3:32 pm
I hope he can suck it up and not pretend that his job is on the line.
He needs to remember that new found maturity and not force anything. Take what is given and get a couple of big plays going, and let the defense handle it.
Smooth QB play would be great.
September 25th, 2023 at 3:33 pm
We have nothing to lose tonight. Break out all the stops for this one. Think this would be a perfect game for fake punt with Jake Camarda or even an onside kick at some point. Play loose. Play hard.
We’ll see what happens.
September 25th, 2023 at 3:33 pm
Mayfield is playing for a massive payday this game.
So is White.
Big incentive.
September 25th, 2023 at 3:36 pm
@marine buc that movie is a classic
September 25th, 2023 at 3:44 pm
It’s game 3 of a new scheme/offense and a new OC and a new QB with an O-line with 4 players in new positions.
We’re making too much out of this game…in week 3.
If this game were week 8, I’d say it’d be a fair to judge any element of the offense–QB, coordinator, scheme, oline, etc…. and the team as a whole.
September 25th, 2023 at 3:46 pm
Taskmaster will get his day eventually.
As to Mayfield and tonight…the Eagles aren’t a seller great team, but they are better than the first two teams we faced.
So…here are my concerns:
– Both teams are good against the run, and that could mean a big effort to pass the ball.
– The Eagles may come after Mayfield with a lot of pressure in order to make him scramble or throw reckless passes. Bot are risky. Given the way he scrambles, there is a higher chance of injury (he doesn’t slide, he collides).
– Passing and kicking may be the only way to score points tonight. If Mayfield is under a lot of pressure, we may see the real Baker…good or bad.
September 25th, 2023 at 3:47 pm
I never understood the Brown’s position on Mayfield. Are they better off now?
I hope Baker has a great season.
September 25th, 2023 at 3:49 pm
I’m not saying we win or lose…but I’ll be watching. That much Mayfield has earned.
September 25th, 2023 at 3:58 pm
let’s hear some final score predictions people…
i have the bucs holding the eagles to 2 tds and 3 fgs…
bucs win 27-23
the nation is shocked at the 3-0 bucs
and ———–> baker’s cookin’ in the pot
September 25th, 2023 at 4:02 pm
No question, the Eagles will bring the heat. I’m really worried about Goedeke and Mauch side by side against the veteran Eagles DL. They can probably generate pressure from four guys, so the secret weapons may be Palmer, Thompkins and Jarrett. Quick twitch stuff.
Baker please block out the noise and let the game flow to you.
Hope Todd has a zone scheme tonight that his guys actually understand. Time formRyan Neal to make an impact.
September 25th, 2023 at 4:04 pm
a dude like yaya has to grab up hurts for a sack and toss him down like a dope fiend, for a roughing the crackhead penalty…
rattle him
September 25th, 2023 at 4:09 pm
Bonzai – you said plenty before the season started.
Writing constantly that Baker Mayfield is absolutely terrible – no chance he would succeed – and that the Bucs would only win 4 or 5 games all year.
Own it dude….
September 25th, 2023 at 4:16 pm
Yep, we don’t root for players to get hurt. But to knock Hurts out of this one game early, I think is ok.
Just ring his bell a little bit, where he would struggle to pass a sobriety test.
September 25th, 2023 at 4:19 pm
The Bucs have been 50/50 on calling run/pass plays in 1st 2 games – that likely won’t change tonight. Both teams have excellent front 7.
Game will come down to turnovers and penalties – just like 1st 2 games.
Hope it’s not up to some BS ref call..
September 25th, 2023 at 4:21 pm
Goedeke and Mauch aren’t my biggest concern. It’s Hainsey. He’s been meh all season. No push. A huge downgrade from Jensen. Not to mention more than a few low snaps. With the load that the Eagles can send up the middle, I think it’s Hainsey they’re gonna try to exploit.
September 25th, 2023 at 4:23 pm
“Yep, we don’t root for players to get hurt. But to knock Hurts out of this one game early, I think is ok.
Just ring his bell a little bit, where he would struggle to pass a sobriety test.”
Hurts needs to be sore and hopefully hearing footsteps. Hopefully without an overreliance on blitzing.
September 25th, 2023 at 4:27 pm
Love reading casuals hater comments and articles. TB was predicted to be at the bottom of the league in the first place. Decent defense, no running game and no faith in either QB(btw Trask is trade bait at best). And now suddenly people want to put Baker on the grill because they’re playing the Super Bowl runner ups. Front 4 for eagles are no joke and Bucs only real chance is if they CAN run the ball some what effectively. Mayfield could play turnover free ball with 60% completion rate and still lose. I see philly winning 24-20 in the first place.
But I do enjoy watching these haters act like complete liberals and marrying a doomed narrative
September 25th, 2023 at 4:30 pm
I’ll go with Eagles 24 to Bucs 16
Bucs struggle in the redzone and kicking field goals cost us in the end…
Go Bucs – prove me wrong!!
September 25th, 2023 at 4:40 pm
Hey Cards beat Cowboays and Texans bet Jags. If we do not blunder we can beat the Eagles.
September 25th, 2023 at 4:42 pm
Bonzi trying to back track already. You already said our loss was coming Monday night.
September 25th, 2023 at 4:43 pm
BOLD PREDICTION THIS GAME… we don’t establish the run; Baker comes out slinging. Our gameplan we used against the Vikings and Bears will not be successful against this team. This game will tell us a lot about our coaches, in particular, Canales.
@Aaron…prove me wrong! Go Bucs! 😉
September 25th, 2023 at 4:43 pm
Lets send the philly sports guy home mad
September 25th, 2023 at 4:59 pm
I’ll say right now, the Eagles are not as good as last year.
I don’t understand this fear factor.
September 25th, 2023 at 5:02 pm
Did ANYONE, before the season started, pick the Bucs in this game?
It’s a small number, if not zero.
I like the start, and won’t do the Skyway Tango if the home team takes a 10-count.
I just want the Bucs to be competitive and let chips fall where they may…and hope for some good bounces of the ball, and maybe some home cooking.
If this team does not come out fired up for this game, I don’t know what would motivate them.
September 25th, 2023 at 5:03 pm
Baker will be fine; he’s been on the big stage before. Tonight’s game will be more about the Bucs’ defense. If we can hold Hurts & company reasonably in-check, we’ll have a very good chance to win this thing.
The obvious goal like Joe wrote earlier is to get ahead & stay ahead. Since our offense is only averaging 20 PPG thus far and we’re playing a very good defense, and oh ya, Philly is averaging 30 PPG, our own defense is gonna have to play big. A couple of turnovers sure would be nice too.
September 25th, 2023 at 5:21 pm
I’m more worried about our defense than I am the offense for this game.
September 25th, 2023 at 5:32 pm
What’s the over/under for balls thrown in the dirt or out of play ?
If that’s the alternative to putting the ball in jeopardy then it might be pretty high. 10.5?
September 25th, 2023 at 5:41 pm
I don’t expect us to win tonight but I am hoping Baker Mayfield and Todd Bowles will not embarrass us. Baker Mayfield needs to continue performing well on the field to prove us doubters wrong instead of throwing temper tantrums off the field because he doesn’t like what critics say about him
September 25th, 2023 at 5:41 pm
A lot of Amateur sports sociologists on this site. I am sure Baker and the Bucs are well aware what they need to do to win this game.
September 25th, 2023 at 5:43 pm
I’m rooting for Mayfield…even beyond his Buc affiliation. His own family ( brother & Dad I believe ) botched millions of dollars of his. He played injured in Cleveland where no one wins.
I’m glad that Mayfield has “earned” the viewership of our resident elf erotica author Petey DutchOven stage name Buccaneer BonzEye. What an honor it must be for Mr. Mayfield. Get the f’ outta here…
September 25th, 2023 at 5:45 pm
Look, before the season started ,no one thought the Bucs would be 2-0 at this point. The Bucs are playing OK and slowly improving. Bucs don’t have to win tonight for me to believe anything other than things are getting better. Just play hard and don’t totally collapse. Improve our play every week and the wins will come. Shet Happens, Ask Cardinals, ask Dallas about over confidence.
September 25th, 2023 at 5:46 pm
@ 757Buc
I agree. Don’t make them like that anymore…
A group of guys celebrating a bachelor party in an RV get lost in the ghetto.
Awesome premise for a movie – before cell phones and Google GPS… lol.
September 25th, 2023 at 5:51 pm
Thing is, if you don’t have a QB, you don’t have a chance in 2023.
So far Baker has been good, albeit vs two terrible defenses. This is the first big challenge, and if he does well, it’s going to go a long ways towards him making a ton of money.
The pressure is on. It doesn’t matter what everyone says if he performs and proves them otherwise.
September 25th, 2023 at 5:52 pm
SHOCKER ALERT!!!
Carlton Davis is out. Again…
Wtf is with this dude?
September 25th, 2023 at 5:55 pm
In the spirit of keeping Mayfield motivated, the Bears are a dumpster fire and the Vikes find their own way to lose. Prove you can take a playoff caliber team and look competent against another playoff team. Win or lose show we belong there or just hand it over to Trask.
September 25th, 2023 at 5:55 pm
Carlton Davis is out. Good. No need to stress a turf toe injury too soon or he’d be gone for the season. Much rather he play the Saints or after the Bye week ideally.
September 25th, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Carlton”No Heart & I’m scared to Death” Davis should be traded, As soon He is Healthy, and give His money to M1K3, what a waste……..
September 25th, 2023 at 6:03 pm
Wet weather means a lot of QB runs…..don’t get hurt Baker! Long season ahead!
September 25th, 2023 at 6:04 pm
Carlton out?! No way! I really question this guy’s heart. It seems like every time he gets the slightest injury, he sits out. There’s no fighting through the pain with this guy. Dean – please don’t play like dogsh*t for the third game in a row. I know you got the bag, but please come actually ready to play tonight.
September 25th, 2023 at 6:04 pm
Carlton Davis has never played 16 games in a season, yet alone 17.
About done with this dude.
September 25th, 2023 at 6:04 pm
I hope the defense doesn’t go into that 4 deep lawnchair soft and lost gonzo zone defense and look like we did when Dallas came to town last year.
‘I’d rather lose being aggressive and playing hard, then getting blown out playing on our heels.’
September 25th, 2023 at 6:06 pm
And Vea is out?! F***
September 25th, 2023 at 6:08 pm
Vea *is* active.
September 25th, 2023 at 6:10 pm
On the NFL Network they just said Vea was out tonight
September 25th, 2023 at 6:14 pm
Yeah NFL network showed graphic that Vea is out tonight. That kills us trying to stop the run.
September 25th, 2023 at 6:17 pm
Vita out. Not a good omen at all.
September 25th, 2023 at 6:33 pm
This is not mayfields first day on the job
And he doesn’t give a sht about media except to rub it n face
Locker room/team mate perception
Should be a great game, turnover’s will make difference
Go Bucs
Hurts doesn’t like running unless it’s designed
Get him off schedule and running early
September 25th, 2023 at 6:40 pm
Vea out hurts big time… Our center and two guards are outmatched big time… Good luck, Bucs! (Please don’t be too hard on Baker if we lose; he has never been the reason his team loses. I’ve watched him every game since his first as a Sooner.)
September 25th, 2023 at 6:46 pm
Why would Vea be out and Senat be inactive? Doesn’t make any sense. Not so sure about the report.
September 25th, 2023 at 6:50 pm
Yeah really hoping that NFL Network report was a mistake. We need Vea tonight.
September 25th, 2023 at 7:46 pm
Two Sooner QBs going at it on MNF! Baker is my starting ffb QB plus he’s my son’s favorite QB much like Marino was mine back in the day. Therefore, I’m all in on the Bucs this season!!!!!!!
September 25th, 2023 at 8:01 pm
Unique perspective that perhaps none of you have even thought to consider…
Mayfield, Murray, and Hurts all had the same HC/OC, same awesome OL, and same terrible defense at OU. All 3 were great, but Mayfield was CLEARLY the best of all 3…
September 25th, 2023 at 8:13 pm
Iow, “team” game. Period.
September 25th, 2023 at 8:55 pm
I know Mayfield… He is telling Canales, ” Let me throw on 1st and 2nd down, darnit!” If he does, the Bucs have a chance…
September 25th, 2023 at 9:26 pm
This is what happens when Baker playes a real team. He barely beat the bears one of the worst teams ive seen in 40 years.
September 25th, 2023 at 9:27 pm
I wouldn’t call myself a hater but more of a doubter. But I can see how the media enjoys his stories and drama.
September 25th, 2023 at 9:35 pm
LOL I told you
September 25th, 2023 at 10:11 pm
Baker’s line:
15-25 145 1 TD 1 INT
WE TOLD YOU HE WAS GARBAGE BUT YOU DIDN’T LISTEN
September 25th, 2023 at 10:12 pm
LOL most of those yards were a gift when the game was already in hand and Philly took their foot off the gas on defense LOL.
HE’S A FRAUD WE TOLD YOU.
September 25th, 2023 at 10:12 pm
JUST GOOD ENOUGH TO GET YOU FIRED
September 25th, 2023 at 11:39 pm
GRADE: F