Baker Mayfield = “Moxie”
August 26th, 2024
Analysis from NFL sources.
It seems Baker Mayfield may have a nickname. “Moxie” Mayfield.
When the Bucs signed him off the scrap heap, Todd Bowles used the word to describe him. More than once. And it seems many NFL suits, scouts and coaches do, too.
Mike Sando this morning published his annual quarterback tiers for The Athletic. There, all quarterbacks are ranked in groups, or tiers, based on the feedback Sando gets from his unnamed treasure trove of NFL sources.
Sando noted that no quarterback was hailed for possessing “moxie” more than Mayfield.
“Physically, not the most imposing, but the guy has moxie,” another exec said. “He has football instincts. He has a good feel. I do think he is tough. He can take a hit. And the bottom line, he has good production. Some of it is the intangible profile: instincts, leadership, moxie, feel, can keep plays alive with his feet and movement skills within the pocket. Despite his lack of height, he is able to navigate that and get the ball to his playmakers.”
Other sources praised Mayfield for having traits you want in a quarterback but said he may not be the guy to get a team over the hump. In other words, it seems many NFL folks believe Mayfield is a hair better than a game-manager.
Mayfield is not Joe Burrow or Josh Allen, per Sando’s NFL sources, but he sure ain’t Daniel Jones or Justin Fields.
Mayfield’s Tier-3 ranking lumped him with the likes of Tua Tagovailoa, Trevor Lawrence, Kyler Murray, Deshaun Watson, Derek Carr, Geno Smith and Russell Wilson.
August 26th, 2024 at 11:38 am
Don’t call him that.
August 26th, 2024 at 11:38 am
After all these many months and debates this post has a statement that completely explains my view of Baker.
“In other words, it seems many NFL folks believe Mayfield is a hair better than a game-manager.”
Whoop there it is!!! I’ve frequently pointed out the number of “game managers” who QB’d SB winners. As long as Baker meets that threshold there’s hope!
The fact that he is seen even better than a game manager if only a “half hair” is still great.
I posit that the real debate here is HOW much better than a game manager is Mayfield. I do not believe he can “carry” a team but he MIGHT if he emerges as Fran Tarkenton clone. If not that “how much” better will be interesting.
E.G. I’m a HUGE fan of Brad Johnson. What an athlete able to play D I hoops and QB a Major DI football team AND of course win a SB. But I always considered him better than a “game manager” but not exactly able to “carry” a team on his back. That’s the level I hope Mayfield reaches. He has a shot IMHO.
August 26th, 2024 at 11:40 am
Moxie huh? That’s great and all but I’ll settle for wins over catchy nicknames. The season can’t start fast enough. So we can actually have something to talk about and move past the guessing games of how this TEAM will perform.
August 26th, 2024 at 11:40 am
Mayfield is mean as a snake and I like that. You can use the m-word but the one I prefer is mean. He wants to win and hurt your feelings while doing so. All the best players are like that.
August 26th, 2024 at 11:44 am
spbf — that is a well written point of view. Balanced. Based on the total body of work, solid.
If he is really better than Tier 3 he will show it this season. If not, as you point out, Bucs can still win plenty of games.
LFG
August 26th, 2024 at 11:49 am
@Jack
Interesting take and an excellent point. Mean? Chip on his shoulder?
Perhaps you’re correct and he’s simply mean and loves the Conan Quote!
“To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.”
I’ve always thought “crushing” your enemies, seeing them “drive before you” is pretty strong but also wanting to “hear the lamentations of their women”? That’s mean alright. LOL
Baker has invaded the sidelines during his college immaturity, grabbing his crotch at an opposing coach, perhaps he was really just hoping to hear “lamentations” from their cheerleaders.
August 26th, 2024 at 11:51 am
Slow news day?
August 26th, 2024 at 12:06 pm
I never watch the national media’s take on the Bucs. Or anything else for that matter.
August 26th, 2024 at 12:43 pm
M&M
August 26th, 2024 at 12:55 pm
Brisk news day actually. And Sando’s annual QB tiers feature a big reason why. Just published this morning!
August 26th, 2024 at 12:59 pm
This is the most team oriented sport which means it takes more than a superstar QB to win the big game. Is Mayfield a superstar? No. He is a player who is very capable. If he just does his job and keeps the mistakes to a minimum he can move this team into the playoffs. Just do your job and let the other players do theirs. With a running game Mayfield could be a tier 2 QB
August 26th, 2024 at 1:01 pm
Good one, SPBF..or maybe good 2. 🙂
August 26th, 2024 at 1:15 pm
Esteban also spot on.
Refreshing to read some non-lecturing, non-condescending, balanced takes.
August 26th, 2024 at 1:29 pm
Speaking of nicknames……..I’m betting that MBD (Mommas Boy David) is very triggered by this post
Lololololololololololololol
August 26th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
OVERLOOKED…
Mayfield won the Pro Bowl MVP last year. It’s a silly, pointless award, but it’s something to take notice of. Mayfield went head-to-head in QB skills tests against ultra-competitive Pro Bowl QBs and Mayfield won.
Sometimes Mayfield’s charming personality overshadows that he’s also a talent QB.
August 26th, 2024 at 1:53 pm
To be perfectly clear, Mayfield “carried” this team last year. He missed one snap the whole season, and led us to the playoffs with a dreadful rushing attack as support.
With more talent on the offensive line and a better scheme, I bet Mayfield has a BETTER year this year.
August 26th, 2024 at 2:09 pm
Moxie? It’s 2024, not 1924. Are you going to do your next podcast using the Transatlantic accent? 😄
August 26th, 2024 at 2:17 pm
Joebucsfan… What an oxymoron
August 26th, 2024 at 2:43 pm
SlyPirate Says:
August 26th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
OVERLOOKED…
Mayfield won the Pro Bowl MVP last year. It’s a silly, pointless award, but it’s something to take notice of. Mayfield went head-to-head in QB skills tests against ultra-competitive Pro Bowl QBs and Mayfield won.
Is that the competition where the QB 8 years retired from an 8 year career of 26 games played and 2-10 W/L record threw a better score with no warm ups, in street shoes and a long sleeved shirt?
August 26th, 2024 at 3:26 pm
PLEASE Don’t hang a “America’s Quarterback” type moniker on him.
August 26th, 2024 at 3:35 pm
Moxie = Middling
Sounds about right.
August 26th, 2024 at 3:39 pm
I knew a stripper named Moxie who worked right over the county line in Pasco.
Full nude. Full liquor. Those girls are a lot of fun.
August 26th, 2024 at 3:42 pm
Joseph the Defense carried this team last year. Baker had a few decent games at best.
August 26th, 2024 at 3:46 pm
Moxie?… whatever. I get that he’s a gamer, and he’ll run into traffic for the first down, but carrying about moxie only works when the results are W’s. Trent Dilfer had Moxie… Gardner Minshew has moxie and I don’t want to see him in Tampa.
Moxie is why there’s so much love for Baker, and I get it, I don’t dislike Baker, and I like his moxie too, but what I want to see is a QB on a game winning or tying drive, with the clock under 2 minutes and a timeout, push the ball down the field and score the winning TD or at the very least tie the football game, and not choke it away.
There are ton of Bakers out there, and frankly there are only 3 maybe 4 guys like a Tom Brady who are trained killers at the QB position. Mahomes, Burrow, Stafford, Rogers… lets see what Stroud does in year 2. I left off some serious talent, but frankly they haven’t been able to finish. Baker has a slew of very talented weapons, and now, a better O coordinator, better pass protection, better run blocking. Baker is setup to be a trained killer, but can he finish when the eyes are on him and he’s playing for something?
August 26th, 2024 at 3:52 pm
Nope I’ve gotta better name and description
G A M E R
August 26th, 2024 at 3:56 pm
MAYFIELD = REGRESSION
August 26th, 2024 at 4:12 pm
Say what you want about him but he is a competitor. To think , if a young WR doesn’t fumble the ball out of the end zone from the Chiefs 1, Mahomes would probably have one less Super Bowl ,, heck , Baker might still be a Brown
August 26th, 2024 at 6:38 pm
Gee, how many Tier 1 and Tier 2 QB’s have won a Super Bowl? Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrows certainly haven’t. And I could name 7 or 8 more! Oh, and btw, Baker has beaten Burrows every time he’s played him.
This rating system is pure BS! Let the season begin…
August 26th, 2024 at 6:38 pm
If Baker can help get us to the playoffs without throwing a game ending interception he will probably move up a tier
August 26th, 2024 at 6:46 pm
How many Superbowls are how many Superbowls he played in by being Moxie? None I don’t care about him being Moxie just managed the game and the bucs will be ok . NFC Championship or bust no more excuses!!
August 26th, 2024 at 7:24 pm
Wyoming Joe,
Way to factual and logical. You must have forgotten that on this website there are many “never was” or “never will be” bees. The closest they ever got to real football was playing the trombone in the high school band. It’s comical that a guy that SI calls the “greatest college QB of this century” is a guy that the trombone players say can’t get a “team over the hump.” The best is yet to come. Best comparison for Baker is Drew Brees. Stay tuned.
August 26th, 2024 at 7:30 pm
D conehead u r back with u r super stupid post moron
August 26th, 2024 at 7:34 pm
Baker was 5th for least INzt’sto TD last year that alone shud movie him up the tier u knuckleheads need to post better u r post r the same bore from last season Connor 50
August 26th, 2024 at 7:37 pm
Zoo omits I am sure I saw that in the Texan game last year with 45 sec left after he did the 2 min drill
August 26th, 2024 at 8:15 pm
BAKERSBucs
First of all learn how to type better, second those low interceptions are great in the regular season. The game I’m talking about was in the playoffs knucklehead. It’s a legitimate statement that if he don’t throw a critical interception he will probably win and earn more respect. You wanna be considered top tier or elite you make plays and win in the postseason, not throw it away. But hey as long as we got “moxie” who cares right? Lol.
August 26th, 2024 at 8:48 pm
@Conner50 said:
“The game I’m talking about was in the playoffs knucklehead. It’s a legitimate statement that if he don’t throw a critical interception he will probably win and earn more respect. ”
Same dead horse…Same stupid argument.
Did we lose the game because Mike let a pass over the middle go thru his hands?
Did we lose it cause our CB had a pic bounce off his hands?
Did we lose it cause they had free runners off the edge all night?
Did we lose it cause our defence couldn’t get a stop when we needed it?
Etc etc
Nope, was cause Baker threw a pic when we were in desperation mode. Never mind that the play was a clusterfrick before it started with 2 receivers in the same spot
Did you haters watch the whole game? You do realize its a team sport right?
We’ve got a top 10 (at least) QB in Baker. He’s only going to get better. You boys will still be nit-picking him after he leads TB to the Superbowl.
Guarantee Browns fans wish they still had him.
Maybe some of you guys would have preferred Deshaun “Rub my Weiner” Watson as our QB – he had Great stats, right?
August 26th, 2024 at 8:52 pm
Connor50
Tom Brady the GOAT threw a horrible interception early in the loss to the Cowboys that was his final contests, a game where he sucked and the Cowboys routed the Bucs. Brady threw the pick into the end zone killing a potential TD.
So are you among the guys here who TRULY BELIEVE that ONE single play defines an NFL contest. ONE single play places the responsiblity on ONE player for the outcome of a game. ONE single play determines the success or failure of a season much less a career?
August 26th, 2024 at 10:32 pm
Spbf, seriously you compare mayfield to Tarkington?
Man I don’t even know where to start on that one. So I’ll just say that with over 80,000 unemployed comedians, i wouldn’t quit my day job mañg.
August 27th, 2024 at 4:47 am
BBLC
Perhaps I need to write better, or perhaps it’s your comprehension.
I posted….”I do not believe he can “carry” a team but he MIGHT if he emerges as Fran Tarkenton clone.”
I do not believe is not a comparison, in fact it’s a statement that Mayfield is not likely to approach Tarkenton’s status. I even capitalized MIGHT!!!
If you wish to write off a 29 year old QB just entering his prime on a good team that’s fine. The fact that you don’t even know where to start is actually YOUR problem.
August 27th, 2024 at 8:42 am
Its really an insult. Like saying that dog is all bark and no bite.
August 27th, 2024 at 9:17 am
GoneGator
Definitely not a “hater” and yes I watched the whole game did you? Because you guys give baker way too many excuses, he made a poor decision plain and simple. You guys keep saying Baker is top ten and one of the best, and that us fans should be happy he’s here. How about learn from them mistakes and carry the team into the playoffs deeper and people will have more respect and put him in a top tier. Exactly what I said is true