Best Rushing Season For Baker Mayfield
October 15th, 2024
So not only has playcaller Liam Coen turned the Bucs’ offense into a diverse and dangerous unit, he’s overseeing Baker Mayfield’s best season, which includes running the ball.
Mayfield’s escapability has improved significantly this year and he’s already scrambled for 136 yards. That means Mayfield is on pace to crush his career high of 165 yards rushing in a single season (2020).
At 6.5 yards per carry, Mayfield has better running efficiency than Justin Fields or Josh Allen!
It’s become an important part of the Bucs’ offense.
Joe’s not sure that’s a good thing, but Mayfield is scrambling less frequently per game than he did last year. The difference now is he’s been far more effective.
He runs. He leads the NFL in touchdown passes. He’s completing 70.9 percent of his passes. This Mayfield is a special quarterback.
Ira Kaufman Talks Big Road Win, Mike Evans Concerns, Falling Records
October 15th, 2024 at 4:31 pm
Agree he’s special. Smart slides. Was trying hare for a first down in NO – when he got nailed. But he’s tough. And careful.
October 15th, 2024 at 4:55 pm
I’m glad Licht & Bowles had the wherewithal to see that Mayfield has the ability and football IQ to flourish in a stable franchise with talent, unlike he had elsewhere. Is he Joe Montana? No. But, he’s a darn good quarterback who just needed what we had in place.
October 15th, 2024 at 4:56 pm
This Monday night game against Lamar is the prime opportunity for Baker to show the NFL and fans around the world he is for real. I mean 400 yards and 3 + touchdowns real.
October 15th, 2024 at 5:00 pm
I appreciate the fact that Mayfield can and will scramble. That’s a great skill for a quarterback to have. However, I would really like to see the O line be able to hold protection to the point that he doesn’t have to scramble as much.
Keep that pocket clean long enough for the play to develop and keep Mayfield’s jersey clean.
Go Bucs!
October 15th, 2024 at 5:01 pm
Todd Monken is doing a great job with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. Liam Coen is doing a great job with Baker Mayfield in Tampa. But l believe the advantage goes to Todd Monken because of his track record, experience. But Tampa Bay has more offensive weapons, and Baltimore has more defensive weapons. The game will be decided by the Head Coaches. That advantage goes to John Harbaugh because of his longevity with the Ravens.
It has the makings of being a great football game
October 15th, 2024 at 5:04 pm
When he had a chance to choose, he picked the right team! Now we all hope he can be more consistently getting better. Baker deserves more stats!
October 15th, 2024 at 5:18 pm
Baker Mayfield has always been a special QB. Bad luck he played for hands down the 2 worst owners in the NFL. He’s up against 2 time league MVP under the lights come Monday. If Lamar Jackson wants a chance to win he better play over his head because I know Baker is absolutely looking forward to this game. He and an entire Bucs organization and fan base. Early prediction – Bucs by 17 points.
October 15th, 2024 at 5:21 pm
The Ravens have the 2nd best run defence in the league and the 2nd worst pass defence, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD BAKER DON’T RUN AND JUST DICE THEM UP! Damn near had a heart attack when he hit hit on the hip diving for the 1st down.
October 15th, 2024 at 5:23 pm
I have been a Bucs fan since their birth in 1976 and now they’re experiencing a “rebirth”. It is difficult for me to give that up. I no longer support the NFL. I don’t watch Bucs games (or any other pro sports), I listen on radio therefore I don’t support TV media. I find it refreshing to not be exposed to all the drivel, rot, rubbish, “dei” and pharmaceutical propaganda being forced upon those that just want to watch a football game. I have deep concerns about the potential (likely) corruption in the NFL. Those concerns have been lingering around pro sports for many decades. It is a fact of life. When I first started following the Bucs in 1976 in Maine, I had to rely mostly on print media and the occasional televised game. I am reverting back to a version of that. It is because of Baker Mayfield that I am doing so. I said from Baker’s signing day that the Bucs had found their version of Drew Brees and if Baker could find his version of Sean Payton that it would be magical. Liam Coen appears to be that man. What the Bucs and Coen choose to do is their mutual decision. If the Bucs blow this one the radio goes off.
My other concern was Chris Godwin becoming a free agent and how much it would take to retain him. Maybe Mike Evans won’t be insulted when Godwin’s new contract dwarfs his contract. The Bucs can’t let Godwin get away now.
Regarding a certain OLB that is now available for trade, that will be fascinating to follow on this here site. IF (just IF) he landed here, how long would it take to get him in playing shape and how much would the price be ?
Can Jason Licht become the next David Copperfield ?
October 15th, 2024 at 5:29 pm
This is going to be a good game. Baker has it going and has scrambling down to a science. He gets hit and gets back up fighting. So glad he is our QB!
October 15th, 2024 at 5:31 pm
No. I have it on good authority his simply a “ middling” qb.
October 15th, 2024 at 5:45 pm
I’d like to see better scramble drill execution for more completions vs runs when he’s flushed but those yards running have won us games!
October 15th, 2024 at 5:52 pm
Let em bake Says:
October 15th, 2024 at 5:31 pm
No. I have it on good authority his simply a “ middling” qb.
…..
Yes middling….. whatever that means, ask the moron who floated that. They will conveniently forget about ever saying it.
October 15th, 2024 at 5:54 pm
I am more concern about Derrick Henry getting a head of steam and running it down the Bucs throat. Get him wrapped up early and make him look normal, like he was with the Titans his last couple of years.
October 15th, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Now that Luke is back, I don’t think Baker will keep running as much as he’s been running. Sucke was so terrible that Baker was forced to run because of his garbage blocking. Baker will stay take free yards when given to him, but I think his numbers will be more in line with what he normally does (rushing wise) which is probably a good thing.
October 15th, 2024 at 6:26 pm
I agrew Bakers cookinf!!! But, agree with Farmer on Baker n crew,krewe 2, need 2 dice em up, easiest thru air- run gere n tgere n AFTER u light em up thru air!!!
We need 2 not b stubborn n force run game at one of the best at stopping run til late
Go Bake! Go Bucs
October 15th, 2024 at 7:02 pm
Baker gets NO respect–dude is AVERaging 28+ fantasy points per game, with ONE bad game (Broncos) This week? They predict 21
I also have Jalen Hurts: AVERaging 21.02. Their prediction: 23.38
October 15th, 2024 at 7:18 pm
Let em bake Says:
October 15th, 2024 at 5:31 pm
No. I have it on good authority his simply a “ middling” qb.
________________________________________________
We all know who gave Mayfield the “middling” moniker along with journeyman, midget, and other unflattering insults. It was none other than MiddlingMunch. Muncher has been quiet lately while laying in wait for a Mayfield mistake. Very sure there will be mistakes in the future. Don’t think it matters because the overwhelming majority of Bucs fans enjoy Mayfield’s brand of football. Always exciting and entertaining.
October 15th, 2024 at 7:25 pm
THE GOOD …
Baker is a great QB
Bucky & Tucker are solid RBs
Godwin is amazing
DBs are improving
Sacks are starting to come
THE BAD …
The wheels are falling off Bredeson
Britt is a liability (offenses target him)
Not a single OLB has shown up
Evans has disappeared
October 15th, 2024 at 7:30 pm
If Maxx Crosby is potentially available, the Bucs should go all in for him.
1st Round Pick = Maxx Crosby
No brainer. 27 yo, intense, game wrecker, a la JPP. With our DL, MC is getting 1-1. He’d be a nightmare.
October 15th, 2024 at 7:48 pm
SlyPirate I second the motion! If we make that deal our pick is a late one anyway
October 15th, 2024 at 7:57 pm
Need lots of points to beat John Harbaugh and Lamar. They’ll have no problem anticipating what the defensive masturmind will scheme for them, and Lamar probably throws for 300 and runs for another 100.
Need a 40 burger.
October 15th, 2024 at 7:57 pm
Yeah and it wasn’t even the hit on the hip that knocked him out for a second it was landing on the ball I think from what he said
October 15th, 2024 at 8:21 pm
Beej I know what you mean. I got the same 2 QBs and it baffles me. It’s obvious their model just sux.
October 15th, 2024 at 8:47 pm
Wow… The thought of MC, Vita, CK, Hall and Diaby all out there….
Qbs will be running for their lives right off the snap. MC can teach the rest of them how to get sacks.
Speaking of things never going to happen….
Am I crazy for thinking that Wirfs, Barton, Bob, Cody and Luke is a great idea?
October 15th, 2024 at 9:33 pm
Julian Edelman & Gronk have a new Podcast called “Dude on Dud.”
It looks like the first episode is out, today, where: the approx. hour-long podcast is split between talking about Randy Moss, and the second part (about 25 minutes-in) is about, Baker. A very Baker-favorable discussion.
Apparently, the theme of the podcast is that they’ll be talking about various players & coaches, etc., they either know, or know-of.
Gronk at one point was talking about recently working-out with weights with Baker, and had some pass/catch sessions planned, but the field was “canceled on them” because of a game, or something; Gronk wasn’t too clear on the details.
It’s good. Check it through a YouTube channel search.
(It’d almost sound like an un-retirement for Gronk back to the Buccaneers if it wasn’t quite so long since he left. Gronk starting with Otton backup, whoa.)
October 15th, 2024 at 9:36 pm
Correction, typo: “Dude on Dude” it’s called.
October 15th, 2024 at 9:37 pm
How many first downs has he run for? On third down? Seems like almost all of his runs. Super effective.
October 15th, 2024 at 10:18 pm
It was not so long ago that some were calling Hainsey a bum. I think Barton has a future as an NFL center. Like so many things, we shall see.
Go Bucs!
October 15th, 2024 at 10:29 pm
If Baker outduels Lamar Jackson with some good stats and a win it will be hard to keep him out of the early season MVP discussion, IMO.
October 15th, 2024 at 10:31 pm
Dude on Dud is better for us old fashioned dudes.
October 16th, 2024 at 3:12 am
Good golly, Baler has really regressed without Canalwater to take credit for anything good he does.
Oh, wait.
October 16th, 2024 at 4:03 am
monday night is like another one of those turn the corner type games…
very often the bucs suffer a setback in these type games…thus not turning that stinkin’ corner…
the opportunity is there…and the opps are flying in from baltimore…
big stage to swing big lumber…
baltimore is one tough azz team…
Lets Go Bucs
October 16th, 2024 at 4:04 am
this game is big like the detroit game
October 16th, 2024 at 6:06 am
Farmer … ‘Ravens have the 2nd best run defence in the league and the 2nd worst pass defence, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD BAKER DON’T RUN AND JUST DICE THEM UP!’
What the 1st sentence tells me Farmer is that the Ravens are selling out to stop the run (just like the Bucs usually do?). That SHOULD leave them susceptible to a strong short passing game IMO, and Bucs are a team that has a very good short passing attack.
Still, we NEED to be able to run against them. If not, it’ll be a LONG evening for our defense. And Baker is a big part of that running game; his 9 first downs rushing are 2nd on the team & have been critical in scoring drives. He’s been doing very nicely at ‘taking what the defense gives him’ in those instances (and he’s doing better at sliding).
Ravens have an old-fashioned offense in that you know right up front what they’re gonna do … and then they do it, VERY WELL, and dare you to stop it. Most can’t. Their attack is based on 2 runners: Derrick Henry (119 runs in 6 games for 704 yards … 5.9 YPC) and Lamar Jackson (64 runs for 403 yards … 6.3 YPC). The next closest runner on their team (Justice Hill) has only 95 total yards rushing).
The Ravens run on 53.2% of their plays, for an average of 5.9 YPC. Wow! That pretty much sets up their passing game (Lamar has completed 119 of 177 passes … 67.0% … for 1529 yards … 13.0 YPC). He’s only thrown 2 INTs & has only been sacked 7 times. They’re scoring at a rate of 29.5 YPP (same as the Bucs). Also tells me that they have a very good OLine. Lamar is only getting pressured on 16.4% of his passing attempts (his average 2.0 seconds pocket time probably helps).
Bucs defense has a major challenge on its hands. We’ll lose IF we let Baltimore control the clock & thus the game (that’s what they strive to do, and they do it very well, averaging over 32 minutes TOP per game this year). They average 205 yards rushing per game, and the Bucs have been allowing 113 yards rushing per game. Should be interesting.
October 16th, 2024 at 9:15 am
Everyone keeps saying get Crosby ask licht& bowles does he fit in this team personnel it matters they being both parties need to feel the love for that to happen
October 16th, 2024 at 9:20 am
Everyone keeps saying get Crosby ask licht& bowles does he fit in this team personnel it matters they being both parties need to feel the love for that to happen.we Will c
October 16th, 2024 at 9:28 am
Huge game for the Bucs. I hope that Evans has healed up and ready to go. OLBs need to man up on this one. Have to slow down Derrick Henry before he gets up a head of steam. Going to be a great game. GO BUCS!
October 16th, 2024 at 10:20 am
Hey DR, you better quit “bloviating.” 😂😂 What a crock of stupidity that comment was. Excellent analysis as usual. Geez, I hope ME13 insists on sitting out this one cos his hammy has got to heal, and it looks like he may have another leg problem. I have said this a million times but I won’t quit. Bucs have got to play their very best game cos they’ll be up against the refs, plus one of the NFL darlings aka Ravens. I also agree with Citrus Co.’s comment, but I’ll continue to listen to my Bucs on Bucs Radio. I can’t stand the boob tube announcers, and the commercials are really bad now. I so badly want Tampa Bay to win this one cos they are the better team. I really like BM the more he plays. He’s smart as well as feisty. I haven’t seen that one in like forever down here. Go Bucs!! You can do this!! Play your best game cos you haven’t done it–yet!!!
October 16th, 2024 at 11:12 am
“Bucs defense has a major challenge on its hands.”
LOL. No shirt. Bo Nix made purée out of the Bucs pass defense, as did Cousins, as did Goff, as did Rattler in the first half. The 1965 Army team could probably throw for 300 yards.
Better score lots of points, Liam.
October 16th, 2024 at 12:10 pm
orlbucfan Says:
October 16th, 2024 at 10:20 am
^^^^^
I took the radio idea from you. Thanks
October 16th, 2024 at 3:31 pm
Citrus Co., you mentioned listening to the Bucs since 1976 in Maine? No offense, and thanks for the Bucs Radio compliment, but what got your attention to a small (believe me) NFL franchise awarded to the west Central FL area? The big who-dos down here were the Miami Fish.
October 16th, 2024 at 6:17 pm
orlbucfan
^^^
Growing up in Georgia I witnessed the Milwaukee Braves move to Atlanta and with all the new football franchises being awarded the Falcons arrived on scene. But shortly afterward I became a first round pick to play for the U.S. Government team. During my all expense paid travel with Uncle Sam I began to follow the teams nationwide as I had a variety of magazines and newspapers. When I settled in Maine I really didn’t have a favorite team per say. I had always liked the fish…Griese, Marino, Shula etc. and the cool uniform colors. When Tampa got the Bucs franchise I was fascinated by the creamsicle colors and the “Errol Flynn wannabe” swashbuckler on the helmet. I was hooked. There was now two Florida teams and I wanted to root for the underdogs. I was a glutton for perpetual frustration I suppose. But I couldn’t give up. I moved to the Tampa area in ’95 just as the Bucs arose from the crypt.
October 16th, 2024 at 6:34 pm
As best I can figure, the word c.r.y.p.t. got me moderated.
October 16th, 2024 at 11:03 pm
Addendum; Following the Bucs from a distance, I was somewhat isolated from much of the controversy surrounding ownership and the front office and it wasn’t until I reached Florida that the extent of the fiasco became clear. My thoughts were ” Leroy Selmon deserves better than this.” Then Malcom Glazer paid a king’s ransom for the team, changed the uniforms and renewed my enthusiasm. It has been a Busch Garden Gwazi ride ever since. I always admired Drew Brees (but despised the team) for his accomplishments. I longed for us to have our own HOF’er QB. Perhaps we now have one.
October 17th, 2024 at 9:34 am
So much for regression. Maybe the Baker Fan Bois were right along. Baker was in 2 dysfunctional organizations and had coaches that would not let him be himself. Same for Sam Darnold who is thriving in the land of 10,000 lakes. The Jets, Browns, and Panthers are all dumpster fires. Good for him. As Winston Churchill said “Never, Never, Never give up”.