A Tale Of Two Bucs’ Reactions
January 19th, 2025
In life and in sports, sometimes how a person reacts instantly to a situation says a lot about who they are — and sometimes it’s completely unfair to judge that instant reaction.
So the Bucs’ gut-wrenching lost fumble at their own 12 yard line last Sunday was a massive turning point in Tampa Bay’s 23-20 loss to Washington. The fourth-quarter playcall was a jet sweep and Baker Mayfield and receiver Jalen McMillan botched the handoff exchange.
Each immediately knew the play went wrong and the ball was in jeopardy.
Mayfield’s reaction was to whip his body around and dive head first into the area of the ball.
McMillan? He played spectator and drifted away from the play.
Joe saw the very different responses from Mayfield and McMillan on replay, but it really stood out again for Joe on an official Commanders mic’d up video segment that featured a different angle on the play. (The screenshot above is from that video).
McMillan is No. 15; Mayfield is the guy who dove head first at Bobby Wagner and has his buttocks in the air.
Is it fair to judge McMillan on his split-second decision? Sure, but Joe’s not sure it’s worth making much of it.
Regardless, every team could use a few more guys wired like Mayfield.
CHAOS! Baker loses the ball and it’s @Commanders ball in the red zone 👀
📺: #WASvsTB on NBC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/0Oq5lmBhsF— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025
January 19th, 2025 at 12:55 pm
15 is a rook. Maybe he will learn ot bye bye.
January 19th, 2025 at 1:05 pm
Idk, McMillan has momentum going totally different direction, baker is pivoting on his feet, much easier movement for Baker.
Joe you’re just being a little beach.
January 19th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
TBBF really doesn’t want to watch that again…..but I will say that we are blessed to have both Baker Mayfield and Jalen McMillan………and we should have them for some time
I’m on to FA & the draft….it’s my way of coping with the season ending losses….many of which have been in October & November.
The good news….we have a QB…..3 great WRs, RBs & 2 great TEs…..a young and talented Oline….
We have the money & draft picks to fix this defense…..25 looks promising.
January 19th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
He was running at high speed away from the fumble. Not sure what’s expected of him there?
January 19th, 2025 at 1:08 pm
Memo to Jalen:
Just because Cam Newton wears dumb hats doesn’t mean he cool. Cool?
January 19th, 2025 at 1:09 pm
Give him some time, even can Newton made that business decision once. His teammates saw that reaction. Maybe he just doesn’t have the dog in him that baker does which is why you can’t have all these passive voices in the locker room.
January 19th, 2025 at 1:14 pm
Why were Rachaad White and Sean Tucker all but excluded from the Bucs’ offensive game plans in the last 2 games (Saints, Commanders)?
And McMillan all of a sudden became the focal point of the offense?
Seems like when the Bucs went away from focusing on running the ball using all 3 backs, their offensive production started to struggle.
January 19th, 2025 at 1:17 pm
This seems like an unfair comparison. McMillan is a rookie who ran past the ball drop. He is easily 3+yards away. Better for him to position to help make a tackle if someone got up with the ball and ran than jump into a fray. Now if McMillan had possession and dropped it then stood around we should judge him.
January 19th, 2025 at 1:20 pm
In case anyone didn’t know, Rod munch does not like Baker Mayfield
January 19th, 2025 at 1:22 pm
@Joe
How short of a leash does Bowles have if we get FA’s and draft picks on defense that on paper help solidify the defense, but the scheme still leaves gaping holes in the pass defense? And we’re still around 500 or worse.
Does Bowles get the benefit of the doubt and complete his full five year contract?
Or do the Glazers pull the plug early and try to win in this small window?
Offense is not the problem. The defense is our biggest bugaboo.
January 19th, 2025 at 1:23 pm
JMac needs to be coached and trained better than he has been. He was simply unprepared for the game. It’s obvious he didn’t expect the ball on that jet sweep – how is that possible? He started off with one of the worst drops you’ll ever see.
Coaching. A novel concept. Get Godwin back, Jason.
January 19th, 2025 at 1:25 pm
It’s not worth it.
January 19th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
Dude was 7 yards away from the scrum going away. What was he supposed to do?
January 19th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
15 had no chance at changing the outcome at that point
January 19th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
Yeah I agree that’s it’s hard to rip on JMac.
My two favorite QB’s right now are the two who played in that game.
I love Baker, obviously he’s a Buc and I’m prejudiced, but I grew up late in life physically. 5-2 as a freshman didn’t hit 5-10 till senior year and grew another inch in the Army. IE I feel for Baker’s “chip on his shoulder” for being overlooked as too small. Hell that’s all we heard last season, he’s too short and all of his passes are going to get tipped.
And so I totally love and relate to Baker’s “chip” and his giant cojones (that may actually be simple envy lol) Baker gets it done his way.
My other favorite is Jayden Daniels!!! He’s uber talented and while he’s the total opposite personality wise, he even jokes and chats up opponents and when he succeeds he feels no need to go all “in your face”. He plays with such joyful abandon and IMHO the world needs more JOY!
I remember a 6-4 college kid I covered from the mountains of SW VA. Calvin Talford played at ETSU and one play encapsulated it all. He was a SUPER athlete gifted with incredible leaping ability. A road game at Appy State he drives the lane and skies over a 6-10″ guy for the dunk! ALL the fans and players could only look on in amazement. Calvin didn’t go all “in your face” on the 6’10” dude, he simply smiled in joy almost shocked himself just like the fans at the amazing gift he had received. That’s what I see in Jayden Daniels! JOY. I’m rooting for Jayden now that Baker’s out of the show.
January 19th, 2025 at 1:48 pm
It seemed to me 15 was stepping towards the pile not away from it.
January 19th, 2025 at 1:54 pm
Jmac was full steam ahead, and i think part of the problem there. Maybe they didnt practice that play enough. That whole thing just didnt come together like it shouldve.
Its all good, its a timing fault…ish happens and we make mistakes every now and then. He’s our future for sure and im just going to blame the timing gods for this one.
January 19th, 2025 at 1:55 pm
What do they do in the playoffs in January 2026?
January 19th, 2025 at 1:56 pm
Agree with song about Jayden Daniels. He looks as polished as a seasoned veteran and it seems no amount of pressure causes him any angst. Maybe ROTY and MVP both.
January 19th, 2025 at 2:02 pm
Thats why we (most of us) love Baker. He’s the best thing that’s happened to the Bucs in a while. No, I’m not forgetting all the future pro bowlers. Just the man that touches the ball everytime. And wants it.
January 19th, 2025 at 2:17 pm
Can’t put that on JMac. That ball was recovered almost as soon as it got dropped.
The biggest upgrade JMac can make is to quit talk **** during games. Competition is good, but we had at least two calls this year that cost us yardage bc JMac wanted show off after a catch. He needs to learn professionalism, he needs to keep quiet as a new NFl player as he hasn’t proved anything yet.
January 19th, 2025 at 2:30 pm
The assumptions of Bucs nation lol tells you times have truly changed in Tampa thank you for that Bucco Bruce
January 19th, 2025 at 2:35 pm
As stated several times already, he had no chance to make a play on that ball.
Joes going for the clicks again as usual I see.
What NFL player could’ve changed direction and made that play?
We’re waiting, lol
January 19th, 2025 at 2:37 pm
Barry sanders
January 19th, 2025 at 2:44 pm
@TBBF: I really like your optimism (not sarcasm). But 2 “great” TE’s. In my opinion, Otton could be great one day. Durham showed he has potential but that is it. Now Culp…I am intrigued by that dude!
January 19th, 2025 at 2:58 pm
Lets go Rams!! F those dodo birds!
January 19th, 2025 at 2:59 pm
Rams!
January 19th, 2025 at 2:59 pm
Blame the person who missed the handoff and threw the intercetion last year when the game was on the line.
January 19th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
*spbf not song, about Jayden Daniels
January 19th, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Lt. Dan:
After they drafted him I was itching to see what he could do out of the slot …..
He didn’t disappoint
January 19th, 2025 at 3:08 pm
Hummmm, not sure if I remember Barry Sanders ever doing a 180 quick enough to make that play PP.
I want to hear what Joe says
January 19th, 2025 at 3:18 pm
Just sarcasm Barry sanders is probably my favorite back of all time. This is a cool debate it passes the time. We lost because the defense couldn’t get the ball back but this is a nice debate
January 19th, 2025 at 3:23 pm
Yes, Sanders was the cat’s meow.
See some of him in Bucky which is too cool
January 19th, 2025 at 3:28 pm
Could Barton have helped at all? Still wish it could have been a lateral or QB sneak, but oh well, them’s the breaks. Football is also luck and DC got lucky.
January 19th, 2025 at 3:29 pm
Baker responded quicker because he’s the one that knew he blew the play (which he literally said – that it was his fault and he botched the hand off). McMillan is going away from the play and at speed, so I’m not sure what he’s supposed to do there that would make Joe happy.
If Baker doesn’t choke and fumble the ball, the Bucs are beating the Eagles today on their way to another NFC Championship game.
But glad to see the Baker Boi(s) are OK with losing and having a quarterback that, for the 2nd playoff game in a row, had the ball in his hands with the game on the line only to choke. Just shows who these nutjobs value – and it’s not the Bucs, it’s their TV buddy who does the funny commercials that they care about the most.
January 19th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
Out of all his mistakes, perceived and factual, Baker WILL lead this team to a superbowl and will bring one home, PERIOD. It’s just a matter of time.
January 19th, 2025 at 3:42 pm
Oh you are such an idiot Rod. Baker did it to hold the team together, to keep decension down, to keep everyone focused on the game, not who to blame. It’s what leaders do. It’s obvious you don’t have a clue on the subject. Or on the subject on the finer details on how to run a proper jet sweep. Why are you even on a football blog?? You are ALWAYS being proven wrong. Where is your dignity man?
January 19th, 2025 at 3:45 pm
Speaking of J-Mac, he should go watch that catch by Robinson. Phillys DB had the ball at first but Robinson wrestled it away as they went to the ground.
Better hit the weights this offseason, kid!
January 19th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
Maybe go back and fight for it, I’m sure he is capable of turning on a dime
January 19th, 2025 at 3:47 pm
Wagner fell on the ball immediately! Baker, who was closest to the ball didn’t have a chance let alone Macmillan who was running away from the play.
January 19th, 2025 at 3:49 pm
That’s what he could do rob, like the little quaterback did without hesitation
January 19th, 2025 at 3:50 pm
One is a dawg, the other still a puppy
January 19th, 2025 at 3:54 pm
Dumb take, Jalen had no shot at any recovery.
January 19th, 2025 at 3:56 pm
In a game like that I’m sure you should fight until the bitter end, not stand and observe. You never know until you try.
January 19th, 2025 at 4:01 pm
Who do you boys think you are talking about? A couch potato? He could have planted his foot immediately and been on that ball before Baker. He runs a 4.4 and is a wr in the NFL. Do you think it takes him 6 steps to turn around? He has the skills of a cat, come on now!!
January 19th, 2025 at 4:05 pm
It’s a good thing yall ain’t the coach, I can hear the excuses for failing to fight already.
January 19th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
If you want to know the whole truth it’s called half a**ing it. Just like his route was to deep and not parallel to the line of scrimmage. In other words lack of discipline. Try doing a little reading on the subject you might actually learn something.
January 19th, 2025 at 4:26 pm
If you were to read you would see that all the coaches say the exact same thing, the receiver of the ball has to do 2 things, 1-aim for 1 yard behind the quaterbacks feet to keep the timing exactly the same and 2-he has to run parallel to the line. McMillan did neither. There I read it for you. If you want to keep being ignorant after knowing the truth, be my guest.
January 19th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
I don’t think the rookie knew what he was doing on the play. He ran as if he were a decoy right past the quarterback without the least indication that he was looking to take the ball. I think the play seemed open because the defense ignored it as a fake. I just think that he hadn’t practiced the play (not his fault). In the heat of the action, the coach’s called the play for its design, not realizing that the player out there was not an experienced ball carrier (Chris Godwin, e.g.) familiar with running the ball from the backfield. The play was an important one; however, the game was lost over sixty minutes. The Commanders outplayed us. From the result of the Lions game, I think we underestimated the Washington team.
January 19th, 2025 at 4:45 pm
Fire Bowles.
January 19th, 2025 at 4:45 pm
McMillan has one of the fastest 20 yard cone drills at the combine, 🐈 🐈⬛️ like reaction when he wants to. That is part of the problem with these young kids. They can but they don’t too often. Take Bucky, he rarely wants to run out of bounds the first chance he gets. Bucky wants to play football and look at what he has done, he is simply amazing on several different levels. If they were all like Bucky we would have a measurable better team. He is a fighter. My opinion only
January 19th, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Don’t get me wrong McMillan will be fine if he wants to be. He definitely has the physical skill set but sometimes physical isn’t enough. You have to be mentally tough too. He has made some mistakes that I feel could go down in the mental category. Hopefully he will work on strengthing that part of his game. He is very capable physically.
January 19th, 2025 at 5:24 pm
Watching that feed in slow-motion Joe, Baker’s reaction to recover the fumble was virtually instantaneous (very impressive). He came within an inch or two of recovering that ball. McMillan’s momentum carried him way too far from the fumble to be a factor in its recovery.
January 19th, 2025 at 5:52 pm
Rod would rather this team go 5-12 without Baker.
January 19th, 2025 at 5:56 pm
You know it’s down to sh*** and giggles at this point but if you noticed Wagner after getting control of the ball turned towards and faced exactly where McMillan was casually walking towards him. Where if he were hustling he would have been right there when Wagner turned and the whistle wasn’t blown for a long long time, leaving plenty of time to hit at it or wrestle it away but we wont know becausehe was wlaking back to the action. But we all have our opinions and it’s what makes the world go around.
January 19th, 2025 at 6:16 pm
be for real… the kid was almost 10 yards away… how was he supposed to magically know Mayfield fumbled the ball 😂😂
January 19th, 2025 at 6:24 pm
By the time he could stop and turn, the ball was already turned over. What’s he supposed to do? Jump into the pile and get a penalty or something? It was just an unfortunate play, especially when you consider he had the blocks setup in front of him. Just not the best play to call backed up like that.
January 19th, 2025 at 7:34 pm
This is a ridiculous take. Jalen is running away from the play, by the time he turns around to assess what happened, the pile is over.
“Assess what happened?” …Fans are free to watch it on All-22, on the Commanders’ NFL Films clips and various other replays. –Joe
January 19th, 2025 at 8:44 pm
Heÿ guys, here’s a novel idea, if you have never spent time playing sports with “athletic” people, maybe you shouldn’t comment on what they can accutually do. Really think about it, because it shows.
January 19th, 2025 at 8:54 pm
He ran the 20 yard shuttle in about the same time as Tyreek Hill. You know the fastest cat in the NFL at one time. That’s a test on what you can do with your body as in stopping and changing direction, like a cat as it were. And trust me if you can run that in 4 seconds you could be back there to fight for that ball but hey you guys have obviously spent your whole lives around great athletes and know what they can do with their body so I’ll humbly bow out of this debate.
January 19th, 2025 at 9:00 pm
Momentum had everything to do with this. At the point of botched hand off, Mayfield was stationary and McMillan was balls out toward the perimeter as he discovered the ball was indeed out.
January 19th, 2025 at 9:13 pm
And he WASN’T 10 yards away. He was never more than 5.
January 19th, 2025 at 10:57 pm
The whole thing was over from start to finish in like 3 seconds, not sure it means much, he was moving fast and the ball came out and he was a ways away. The only thing I take away from this is that watching the game with the volume on mute is best. Mike Tirico is very irritating to me. Of every broadcaster Tirico is overexcited all game. Usually the games are tense and the last thing I need is a loud flabbergasted Tirico.
January 19th, 2025 at 11:09 pm
I never said Mayfield didn’t have an easier route to it. I said McMillan could have easily been back to fight but he didn’t just like his route, half a**. If you want to win you HAVE to do it right every time not some of the time and not most of the time, every time. Mental errors are what got this team. They have to fix it if they want to go all the way and win it.
January 20th, 2025 at 12:27 am
The thing that gets me, is we have a quarterback that will fight to the end to win. And you have “fans” that call him a bum and a choke artist. After he set records in production and efficiency in the playoff game. Choke artists don’t set records when the pressure is on, they crumble. They don’t basically tie for second in the NFL’S passer rating. They don’t have THE HIGHEST passer rating in the last 3 games of the season that gets you to the playoffs–136.5. In fact, instead of listing all the things Baker did that proves he’s not a choke artist I’ll just say this, after a season like Baker had, if you can publicly call him a choke artist you have either never played organized sports and dont have a clue as to how difficult it is to do what he did or you just hate the guy so much and no longer care about telling the truth. Either way it’s a negative drag on the effort not a positive influence and we are going to need all the positive influences we can get. Just tell the truth, not your sick and twisted version of it that holds the team back through dissension and conflict. I’m sure it is always there in the locker room without the dumb fans making it worse with their seriously biased takes on everything Buccaneer football. Everybody says they want to win but at the same time they want to divide “the team”. That’s not how winning is done. Winning is EVERYBODY pulling in the same direction, EVERYBODY. Whether you agree 100% of the time with things that happen or not, you take it for the team and move forward not backwards. And if you don’t think what is written here doesnt have an effect on some of the players well, you really don’t understand human nature and will continue to hurt the team, period. Everybody pulling in the same direction…
January 20th, 2025 at 6:36 am
Here’s what really happened, and why we lost. The Commanders are better then us. They have an elite QB already, and he’s a rooke. People forget Quinn made it to the SB with Atlanta, and has always been a winner. They’ve won more games then us, with a continuing winning streak going. They beat us because they are better then us. Yes we beat them in the opener, but they’ve had a better season, and are better then us right now, probably going forward. It wasn’t one play that lost the game. It was lost before we took the field, because we played a team that’s better then us.
January 20th, 2025 at 2:15 pm
Has Davyboy crashed yet? LOL
January 20th, 2025 at 2:29 pm
Wow, someone’s in a bad mood today ………….
January 20th, 2025 at 8:19 pm
He was 🤪
January 21st, 2025 at 11:39 am
Jimmy. That was awesome. I know you’re talking about the cam Newton fumble in the super bowl against the Peyton Manning led Denver Broncos.. now when they talk about buisness decisions they usually refer to defenders uninterested in tackling somebody w a full head of steam or sheer size…this was the offensive version. Cam botched a snap or hand-off or a snap… the ball fell into the trenches and he just stood there he didn’t want any part of whatever was going on. I’ve been a bucs fan forever…I never had any respect for Cam Newton as a panther. I also thought he was one of the most overated players in the NFL. If you can see that play, you would see the worst buisness decision of all time. Cam casually walked away as the ball he fumbled IN THE SUPER BOWL and of course the Broncos went onto win…
I promise if u see that play u will lose any respect for that guy if u had any to start with.. instincts are crucial just as well as effort…and to me I’m expecting full effort I d care if it’s a undrafted player… and in that case Cam Newton THE NUMBER ONE OVERALL DRAFT PICK years prior made a buisness decision…. to walk away instead of INSTINCTIVELY TRYING TO RECOVER THE BALL…there was effort to retrieve the botched snap by mayfield I d think there was much McMillan could do. The ball was recovered faster than it hit the ground. We seen that play alot all year but usually by palmer ,and shepard… I can’t recall seeing McMillan on the sweep prior…I could be wrong.. but I KNOW THERE WASNT A LACK OF EFFORT TO RECOVER… PLEASE DONT COMPARE THIS INCIDENT TO THAT TRASH BY THAT OVERATED TRASHBAG PLAYER CAM NEWTON.
Theres absolutely no comparison here and its not ..IN MY OPINION HE DOESNT LOOK COOL EITHER. Watch that cam newton play guys. It will make u feel bad for NFL owners and general managers regretting taking that guy first overall let alone even drafting him..i GUARENTEE U AT THAT MOMENT …i wouldve benched him and never let him see the feild again for my team no matter what .plz Jimmy no comparison here… take it easy on my guyz…gotta feeling we ll be in the thick of things w the crew we got. I always hate to say next season.We don’t have anyone on our team who would shy away or take a buisness decision.
January 21st, 2025 at 11:54 am
Man that was a harsh comparison. Cam Newton in the super bowl was the worst buisness decision ever . Watch it. It will make u lose any respect you have if you had any to start with. Watch it and tell me you don’t feel sorry for the owners and general managers who draft that player. And on that stage ….the super bowl ..casually walked away from a fumble….his fashion is even worse ….most overated player ever. Sickening comparison. Say Cam Newton. and I’ll have have that image ….No comparison bang bang botch it’s recovered before it hit the ground mayfield r up in there McMillan can’t do do anything it recovered before he can stop his momentum. Wouldve liked shepard or palmer on that play because they executed it more this season..plz take it easy on my Boyz they be back next year .. don’t compare my guyz to that overated uninstinctive effortless dress code violator Cam Newton. That BUISNESS DECISION and total effort was his KRYTONITE…watch that play. If I was his coach he would’ve never seen the field again for me ..BUM…no comparison here