Todd Bowles Lays Out Expectations For Baker Mayfield
September 4th, 2024
Baker Mayfield has a simple world at One Buc Palace and it won’t get fantasy football fans excited.
Todd Bowles laid it out today after practice when asked what his expectations are for his Pro Bowl quarterback in 2024.
“Expectations are to get wins, you know, whether it’s running the ball or throwing the ball,” Bowles said. “If he can take care of the football, understand the offense and get it where it needs to be, those are my expectations. The stats will come with it.”
Spoken a like a true defensive coach.
Yeah, Joe’s not being fair, but still, Bowles is showing that he has no interest in hyping a high-flying offense.
Joe just wants the “Ws,” too. If Mayfield can play smart in this new Bucs offense from Week 1, the Bucs should be in fantastic shape.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:02 pm
To be fair i think Bowles knows that if Coens offence is high flying and Baker ends up having a superstar year then Bowles days at the HC are numbered. In that situation the Glazers wouldn’t let let Coen get poached by another team a la Canales by the Panthers so they’ll likely promote Coen to HC and give Bowles the boot.
So for Bowles, hyping up the offence is a lose lose scenario, they do terribly and you look stupid, they do amazing and you’re looking for employment elsewhere.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:05 pm
“When you throw a pass three things can happen to it, and two of them are bad.” – Some defense coordinator who no longer has a job or has been dead for many years.
That’ll be Todd Bowles if this offense regresses.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:10 pm
Farmer,
The Bucs chose Bowles over Leftwich and he had a great offense the year before. If Coen gets a job offer, that would only speak to how well Todd Bowles is doing.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:11 pm
Score points. Score lots of points.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:18 pm
Coen seems like he would be more loyal and less greedy than Canals. I would doubt he would decamp so quickly to another team.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:19 pm
@Farmer Says:
^^^^^
Your comment is very astute. I had the same thoughts last year with Canales. In retrospect Canales was not as prepared to be an OC as is Coen. I had hoped for an orderly succession for Canales. In my opinion the Bucs and Bowles may have lucked out. Maybe an orderly succession will work out this time with Bowles retiring with his own Super Bowl ring.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:29 pm
Respectfully men, I see it totally different. Coen reminds me of the used car dealer on Family Guy. I think he is going to be very good this season and will be one and done here. From all the information that I have seen from every Bucs outlet shows me Coen wants to be a Head Coach sooner rather than later.
That being said, it’s life changing money and I would not be mad at him.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:29 pm
Canales may be a better HC than OC.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:30 pm
I seriously doubt that if Coen lights it up and the Bucs have a great year Bowles is gone just to retain Coen. Obviously Bowles would have a hand in the success as HC. Bowles is also 60+… I think the solution would be… here’s a ton of money Liam, stay our OC, get comfy in Tampa and when Bowles walks the job is yours.
This would be a great problem for the Bucs to solve.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:30 pm
Patience is hard earned. This is a brand new offense, a new rookie center, and a couple of rookie ball handlers with what looks like a lot of talent. I’m certainly not hedging my bets but if we have a few growing pains it’ll be early. The goal is to get better every week. The sky is the limit for this offense.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:33 pm
For clarification I will say that I would like to see Bowles be successful and remain as head coach. However, as I have noted before, the NFL is clearly an offense oriented league. We all know that. As long as that is the case good offensive coordinators will always be in demand. I don’t believe any Bucs fan wants to see a continued merry-go-round of coaching turnover.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:38 pm
Nobody gave a hot spit about New England’s offenses not being by flying. They got wins, and that’s all that mattered. Defensive or offensive league, all that matters is wins.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:47 pm
To draw a comparison between Coen and Canales, Dave may have gotten lucky by circumstance. Few if any may have wanted the Bucs OC job and Dave may have pounced on the opportunity. Dave got lucky but his career may go the same route as Raheem Morris. Liam seems to have engineered his rise in a methodical manner and may be more patient and willing to wait his turn at the most beneficial time.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:52 pm
If history is any indication I don’t think Liam is the waiting kind. He is still being cursed by Kentucky fans because he promised them he was there to stay and then bolted at the chance to coach Baker.
If he turns out to be good the Bucs will have to increase his salary and up his title substantially. Not sure that happens, but that is not a worry for today.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:53 pm
Farmer … ‘I think Bowles knows that if Coens offence is high flying and Baker ends up having a superstar year then Bowles days at the HC are numbered.’
I see it exactly the opposite way Farmer. IF Coen’s OFFENSE is high-flying (taken to mean that they actually score a LOT of points this season), THEN the Bucs’ DEFENSE will almost surely have ALSO had a very good year. Matter of fact, it’s difficult for any offense to really shine (even the Chiefs) if their defense stinks up the place.
Todd Bowles ace-in-the-hole is that he’s also the Bucs DC … and a very good one. Fire Bowles as your HC and you’ve ALSO fired your DC. IF you THEN dual-hat Coen as the HC AND OC you’d require 1 more action: finding a DC as capable WITH THIS DEFENSE as Todd Bowles is (defenses don’t get renovated overnight). And that’s very unlikely to happen.
The Glazers knew what they were getting when they turned the reins over to Todd Bowles. This is his 3rd year as HC here and all he’s done is win 2 NFC South crowns AND he’s got this TEAM squarely behind him. This defense in particular is very good (average Top-10 finisher since his initial 2019 year when he was recreating this defense and Jameis was throwing picks like they were beads at Gasparilla). Nah, the Glazers will ride this pony until this defense stops producing, THEN all bets are off.
September 4th, 2024 at 3:57 pm
Todd Bowles needs to worry about keeping JD5 in the pocket
September 4th, 2024 at 4:01 pm
Cobraboy … ‘Canales may be a better HC than OC.’
Interesting point Cobra. From my perspective, trust & respect is earned. And in the rarified HC realm, that means BY WINNING. Losing HCs don’t last long. Tepper is not a patient owner, as the very experienced Frank Reich found out after only 11 games in Carolina. Best record I’ve seen the Panthers projected to have this year is 4-13. Is Tepper THAT patient?
September 4th, 2024 at 4:07 pm
Coaches come from different backgrounds. Jim Harbaugh is a special teams coach. Belichick is defensive.
If Coen is getting job offers to be a head coach why would Bowles be fired?
Bowles has had three offensive coordinators in three years. If teams are clamoring to get Coen, that means we probably won our third division title in a row with Bowles.
If Bowles keeps winning division titles with a new offensive coordinator every year, why would he be fired/forced into retirement? If anything, that would show he’s a great coach
September 4th, 2024 at 4:12 pm
Is Tepper THAT patient?
Ancient astronaut theorist say – no.
September 4th, 2024 at 4:14 pm
Bowles is t going anywhere if we have a winning season imo.
September 4th, 2024 at 4:18 pm
Yeah, who wants one of those high flying offenses? I mean the Bucs, as a high flying offense literally won a SB a few years ago, but that was then and the game has changed, now you win by running it up the gut and punting a lot.
September 4th, 2024 at 4:19 pm
It’s amazing to me how this guy was under Bruce Arians for many years, the only time he’s had success in his career was under Arians – and he just completely throws all of that out the window but his middle school football coach told him that you win by running the ball up the middle and playing defense. It’s just stunning how he’s completely rejected everything Arians taught him.
September 4th, 2024 at 4:25 pm
Just win on Sunday. Beat the Skins.
September 4th, 2024 at 4:35 pm
I don’t think the glazers would do that to Todd I think they would do a flip flop keep Todd but give Liam a bump in status around one buccs place until Todd hands it over to Coen and then Todd probably just goes back to DC because remember not to long ago he said he didn’t plan on coaching late into billacheck years so idk
September 4th, 2024 at 4:43 pm
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE NFL …
Few people notice that more games are lost than one in the NFL. Turnovers kill. Sacks kill. Bowles plays smart football. Over the past three years he’s built a football team that forces long drives that prevents TDs and produces turnover opportunities. He also has (what looks like) a run game and reliable receivers. If Baker can be efficient, not turn the ball over, and convert on 3rd down, this team will be extremely hard to beat.
September 4th, 2024 at 4:43 pm
“Expectations are to get wins, you know, whether it’s running the ball or throwing the ball.” – Bowles
Now that’s original lol.
September 4th, 2024 at 4:45 pm
If Coen wants to be a HC sooner than later, then I’d expect this season to be his interview process, and Coen seems to be all business.
Side note… after watching some film on Cousins training camp, and it sounded like from their practice notes that they took it easy on Kirk… understandable, but even when the pads were on guys didn’t rush him that much, if at all, therefore he was completing everything. Of course they praised him for looking good, just not at full speed. Penix might be who we face, because none of that sounds good for Kirk.
September 4th, 2024 at 4:46 pm
Todd has too much confidence in his defense. A conservative offense seems to produce single score games in the 4th so the opposing offense can score late and win. We need enough offense for two score leads in the 4th.
September 4th, 2024 at 4:50 pm
Defense needs to avoid allowing sustained, clock eating drives. Last year this was a big problem. If offense has all these playmakers, let’s get the ball and use them.
September 4th, 2024 at 4:52 pm
@SlyPirate you hit the nail on the head.
September 4th, 2024 at 4:53 pm
For those who think Bowles is gone if the offense scores points, check out how many OC changes every year.
Check out how many OC’s have been in Pittsburgh vs how many DEFENSIVE HC they have had.
If we go 9-8 or 10-7 – Bowles isn’t going anywhere. Coen may, but Bowles won’t.
September 4th, 2024 at 4:59 pm
JimBobBuc Says:
September 4th, 2024 at 4:46 pm
Todd has too much confidence in his defense. A conservative offense seems to produce single score games in the 4th so the opposing offense can score late and win. We need enough offense for two score leads in the 4th.
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Arians would put teams away in the 1st half of games if he could – while Bowles thinks if you get a 3-point lead in the 2nd quarter, you need to go into a shell. It’s really aggravating how many times he lets other teams stick around because he coaches scared.
September 4th, 2024 at 5:08 pm
JimBobBuc Says: “We need enough offense for two score leads in the 4th.”
I’d like to know how many regular season games in 2023 we entered the 4th quarter with a two score lead?
September 4th, 2024 at 5:22 pm
It’s all about confidence isn’t it? When you lack confidence you try to keep the game close and (hope ( bad word ) ) have a chance in the 4th quarter. That’s what we did last year until we got some confidence going. Then we finished the year playing with some confidence. This year it’s a little bit different. We’re starting the season with confidence. We’ll be putting more than a few opponents to sleep well before the 4th quarter this year.
September 4th, 2024 at 5:57 pm
We have not even played a game yet and half the people on here got Coen moving on as head coach or Bowels getting replaced by Coen. Can we at least play a game first. Lets see what happens.
September 4th, 2024 at 6:00 pm
SlyPirate, how are more games lost than won? You either win, lose or tie, so the same amount of games are won as are lost.
September 4th, 2024 at 6:13 pm
Biggest concern I have for Sunday is its a 4:25 start and that’s prime thunderstorm time.
September 4th, 2024 at 6:26 pm
Woodenman…….
These guys have been polishing their crystal balls since January. They see all. They know all. Why bother with playing silly games? Hahahaha!!
September 4th, 2024 at 6:33 pm
BTW, the ESPN defensive starting lineup for the Bucs shows 12 starters.
Maybe that’s why Bowles is so confident that the Bucs won’t need to score much on offense.
September 4th, 2024 at 9:08 pm
Rod Munch … ‘It’s just stunning how he’s completely rejected everything Arians taught him.’
Sorry Rod, but Arians was 7-9 in his 1 year here BEFORE Tom Brady fell into his lap, and enticed a few of his friends (like Gronk, Brown, Fournette & several others to tag along). Even BA’s last 2 years in Arizona were nothing special to write home about (7-8-1 in 2016 then 8-8 in 2017).
And oh ya, without Bowles defense (ranked #8 in 2020 then #5 in 2021) BA’s record here wouldn’t have been nearly as good as it was. Folks need to stop pretending like BA was a magician; he wasn’t. Our 2020 & 2021 teams had superior talent on the offensive side of the ball. So superior that even Byron Leftwich looked good calling its’ plays.
Bowles didn’t ‘reject’ anything. He was left in 2022 with the skeleton of the team that BA had had in 2020 & 2021. We’ve undergone a MAJOR transformation in these past 2 years, and Todd Bowles has been the HC AND DC managing that & coaching up these youngsters. Give credit where credit is due please.
September 4th, 2024 at 9:19 pm
SlyPirate,
The games “lost” in the NFL is exactly equal to the games “won.”
September 4th, 2024 at 10:35 pm
Without Arians offense averaging 30ppg, Bucs are going 9-8, maybe 10-7 with Todd’s defense, and that was with an all star line up.
Facts suck on a favorite narrative.
September 4th, 2024 at 10:44 pm
Without the scoring here’s what happens in 2020 averaging 20ppg.
Chargers game would have been a loss. 31-20
Panthers 11/15 game would’ve been a loss. 23-20
Falcons 12/20 game would’ve been a loss. 27-20
Falcons 1/3 game would’ve been a loss. 27-20
Bucs record in 2020 averaging 20ppg — 7-10
Yes, an average is the sum total of points scored divided by the number of games. But it makes the point.
Points are critical in this league otherwise we have what we’ve seen the past two seasons,
17-17 in the regular season
1-2 in the playoffs.
September 4th, 2024 at 11:17 pm
Oh, and Arians 7-9 came with a top scoring offense in the league. Turnover machine JaMiss put a lot of stress on the defense, and Arians ousted him. A winning move.
September 5th, 2024 at 1:41 am
Sorry Farmer but I disagree.
If the offense is high flying (and the Bucs are winning) Bowles isn’t getting fired.
Simple as that.
September 5th, 2024 at 4:06 am
So glad to see shake n bake as the permanent qb for Tampa Bay. All them doubters from last year changed their tunes yet? Seriously 90% of Baker haters are Ohio state fans
September 5th, 2024 at 8:33 am
Vinny from NYC Says:
September 4th, 2024 at 6:13 pm
Biggest concern I have for Sunday is its a 4:25 start and that’s prime thunderstorm time.
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Me, too. Sure hope Coen shows plenty of imagination, and a few QB rollout plays.