“We Got A Chance For Real Magic”
October 6th, 2023
Former Bucs center A.Q. Shipley talks Baker Mayfield.
Former Bucs offensive lineman and assistant offensive line coach A.Q. Shipley may no longer be part of the Bucs organization but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know what is going on at One Buc Palace.
Shipley is the personal coach/trainer for Bucs center Robert Hainsey. The two keep in touch often. So Shipley knows what is going on at One Buc Palace.
When it comes to Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, Shipley, appearing on the “Pat McAfee Show,” said Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht isn’t BSing people. Mayfield has won over the locker room.
Shipley explained it is simple to see how Mayfield has endeared himself to his teammates. When guys see a quarterback sacrificing himself, they can’t help but embrace him, Shipley said.
“Here is where [Mayfield] wins it,” Shipley began, as he sat in with his buddy Pat McAfee this week. “It’s third-and-six and he runs for the first down and he doesn’t slide. He takes the hit on his shoulder. The shoulder is banged up, you see him on the sideline getting [treatment].
“But that is huge. When you see your quarterback lay it out there and dive for first [downs], it is awesome.”
McAfee, the former Colts punter and emergency quarterback, totally agreed with Shipley. Mayfield, McAfee believes, is creating something special with the Bucs.
“You can get away with a lot when you are playing great football,” McAfee said. “But if you are also being a great dude while you are playing great football, now we got a chance for real magic.”
If that is true, hopefully the Bucs show some magic a week from Sunday when they host the Lions on Creamsicle Day.
The Lions are sort of a little brother to the Eagles, in Joe’s eyes. The rosters are sort of built the same and both coaches and organizations place a heavy emphasis on tough, physical football.
If the Bucs have learned anything from the loss to the Eagles, they can use those lessons to defang the Lions.
October 6th, 2023 at 1:10 am
Toothless Lions
There pass rush has been nasty, so I agree on the Philly little brother idea.
I’m secretly hoping the injury bug sneaks into Detroit Sunday.
Not that anything needs to sneak into that nasty city.
Ever noticed how the more crime that happens in a city, the tougher that team seems to play?
You learn how to be nasty just going to work every morning.
I’ve never thought Bowles would get a team to play hard, but there is something to be said for being a players coach. These guys really”Love” him.
Loved hearing Larry Foote talk about how smart Todd is.
We simple fans forget that when we throw around his losing record.
One good season here and coach of the year honors could erase a plethora of past bad seasons.
LFG Bucs!!!!!
October 6th, 2023 at 1:42 am
I had a “goosebump” moment when I listened to Bowles on that Loose Cannon interview. It was very unexpected.
We have a LOT of really good players AND coaches, it seems.
October 6th, 2023 at 1:51 am
The Lions game is big … really big … for setting expectations
It’s the second really good team. The Bucs are beating the average and sub-average teams. Let’s see them beat a team that is performing at a high level.
If they don’t win, expectations can remain where they are. Enjoy the ride but don’t get too pumped.
If they do win, hold on. We may have a chance to win a game or two in the post-season. Lean in.
October 6th, 2023 at 2:49 am
Their, smh
October 6th, 2023 at 3:11 am
A chance for real magic?
Thoughts of the brief (very brief) Fitz-Magic spell cast on us not long ago came to mind. We all dearly wanted to believe. Hopefully this time it is not an illusion.
October 6th, 2023 at 3:41 am
I’m not sold yet. I do know this team is fighting and they have an edge that they didn’t have last year. I remember in 1995 Sam Wyche’s last year. We started off
5-2 and everyone was over excited including me then it all fell apart and Wyche was canned
October 6th, 2023 at 3:50 am
Thanks typo police.
It’s actually 3:49am here moron.
Got something valuable to add?
October 6th, 2023 at 4:43 am
All starts up front. The O line can set the tone for the whole game. If our O line keeps pointing up we’ll be hard to deal with.
October 6th, 2023 at 5:35 am
I used to think Shipley stole moneey from the Glazers. Not so sure now.
Also not so sure how much help he has been to Hainsey. He looked better last year late than he does now.
Go Bucs!
October 6th, 2023 at 5:57 am
Most is not 80% of Joe bucs fans that comment earlier in some of the post about Baker Mayfield where he’s not the guy. I tried to let you all know he is the guy baring injury. The offense is perfect for this guy. This guy will almost is kill himself to get this first down. Remember this is a rebuilding year. So let’s keep the expectations where they need to be and enjoy the game.
October 6th, 2023 at 6:37 am
“both coaches and organizations place a heavy emphasis on tough, physical football.”
Help me out since you guys are more in tune with what is going on in the league. Which coaches and teams do not emphasize this?
October 6th, 2023 at 7:15 am
Still only the 5th game of the season so not even close to hitting there stride
October 6th, 2023 at 7:45 am
If we win the battle up front with the oline we will have a good chance of getting the win. I don’t worry about our defense kancey is possibly coming back into the rotation and we have a good secondary who held their own. I’m excited to see what baker does next week
October 6th, 2023 at 7:56 am
Detroit will definitely be another test for sure. That kid Hutchinson is a game-wrecker on D. He’s a TJ Watt type only younger and bigger (6’7″ 269 lbs). Kid is relentless and fun to watch but I hope he has a frustrating day next week.
As for the “magic”, I’d love to see our running game magically come to life but probably won’t see it against Detroit. They currently have the #4 ranked D and are first in run defense. I think we’re more likely to see Pat McAfee wear a shirt with sleeves (or hit the gym for those weak ass arms) than we are to see any improvement in the run game, but I keep hoping.
We’ll need our D to match them and Baker to have a big game and hopefully keep his Creamsicle clean.
Would love to see an upset. After all, Seattle beat them in OT in week 2 and I think we have better weapons on O and a better defense than them but that was only Week 2 and some teams just match up better against other teams. Next Sunday would be a good time to see some “magic”.
Trade deadline in 25 days. Tick tock, tick tock. I’m looking at a long-shot…a Derrick Henry one-year rental. He’ll be 30 at season’s end and is on the last year of his contract. We need a big bruiser but with the AFC South being all tied up with all 4 teams at 2 and 2, the Titans might still be clinging to hope and not in selling mode, especially after destroying the suddenly toothless Bengals last week. They lose 2 or 3 out of their next 3 games before the deadline (Colts, Ravens, Falcons) and Licht should make a call. They might even eat some of his remaining contract. Fingers crossed.
October 6th, 2023 at 8:25 am
I’m with D.R. when it comes to the Lions game. I certainly appreciate his specific points about this particular challenge, but more than that I appreciate his overall beliefs about “complementary” football (seems like if nothing else the Bucs finally have balance) and most of all his “one game at a time” mantra. Indeed!
I also agree with posters who have pointed out that Detroit is a “make or break game” for expectations. I honestly do not care about expectations. If they lose it’s time to move on to the next game.
Yes for some the “sky will still be falling” if the Bucs lose to the Lions and that’s OK. I’d just rather roll with the little train chugging up the hill saying “I think I can, I think I can”.
I conclude with a honest non snarky question. I’m genuinely curious. Forget the future for one moment. Am I the only one here who thinks this team is fun to cheer for? Does this team not represent many great stories…rebirth(perhaps for the Chicken littles) of a QB’s career…an HC’s career…the beginning of new careers at OC and all the young dudes who have emerged? I’ve already had a lot more fun this season than at any time since Brady’s first year here.
October 6th, 2023 at 9:08 am
@Billy Ever noticed how the more crime that happens in a city, the tougher that team seems to play?
New Orleans is crime ridden and they played like fairies
October 6th, 2023 at 9:21 am
Enjoying this ride!! Great bounce back after the loss. Seeing no reason this won’t continue. Agree that it’s fun watching the games.
October 6th, 2023 at 10:58 am
This!
“BillyBucco Says:
October 6th, 2023 at 3:50 am
Thanks typo police.
It’s actually 3:49am here moron.
Got something valuable to add?”
This was Nathan classic and belongs in the 10 best post ever on JBF.