Lack Of Mobility Should Not Be An Issue For Kyle Trask
February 5th, 2022
Bucs QB Kyle Trask.
As unsettling as this is, the only quarterback currently on the Bucs roster for 2022 has a grand total of zero NFL snaps under his belt.
That would be backup quarterback Kyle Trask.
The Bucs drafted him in the second round last year as a developmental guy. He was never active on a gameday roster and the only time he broke a sweat in the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway was in the preseason against bakers, law clerks and airline baggage handlers.
BSPN draft analyst Todd McShay this week decided to go back and study more tape of Trask and review his notes on Trask when the former Gators quarterback was coming out of college. And McShay noted that Trask will never confuse anyone as a mobile quarterback.
He isn’t mobile
Trask has to win from inside the pocket. He isn’t a threat to run, and he isn’t mobile enough to make plays off platform and/or outside of the pocket.
During an exercise last March, we compared the top QBs in the upcoming draft class from a statistical standpoint, looking specifically at each signal-caller’s last 13 collegiate starts. Trask’s 86.6 QBR in the pocket was fourth among the 13 quarterbacks reviewed, behind only Mac Jones, Zach Wilson and Justin Fields. Outside the pocket? His 53.5 QBR from him ranked 12th, ahead of only Jamie Newman.
The odd part is Trask is actually very solid under pressure and against the blitz. He slides and climbs well, and he makes tough throws with defenders in his face. His 33.9 QBR under pressure during the 2020 season was ninth in the FBS. But when he is forced out of the pocket, things fall apart. I’m intrigued to see how much he learned here from Brady, who also is not known for his mobility.
Joe thinks the mobility element is way, way overrated. Runaround quarterbacks might be fun to watch but at the end of the day, it is about throwing the ball. If a guy cannot throw that well and accurately, it doesn’t matter how nimble his feet are.
Look at the quarterbacks in the Super Bowl. Are they mobile quarterbacks? Joe Burrow may be but clearly, his trait is his golden arm.
Look at last year’s Super Bowl. Immobile Tom Brady vs. mobile Pat Mahomes. How did that work out?
Besides, Arians doesn’t like mobile quarterbacks. He wants them to stay in the pocket. So Trask’s lack of mobility shouldn’t be a negative factor at all.
February 5th, 2022 at 12:06 am
He’s strong. Stop worrying.
February 5th, 2022 at 12:08 am
He’s strong. I’ve seen him run. His play style is similar to Brady’s. I may be a Gators fan, and I know we haven’t had much luck, but I believe in him. He needs a shot.
February 5th, 2022 at 12:11 am
In what aspect is he strong because it definitely isn’t his Arm and in Arians offense you have to be able to push the ball down the field which is Trasks weakest attribute. He couldn’t even beat out Griffin.
February 5th, 2022 at 12:15 am
From the little Joe saw of him in training camp, his long ball seemed his best trait (accuracy).
Then again, training camp was a long, long time ago and Joe has forgotten 98 percent of it.
February 5th, 2022 at 12:16 am
I’m convinced we run with Trask, Gabbert and an inexpensive veteran that Arians likes. In BA I trust.
February 5th, 2022 at 12:35 am
Trask has been working hard behind the scenes with Christensen for an entire NFL season. Brady, Leftwich and Arians have all been there for him as well. We only know the 2021 Kyle Trask. For all we know he has made significant strides in this time period. Let’s just wait and see the developments he has accomplished when the Bucs reveal him again in 2022. Go Bucs!
February 5th, 2022 at 12:39 am
‘the mobility element is way, way overrated.’
I totally agree… unnecessary risks for injuries to the most valuable position and scramblers seem to have much shorter careers…
Nobody can know the truth about Trask until we see him on the field in live action at this level… Wishing him all the best because that will mean Bucs set at qb the next 10-15 years!
February 5th, 2022 at 12:55 am
How tough is he? That is the main question.
February 5th, 2022 at 1:31 am
Kyle. Trask!!!!!!!
February 5th, 2022 at 1:36 am
We got this!9
February 5th, 2022 at 1:37 am
“win from inside the pocket”…..any QB that can’t do that is retired after a few short years
February 5th, 2022 at 1:49 am
The only way to get NFL snaps under ones belt is to play.
February 5th, 2022 at 1:50 am
You mean 2020. The 2021 Trask nobody aside from those employed by the Bucs knows. He hasn’t played in a real game since the Sugar Bowl.
February 5th, 2022 at 2:32 am
Usually if a rookie is tearing it up at practice ala joe tryon you hear about it. Trask must be a well kept secret
February 5th, 2022 at 2:44 am
Brady drop to the 6 th rd.
Rodgers was forgotten in rd 1
Wilson unheard of.
Etc etc etc.
Trask we shall see …. It will take.1-2 games to tell.
February 5th, 2022 at 3:03 am
I encourage you guys to check game tapes of Trask, including a really good four part series on YouTube “QB school Kyle Trask”. Really good breakdown showing both good and bad.
His funky mechanics actually remind me of….Brad Johnson. Similar wide legged stance and corkscrew arm motion.
February 5th, 2022 at 3:14 am
Outside Matt Carrol – who has the “it” on & off the field that every NFL teams marketing dept is looking for…There’s not another QB in the 2022 draft that I’d rather have as a Buc than Trask.
Strong’s knees throw up Medical red flags,
Pickett has carnie hands & though Riddler checks a lot of intangible boxes – he’s been consistently inconsistent as a passer. (poor placement/timing/anticipation)…Everyone else is either a bad scheme fit or a longer term project than this coaching staff wants to f’wit after taking Trask last yr.
Trask’s bigger, stronger with longer arms & bigger hands than any of the top QB’s coming out this year. He may have been a late bloomer behind a couple other skilled QB’s…But he didn’t set on his ass doing nothing while waiting for his opportunity…When it came – he was prepared & showed a mastery of his teams offence…He knew where his playmakers were & found a way to get them the ball… Played well enough to cement his position as a team leader…(Though that Bowl game performance was regrettable w/o his normal WR’s).. He earned his NFL shot playing against plenty of DB’s he’ll face again on SUN’s…Getting pressured by plenty of Edge, DT & LB’s he’ll face on SUN’s….So, It’s not like he hasn’t shown the physical tools & off the field study habits to be successful in the NFL.
He may not be Brady…But he’s a yr into Leftwich’s playbook & that makes him a better option than most are giving him credit for…Though I would not be against adding a “change of scenery” candidate at some point this off-season to compete for the QB1 job…I’d have no issues with the FO/BA rolling with the in-house rookie contact QB1 & team friendly contract Gabbert to help offset the last 2 years of Cap manipulation, knowing Post-Brady SB run checks are coming due.
February 5th, 2022 at 3:27 am
CatCard, good points. All of the signs point to Trask being a logical option. Lots to clean up in his game, though. We just won’t know until preseason.
Pickett’s small hand size is going to drop his draft status, but I’m betting the problem will be exaggerated as these things always are. He got this far with his hands, let’s see. Corral is interesting.
February 5th, 2022 at 3:31 am
Of all the veteran options, his high cost aside, Kirk Cousins might be the easiest to plug into Brady’s place style wise, if the idea is continuity and competing at a good level in 2022.
February 5th, 2022 at 3:41 am
We’ll never know what we have in Kyle Trask until we give him a shot in real games with our #1’s. McShay mentioned him ranking 4th behind Mac Jones, Zach Wilson & Justin Fields. I’d say that Mac Jones did the best of the 3 of those, but largely IMO because the Patriots had the best defense (#2) & best running game (#8) of those 3 teams to support him (by far). And oh ya, his coach didn’t put every game on his shoulders (Belicheck kept his expectations reasonable of what the rookie could do).
Bucs will probably need to do something similar with Trask. Make sure that he has a quality defense & running game to support him, and keep our expectations within reason. I’d expect to see a Tom Brady 2.0 approach, with more emphasis on the running game than BA did last season & quite a bit of short passing, with periodic dabbles into the deep pass arena. It all depends IMO with how strong a team we can build to surround him with between now & Game 1.
February 5th, 2022 at 3:59 am
Trask isnt a logical option this soon he wasnt even the backup . I never noticed teammates singing high praise of him either
February 5th, 2022 at 4:42 am
We had a guy foe a few yeats that was mobile. He threw 30 interceptions. Give this kid a chance. He had a year to learn how to be a pro under Brady. Was better off learning from the booth ratger than the sideline.
February 5th, 2022 at 4:52 am
Let’s see what he does under the big lights. He certainly wasn’t a choker at UF so I think he’ll do OK.
I do not diminish the importance of QB. But there are PLENTY of ways for a QB to win in this league. I agree with Joe that the one consistent factor is the guys arm and ability to read D’s.
I watched a 9th round draft pick from FSU kill us one year at the ole Sombrero.
At first I thought this guy is not accurate but then it hit me…DUH…he’s incredibly accurate! So while his receivers seemed forced to make a lot of diving catches and laid out for the ball the defenders had no chance getting their hands on it. His “bad” passes were actually incredibly thrown at just the right time.
Of course later on that 9th round draft pick led us to our first SB!!!
The year Brad Johnson won it for us nobody would look at him and say he was better than fellow QB’s Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and yes Tom Brady.
My point is that while there is only one Tom Brady who can overcome deficiencies on a team and still win, there are enough Brad Johnson’s who are smart, accurate, make good decisions and while not “winning” the games themselves can at least do their part and certainly do not pull a Fameis Jameis and LOSE games for us.
Trask doesn’t need to replace Brady! He needs to be able to replace Brad Johnson!
I don’t know if Trask is that guy but I do believe with a great draft our D can be good enough to take a truly “professional” QB to another SB.
February 5th, 2022 at 4:54 am
Bucs will go with Trask and Gabbert in 2022.
1. Bucs need to determine if they have anything with Trask or not.
2. Stuck with salary cap limitations after going all in.
3. Sitting Trask longer probably won’t make a difference in his learning because if he hasn’t picked up the O after a year, he isn’t going to get it
4. Measuring his ability and potential only comes from him playing in real games.
February 5th, 2022 at 5:48 am
Gabbert is an important signing. Whether he plays or backs up. Someone with the offense down pat.
February 5th, 2022 at 6:10 am
The only running I need from a QB is 3rd, and short scramble for a 1st down. I hope he can master the QB sneak like Brady. All the running he needs to do. Gabbert, will be back, probably Griff too, and a 4th arm for camp. There won’t be any trades for QB’s, or FA’s like Teddy. Gabbert let’s hope has a Rich Gannon like rise from the ashes. If not hopefully Trask can be the answer. If none of the above, than 2023 we go get one. That’s who will be rolling out this year at QB.
February 5th, 2022 at 7:21 am
Pickett”s small hands are a problem. What is going to happen to his ball control and ball protection when he leaves the warm, dry, and sunny climate of Pittsburgh?
February 5th, 2022 at 7:27 am
Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Kyle Trask all excelled throwing deep but Mac Jones may be the best deep passer in this class. Trask threw 60 deep passes with 68% completion rate. I’d say he can push the ball down the field.
February 5th, 2022 at 7:30 am
We simply don’t have the money or draft capital to bring in a top QB……Going with Trask seems to be the best option albeit a year before we planned.
Certainly, we drafted Trask to eventually take the helm….you don’t pick a QB in round 2 to ride the pine as a career backup.
Give Trask his chance and save the money for other needed positions…..and we have many.
February 5th, 2022 at 7:59 am
Much of Brady’s success in Tampa was the high quality of his offensive line blocking. That is the key for a true pocket passers. Also a quick read and release time. I don’t know anything about Trask’s read and release times, but if he can function at or near Bradys 2.5 seconds he could do very well with the solid blocking the Bucs have. I know that at least three top young QBS that made the playoffs were very good escaping the pocket and extending plays or running for first downs. But they also tend to have higher interceptions and lower completion rates. All I am saying, is give Trask a chance (my apologies to the Beatles).
February 5th, 2022 at 7:59 am
Trask is the best option. He already trained under brady for a year and is familiar with the playbook. When licht drafted him last year, he already kind of knew this was going to happen, so I hope they try him out. Just don’t put gabbert in there.
February 5th, 2022 at 8:01 am
Mobile QB’s present an injury liability – over time the more they run the greater injury chance increases. It’s good that Trask can move around the pocket well.
February 5th, 2022 at 8:08 am
Trask has ZERO NFL experience but should know playbook. May be good, knobody knows. Gabbert knows the playback has experience but is a turnover machine and sucks.Bucs have to bring in a qb that has proven they can win in this league. If not, next season has the potential to be unwatchable.
February 5th, 2022 at 8:09 am
It’s best to get Trask some NFL in-game experience next season and for the Bucs to see what they have with him. No reason to wait 3 years before giving him a chance. The time is now.
February 5th, 2022 at 8:12 am
Oxycodoms Says:
February 5th, 2022 at 3:59 am
Trask isnt a logical option this soon he wasnt even the backup . I never noticed teammates singing high praise of him either
^^^^^^^
Look up the 2000 New England Patriots stats, and look how Drew Bledsoe, John Friesz, and Michael Bishop had more passing attempts than Tom Brady in Brady’s rookie year.
Look up the 1991 Atlanta Falcons, and see that Chris Miller and Billy Joe Tolliver had more passing attempts than Brett Favre in his rookie season.
I’m not saying Trask is as good (or is even good at all, no one knows), but there is proof of other 3rd string rookie QB’s who had great NFL careers.
February 5th, 2022 at 9:18 am
If the rest of the roster can be a championship caliber roster and the front office can pull off a huge big-name free agent I say we try for another championship run. Absent either one of those Gabbert and Trask should compete in the preseason. If Gabbert cannot clearly separate himself from Trask, then you give the rookie a chance and see what we have in him. If Gabbert rocks the preseason, maybe he will be the late-bloomer and maybe we get another competitive season. Also giving Trask more time to mature.
February 5th, 2022 at 9:54 am
All the coaches are staying – that means the team isn’t going to tank on purpose. Trask isn’t going to be the starter. Anyone who thinks Arians wants to go out a loser with a 3-14 record, and cost Bowles and Leftwich any chance at a future job are nuts. They will get a real QB option, so hand onto your panties, ladies.
February 5th, 2022 at 9:55 am
I’d prefer nimble—the ability to make small moves to avoid the rush—vs. “mobile”, that is, a running QB.
From what I’ve read the Bucs staff have emphasized “nimble” in Trask.
I do NOT want to spend cap and draft capital on the QB’s who are actually available to the Bucs. None of the *available* QBs, not even Garapolo, are worth mortgaging the future.
February 5th, 2022 at 9:55 am
SPBF
The only fly in your ointment is that the Bull had literally one of the greatest defenses of all time.
That allowed him to be Brad Johnson and win at the same time.
February 5th, 2022 at 9:56 am
Mobility is extremely overrated. If you can go thru your progressions and read defenses quickly that makes up for lack of mobility. Being able to know where the ball needs to go quickly while having a nice pocket presence is all that is needed. Trask has shown that in college.
February 5th, 2022 at 10:45 am
Mobility is icing on a cake, it’s not the cake. He reads the field well and makes good plays under pressure, that’s all we need.
February 5th, 2022 at 10:54 am
“In what aspect is he strong because it definitely isn’t his Arm.”
Actually his arm is fine. According to actual NFL scouts, that is. Not as strong as a Brett Favre, but not as weak as a Drew Brees either. Joe Burrow’s throws have been clocked at 56 mph, below the NFL average. How’s Burrow doing?
February 5th, 2022 at 11:03 am
“Mobility is extremely overrated.”
True. “Mobility” was invented as an “important” quarterback quality to allow ESPN and the rest of the sports media to hype “athletic” quarterbacks who seldom succeed in the NFL. Look at the quarterbacks who have won Super Bowls. Virtually all are pocket passers. A few could scramble and run a little but that’s not what their winning offenses were built around.
February 5th, 2022 at 11:07 am
Mobility can be a knifes edge,… too much and the guy is cornerback food. Just the right amount to escape pressure and keep series alive…. golden.
February 5th, 2022 at 11:20 am
Today’s NFL requires a QB that is at least elusive like Burrow. Only Tom Brady can be a statue and succeed because he processes so quickly and gets rid of the ball. No young QB can do that.
February 5th, 2022 at 12:08 pm
Look at his senior highlights and last year’s preseason. His decision-making seems to be good but the ball does not come out of his hand like an NFL QB. There doesn’t appear to my eye that there’s enough zip to fit it in tight NFL windows. That being said, only the Bucs know, but my guess is that Trask got very little work in practice and nothing with the #1’s
That being said, it sends a big “rebuild” message to veterans who want to win now if you go into the year with Trask as the starter. Now, if they can get Jimmy G at $10-$15 million for one year, that makes sense to me as the “least worst” option. Jimmy G is solid and if he gets hurt and Trask comes in, there’s no pressure on Trask and the vets are going to be far more forgiving to his inevitable mistakes.
February 5th, 2022 at 2:19 pm
Trashk will stare down his number one and force it to him, especially when the team is behind. He is Wuerfful with a stronger srm snd not as much brains.
February 5th, 2022 at 3:18 pm
Swampbuc Says: “Trashk will stare down his number one and force it to him.”
Spoken like a true moron. Trask is a master at seeing the field and throwing to all receivers.
February 5th, 2022 at 3:20 pm
Rob In Land O Lakes Says: “There doesn’t appear to my eye that there’s enough zip to fit it in tight NFL windows.”
Hurry! Call the NFL scouts! They rate Trask as having plenty arm strength for the NFL and are obviously wrong! Let them know!
February 5th, 2022 at 3:27 pm
@joeinmichigan
My point is if you were following a patriots blog site or falcons blog site in that year would there have been absolute silence on those players like there is on trask. I havent really heard anything promising from teammates or coaches or media thats attended practice for there to be that potential situation next season with trask.
February 5th, 2022 at 3:30 pm
Here are some actual NFL scouting reports on Trask before the 2021 draft:
“Above-average zip and velocity on his passes.”
“Completed passes with an average depth of target of 10.1 yards – one of the highest of all QBs in this year’s draft class.”
February 5th, 2022 at 5:28 pm
I’m gonna guess that the guys bitching about Trask now, are the same ones who were complaining that we “Wasted” a second round pick on a QB last year! I’d say it was a pretty smart move, and his time is here!
February 5th, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Potentially smart move but how do you know the times now based on what
February 5th, 2022 at 6:57 pm
Great qb’s are very few and far in between. They do seem to know well before anyone else that they will succeed however.
February 5th, 2022 at 8:58 pm
Someone saying trask wide stance is an issue never watched Peyton Manning play. Trask has also said he modeled his game after manning. To be honestly he actually doesn’t look that much different then Peyton in college. Trask if he repeated his college performance and stayed another year at UF would probably be a top 10 pick in this years draft.
Go back and watch his games vs Georgia and Alabama. He got better the more games he played. He also had a sh!t defense. He has a quick release and really good pocket awareness. I was impressed by his NFL preseason games as well. Lots of drops by his receivers but his ball placement was really good.
February 6th, 2022 at 5:27 am
@JMark
I accept your point about the “fly in my ointment” and agree. In fact it’s part of my point.
Let’s draft a couple of studs on the D…DL and CB and see if we can’t match that vaunted 2002 defense. Is that a challenge? ABSOLUTELY. But the way these guys played in the SB run makes me believe they just might get close…close enough that another “Bull” could take us …All…THE…WAY.
February 6th, 2022 at 7:40 am
His mobility might not be an issue.
But that noodle arm wiould be huge- if he ever plays.
Which I doubt.
Kid was a wasted pick
February 6th, 2022 at 12:18 pm
Mobility isn’t important as long as the QB:
1. Has a quick release
2. Can process the action on the field after the snap
3. Has good pocket awareness, both sensing and anticipating pressure
4. Has a good O Line and a quality check-down option
5. A coaching staff that is flexible enough to work within the skill set of the QB, rather than forcing the QB into what they want. Trask is not a “No risk it, no biscuit” QB, not at this juncture.
His release needs work, though that’s not the worst part of his mechanics as his footwork was awful during the sample we saw during the video samples from camp. He’s had almost a year to clean up those issues.
The part we don’t know is his ability to process the field. That’s tricky, both scouts and we lowly amateur fans can be fooled by one-look throwing QBs. In college you can get away with that, in the pros the defenses are fast and coverages can be a chess problem for some QBs (particularly rookie QBs). I didn’t see much video of him having to work the field, looking for a secondary or tertiary target, that was a major problem when I looked at the tape for Zach Wilson. For the life of me, I didn’t understand why Wilson was so well-regarded; he looked OK but I never saw anything that screamed second overall pick. I want to see a QB working the field when his primary receiver is covered, preferably while the QB is under serious pressure. That’s when you get confidence that a QB might have what it takes to succeed in the NFL.
Pocket awareness is important for non-mobile QBs. Look at Jimmy G, this is perhaps the root of his problems. He simply doesn’t have the peripheral vision and doesn’t have the calm, mental clock in his brain to know when and where to step up as the pressure mounts after the snap. Think about it and watch Jimmy G, because that internal clock will fall apart in the biggest games if your emotions run away from you. Brady is ice, Jimmy G melts.
The O Line and quality check down options are not within the traits of QB evaluation, but I’m throwing it in because to me the topic is “What does it take for a non-mobile QB to succeed?”. I mention it here because I don’t think Jensen is returning. Cappa might leave as well. There are some trade-offs coming due to the cap.
Finally, until Trask cleans up his mechanics (especially that footwork) he’s a danger for INTs whenever he fires off a deep pass. I keep mentioning the footwork for a reason, it affects what you can put behind that ball and it affects your ability to set yourself for quick releases in the pocket. Footwork, footwork, footwork.