NFL.com: Bucs’ Triplets Incomplete
August 29th, 2024
NFL.com waiting for more.
Back in the 1990s, the Jimmy Johnson Cowboys made the football term “triplets” famous. And they had one of the very best.
“Triplets,” in football vernacular, is a quarterback, running back and No. 1 wide receiver. The Cowboys had Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin. That’s damn hard to top. Hall of Famers, all.
Gennaro Filice, the deputy editor of NFL.com, decided to rank each team’s triplets. Aside from Mike Evans, Filice isn’t feeling it with the Bucs. He ranked the Tampa Bay triplets at No. 23.
Rank No. 23: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback: Baker Mayfield (Age: 29)
Running back: Rachaad White (Age: 25)
Pass catcher: Mike Evans (Age: 31)… The biggest question here is whether Baker’s career revival in Tampa will continue … Mayfield played under a whopping seven offensive coordinators in his first six NFL seasons, but Canales got the most out of the former No. 1 overall pick, with the quarterback making his first Pro Bowl this past season. On the plus side, Mayfield’s familiar with new play-caller Liam Coen, having worked with the coordinator during a late-season spell with the Rams in 2022. The freshly paid signal-caller has been complimentary of Coen’s scheme, praising its versatility. That’s alluring acclaim for an offense that finished dead last in rushing in 2023.
So basically Filice is in a wait-and-see approach on Baker Mayfield. Like a lot of folks, Filice isn’t sold yet on Mayfield’s rebirth from the depths of the NFL after being released by Carolina two years ago.
As for Rachaad White, Filice basically said of White what Joe has for the past year. What can be said about a running back who led the NFL’s worst rushing attack for two straight seasons?
And before you get hating on Joe, White having a great rushing season would make Joe so happy. Joe so wants White prove Joe wrong. Success for White could mean the Bucs make it to the NFC title game.
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August 29th, 2024 at 9:10 am
Bucky will be the starter by Week 4.
August 29th, 2024 at 9:22 am
I think White will have a monster year this year. The offensive line looks massively improved, and Coen’s offense looks like one that will throw on first down a little more, keeping defense honest.
This will open more holes for White, and of course keep him involved in the passing game.
I think Bucky Irving will have a great year too.
August 29th, 2024 at 9:23 am
NO ONE in the know thinks Mayfield is elite. His QBR and other data prove he’s a middle of the pack QB and that’s *with* all the late game stat padding that happened last season.
I still don’t get it… it’s like many Bucs fans didn’t even watch the games last season when Mayfield really struggled against the better teams and also against some of the weaker ones. Don’t fans remember all those games where he couldn’t move the Offense? Where he struggled to put up even 100 yards passing in the first half of games?
I just don’t get the love for this guy due to the “moxie” stuff. He just isn’t that good. And, no, this has nothing to do with Trask. Mayfield just honestly is so overrated. There’s a reason he didn’t get a top tier QB contract.
August 29th, 2024 at 9:33 am
Wah
August 29th, 2024 at 9:34 am
Don’t worry then. There is an escape clause in his contract after 2025. He sucks, he’s gone. He’s good (or just OK) he stays.
What options did the Bucs have? A washed Russell Wilson? The Bucs had their shot to get a quarterback last year but winning (with Mayfield) got in the way.
August 29th, 2024 at 9:41 am
Trask to the future. You not doing yourself or your hero Kyle any favors.
Here’s a simple fact I learned over 76 years…You don’t make your furniture look any better by dissing your neighbors furniture.
In fact your post makes Kyle Trask look like the worst QB drafted in his class IF what you say is true.
EVERYBODY in this league wants to WIN more than anything else. Bottom line, despite your sorry opinion of Mayfield, your boy Kyle couldn’t beat him out. Other teams have not beaten down the door trying to get Kyle in a trade.
I still hold out hope that Trask can eventually be an NFL QB. But he CLEARLY has not beaten out Mayfield which means if you’re post is correct Trask sucks big time!!!
BTW it’s just your opinion and I respect your right to it, my post is also just the opinion of another JBF poster. The FACT that Trask could not beat out Mayfield is due to the opinion of the PROFESSIONALS who earn their livings and risk the reps with every decision. With their careers and respect on the line both Licht and Bowles went with Mayfield. So Traskforlife what does that make you and your boy? Not MY opinion which is irrelevant, but the judgement of PROFESSIONALS not amateur bloggers.
August 29th, 2024 at 9:46 am
I would love for White to transmogrify into some combination of Alstott and Dunn but I think we’ve seen enough to know that it is not going to happen. However, he appears to be a little bit better receiver out of the backfield than either of them and both were damn near the top of their era. Run White a little, but throw to him a lot.
August 29th, 2024 at 9:57 am
I’m not worried about Mayfield. He came in and first year they wind up in the playoffs. If White can’t cut it Bucky and Tucker will.
It’s the DBs that worry the hell out of me. With the “don’t touch the receiver until he catches the ball” policy, we are going to get hammered by good passing teams (see 49rs).
August 29th, 2024 at 10:04 am
Only way Bucky start over RW1 is if RW1 is injured the line is better than it’s been in 2 years it’s gonna be a big year for both of them tho
August 29th, 2024 at 10:06 am
Trask To The Future Says: “NO ONE in the know thinks Mayfield is elite.”
^^^^^
EXPLORE THAT THOUGHT
DYK: Baker was 7th in Yards and 9th in TDs. That’s better than top 10 in the NFL.
But …
Name a better QB in the NFC. Here are your options:
Hurts
Purdy
Love
Prescott
Cousins
2 had SLIGHTLY better in stats — Purdy and Love. So which QB on that list fits your ELITE status? Love? He had 110 more yards than Baker. Would you spend $22M MORE a year for 110 yards? So, which QB (and their contract) would you rather have on the Bucs? Me … none. If you’re Joe and believe “It takes a QB to win,” Baker is as good as any QB in the NFC. If you’re me and believe it takes a team to win, Baker’s contract allows the Bucs to be better at nearly every other position. THAT’S ELITE!
Let that sink in. Unless SFO figures out their contract issues, the Bucs and Det are the best teams in the NFC. This is a Super Bowl contending team.
August 29th, 2024 at 10:18 am
Those rankings were way off. Bucs probably are 17th-23rd on paper but this guy had the Jags higher. Nope. I think the Commanders were higher as well and Bears. Rookie QBs, Robinson and Swift? McLaurin and Moore? It’s all splitting hairs and who cares about this but once again, wild to me that people get paid for this stuff.
August 29th, 2024 at 10:26 am
SlyPirate
“spend $22M MORE a year for 110 yards?”
Great observation and what a concept, pay for production!
The other option of course would be to fling darts at the draft and hope to beat the odds.
Since 1999, 74 quarterbacks have been taken in the first-round of the NFL Draft. USA Today’s Jim Sergent lists that only 28 of those picks (38%) wound up being franchise stalwarts, while 39 would up being disappointments.
I think Licht and the Buc braintrust think they got lucky by grabbing a former Heisman Trophy winner and a #1 overall draft pick. They waited until he was ready to play and simply gave him a chance risking virtually NOTHING!
I think one of the reasons First round NFL draft picks struggle so frequently is not totally related to their ability. Typically the top pick goes to a really crappy team. Crappy teams are crappy for a reason and the new young kid gets thrown into an unwinnable situation. Not always but that’s generally the case and crappy teams frequently have crappy ownership…can you say Cleveland, Carolina, which makes player look crappy. It’s not accident that Baker’s career cratered is spitty Cleveland and then worse Carolina before playing on a decent team in LA.
This year is Baker’s biggest season since his rookie year IMHO. The Bucs have given him a talented OC, rebuilt the OL including a #1 pick right in the center.
Bucky Irving will be a nice addition to White and the Bucs 3 WR’s will be the best trio in the league.
August 29th, 2024 at 10:40 am
Joe – yes, Licht is no dummy. They added that escape clause for a reason. And you’re right, the Bucs didn’t have many options at QB and who they could sign.
Stpetebucfan – can’t we discuss Mayfield separately from Trask? I clearly stated my comments had nothing to do with Trask. I don’t think Trask is ready to start for anyone but would like to see him play with a starting an OLine and WR Corp to see how he’d do. But aside from that, I believe my points were valid… Mayfield isn’t elite and a major regression may happen this season.
August 29th, 2024 at 10:45 am
SlyPirate – there’s a reason Mayfield’s agent couldn’t get a bigger contact out of Licht, and one that didn’t have an escape clause after 2 seasons. Mayfield’s total stats are a big deceiving. Those of us that paid attention to all the games last year saw many games where the Bucs were way behind and Mayfield racked up some 2nd half yards and TDs. Look at his stats during that terrible losing streak. He still racked up the yards. QBR and other QB rating analysis tell more of a realistic story. He was like 15th-18th in many categories and that’s WITH all those meaningless late game yards.
August 29th, 2024 at 11:00 am
Rachaard White Didnt lead the leagues worst rushing attack 2 years in a row.
Unless you are already conceding this year.
Leonard Fornette led the the leagues worst rushing attack two years ago.
We were last in rushing
The line SUCKED. Line graded worst in run blocking in the league
Rachaad White led the leagues worst rushing attack last year.
We were again last in rushing
The line SUCKED. Line graded worst in run blocking in the NFL.
It seems as if one Joe believes that the line has nothing to do with the rushing game- which is insanity to me.
We have Probably the best tandem of Tackles in the league.
We have a Center who will develop into one of the best in the league.
But a chain is as strong as the weakest link.
And we have the two worst starting guards in the league. AGAIN.
Mauch looks as bad as last year. Bredeseon was fired from the Giants
Both were the worst rated starters last year.
Everyone raves that Jason Licht is a genius when it comes to acquiring offensive linemen.
Quite the opposite, we have had the worst ranked rushing Offensive line and rushing attack for years. And once again, we have miserably bad guards.
This isnt my opinion. They were graded as worst in the league last year.
You can watch them play. We were last in Rushing. Giants line was also so horrible that several starters were cut.
There were good guards available. Connor Williams and Dalton Rizner, to name a couple, were sitting home. At one point I listed eight available guards that were all ranked higher than the guards we have.
It doesnt make sense
August 29th, 2024 at 11:02 am
If Rachaad ends up looking like he did in that Seattle game his rookie season again this year (and for most of the season), I think we will all be giddy at how great of a RB R White is.
He’s done nothing impressive with a handoff since that Seattle game.
Tucker looks like our best prototypical RB as of right now. With Bucky looking good too
August 29th, 2024 at 11:16 am
I’m thinking the “triplet” gauge doesn’t really apply to the Bucs.
We have more than one effective receiver and will probably be utilizing three different backs.
Yes, Mike is our prime receiver. But Godwin would be a prime receiver on many other teams. Our third option might also be prime on other teams.
Our running backs have not yet proven themselves, but with an improved O-line, we could be looking at two or three primes there as well.
I don’t think we’re short on offensive talent IOW. How that talent is utilized is the burning question for me.
August 29th, 2024 at 11:42 am
The Cowboys’ triplets would tell you they owe much of their success to a dominant Cowboys’ offensive line at that time and a bruising blocking FB you know from FOX broadcasts, Daryl Johnston.
Bucs’ success this year will largely depend on their upgraded OLine.
August 29th, 2024 at 11:53 am
I’m trying very hard to not display homerism, but I feel like I can objectively say that there are definitely not 22 triplets I would rather have ahead of ours. I think anyone objective would have Baker at minimum in that 15-20 range as far as QBs, Mike is a top 10 WR even at his age, and White was 8th in all purpose yards last season with the arrow pointing up. IMO I just don’t think there is any justification to have our trips at 23. I’ll just chalk it up to the standard northeast anti-small market bias that comes into all of the national nfl media assessments.
August 29th, 2024 at 12:32 pm
Alanbucsfsn, I couldn’t agree more. TB12’s time here is proof. When he had a great O-Line in front of him… SB! When not… not so much.
August 29th, 2024 at 1:10 pm
I also think Bucky will have the starting role sometime early in the season. I really don’t care about home run speed. It’s a nice to have, but meaningless if you are not getting every yard the blocking allows plus several more. Home run speed in a RB is like a QB being able to throw the ball 75 yards. If he can’t read defenses and make accurate intermediate throws then nobody cares.
Bucky has much better vision and agility in tight spaces and can set up blocks in the second level. White is poor in all of these.
August 29th, 2024 at 1:24 pm
“Winning got in the way”
9-8. So much winning.
August 29th, 2024 at 1:25 pm
Well somehow the Washington Redskins are ahead of us on that list. His “Wait and see” approach doesn’t apply for Jaden Daniels apparently.
August 29th, 2024 at 1:33 pm
Times have changed. The triplets formula is out of date. Teams need a QB and about five receiving weapons now.
August 29th, 2024 at 2:17 pm
NFL rankings are for losers. Draft order is all that matters and I’m hoping the Bucs finish 32nd in draft position.
August 29th, 2024 at 3:00 pm
I wouldn’t pay $22M for 110 yards, but if somebody will pay +me+ $200k/yard, I’ll find some damn way to get it done…and I’m out of shape and 55 years old. 😉
August 29th, 2024 at 4:22 pm
The triplets are a thing of the past since the running game is going to be by committee. White and Bucky are going to get most of carries, but I think you’re gonna see Tucker in there.
And in today’s passing league, your receiver is not just a one-man band either. You really need to and the Buccaneers have that with Godwin.
The question mark is Baker which I understand. He seems to have matured and settled in. With this offense and the O line improvements, Would suspect his yards and touchdowns actually improve. Just keep the INT out of double digits
August 29th, 2024 at 6:54 pm
Baker was not “released by Carolina.” He requested and was granted his release. He was sent to Carolina by the dysfunctional Browns as punishment. His crime? Trying to play the entire 2021 season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Baker and Bucs will totally outclass the Browns and Watson in 2024. Proving the ineptitude of the Browns, they drafted Jedrick Wills to play LT ahead of Tristan Wirfs in the same draft year. We know how that one has worked out. Browns aren’t going anywhere until Jimmy “Rebate” Haslam sells the team. Meanwhile future looks great for Baker and the Bucs. Can’t wait to get it started in 2024.
August 29th, 2024 at 9:43 pm
Gipper- the trash Briwns just signed Winston too! 🤣
August 29th, 2024 at 9:44 pm
Trask to the Future ….
LOL Sorry, but your name discredits any opinion you may have.
Baker was hindered by mostly horrible playcalling and a very bad interior line. Both have been addressed.
He seems to have matured and settled down. Plus the “moxie” matters when the entire team has his back and plays hard for him. That does NOT happen for many QBs.
I firmly believe he will go over 4k yds, over 30 TDs, and 9 INTS or less. I’ll take that year after year.
August 29th, 2024 at 10:39 pm
Gipper it’s good to know there are some out there who know the score. And the future does look great for Baker and the Bucs. And I can’t wait to get it started either.
August 30th, 2024 at 8:03 am
Trask to future WTF r u stupid? I think u r struggle the only thing I struggle with is reading u r dumb as hell post.bakwr had as good of stats as pretty much as most of the QB’s last season I remember some slow starts that is not just on him I remember many out standing games including a perfect passer rating in Green Bay a feat no other QB has ever had that is huge in my book from bowl QB accuracy comp winner pro bowl MVP so stuff u r non sense where the sun don’t shine
August 30th, 2024 at 8:16 am
So 100 million means baker got chump change rite on u moron baker wud have had other options this year with at least 3 other teams the falcons wud have taken Mayfield if he didn’t sign with BUCS they didn’t take cousins until after BUCS signed Mayfield for starters.baker also said he was willing to take less to give the team the cash they needed to keep other top players on the field why do supposed BUCS fans get on this site & just trash the team they say they support I highly doubt u morons have any love for this bucs. Franchise