Handling The Hype
December 19th, 2023
Pregame star.
Joe was eager to see how the Bucs would perform Sunday considering Baker Mayfield was on the air less than three hours before kickoff cracking backhanded foot fetish jokes at Rex Ryan.
Bucs fans remember what happened when the Bucs opened this season 3-1. Mayfield quickly went on a media tour and spent a big part of his bye week in the public eye. Even head coach Todd Bowles did interviews and appeared to remove himself from his comfort zone.
The losing came next.
Yes, not every club can handle media attention. Joe’s not blaming the Bucs’ bad losing stretch on feeling too good about themselves, but it’s certainly possible that was a factor.
Now what? The Bucs are a sexy team again on a three-game winning streak.
However, before the Bucs dominated in Lambeau Field on Sunday, Tampa Bay had returned to the spotlight.
“Nothing like kicking off Sunday morning with Baker Mayfield from Lambeau Field,” bellowed ESPN insider Adam Schefter.
Mayfield did a pre-kickoff segment on ESPN TV with Randy Moss, Rex Ryan and company. Joe cringed. On gameday? Damn, it’s hard to lock in when the hype is swirling.
But Mayfield proved he’s up for big games with big hype. He jabbed at Ryan, playfully talking about toes. and he entertained light-hearted questions about pregame rituals, in addition to Xs and Os talk. Mayfield said he only pours a coffee and sits with the gameplan, though the night before a game he always has a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with milk.
The point is Mayfield handled the spotlight well by turning in one of the best performances of his career.
That bodes well for January football.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:12 am
He leaves his heart on the field.
He’s the perfect Buccaneers QB.
An underdog. An outkast.
He is not scared of getting hit. He plays great when the lights are on.
Extend him. Keep him.
Most rookies are busts anyway.
Stick with the former #1 overall pick.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:22 am
Seemed much more agressive on offence. Even threw on 1st down several times. Perhaps the coaching staff has finally realized it works to set up the run with the PASS!
December 19th, 2023 at 11:26 am
Florio is 116 of 179 in picking games @ 62% not bad but not the greatest at predictions. He’s 26th out of 38 amongst the Experts. He’s just about like Mayfield Bottom third.
Guy is 7-7 and is helping a team to get back to about the same place as the season before. Now if it was a Super bowl berth that’s one thing but the NFC South Title? Come On Joe.
Now if the record was 4-13 as in Houston 2022 and on the verge of a playoff then I’d say he’s done something.
Post is ‘Handling the Hype’ but it’s just a way for Joe to add more Hype to an average season at best.
Mayfield’s only top ten on Florio’s and Skip Clueless’ lists.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:33 am
But, but, but…Oneilbuc and Rod Munch say he’s no good, and those guys know their stuff. Hahahaha
December 19th, 2023 at 11:39 am
D Cone………if we were to go back through all.the wisdom you’ve shared say, since the beginning of the season………IM SURE we’ll find that you’ve always believed Mayfield would lead the Bucs to Division Champs and get MVP chatter. Right?? Oh, Wise One??
OR, would we find that you’ve ALWAYS been a hater? Hmmmmmm?
You’re wrong, 🤡
December 19th, 2023 at 11:39 am
Bakefield Mania strikes again. Bakiacs abound.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:45 am
Another win this week and the hype will escalate. But the true must-have game, will be on New Year’s Eve. We need another win against the Saints.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:45 am
Cleveland Browns really screwed an injured Baker Mayfield. Browns fans saw him takeover a team that was 1-31 in the two seasons prior to his arrival. Here is what came next 1) sets NFL rookie record for TD passes in just 13 games. 2) In 2020 leads team to playoffs with an 11-5 record. 3) wins first playoff game in 2020 season. 4) loses 2nd playoff game to eventual SB winner KC on disputed end zone call missed by officials for spearing a receiver in end zone. 5) Played entire 2021 season after bad shoulder injury in second game. Team and Baker played poorly after much preseason hype. 6) 2022 Browns sign DeMassage Watson and trade Mayfield to Panthers. 7) Mayfield asks for his release and signs with Rams at mid season filling in for injured Matthew Stafford. The “journeyman junk is just that—junk. Browns have been dysfunctional for 25 years. Mayfield produced the most success for that franchise in 25 years and we see how they repaid him.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:46 am
Can anyone argue that we aren’t getting our money’s worth with Mayfield?
$4 mil plus incentives……no draft pick given up…..
December 19th, 2023 at 11:49 am
Be afraid. Bucs are 1/2 point faves over Jags at home on Chrismas Eve. The Jax QB has a concussion. Bakefield is now being calle GOAT. The whole team played great at Green Bay in December. Bowles is being lionized for coach of the year….Be very afraid.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:52 am
We hound him when he sucks and we worship him when he rocks!! Such is life.
More rocks please!!
December 19th, 2023 at 11:55 am
Yes, it makes me nervous when I see the hype machine at work with the Bucs. I am always reminded of 2003, the year that the Bucs were defending the Super Bowl. The first game of the season featured a beatdown of the Eagles. After that game, the players started to openly talk about a repeat. Just a few games later, the Colts debacle happened.
I am really enjoying seeing the offense click as of late, and I am confident that they can make the playoffs this year. If either the Cowgirls and Iggles come to Raymond James, they can be beat. Four of the losses by the Bucs this year were by seven points or less. Still, I would prefer that the Bucs fly under the radar and not get noticed.
December 19th, 2023 at 11:55 am
Gipper, you an Ohio Bucs fan? Usually the only hype the craporate sports heads give the Bucs is negative. It gets old, believe me. So, BM did some pregame press before the game. Bucs won it decisively, so what’s the problem?
December 19th, 2023 at 11:55 am
Florio hates Brady with the a fire of a thousand suns, praising Mayfield is a way to accomplish that end
December 19th, 2023 at 11:56 am
I don’t consider Mike or Skip great evaluators of NFL talent; they are talking heads for TV rumors and speculation, which has its role in media. In my mind, Baker earned his extension yesterday. When you are the third in NFL history in ANY category that is super special. Rodgers only did it once (perfect passer rating) in his entire Packer career v really bad Raiders team. In the NFL, you pay based on potential for future performance and he just raised his salary bar.
I agree no rookie is a guarantee and its a much higher risk especially considering our draft position. I think the Glazers fully understand and appreciate QB value after their Tom Brady experience; they made good money and a shiny trophy on that bet.
Pay the man!
December 19th, 2023 at 12:08 pm
orlbucfan,
Had been a Browns fan for 60 years but no more after the way they treated Mayfield. Now I am a Tampa Bay fan primarily because of Mayfield although I like Mike Evans, Godwin, Otton and Canales and Bowles. Unlike the choir who constantly berates Bowles, I think he handles himself well and seems sincere about constant team improvement. Packers game was a true test of make or break and Bowles & Co performed very well on Packers home field.
December 19th, 2023 at 12:09 pm
Even worse Bakefield is throwin accurate passes deep. Scary. We can head to the playoffs a respectable, worthy, 10-7. This looks too good to be true.
December 19th, 2023 at 12:11 pm
they are a .500 ball club. there should be no hype in anyone on this teams mind.
you are what your record says you are. average at best.
December 19th, 2023 at 12:11 pm
That was the first game of the year with an enjoyable offense. Putting Godwin in the slot and making him the focal point was awesome. Just like the old days with Brady and BA. I have the feeling that they consulted with BA prior to this game and asked him how to get some more juice in the offense. And I’m sure that he was happy to oblige. I guarantee you that is what happened because the difference was night and day
December 19th, 2023 at 12:25 pm
Baker Mayflids pick by Jason Licht was awesome….You got ton of value on what you are paying, but is also fair to say, thay majority of football fans includuin here in Tampa, didn´t have great expectations on Mayfield either, so why not give some credit to Bowles nad Canales here?
If they get to the playoffs, Licht Bowles Canales and Mayfield deserve a lot of credit, becauise this is not a very talented roster. Just average…..
But there are 3 games more to play, that´s tons of football guys.
We need to be prudent here…..
December 19th, 2023 at 12:28 pm
Did yous see The Onion cartoon that came out after Sundays game? It had the James Webb Space Telescope looking 20 Million light years away and actually spotted the Packers defenders? Good stuff
Creating hype over a horrendous defensive game is pretty much what happened in Houston when Stroud lit up our defense. It was all hype.
Bajer got a perfect QB rating at lambeau and Stroud gets a rookie jersey in the Hall of fame. These don’t happen without a horrendous defensive play.
Next up, Jacksonville!
December 19th, 2023 at 12:28 pm
The players and coaches on this team love him.
December 19th, 2023 at 12:43 pm
Baker is the 2nd-best QB in Buccaneers’ franchise history, and he’s tending up.
So, deal with it, haters.
He’s going to be here for awhile.
December 19th, 2023 at 12:46 pm
RodMunch is another naysayer who wouldn’t and still won’t cut Baker a break. We have all of your never ending negative posts. Not bad for a QB with new team, new coach, and new OC. Fair minded people would be pleased with season Baker has had. Well, that’s the problem, fundamental unfairness from the “ Baker sucks crowd” of which Rod Munch is a charter member.
December 19th, 2023 at 12:54 pm
Gipper say:
Here is what came next 1) sets NFL rookie record for TD passes in just 13 games. 2)
Set the Rookie record and went 7-7. That’s the M.O. Personal Stats and Average Results.
Second Year went 6-10.
Third Year went to the Playoffs behind Backs Rushing for 2000 yards. Two weapons at WR and owners that put Miliions and Millions into both O and D lines the year Mayfield was Drafted. Will they ever recover the the mistake of kicking him to the curb? Oh yeah. Team has better record minus a feature back and Back Ups and a senior citizen behind Center. Flaco has a better shot at MVP.
Tanehill posted the same record in 2020 behind a 2000 yard rusher. He played average also.
All these people that claim Baker came into the league and set it on fire are FOS.
He was 13-17 over two seasons and that is all he will every be. A sub 500 QB.
December 19th, 2023 at 12:57 pm
We are all growing weary of the BS…
#1 – Just win! Win the next three games and earn a 10 win season.
#2 – Win the NFC South.
#3 – Win a play-off game.
#4 – Win the NFC Championship.
#5 – Win the Super Bowl.
Anything other than winning is completely meaningless!!!!!!!
LFG!
December 19th, 2023 at 1:02 pm
If we go 10-7 it means Bowles, Bakefield, Canales, and the team are getting better. They will all be back next year. According to all the hype we will surely go 10-7 and win at least 1 playoff game. They have to overcome the RayJay jinx.
December 19th, 2023 at 1:06 pm
Another benefit if the hype comes true is not having to draft a QB. Just think of that. OL, CB, LB, Edge, Dl, all opens up.
December 19th, 2023 at 1:21 pm
I would say Mayfield has learned to handle the hype. After the first playoff win in forever, Browns fans had Lombardi Trophies dancing in their heads and thought Baker could walk the surface of Lake Erie. A year later he gets a kick in the butt and shown the door, and CLE trashed him on the way out with “wanting an adult in the room”. (Nevermind the adult is a serial abuser). Yeah, i think old boy is able to ignore the hype after that crap
December 19th, 2023 at 1:34 pm
OlBoy Says:
December 19th, 2023 at 12:28 pm
Did yous see The Onion cartoon that came out after Sundays game? It had the James Webb Space Telescope looking 20 Million light years away and actually spotted the Packers defenders? Good stuff
—————————–
OlBoy, I hang out on a progressive political blog, and one of our regulars is a proud native Badger and Packer fan. He posted that image cos he and I were rapping about the ballgame. 🙂 I replied yeah, that fits the Bucs’ D except their secondary would have been 40 light years away. 🙂
December 19th, 2023 at 1:35 pm
*40 million*
December 19th, 2023 at 1:45 pm
Tried to be diplomatic with the Baker haters, Trask mob, and the stick in the muds that expect the team to compete for another super bowl this very moment. Go ahead and mail your season now. Let the rest of us Buc fans enjoy lemonade from lemons. If you got any criticism for Baker’s play at $4million, you are an idiot. If you want to look forward to being debbie downer next year after this team pays Baker even more money to do the same- enjoy your life. We got a chance at another division title, and to stick it to our top rivals. We never even came close to sniffing this in the lost decade. Check YOself.
December 19th, 2023 at 2:56 pm
The irrational exuberance is something else. Yes, 3 wins in a row is good. Just like 4 losses in a row was bad.
Atlanta involved a big play with a half minute left. Or it would have been a loss. Carolina, the worst team in the league, involved a 75 yard TD pass. Or it would have been a loss. The Bucs did not dominate in either. GB was a complete game with pockets of weakness by the Defense.
Let’s see what happens this week.
It’s a one game season at this point.
December 19th, 2023 at 4:59 pm
It’s funny how only one game removed from one of the more embarrassing and pathetic passing efforts by a 6th year vet and all of his cheerleaders and slobberers want to put GOAT status on him as well as make it seem like he’s better than Brady. They make excuses for his sub par play against mediocre and very good teams and anoint him the savior because he had an outstanding game against a mediocre team. He has been more down than up this year as well as his whole career that is why I haven’t been able to to be completely be a fan. This was the only game that I was completely comfortable watching him play . If he continues to play well and we go 10-7 can’t see why anyone wouldn’t root for him except for the Trask lovers. Then again I don’t think any Baker lovers would give any love to Trask if he had been given a shot and he blew up and had us in the playoffs. Just want him to be consistently good
December 19th, 2023 at 7:07 pm
DavidBigBucs:
No one is crowning Baker as the GOAT except in the feeble minds of his Haters.
Name one QB in the League that’s consistently good? Every QB has good games and bad. If you knew about Baker when he was in Cleveland you’d know that he had a lousy team around him until 2020. And even then, the O-line couldn’t stay healthy and the defense was inconsistent. Plus he had 4 Head coaches in Cleveland and 3 different offenses to learn. Name one successful QB in the NFL playing now that’s had hurdles like that to overcome! I can’t think of any!
Baker needs a break and maybe with the Bucs he’s found one.
December 19th, 2023 at 7:09 pm
Btw DAVE, Baker won that “embarrassing and pathetic” game. So, stick it!
December 19th, 2023 at 7:23 pm
D. Cone….If the Buccaneers had Cleveland’s defense, we would have 10 wins now. The Buccaneers are not an elite team. In the last two years we’ve lost a Hall of Fame tight end; a Pro Bowl Center; two outstanding number 3 receivers, two cornerbacks, and an offensive lineman who went to the Super Bowl; and we’ve gotten older. Six rookies are getting significant playing time. This is why the Buccaneers were picked to be last in their division and win fewer than 6 games. Baker has helped us exceed expectations and deserves credit. He is not the GOAT, but he has played good enough to win 9 games. The record is 7 and 7. The other two losses are on the defense.
December 19th, 2023 at 7:27 pm
By the way, Cleveland has the number one defense in the league according to DVOA–and by a wide margin. If they had decent QB play, they would likely be favored to play the 49ers in the Super Bowl. Their offense is ranked 29. Ours is ranked 18th.
December 19th, 2023 at 10:01 pm
Handling media attention? We had media attention? Only from those who wanted to pronounce us as last place finishers.
Besides I think we still have quite a few guys here with rings. Just saying
Go Bucs!
December 20th, 2023 at 11:54 am
Wyoming Joe@ once again the thin air in those hills is impairing you thought process. 2020 was Bakers best season in the NFL, he had the best rushing tandem in the league, O’Dell & Landry for receivers and a top 10 D. They plated KC in their PO game and was beaten by Mahes back up Chad Henne. The same year Todd Bowles lucked out when Mahomes limped into the SB with a skeleton oline and a HC whose assistant coach/son was arrested for vehicular manslaughter SB week. Bowels did show his true colors when it counted in the 2021 Rams PO game. The true Bowles. Back to Baker, look at.his numbers in 2020, still not sure he would be in 2023 top 10.
December 20th, 2023 at 3:05 pm
some bucs fans hate prosperity.