Todd Bowles Explains Baker Mayfield And K.J. Britt As “Natural Born Leaders”
August 2nd, 2024
“Hit the hole, Rachaad.”
Lots of alpha dogs at One Buc Palace, but two are on a slightly higher plane of leadership.
That’s the word from Todd Bowles. Joe has heard Bowles only describe two players during his years with the Bucs as “natural born leaders:” Baker Mayfield and K.J. Britt.
When Bowles joined the Ira Kaufman Podcast this week, Joe asked Bowles to define that for fans.
“There’s a lot more [Bucs players] in that category, but those guys, when the huddle comes together, they automatically speak,” Bowles said of Mayfield and Britt.
“You know, when my son was smaller and he didn’t become a captain on his seventh-grade team, he was disappointed and came home and I told him, ‘You don’t have to be a captain to be a leader.’ And that stuck with him, and that’s what those [other] guys do.
“K.J.’s been a leader since he’s been here. You know, he doesn’t have the “C” on his chest because the other guys had it and we had some talented guys. But ‘natural born leader’ is guys gravitating around you — you just being yourself and still being vocal and everybody listening. And I think [Britt and Mayfield] have that. We have quite a few more but those two are probably the more vocal ones.”
If you believe in the extreme value of leadership, the Bucs should have better leadership this season, which should lead to better play.
First, Britt has been unleashed with cancerous leader Devin White out of the building and Britt taking his job. Second, Mayfield is no longer limited by being in the quarterback competition he was stuck in last summer.
Remember, Mayfield said those dynamics were “tricky.”
So not only are the Bucs’ best leaders open to do their thing this summer, the Bucs have about a dozen second-year players that are feeling unshackled by the standard rookie burden. Plus, Antoine Winfield and Tristan Wirfs got record-breaking contracts and say they’re committed to being more vocal.
August 2nd, 2024 at 6:28 pm
Man, Baker has overcome so much. He barely made it into the NFL after being the #1 overall pick, and really scrapped by with his millions in bonus money and non-stop TV commercials. He’s a real inspiration for all those who are 5′ 7″ and under.
Cue the triggered Baker Bois…
August 2nd, 2024 at 7:00 pm
You really don’t have to be triggered to recognize an ignorant comment, Rod. I’ve made plenty. I know exactly what they look like.
August 2nd, 2024 at 7:02 pm
QB is indeed a natural leadership position!
How does, “Rear Admiral Mayfield reporting for duty” sound?
August 2nd, 2024 at 7:03 pm
I’m not into making claims but Baker has dealt with adversity well. It’s uncanny how similar his numbers compare to Drew Brees at that juncture in his career. The only difference really is that Mayfield went through a worse situation in Carolina before finding himself in Tampa.
August 2nd, 2024 at 7:03 pm
This Team is stacked and ready. Let’s get Baked!! Go Bucs!
August 2nd, 2024 at 7:05 pm
Rod is becoming a troll? That’s a shame.
Feeling good about this team. Divas have left the building.
August 2nd, 2024 at 7:08 pm
The Truth be Told, not gonna lie Getting Baked is a personal thing. Some prefer to keep it that way.
Keep the jokes about cooking
August 2nd, 2024 at 7:22 pm
Rod,
The Bois are keeping their eyes on you, lol. Sincerely hope that your level of sarcasm reflects a little more bite once the regular season begins. Talk soon my friend.
August 2nd, 2024 at 7:42 pm
74 Bucs Fan Says:
August 2nd, 2024 at 7:05 pm
Rod is becoming a troll? That’s a shame.
———
Wow, really? I’ve literally never done such a thing and I find that to be extremely offensive to my person AND my personhood. To suggest I’d ever partake in making inflammatory statements in an effort to provide entertainment, that’s just… SHAME on you sir. SHAME!
August 2nd, 2024 at 7:43 pm
A Bucs Fan Says:
August 2nd, 2024 at 7:03 pm
I’m not into making claims but Baker has dealt with adversity well. It’s uncanny how similar his numbers compare to Drew Brees at that juncture in his career.
———–
Yep, for sure on a 1st ballot HOF career path! Well said.
August 2nd, 2024 at 8:03 pm
@Munch Rod
You’re entertaining yourself I guess?
Just seem like another bored and bitter prick to me but whatever…carry on.
August 2nd, 2024 at 8:06 pm
Why is it I feel this fan base has been replaced with the zombified pod people from Invasion of The Body Snatchers?
You have a coach with a 44-60 career won-loss who has gone from moron to a god in the past six months.
You have a four team quarterback with a career record of 42-47 who some think is better than Tom Brady. Last year he went from 7-10 to 9-8 thanks solely to Antoine Winfield.
In any other city the fan base would be calling for the coach’s head and putting the QB in make it or break it mode.
Look, I want the Bucs to win the Super Bowl every year too, but I see what I see, and what I see is a team, QB and especially a coach, who have much to prove.
The way this body snatcher thing works is the coach and QB sneak into your home and place a pod beside your bed. Overnight the pod does a metamorphosis and becomes an obedient, zombie like replica of you. Naturally, the real you vanishes.
Outsiders are treated to pod language like, “Baker great, Bowles too.”
Those of us who are still our old selves, please check under your bed every night for a pod. If you see one … RUN!!!
I want my fan base back!
August 2nd, 2024 at 8:52 pm
@Rod – Brees definitely wasn’t on that trajectory six years in his career either.
August 2nd, 2024 at 10:14 pm
54 QBR aside, Baker is the leader of my team!
August 2nd, 2024 at 10:33 pm
Pod Replica Beeej says:
… Baker is the leader of my team!
Who writes like that? Pod People, that’s who!
August 2nd, 2024 at 11:01 pm
Rod u r such a classless dirt bag u must b proud don’t u have a wife u can run u r useless verbage too jackass
August 3rd, 2024 at 12:11 am
This team is primed and ready this year!! Go Bucs!
August 3rd, 2024 at 3:51 am
What else is a coach supposed to say here?
August 3rd, 2024 at 5:27 am
Love what Coach Bowles said to his son, “You don’t have to be a captain to be a leader.” And yes, Baker is one of those natural born leaders.
Baker is 6′ 1″. Other QBs that are 6′ and under: Drew Brees, Joe Theismann, Michael Vick, Doug Flutie, Kyler Murray, … We hear no one criticizing their size.
August 3rd, 2024 at 9:18 am
Rod Munch, a high priestess in the occult of Trask, can’t help but express her undying love and devotion to future Memphis Showboats starter Kyle Trask.
August 3rd, 2024 at 12:02 pm
@Rod Munch: Hey rod why don’t you just stick to munching on Traskie’s ROD.
August 3rd, 2024 at 4:05 pm
Munch is going to keep bad mouthing Baker with the goal of saying; “I told you so.” It works both ways. We will tote things up at the end of the season and and Baker Believers are never going to let Munch forget.
August 3rd, 2024 at 7:49 pm
The haters are going to be in such a pickle this year. When Baker is lighting it up and the Bucs are rolling they’ll want to cheer, but their ego will be mad that the team isn’t failing.
Get behind Baker and enjoy the ride!