Baker Mayfield Dishes On Limited Playing Time In Preseason
August 17th, 2024
Getting Washington-Ready.
Joe has learned over the years covering the NFL that teams and players are different.
Some teams believe in grueling training camps, as much as the league will allow. Others have soft camps and it seems their goal is to cross the bridge to the regular season with the starters healthy to play.
Both strategies have mixed results. For Joe, the results are mixed enough that Joe doesn’t know if there is a right or wrong way to prep for the season.
Joe already touched upon what Bucs coach Todd Bowles felt about getting Baker Mayfield ready to play. But how about Mayfield himself?
Mayfield this week, speaking from Jacksonville where the Bucs had joint practices with the Jags, assured Bucs fans he will be in a good spot come Week 1.
“I’ve played enough ball at this point that you know what a game day feels like, you know what that preparation and the whole week leading up to it feels like,” Mayfield said, pooh-poohing his lack of snaps in worthless preseason games. “Luckily, we’re in Florida heat and we’re used to having to deal with longer days. Honestly, game days, we’re kind of spoiled. We’ve got the cold benches and all that, we’ve got the TV timeouts, we’ve got a lot of cold beverages on the sidelines.
“For us, it’s just a matter of staying mentally in it all day when it comes to practice and meetings. In games, you have to stay locked in until the clock hits zero. For me, it’s getting back in the swing of things and constantly communicating through these days.”
The way Joe looks at this is, Joe thinks we can call Mayfield a veteran at this point in his career, no? Joe trusts that veterans know what it takes to be ready Week 1.
If Mayfield were struggling in training camp and his quarterback coach was pushing for playing time in one of the worthless preseason games, that’s one thing.
There is no question who the starting quarterback is. And Mayfield knows what he needs to do to be Washington-Ready.
Sometimes, the veterans know best.
August 17th, 2024 at 11:08 am
Agreed. But it’s also good to publicly agree with his coach.
August 17th, 2024 at 11:08 am
He’s a very heady QB. I’m confident he will be fine. Play the first half next week – then let’s roll!
Will the edge rush be ready???
August 17th, 2024 at 11:31 am
Let’s go. Can’t wait to see Mike Glennon and Rudy Carpenter at QB tonight.
August 17th, 2024 at 11:55 am
It’s not hard to disagree with Bowles—just look at the Vikings. Their season is already over, and we’re just reaching the second preseason game. They have already lost their first-round QB and last year’s first-round WR for the entire season.
August 17th, 2024 at 11:59 am
clearly we know you will be watching on a Sat night Dave Pear, we all know you have no date or woman lol
August 17th, 2024 at 12:06 pm
In the words of Byron…….”He be what he be”
August 17th, 2024 at 12:09 pm
I’m fine with lack of preseason snaps for Baker. Also, I’m am enjoying seeing the other QBs take snaps. It’s only been one game but both backups I think have looked good thus far.
August 17th, 2024 at 12:13 pm
I think fans greatly underestimate practice. When the starters are competing against each other you get a very good feel for how things are going to work in the regular season. It is hard to imitate game day on the practice field, but not impossible.
August 17th, 2024 at 12:26 pm
I don’t think there IS a right or a wrong way to prepare for the season. Both ways have their positive and negative aspects about them.
The more snaps in a preseason game for players probably does better prepare players. But it also increases their risk. I prefer the way Bowles is handling it, I’m confident Baker, Evans, Godwin, and many of the other starters can get ready without the need of the games. The rookies and 2nd year players need the games the most so should be in there. And the coaches need them in there the most during the evaluation process. The biggest problem I have with the preseason games is that the league charges full price for them.
August 17th, 2024 at 12:32 pm
Joe … ‘There is no question who the starting quarterback is. And Mayfield knows what he needs to do to be Washington-Ready. Sometimes, the veterans know best.’
Sounds good Joe … UNLESS Bucs lose to Washington in Game 1. Then everyone will be all over Bowles AND Mayfield for not being adequately prepared to start the season.
The primary concern myself & many others had about last season’s offense is that they started games SLOW. It’s like the starting gun went off and we unleashed the tortoises. If you count our 2 playoff games, Bucs had ZERO TDs on our 1st drives in 19 games. To our credit though, we did score 7 FGs in those 19 first drives. Here’s how those 1st drives broke down:
o In all 19 games: 7 FGs, 9 Punts, 2 INT, 1 out-on-downs
o In our 10 wins: 5 FGs, 4 Punts, 1 INT
o In our 9 losses: 2 FGs, 5 Punts, 1 INT, 1 out-on-downs
That’s starting games VERY slowly IMO (total of 21 points in 19 first drives). Interestingly, we were nearly twice as effective on 2nd drives (scored 38 points on those). Bucs scored 5 TDs on those 2nd drives, plus 1 FG. We had a LOT of miscues (7) though in those 19 second drives. Feast or famine? Here’s how those 2nd drives broke down:
o In all 19 games: 5 TDs, 1 FG, 6 Punts, 3 INT, 2 Fumbles, 1 Blocked FG & 1 Missed FG
o In our 10 wins: 3 TDs, 0 FG, 5 Punts, 0 INT, 1 Fumble, 1 Blocked FG
o In our 9 losses: 2 TDs, 1 FG, 1 Punt, 3 INT, 1 Fumble, 1 Missed FG
All-in-all it shouldn’t be too hard for this year’s offense to beat those performances on their 1st & 2nd drives (they were pretty bad). And especially when it comes to cutting down on the giveaways. Baker only had 10 INTs all year, but 5 of them (HALF) came on the 1st 2 drives. And we ended up losing 4 of those 5 games. THAT needs to be cleaned up.
August 17th, 2024 at 12:37 pm
If my livelihood required me to perform at my best during a set period of time, I’d make damn sure I’d take advantage of whatever opportunities to prepare I had BUT, I wouldn’t prepare just for the sake of preparing. I’d only do what I felt I needed to do to be at my best.
August 17th, 2024 at 12:43 pm
Baker is a veteran QB, for sure!
August 17th, 2024 at 12:50 pm
It’s like boxing. Once the bell rings and you get in and take a punch the fight begins. By the second quarter of game one Mayfield will be ready to give you whatever it is he has.
Based on last seasons 8 games with Zero 1st quarter points and 42 total for the season the bar can’t be set that high. Upside for the season his production was better than teams like the Patriots, Commanders, Panthers and Giants by a field goal.
August 17th, 2024 at 12:51 pm
Yeah, who needs full speed snaps when you’re learning a new offense…
Nothing against Baker on this one, it’s all on Bowles and his Camp Cupcake.
August 17th, 2024 at 12:55 pm
The ghost from being Tennessee-ready echos loudly in my mind when you Joe types about being Washington-ready… yikes.
August 17th, 2024 at 1:15 pm
Defense Rules – I always appreciate people that put effort and thought into their comments – and show their work as to why they believe what they believe. Great post and you got my respect, even if you do sniff glue.
August 17th, 2024 at 1:27 pm
DR on the money – one additional note – defense starts slow as well.
It’s been an attribute of Todd coached teams. I would like to see the defense shut down the Jags on their first drive, then see Glennon put a TD drive together.
Shock the world
August 17th, 2024 at 1:55 pm
Defense Rules with the Assist of the day. Don’t even have to play the game to find out.
August 17th, 2024 at 2:01 pm
All things considered. This is why Baker is still on the hot seat. Not going to say Winston numbers where better because they were but when you think about it. This is why Trask is still relevant. Thats on Mayfield.
Here’s hoping My QB is the best in the league each and every year. IF he can’t be, here’s to hoping we find one SOONER than later.
August 17th, 2024 at 3:24 pm
Veteran or not. It’s a new offense, they should get the game experience in order to get the timing down.
August 17th, 2024 at 3:31 pm
We shall see.
August 17th, 2024 at 3:33 pm
As we approach the 2nd pre-season game, I finally saw game 1 Thursday. Here is my Joe-like report on that game:
1. Logan Hall on about the 3 play got driven to the ground while RB runs through hole for big gain.
2.Trask could have been picked off twice during his TD drive.
3. Bucky for 8 yards! (watch this guy)
4. Barton on running play was 10 yards downfield blocking. can’t remember that last year.
5. Payne Durham can catch!
6. In first half- -zero pass rush.
7. The TEs catching the ball 10 yards downfield. Can’t remember last year.
8. Some guy named Knue or Knuf (can’t read my gin soaked writing) looked good.
You’re welcome, Joe.
August 17th, 2024 at 3:35 pm
Hey Joe, you can send my check for above to Umpqua Bank in Newport, Oregon.
August 17th, 2024 at 3:35 pm
I agree that defense usually starts slow at the start of the season. I don’t blame it on Bowles though. It has almost always been the case, including with Monty.
I believe it is because of the practice rules, but what can you do? We don’t want our guys taking out or offensive talent.
Mayfield not playing in preseason will be an issue at first. Same with starters. At least, I think it will be. I hope I’m wrong.
That said, I hope Trask lights things up today!
August 17th, 2024 at 3:43 pm
When is Coen going to get in front of the Mic?
Be interested in hearing from him again.
A LOT is riding on him and his ability to craft and implement a balanced and explosive attack and adapt when needed.
August 17th, 2024 at 4:16 pm
Can’t wait to see Mayfield tear it up yet again this season where he struggles once again to barely put up 100 yards passing in first halves and struggles to beat teams with a winning record.
He will go down in history as one of the most overrated Bucs in franchise history.
August 17th, 2024 at 4:17 pm
Trask To The Future Says:
August 17th, 2024 at 4:16 pm
Can’t wait to see Mayfield tear it up yet again
———-
18th in QBR, 20th in scoring, isn’t really tearing it up. Unless by tearing, you mean middling it up.
August 17th, 2024 at 4:28 pm
Glennon to the Stupid – where’s your outrage? You should not rest until you have Todd fired for watching your boi every day for four years and not acknowledging his greatness. You are the only one who knows, without watching him! We are counting on you.
Get Glennon his due!
August 17th, 2024 at 4:47 pm
Dave pear
You really are an uneducated football idiot. I would bet you have a picture of todd and baker hanging in your bedroom. Why are you so threatened by trask because deep down you know the truth but have talked so much hatred that can’t back down
August 17th, 2024 at 5:15 pm
Dave Pear … ‘defense starts slow as well. It’s been an attribute of Todd coached teams.’
OK Dave, you got me curious. As I was compiling the analysis of what the offense did on those first 2 drives, I admittedly didn’t pay much attention to how our defense did. I SHOULD have (to get a more rounded picture of how our Bucs’ TEAM did).
On relooking at the 2023 season, Bucs’ defense didn’t set the world on fire in our opponents’ first 2 drives, BUT they weren’t horrific either. Here’s how our opponents’ 19 1st drives broke down:
o In all 19 games: 3 TDs, 5 FGs, 7 Punts, 1 INT, 1 Fumble, 2 out-on-downs
o In our 10 wins: 1 TD, 3 FGs, 4 Punts, 1 INT, 0 Fumble, 1 out-on-downs
o In our 9 losses: 2 TDs, 2 FGs, 3 Punts, 0 INT, 1 Fumble, 1 out-on-downs
And here’s how our opponents’ 2nd drives broke down:
o In all 19 games: 4 TDs, 4 FGs, 7 Punts, 1 INT, 1 Fumble, 1 Missed FG, 1 out-on-downs
o In our 10 wins: 1 TD, 1 FG, 5 Punts, 1 INT, 1 Fumble, 1 Missed FG, 0 out-on-downs
o In our 9 losses: 3 TDs, 3 FGs, 2 Punts, 0 INT, 0 Fumble, 1 out-on-downs
So overall our opponents out-scored us on the 1st & 2nd drives for each team 76 points (7 TDs & 9 FGs) to our 59 points (5 TDs & 8 FGs). I guess you could say that our defense started slower than our opponents’ defenses since we surrendered 76 points & they only gave up 59 points. To be totally fair though Dave, our offense committed 7 turnovers, while our opponents only committed 4 TOs. That 3 TO difference could easily account for the 16 point differential in scoring.
And as an aside (this should be obvious I guess), Bucs offense AND defense performed significantly better in our wins than in our losses. Duh huh.
August 17th, 2024 at 5:31 pm
Bonzai … ‘I agree that defense usually starts slow at the start of the season. I don’t blame it on Bowles though. It has almost always been the case, including with Monty.’
Your first statement Bonzai leads to the question ‘Are the Bucs getting adequately prepared during the preseason?’ IF the answer is YES, THEN it MIGHT be ‘because of the practice rules’ as you said. OR … it MIGHT be because (as Joe has coined the term) ‘Camp Cupcake’ is alive and well in Bucsville.
However, look at our performance in the 1st quarter of the season (say first 4 games) since 2019 when BA & TB arrived.
o 2019: 2 wins – 2 losses
o 2020: 3 wins – 1 loss
o 2021: 3 wins – 1 loss
o 2022: 2 wins – 2 losses
o 2023: 3 wins – 1 loss
So in those 20 games to start those 5 seasons, the Bucs are 13 wins vs 7 losses … a .650 winning percentage. I say that’s starting the season quite well, unless of course winning isn’t the bottom-line criteria by which to measure. And with THAT (wins & losses in the first quarter of the season) as the measure of TEAM success, I can see how a head coach (or coordinator) would be reluctant to modify their approach leading up to the season very much.
August 17th, 2024 at 5:48 pm
DR – Your comments are always thorough, to the point, and statistically sound. Respectfully, you could be a Data Scientist!
Go Bucs tonight! 🏈
August 17th, 2024 at 5:58 pm
Hmmm, mistyped Bonzai. Second sentence should’ve read … ‘IF the answer is NO …’. Being a touch-typist has its’ drawbacks when your brain can’t keep up with your fingers. (I think they call that ‘old age’?).
August 17th, 2024 at 6:03 pm
Heyjude … Actually I’ve done a LOT of analysis in my life (edumicated as an engineer, but spent most of my life as a pilot & real estate investor; it turned out that both of those require a LOT of analysis). Some folks do crossword puzzles to keep their brain active in retirement; I prefer doing analyses like these to keep mine from freezing over.
August 17th, 2024 at 6:37 pm
I was very satisfied where we were until ATL signed Judon and Simmons. Not as confident as I was a few days ago.
August 17th, 2024 at 8:06 pm
Trask to future u must b delirious cause I watching u r butte buddy trask against 2nd string & looks exactly 2nd string he will go down as worst buc back up boy in buc history
August 17th, 2024 at 8:10 pm
Why do the same jackasses come to this site & constantly produce garbage post after post what the hell is the sense of coming on here with total BS post u can not be seriously fans of this franchise.didnt u r worthless mother ever tell u if u don’t have any thing positive to say keep u r pie hole SHUT!
August 17th, 2024 at 8:56 pm
Bakerbucs,
A psychiatrist would say that chronic negativity toward others reflects deep insecurity about one’s own capabilities. Probably has something to do with bad potty training and personal feelings of inadequacy. It is going to be difficult for the naysayers when Baker has a gangbuster season. Last year was his floor. This year with greater familiarity with his receivers, an improved O line, and more sensible play calling the Baker Hate Brigade will just move on to a new target. Coach Bowles is always in their sights. Watch how he becomes their target for endless scorn.
August 18th, 2024 at 4:10 am
I’m more worried about who the backup is going to be. I don’t trust Trask at all and Wolford isn’t seeing any meaningful playing time.
August 18th, 2024 at 10:06 am
Sounds great and thank you, DR. We all benefit from your spare time analysis!
August 18th, 2024 at 3:44 pm
So in summary, slowest starts on offense, slow starts on defense and a 4th worst passing yards defense with a 1971 era head coach steering the ship toward the iceberg.
Maybe it’s all a ruse to make the Bucs critics look right, and The Bug Surprise is launched against Washington.
Yep. That’s it.
#SneakyTodd