Bucs Starting To Look Good (Because Everyone Else Looks So Bad)
December 18th, 2023
Why are the first-place Bucs a likely playoff team with a 7-7 record, still in the running for a wild card even if they stub their toes?
It is because other teams stink. That’s the conclusion of Joe’s good friend Mike Tanier, typing for someone called “The Messenger.”
The Bucs have been consistent. And they’ve mostly kept their best players healthy. In an NFL world where dudes you wouldn’t recognize in your neighborhood Hooters are quarterbacking teams in the biggest TV market in the land, Baker Mayfield is looking strong to many NFL fans.
That’s it. That’s their secret. In a league full of Tommy Tortellini quarterbacks, Baker Mayfield looks mighty good, especially when throwing to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin while Antoine Winfield and Lavonte David lead the defense.
No wonder the Buccaneers look better than the Saints’ late-2010s all-star team and Arthur Smith’s fidget-spinner Falcons offense. No wonder they beat the youthful Packers, who got Aaron Jones back but were without Christian Watson, Jaire Alexander, Darnell Savage, David Bakhtiari and anyone else who remembers when the Packers and Bucs faced off in the 2020 NFC championship game.
It’s a great point. With so many starting quarterbacks hurt, Mayfield is looking like a top-12 quarterback, for name recognition and his play.
Mayfield is capable and has shown he can torch teams from time to time like he did yesterday in Green Bay.
Tommy Divito and Trevor Siemian? Gag!
December 18th, 2023 at 3:06 pm
It is what it is and the Bucs are winning rather than losing, No One in Buc fandom believes that they are among the 2023 elite teams .
December 18th, 2023 at 3:20 pm
Cut out the faint praise nonsense. Hope you get the Bryce Young equivalent next year in Tampa. Will give your bloggers plenty to grumble about. Mayfield I hope gets a big deal at Pittsburgh in 2024. Will be fun watching him stick it to Browns forever. By the way for all of you football illiterates investing mega millions on a mobile QB versus a pocket passer isn’t the smartest thing to do with your fortune. Rodgers, Brady and Flacco have had long careers precisely because they aren’t mobile. Baker plays another 12 years and has a career much like Drew Brees. Doubt it? Check Brees pro football reference first 6 years in San Diego versus last 12 in New Orleans. They are much the same except Baker has a stronger arm.
December 18th, 2023 at 3:25 pm
We look good because #45 and #24 have been out recently. Our OC finally put Godwin the slot and he has changed up the rhythm of his play calling.
December 18th, 2023 at 3:25 pm
7-7 is not a championship team. its average at best
December 18th, 2023 at 3:37 pm
Kyle Trask with one more year on his rookie contract is becoming valuable. Could he bring a 4th round pick (at least a 5th) ?
Trade Jamal Dean for whatever and free up that $. Cut Gage, Neal, maybe some others.
Dangle Trask, maybe he will get a much deserved opportunity.
There’s no reason we shouldn’t have a 10 or 11 win team next year (maybe better).
Give Mayfield 3 yrs. guaranteed. I don’t think he would be surly about bringing in a new draftee. And maybe just maybe Dave Canales can turn Baker into our Drew Brees.
Surely Todd Bowles is learning and maturing as a head coach and possibly starts to peak.
December 18th, 2023 at 3:37 pm
Who’s this Slipper fella and did he just put Barker into the Hall of Fame?
I’m rooting for Baker but that’s a bit of a leap. Maybe Baker is going to be angry Sean Payton’s next QB. Anything is possible.
Until then “Win One For The Slipper!”
December 18th, 2023 at 3:38 pm
Who will we get next week. 149yds Baker or 300+ yds Mayfield. It looked like someone turned on the porch light for Canales and Mayfield. Let’s hope it stays on. Thank you Mrs. Godwin.
December 18th, 2023 at 3:39 pm
Wow Gipper you’re just a swell guy. Hating on the Bucs because people dare to criticize the team or players, because they care about the team and have seen way more seasons of darkness than playoffs. Sorry the forum dogs pooped on your shoes.
December 18th, 2023 at 3:40 pm
I watched the Jags yesterday and saw SO many stupid plays, it was just about unreal. We really played great and I hope we can keep it up. Dave Canales did terrific, IMO, as well.
December 18th, 2023 at 3:43 pm
Rodgers isn’t mobile Gipper? Guess you missed his first 10 seasons. Can’t think of another QB who was as adept at climbing the pocket, buying time and sprinting out to look for secondary receivers as Aaron was. Mobile doesn’t necessarily mean running the ball at first sign of a defender getting close either.
It is Christmas week and Bucs are playing meaningful games and that is all we can ask for. Credit to front office carrying all the dead money and still being relevant.
December 18th, 2023 at 3:50 pm
If we don’t collapse these last games (I don’t think we will) and if we take the NFC South and have a playoff game (win or lose) there is a very good chance that Glazer family can offer the fans stability for several years. What a Blessing that would be. 6 or 8 successful seasons in a row !!! It’s POSSIBLE.
December 18th, 2023 at 3:54 pm
Hey you worthless Baker Fans stop worrying and acting like you care what will do without Baker next year such as trading Kyle Trask and so on. Why are you afraid of Trask ?
You trash Baker already lost to Atlanta qb, Desmond Rider that lost to Young yesterday. Any dog has his days as Baker did yesterday against a trash team.
Let’s see has Baker defeated any quality team with wining record this year befor you start barking for a pay raise or retaining him as as super star ?
As I said Baker and Toilet Bowl came within two minutes last week to be dumped in the dump stair fire against Atlanta.
December 18th, 2023 at 4:11 pm
Gipper
How about you quit commenting since you’re not a Tampa fan and just go drink Mayfields bath water. Don’t wish us getting the equivalent to young you pos
December 18th, 2023 at 4:13 pm
Damn why so upset trasky poo will get his shot week 18 when we already have the division won for 3rd straight year don’t be so angry soft as baby shizz
December 18th, 2023 at 4:16 pm
David you’re a real peach. Too bad you’re hating on a guy who has the respect of his teammates and coaches, while loving a guy who’s proven nothing but somehow you’re sure he’d be better than Baker. How about hating on Baker after a multiple interception game and/or a loss instead of a 3 game win streak and likely Offensive Player of the Week award?
Try the arsenic biscuits, they’re tasty and will make you less miserable.
December 18th, 2023 at 4:32 pm
Give Bowles and his coaching staff some credit. Despite all the noise to fire him, he has won 3 straight games folks. Surprising not only me but a lorof you as well. I dare say what will happen if he runs the table on our remaining games.
December 18th, 2023 at 4:37 pm
I’d like Baker more if he feeds my guy Evans more. Help get Evans to 1400 yards and 15TD and I’m sold to signing Baker to a 3 year 100 mil contract.
December 18th, 2023 at 5:05 pm
I have nothing against trask, I don’t love Baker, but Baker is serviceable. Upgrade the line(center/LG) mainly, drop dean and white. Even if we don’t go far in playoffs we will be in good shape to be fighting next year.
December 18th, 2023 at 5:08 pm
Didn’t realize so many starting quarterbacks in the league were hurt outside of like two that were more than average
December 18th, 2023 at 7:05 pm
Apparently throwing a ball made of pigskin over the heads of 4 -5 tall guys such that big and tall guys on your own team can catch it but 11 big and tall guys on the other team can’t is a lot harder than people who sit on couches and stadium seats think it is.
At any given time theres no more than 10-15 guys on the planet that can do it well.
December 18th, 2023 at 7:08 pm
Dave Pear, you and David are a match made in not-Bucs-fan-heaven. Always bellyachin’ about the team and its GM and HC. Well, they’ve won three in a row. Did you two bother seeing that postgame locker room vid Joe posted after the Atlanta game where Bowles and Wirfs led the cheers? I’m sure it was this blog. You could feel the positive vibes coming off those images on a damned iPad. So, that’s a team ready to dump its HC. BfriggingS! I’m one of the very few who picked Tampa to win yesterday even tho I slept through the best part. I’m what is commonly referred to as a longtime devoted F-A-N.
December 19th, 2023 at 2:06 am
4 STRAIGHT LOSSES
Lions, Falcons, Bills, Texans
Bucs should have won 3 of those, except Bowles made horrible coaching decisions late that cost them the game.
3 STRAIGHT WINS
Panthers, Falcons, Packers
Not one win vs +.500 team all year.
Are you really that excited? Are you really ready to give Baker a long-term deal? The Bucs are average at best. Baker is a backup. Backups have good games.
December 19th, 2023 at 3:41 am
Headline says it all.
December 19th, 2023 at 5:31 am
David Says:
December 18th, 2023 at 3:54 pm
Hey you worthless Baker Fans stop worrying and acting like you care what will do without Baker next year such as trading Kyle Trask and so on. Why are you afraid of Trask ?
You trash Baker already lost to Atlanta qb, Desmond Rider that lost to Young yesterday. Any dog has his days as Baker did yesterday against a trash team.
Let’s see has Baker defeated any quality team with wining record this year befor you start barking for a pay raise or retaining him as as super star ?
As I said Baker and Toilet Bowl came within two minutes last week to be dumped in the dump stair fire against Atlanta.
^^^^^^^^
I hope, for your sake, you were drunk and/or high when you wrote this. It makes absolutely no sense.
December 19th, 2023 at 6:45 am
We have lost at least three games to teams that look like the proverbial dumpster fire Joe. So on any given Sunday is not just a movie from back in the day.
We need to win games regardless of how the other guys look. Your Buddy hit on a cool little angle….Lets leave it at that…got him some clicks.
Go Bucs!
December 19th, 2023 at 9:26 am
Look I will be one of the first up here to admit that I was very pleasantly surprised with how Baker played and some coaching decisions made by Todd Bowles this past game. He finally had the stones to go for it on 4th and 2 at the late stages of the game that kept the drive going to burn out the clock. Typically Todd balls would just punt at that point.
Baker outside of one real bone-headed play and a couple of other sacks he took because of holding on them to the ball too long made some tight window throws and looked good..
Your record is who you are and right now we are 500 team but trending in the right direction.
It may have taken a little time to realize it but our run games since Aaron Stinnie has been a guard has been much better. Additionally it seems like there has been addition by subtraction when Ryan Neal and Devin White are not in the game. And this past game we saw a receiver screens and the use of Chris Godwin more in the slot where he has had elite level talent the last few years.
I think it was hubris to not make those changes earlier but at least finally they have been.
I see no reason why we can’t win at least two of the last three games this year. Carolina Panthers have nothing to play for. The Jacksonville Jaguars seem to be trending in the wrong direction and there is a strong chance that Trevor Lawrence does not play this week because of concussion. The key game will be the same scheme and might be the determinant for the division but even if we lose that but when the other two we should claim a wild card spot.
I think we have a good solid core of players to build around. Management and coaching will have to recognize that we need some upgrades that did not succeed in a few of our recent drafts which includes Joe Tryon, Logan Hall and Devin White on defense as well as a cornerback as I strongly believe that Dean and Davis are making way too much money for their performance and at the first time that it is friendly cap wise one should either be cut or traded. I think Zion McCollum has shown enough to be one of our two starting cornerbacks.
So assuming Baker continues to play well and we resign him (I do believe that he would probably give us a relatively team friendly deal given we took a chance on him when others wouldn’t to start), The first four picks in the upcoming draft should be Edge rusher, interior lineman, cornerback, wide receiver thinking that we may need to find the successor to Evans or Godwin.
December 19th, 2023 at 7:14 pm
With all of the teams scrambling for a QB (every year, but this year seems worse), we should sign Mayfield yesterday. Even if we draft some future legend (lol) having him in our back pocket in case we need him or someone else needs him and are willing to give up their left one so they don’t have to resort to “Johnny Meatball” or some other QB that they can barely keep off their practice squad. Plus we have Trask as well.
That whole “if you have 2 QBs then you have none” saying is utter nonsense. You can bet the 49ers wish they had 4 QBs last year when Purdy went down. Look at all of the teams right now, some still alive for post season. They’re rummaging through other teams’ dumpsters looking for a warm body to play QB.
Side note….I really miss Jensen. I wish he’d suck it up and get that knee fixed properly
December 19th, 2023 at 9:05 pm
Slypirate&jackassin Michigan take u r bs to another post site this site is full