“Wake-Up Call”
September 8th, 2023
One piece of the Baker Mayfield puzzle.
It took a retired three-time Pro Bowl quarterback until his sixth season on the field to let the NFL world know he was special.
Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield is entering his sixth season and that retired stud QB was talking about him this week.
Joe is referring to Alex Smith. The 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick did not have a strong season until 2011, when his fourth 49ers head coach arrived.
So Smith knows the quarterback wars well, including injuries early in his career, supreme expectations and coaching changes.
Speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week, Smith said he doesn’t know quite what to expect from Mayfield this season, but Smith said he knows Mayfield has enough talent and experience in a new setting that he seems to appreciate.
“Having been there, when you realize like, ‘Hey, maybe the next opportunity might not come and I need to make the most of this.” It may be a little bit of a wakeup call for Baker,” Smith said.
“Glass half full, Baker’s a guy who can go toe-to-toe. … A ton of ability; it’s in there.”
Smith isn’t too high on the Bucs, though. He doesn’t see special things from Todd Bowles as a head coach, and Smith cautioned fans not to think first-time offensive coordinator Dave Canales deserves much credit for Seattle’s success last season.
“Calling plays and being the quarterback coach are two different animals,” Smith said.
As for Mayfield, Smith likes one combination that cannot be denied; Mayfield’s ability to make “tight-window throws” and Mike Evans’ and Chris Godwin’s proven success making tight-window catches.
September 8th, 2023 at 7:20 pm
If he can’t hit our great WR’s against rookie corners he is a dud.
September 8th, 2023 at 7:20 pm
Favorite part of the game last night, Chiefs v Loins – huge throw by Maholmes with 2 minutes left, first down in field goal range – but “holding offense #79”. There’s Donovan Smith wrecking another game. 😂
September 8th, 2023 at 7:23 pm
So Baker has to brutally break a limb for him to be on the same page with Alex. Got it.
September 8th, 2023 at 7:29 pm
We all would be happy if Baker shocked the world with a tremendous season.
Hoping for that.
Go Bucs!!
September 8th, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Yeah I saw the crucial holding call on Donovan Smith and Collinsworth also mentioned he had a rough year last year. As for Baker, let’s rally behind him since we’re all Bucs fans.
September 8th, 2023 at 7:45 pm
Buccaneer football in 2 more days. God is good.
September 8th, 2023 at 7:46 pm
Go Bucs!
September 8th, 2023 at 8:04 pm
I’m onboard with that.
Todd and Baker sitting in a tree.
P. R. A. Y. I. N. G.
First comes wins
Then comes marriage.
Them comes Lombardi in a baby carriage.
September 8th, 2023 at 8:06 pm
No more peek-a-boo appearances in games. No more sales jobs.
Either he performs or he doesn’t.
If he doesn’t expect the Trask mob to be LOUD
September 8th, 2023 at 8:13 pm
After watching both defenses last night, and knowing the Bucs D is considerably better than Minnesota, I think the Bucs might just blow them out.
If they do, we should all write Peter King.
September 8th, 2023 at 8:21 pm
Bowles game plan will throttle Mayfield.
September 8th, 2023 at 8:48 pm
We will get a good taste Sunday. I feel pretty good about Canales and our chances to upset some cocky teams. I also like Jalon Daniels from Kansas as a late round QB pick to add some dimension to the offense. He’s not special but sure can do some special things with a football in his hand and he may go late in the draft, small investment with upside.
September 8th, 2023 at 8:51 pm
Is Bowles going to be this year’s excuse for Baker Mayfield?
September 8th, 2023 at 8:51 pm
Dumb dumb Donovan made Jason Licht look good last night. As Joe says, Licht probably knows Offensive Lines better than any other position, but he’s in cap hell right now so we need to hope for the best.
September 8th, 2023 at 8:58 pm
Pelsbuc61 Says:
September 8th, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Yeah I saw the crucial holding call on Donovan Smith and Collinsworth also mentioned he had a rough year last year. As for Baker, let’s rally behind him since we’re all Bucs fans. BigMacAttack Says:
September 8th, 2023 at 8:51 pm
Dumb dumb Donovan made Jason Licht look good last night. As Joe says, Licht probably knows Offensive Lines better than any other position, but he’s in cap hell right now so we need *****so no doubt 1st game out D.Smith has put someone in a headlock! Refs see it, he gets another penalty! lol! he is their problem now–he was never gonna change, it will get worse!
September 8th, 2023 at 9:47 pm
I think the Bucs D should hold the Vikings talented O in check. The game will henge on who succeeds between the Bucs new offense or the Viking new Defense. Unfortunately this time of year the defenses are usually ahead. But we shall see.
September 8th, 2023 at 10:47 pm
I was surprised how solid the Lions looked against the Chiefs. Expected a dominant Chiefs win. Detroit may be a surprise contender this season.
September 8th, 2023 at 11:03 pm
Alex smith?!?!? 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 from one sorry as quarterback to another 😭
September 8th, 2023 at 11:06 pm
Even the great, legendary, super winning Andy Reid could not win even one Super Bowl with Alex smith sorry as 😂😂
September 8th, 2023 at 11:12 pm
For all the criticism Brady had last year, he killed it in ‘tight window’ throws, which probably points more to our poor offensive scheme more than anything
September 8th, 2023 at 11:27 pm
Hoping Baker shows for real right from the get go. I like Trask but the Bucs neglected him for two years or he might have been ready to replace Brady. Hope he stays focused and continues to sharpen his skills. He looked very much improved this season and if Baker flames out he needs to be ready. Baker looked good in his VERY limited preseason playing time, but given his injury history and shaky performance history (only one very good season) its hard to feel highly confidante. It’s a long and tough season. The Bucs may need all three of their qbs before the season is over. Especially if the Oline remains shaky. Guess we will know very soon! Is Baker the real deal. Or not.
September 8th, 2023 at 11:28 pm
He is right about calling plays and the local media has avoided his inexperience like the plague. There will likely be flourishes that pique interest but the overall product offensively is likely to disappoint from a play calling standpoint. Licht’s inept offensive line 1/5 will further exacerbate the offensive struggles.
Only hope is Bowles coaches out of his mind this season. Yikes
September 8th, 2023 at 11:41 pm
Joe is really reaching if he thinks Todd Bowles is anywhere near the coach Jim Harbaugh is. Mayfield has Bowles and Alex Smith had Harbaugh. Apples and oranges.
This Bucs team has 5-12 written all over it.
September 9th, 2023 at 1:53 am
“three-time Pro Bowl quarterback”
That actually means nothing.
September 9th, 2023 at 1:57 am
I think excitement and anticipation may cause Baker to have a decent first game.
If that happens, a bunch of people here will think they were right to believe in him.
But the following week is the beginning of the and for Baker.
September 9th, 2023 at 2:07 am
Bowles is terrible- expect to get blown out by the Vikings
September 9th, 2023 at 6:24 am
I find it difficult to believe that all the commenters here in this thread, the Nagative Nancy’s and Debbie Downers, wallowing in negativity and bashing the Bucs before a single game has been played, are actually Bucs fans.
Y’all are Buc hating trolls. Go and infest some other team’s fan site.
September 9th, 2023 at 7:01 am
Occult of Trask members will remain butt hurt and they already are loud. If Trask went to Oklahoma and Mayfield went to Florida all of you mental midgets would be sniffing Mayfield’s jock strap and telling us how great he’s going to be this year.
September 9th, 2023 at 7:53 am
Make me
September 9th, 2023 at 8:51 am
Hope he is right about Mayfield. We shall see. I do think this is by far on a better team than any he has played on.
Go Bucs!
September 9th, 2023 at 10:27 am
Let me sum up mayfields day tomorrow. A few great throws and even more unforced errors. If I were to expect something different from the guy at this point I’d be considered insane.
September 9th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
As has been observed, Todd Bowles gave Brady the only losing season of his life. Todd could lose with Patrick Mahomes. Todd loses. That’s his strength.
September 9th, 2023 at 4:09 pm
As for Mayfield, Smith likes one combination that cannot be denied; Mayfield’s ability to make “tight-window throws” and Mike Evans’ and Chris Godwin’s proven success making tight-window catches.
Joe, I really really like this thought! We’ll get our first glimpse tomorrow!
September 9th, 2023 at 6:37 pm
Where are David and Rod Munch to give us all of their football wisdom and tell us that Baker Mayfield is terrible. The comments section wouldn’t be complete without their informed take.