“I Was Amazed At How Much That Locker Room Loved Their Quarterback”
February 13th, 2024
If Bucco Bruce Arians still has the ear of Team Glazer and Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht, then a long-term contract is sure to be thrown Baker Mayfield’s way.
Arians is a Mayfield guy.
That’s probably why in November of 2018, Arians said he was interested in returning to coaching for one specific team: the Cleveland Browns. Mayfield was Cleveland’s rookie QB that season and Arians was part of a CBS broadcast crew that was dispatched to cover multiple Browns games.
That Browns exposure later led to the Bucs signing receiver Breshad Perriman; Arians loved what he saw of Perriman in Cleveland. And that time around the Browns organization put Arians firmly in Mayfield’s corner when the Bucs had a QB opening after Tom Brady retired.
This week, Arians talked about Mayfield on WDAE radio.
“Oh, I love Baker,” Arians said. “I had a great grades on him coming out of the draft. When I was with CBS [TV], I did a couple of Cleveland games and I was amazed at how much that locker room loved their quarterback. And I knew once he got here — the talent’s there; we knew that — just put him in the right fit. And when he got put on this football team with these receivers and offensive line, it was a great fit.
“Dave Canales did a nice job with him. I thought Todd did an outstanding coaching job this season with a new coordinator, new playcaller, new quarterback and winning the division and getting us back in the playoffs. The Bucs are the only NFC team to be in the playoffs four straight years now. So that’s a lot.”
So now what? Will the Bucs pay their pending free agent quarterback? Or will he be slapped with the franchise tag?
Tag season opens in one week, Feb. 20.
February 13th, 2024 at 8:16 am
Go Bucs
February 13th, 2024 at 8:20 am
Just testing to see if it’s something I typed that is keeping a post out of two different threads.
February 13th, 2024 at 8:34 am
Arians has a deep appreciation for culture. He was instrumental in replacing GMC with Suh and JPP … and then TB12. These moves changed the culture and created a champion. I don’t see other teams (especially in the NFCS) with that same understanding of team dynamics.
February 13th, 2024 at 8:56 am
Ignoring both trolls and cheerleaders let’s try for an honest assessment of Baker Mayfield.
First D.R. is right about the cap. It’s not time to mortgage the future..yet..there will be time if Baker turns out to be the real deal.
I think any HONEST assessment reveals the verdict is still out. The Bucs should not get sucked into paying for past performance, viewing it only as an “indication” of what MIGHT happen going forward. The Bucs need to make their judgement on the future. This past season is over and as Chad and Jeremy sang in the 60’s
“That was yesterday and yesterday’s gone”
How about future “potential”? Just look at the Bucs first SB win and the two QB’s who played there for POSSIBILITIES.
Brad Johnson didn’t get to start in Minnesota for his first two years. When he got his chance he posted winning records before getting dumped. He went to Washington for a cup of coffee…he came to Tampa and won a SB…record that year 10-3 and then it all went south.
Rich Gannon like Brad Johnson began his career in Minnesota but didn’t get to actually start until his 4th season. He had a winning % slightly better than Mayfield last year. He went 13 years, missing one totally due to injury before landing with Oakland where he finally blew up.
BOTH of these guys obviously made it to the SB and isn’t that the measure of success expected here?
Those are some stats for comparison. Now what IMHO is a FAIR assessment of Baker. He’s at a pivotal point in his career, just like Brad when he came to Tampa or Gannon when he reached Oakland.
Will he fare as well as those two which should be the REAL MEASURE? Again IMHO I don’t think ANYBODY can really know.
However it seems clear to me that he absolutely deserves the shot for the Bucs to find out before cutting bait. Can’t peg the odds yet so I respect D.R.’s caution against mortgaging the farm prematurely. Baker hasn’t EARNED that YET. But he has clearly earned respect and the opportunity to see if he can do what Brad and Gannon did. Does anybody really care where he “stacks up” against other QB’s. Where did Brad and Gannon stack up in 2002?
February 13th, 2024 at 8:58 am
robbie,
This forum is the only place in your life you have ever gotten attention. That means from women, classmates and family. Your program is to bash an accomplished NFL QB named Baker Mayfield. Most of us just feel sorry for you.
February 13th, 2024 at 9:06 am
robbie Says:
February 13th, 2024 at 8:41 am
Damn, Joe must spend 24/7 looking for quotes from Baker sycophants. None, though, can change the fact that Baker was 10-9, a couple of not-dropped-picks from a losing record
A+ logic there.
Also a couple dropped passes from 13-6…
What’s your point?
February 13th, 2024 at 9:09 am
The baker haters are crazy. They all forget what being a bucs fan was like before Brady. Baker is a solid starter and one of the best LEADERS at his position. Bucs can’t resign him fast enough, and he has had different coaches every year his entire career, let the guy grow he will have us in the playoffs every year.
February 13th, 2024 at 9:12 am
robbie Says:
. None, though, can change the fact that Baker was 10-9, a couple of not
Nothing changes the fact thar you are david – a name so disgraced on these blog comments you had to change it to Robbie to hide who you are and keep posting.
February 13th, 2024 at 9:19 am
Another Baker Fluff piece. We get it Joe, Baker is the most loved guy in the locker room, and out. If only he could hit the deep ball, and play above .500.
February 13th, 2024 at 9:26 am
It’s going to be a long term deal around 4 to 6 years and be near the 40 Mil a year mark. something like 4 years at 160 million with like half guaranteed.
And they should do it.
February 13th, 2024 at 9:32 am
This baker Mayfield hype is pathetic.. take away Mike Evans and his 13 TDs and 1000 + yards and I don’t think baker would be talked about like this. The disrespect to Mike Evans is sad and I want him to just go sign with the chiefs win 3 rings and retire. The glazers really want Bowles And baker as coach in QB. . Smh dollar store coaches dollar store owners dollar store Gm.. this why Brady left
February 13th, 2024 at 9:37 am
Iam amazed how baker can create such a negative aura anywhere he goes, its a shame you can just love his grit and determination. he’s been dissed maligned and grumbled about where ever he goes and yet plays every down with great expectation and desire. You guys who are negative have been sideline clowns your whole lives. go bucs its a team thing.
February 13th, 2024 at 9:59 am
I believe BA wanted the Browns job before he took the Bucs job he liked Mayfield so much.
JBF must be pining for an interview with Jason Licht. Lifetime achievement award might be more appropriate…how often does a GM last 4 head coaches deep?!
February 13th, 2024 at 10:13 am
Love what Baker accomplished in Tampa last season, but can’t pay him too much & lock him down for too long based on 1 “saving his career” year of production.
Go watch the tape…He had the ball bounce his way a TON in 2023. The season could have gone very differently had a few of those “should have been INT’s” went the other way. (Felt like there was 2-3 of those every game)
Knowing that…It’s hard for me to get behind anything more than a Geno Smith deal. Reasonable middle of the road QB1 coin & not fully guaranteed. Meaning, he still needs to earn it!
February 13th, 2024 at 10:28 am
Let me try to get my head around what Baker Haters live for.
Bucs have a QB that;
Players on both sides of the ball love and respect.
Coaches who have stated they love his leadership and his ability to read defenses.
Has a cannon for an arm, that other QB’s admire.
A QB that has “moxie” which motivates the entire team.
A QB that led a team projected to win 3 or 4 games but instead wins a NFC South title and a playoff game.
So what is not to like? Bet 20 teams would love to have the above.
The Haters are either OSU Fans that are butthurt because Baker planted a OU flag bullseye in the OSU logo after coming into the Big House and dominating them or SEC fans so in love with Trask because he played in Florida and nothing that he has ever accomplished in the NFL.
The experts who do this for a living know nothing and you Haters are so smart about the ins and outs of the NFL that you come on this forum to prove why you are not employed by any NFL team.
February 13th, 2024 at 10:33 am
Babysitting bucs Says:
February 13th, 2024 at 9:32 am
This baker Mayfield hype is pathetic.. take away Mike Evans and his 13 TDs and 1000 + yards
You are pathetic, take a WR1 off any team and not replace that spot with any other talent every QB in the league would suffer. The things that come out of the Haters mouth on this forum is right down ignorant.
February 13th, 2024 at 10:46 am
robbie is a lot of names over the years. He just needs to go start Traskfan.com. See how many followers there really are of his boi.
February 13th, 2024 at 11:05 am
the talent’s there; we knew that — just put him in the right fit. And when he got put on this football team with these receivers and offensive line, it was a great fit.
Can’t forget CLV also gifted him with a 2000 yard running back that was great on routes.
Plug Mayfield into the 2023 Patriots and they are still picking 3rd in the Draft.
February 13th, 2024 at 11:08 am
I love that the Baker haters quickly jump to the 10-9 record and forget entirely that the Browns were 1-31 the two seasons before Baker landed in Cleveland. Great analysis !
February 13th, 2024 at 11:08 am
@StPeteBucsFan, that was a very great post.
February 13th, 2024 at 11:22 am
Wrong about OU or Florida.
Im not a Baker super fan and have ZERO ties to either of your RANTS.
And why do you keep lowering the win projections to suit your needs.
It was 6.5 not 3 or 4.
Quit using stats and players love him.
Does he win?
Bucs fans don’t have to LOVE your guy and you can’t TALK them into it by screaming pros.
It’s the simple eye test for most and a desire to win SBs.
Not wanting another 5 year failed try at QB after Winston.
NOBODY, including you KNOWS what Baker will do in the future.
I like him as a person, just don’t want to mortgage the future for him.
February 13th, 2024 at 11:34 am
Also felt like there were 2-3 critical DROPS every game. Missing TDs a LOT, and critical first downs. Season could easily have been 13 wins … just as easily as 7. That’s true for almost any player.
February 13th, 2024 at 11:35 am
If the Bucs pay market value to Mayfield & Evans ALLLL THE CAP SPACE IS GONE that means same team as last season with NO NEW improvements!!! Baker loving GROUPIES act like they can’t understand what that means! I actually think Baker lovers believe that the Bucs were only halfway descent, last season, because Baker made them a descent team%#!@!?!! BOTTOM LINE is with OR without Mayfield the Bucs NEED stronger more physical interior Olineman, a RB that runs more physically between the tackles than Rachaad White, and they need to add a better pass rusher to the mix SO if that can be added WITH BAKER cool!!!!
February 13th, 2024 at 11:38 am
robbie Says:
February 13th, 2024 at 10:55 am
Hodad Says: “Another Baker Fluff piece. We get it Joe, Baker is the most loved guy in the locker room, and out. If only he could hit the deep ball, and play above .500.”
No sht. Joe’s articles are all man-crush cringy.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Aren’t you the guy that’s ALL IN on Tr@sk? Isn’t this like the pot calling the kettle something? Hahahaha
February 13th, 2024 at 11:50 am
stpetebucfan Says:
February 13th, 2024 at 8:56 am
However it seems clear to me that he absolutely deserves the shot for the Bucs to find out before cutting bait. Can’t peg the odds yet so I respect D.R.’s caution against mortgaging the farm prematurely.
—-
Stpete
Don’t be fooled by the cheerleading. At least half of it is just against the hate. No problem with what you wrote and I am on record if Baker can get 40 he should take it – elsewhere. Its not a good time to be shelling out that kind of money for the Bucs where we are. As a Baker fan I have no issues. I’ve followed Baker and the Bucs separately for years so no issue if I do that again.
Actually as a Baker fan the most compelling destination would be the Steelers with the drama that would create with the Browns.
High 20s with incentives or low 30s then I am fine with it. Two to three year commitment is fine for the simple reason I don’t believe we are getting a Qb in this draft so adding this year and two usually needed to develop a Qb doesn’t put us behind.
I’ve never had Baker as a top five Qb and rated him top 12. However after seeing how some top ten Qbs played in the playoffs I could see him hitting top ten. SO the claim all “Baker Bois” hold him as Mahomes or Brady level has always been a lie from the haters.
I just don’t think teams can hold out for getting a Mahomes as for most decades there are only 3-4 QBs in the whole league that are elite. Top 10-12 QB while building a whole team is much more likely and practical.
February 13th, 2024 at 11:56 am
stpetebucfan Says:
“Where did Brad and Gannon stack up in 2002?”
Not sure of their individual stats – but I know for sure the Raiders offense was #1 in the league that year. I believe I remember the Bucs had the 18th rated offense in 2002 – and of course one of the best Defenses of all time….
February 13th, 2024 at 11:59 am
It’s a blog. It’s supposed to generate traffic . Mayfield does that. Figure it out. Do you want joe to write on the fascinating topic of cap numbers? Defensive schemes? Guard play? Mayfield gets hits. Responses. Even the haters can’t help themselves , they must respond . Joe knows where his bread is buttered. We’ll done😊
February 13th, 2024 at 12:04 pm
BillyBucco Says:
February 13th, 2024 at 11:22 am
Wrong about OU or Florida.
Im not a Baker super fan and have ZERO ties to either of your RANTS.
And why do you keep lowering the win projections to suit your needs.
It was 6.5 not 3 or 4
—
Thats false
Plenty of people projected 3-5 wins.
You rant against his rants and positioning yourself as the rep for “bucs fans” is off as well. Plenty of Buc fans are also Baker fans.
Just a fact that you will just have to live with.
If you don’t want to be associated with haters then stop aligning yourself with them defending them or you get what you get. I haven’t seen anyone say that if they are against Signing Baker to 40+ million they are a hater. That would make ME a Baker hater.
Thats never been a definition for hater on this blog. Fact of life, if you say ouch when somebody says something that you allege isn’t you – it usually means it IS you.
February 13th, 2024 at 12:16 pm
Let em bake Says:
February 13th, 2024 at 11:59 am
It’s a blog. It’s supposed to generate traffic . Mayfield does that
I think what they are really objecting to is the reality that Baker is even at this point pretty close to being the face of the franchise.
Joe’s writing about him as if he is about to become that face is driving them crazy.
It could get worse. IF they do resign him and, as is likely, not get a QB in the draft, and then we go deep into the playoffs next year – the national media (loving matching letters) will start referring to the team as Baker’s Bucs”.
Might need medication to calm them down then.
February 13th, 2024 at 12:22 pm
robbie Says:
February 13th, 2024 at 12:12 pm
Let em bake Says: “Mayfield gets hits. Responses. Even the haters can’t help themselves.”
Actually it’s the guy who hasn’t played who has more haters than anyone (the 50% of the Bucs fan base that dropped out of FSU). Joe throws out an article on him once a week to cash in.
^^^^^^^^^^^
Dude, you’re embarrassing yourself.
February 13th, 2024 at 12:24 pm
The hate is alive and well, Some folks are never please, My suggestion is to try out for the team, Weather it be coaching or playing, Then come back and complain but only if you join the team.
February 13th, 2024 at 12:29 pm
robbie Says:
February 13th, 2024 at 12:12 pm
Actually it’s the guy who hasn’t played who has more haters than anyone
🙂 it not hate. Its just what’s to love at
30% completion rate
longest completion 9 yards
and what was it? 25 yards total yards in 3 years and not being able to convince Brady, the front office or the coach or any rational person that he should start.
No one really hates the fat ugly girl who can’t dance at the prom. They mostly don’t see her. its only when someone starts non-stop pushing her as hot that people say “ew” or ask “why?”.
February 13th, 2024 at 12:32 pm
Joe in Michigan Says:
February 13th, 2024 at 12:22 pm
Dude, you’re embarrassing yourself.
—-
its David using yet another name. He isn’t embarrassed to type. He just changes names when that one is worn out.
February 13th, 2024 at 12:34 pm
Crickett…THX @Tony Agree half the cheerleading is against the Bake haters and along with that half the hate for Trask is in response to the Trask bois. I hope they are right and Trask does FINALLY emerge. More than likely he’ll get a shot next year with Baker’s style of play.
Pickgrin I was referring more to the “common consensus” or opinions as posted in an earlier thread that kept eating this post.
I left specific stats of these guys out…I mean opinions and that year..
Tom Brady and Peyton Manning along with others like a young Drew Brees and of course Brett Favre were “considered” better QB’s at the start of the season.
February 13th, 2024 at 12:53 pm
Robbie, and a couple of defensive stops from 12-7.
You just can’t stand it, can you? Loser.
February 13th, 2024 at 2:43 pm
robbie Says:
February 13th, 2024 at 10:57 am
catcard202 Says: “Love what Baker accomplished in Tampa last season”
10-9. You have a low threshold.
——————————————————————————–
Robbie…Baker ended up being top 10 in completions, passing yards & TD’s…(w/ a 2.8/1 TD to INT ratio)…Considering the guy was pulled off the scrap heap, those are note worthy stats that should be celebrated.
10-9 isn’t all on Baker, the DEF had plenty to do with that record too…Baker wasn’t covering Kyle Pitts on his late 4th QTR 39yd gain to flip the field & give ALT a chance to kick the winning FG as time expired….Baker wasn’t on the field when CJ Stroud orchestrated a 6play-75yd drive in ~ 40seconds to steal a Victory with < 10sec on the clock….The "Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda" is always a reflection of the Team & Coaching staff…Not just the QB.
But the fact that Baker put up the #'s to help get Tampa back into the playoffs & win the South, when NO ONE expected it…Have to give the guy some props that were well earned.
Still wouldn't sign him for more than Geno Smith money/yrs…& would 100% look behind door #2 before putting ink to paper.
February 13th, 2024 at 4:57 pm
3 Years, 85 Million
February 13th, 2024 at 5:25 pm
Trask got absolutely hosed by this organization. Lots of teams need a QB out there. Bucs should do Kyle a service and send him to a team that will give him an opportunity.
Either way in 1-2 years Trask will be blowing up elsewhere. The kid is a talent. The Bucs just don’t develop QBs.
February 14th, 2024 at 9:22 pm
The fakerbois are such females. Can’t handle any bad talk about their love god. What’s an absolute shame is when you look at his win loss record and stats they point to a mediocre qb that they root and ran rah for. Every other year he has a bad year, and his stats are very pedestrian for someone who’s supposed to be such a great qb. Now add in a new OC and we’ll be lucky to go 7-10 next year. Last year was Bakers ceiling we probably won’t see anything better from him
February 15th, 2024 at 8:58 pm
So did Robbie just:
A. Get no love as a child.
B. Learn about foot ball from lab mice.
C. Pop into this forum because he’s a closet Saints fan and couldn’t find their forum