“That Gets In Your Quarterback’s Head”
December 10th, 2024
Baker Mayfield
So Bucs superstar left tackle Tristan Wirfs isn’t just protecting Baker Mayfield’s body, he’s also protecting his mental state.
Joe is on record not being a “quarterback pressures” guy. Pressures aren’t a significant factor for quality quarterbacks. But “hits,” sure, those are felt and remembered by quarterbacks.
Sacks, of course, are drive-killers can disrupt QBs in many ways.
Wirfs talked about the strong job he and right tackle Luke Goedeke did Sunday against Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby and the Raiders, via the Buccaneers Radio Network.
Crosby didn’t have his typical superstar day, and Wirfs heaped a lot of praise on Goedeke for playing “out of his mind.”
Wirfs, however, was upset with himself for giving up Crosby’s lone QB hit early in the game but said he adjusted successfuly and quickly.
Overall, per Wirfs, the Bucs’ tackles didn’t alter their games for Crosby but did focus on keeping Crosby out of Baker Mayfield’s head.
“Just doing our best to stay connected to him not let him get those little touches after the play and stuff,” Wirfs said. “You know, that gets in your quarterback’s head; that gets in everybody’s head. So doing our best to limit that was I think the main gameplan.”
The Bucs tackles had a strong day, but it seemed the interior Raiders’ pass rush did rattle Mayfield. Bucs left guard Ben Bredeson certainly had too many rough moments.
But Joe was intrigued by Wirfs talking about how even late touches, pokes and taps on a quarterback by pass rushers can rattle the QB.
Was he speaking about all QBs, the Bucs QBs he’s played with, or just Mayfield?
December 10th, 2024 at 8:26 am
That’s a good question, Joe. I know that Pierce and seeing Crosby himself, are all about the extra little bs things at the end of a play. Literally every play against Mahomes, Crosby put his hands on him. So I would think it could work for all QBs.
December 10th, 2024 at 8:40 am
I believe Wirfs is referring to the clock that’s ticking in every QB’s head. The quicker these pass rushers are getting to Mayfield the quicker he has to release the ball. Takes that extra second or two for Evans or any other WR to get downfield.
December 10th, 2024 at 9:24 am
Well, after the Chargers game, things got easier for the Bucs. Demarion Overshown had his right knee blown out last night after a lineman fell on him. He was their best defensive player this year. Bucs should feast in the middle of the field now.
December 10th, 2024 at 9:46 am
Hmmm so now we have roughing the passer, sacks, hits, pressure, and now little touches that get in everyone’s head. Yay stats. Who is keeping track of all of this? Go BUCS
December 10th, 2024 at 9:50 am
Like shoving a dude to the ground after the play is over and he isnt expecting the contact? Looking at you Kancey, that was unnecessary. Dude better get a hold of himself before he hurts our chances.
December 10th, 2024 at 10:24 am
There always seems to be some kind of subtext about Baker.. Wirfs seemed to be speaking generically about QBs but somehow the insinuation is that Baker gets rattled..
Maybe this is the cloud that will always hang over Baker because of his history in the NFL and I certainly admit his careless turnovers drive me nuts and are absolutely Baker’s Achilles Heal. Will Baker ever get that monkey off his back?
December 10th, 2024 at 10:40 am
Crosby is well known for talking smack and laying hands on people after the play.
December 10th, 2024 at 10:59 am
While 13 int’s r not ideal bakers play has kept this team in every game u r lucky to have him if we were 2&11 I say we have a problem his stats r better than 98% better than all the other QB’s in the NFL WTF is wrong with the people on this site STFU people
December 10th, 2024 at 11:53 am
The game I watched saw LV absolutely dominate both lines of scrimmage. Thankfully their skill positions were lacking
December 10th, 2024 at 12:08 pm
Mayfield plays fearlessly! He’s not like Mike Glennon stepping out of bounds just short of the sticks to avoid a hit. He’s not like the over the hill version of the GOAT his final two season where it was go to the ground if the other D had a clear shot at him. I get it, live to fight another day, I respect it, but Baker’s way entertains me a lot more and I’m certain the rest of the Bucs get inspired as well.
As far as rattled, I don’t think so. As far as misjudging the solution to the problem absolutely and I agree with everybody that Baker refuses to give up on plays that were already dead.
So what’s your preference at QB? Brains or ballls? Yeah we all want both but that’s a rare commodity.
December 10th, 2024 at 1:49 pm
So what’s with the phantom “holding” calls on Wirfs?
Two in the last 3 games…..
They show the replay and the announcers are like…. Um – well I don’t see much
Refs should be fined or suspended for throwing flags when no penalty occurred.
December 10th, 2024 at 4:00 pm
Pickgrin
As usual agree with you. “Refs should be fined or suspended for throwing flags when no penalty occurred.”
Especially if it’s ticky tacky and doesn’t really effect the outcome of the play.
It’s a constant judgement out there, no harm no foul, but sometimes the refs don’t consider the harm and the timing of a call that as the cliche goes, could be called on every play of the game. Offensive holding is at the top of the list.
December 10th, 2024 at 4:47 pm
heyjude, you must have thrown out some 🎄 dust. Both stpete and Pickgrin are back.🙂👏 Now, where is Defense Rules?? I’m not even gonna touch the refs and their sh**. I am tired of it! Bucs will win Sunday as that will be game #4 in a row. Their record is 5. I’m saying they will break it and go 6 in a row. Go Bucs Sunday!!
December 11th, 2024 at 5:06 am
As someone who has been watching him his whole career, I can tell you without a doubt Baker gets rattled, but I don’t think he let’s those touches get to him. Sacks throw him off him game every time. I honestly think it is similar to PTSD because when he was supposed to have the best O line in the league, he was getting hit almost every play. When he played a long time in a game without a sack, he played confident and competent football, but it’s hard to forget that your O live left you out to dry and caused multiple injuries.
December 11th, 2024 at 4:31 pm
This is something I’m sure all quarterbacks deal with. Who wouldn’t? If I had some 300 lbs. dude trying to take my head off all the time, I’d
be a least a little squeamish. That’s why these guys get paid so much. Team first.
Glad you’re back Stpete. Love your common sense.
December 11th, 2024 at 6:22 pm
Quarterback sacks are a vastly overrated statistic