What If One Quarterback Starts Acting Like The Top Dog? Todd Bowles Answers.
April 10th, 2023
“Kyle, you need a plan.”
So what happens if Baker Mayfield organizes throwing sessions with receivers and running backs in Tampa later this month and starts communicating regulary with his skill positions players in a text group and via Instagram?
You know, acting like the top-dog QB when he’s barely begun to compete for the job.
Twenty-five years ago a quarterback competition meant two QBs showed up for work on Day 1 and tried to impress coaches. The modern era of communication and connection enables a more complicated the process.
Joe talked about that with Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles recently during a 1-on-1 sitdown.
Bowles is all for Baker Mayfield or competing Kyle Trask trying to grab the reins in his own way this offseason, but it won’t make much of a difference in the competition, he said.
“Acting like the top dog has nothing to do with play,” Bowles said. “That’s nice and all but, you know, you coach football and you give everybody the ample opportunities and it’s going to be a process. It’s not going to be a one-day or a one-week thing. And you give it a process. To act like the top dog and to get together and throw, I think it’s great for guys to get to know each other; it has nothing to do with the competition. So from a coaching standpoint, you don’t mind it, because you like your guys getting together when they can get together and it helps camaraderie. But we’ll see when the play starts what happens.”
Joe believes Bowles, but Bowles also was adamant with Joe that leadership prowess will be a component of the starting quarterback decision. So Joe has to think actions taken to bond with teammates this offseason could be a critical for Mayfield or Trask, or both.
April 10th, 2023 at 1:13 pm
I agree, text messages and organized unofficial practices do not rule over dropping dimes and throwing picks in practice.
April 10th, 2023 at 1:19 pm
Mayfield has proven that he’s not actually anyone’s top dog.
He’s closer to a bust.
April 10th, 2023 at 1:29 pm
They didn’t even trust Trask enough to dress him. Unless he grows by leaps and bounds in camp, baker is the unquestioned front runner. If they draft a QB, its quite possible Trask is still the third stringer. This isn’t Trask hate. It’s the reality of the situation based on how they’ve used him, or rather not used him. Bowles said Trask needs competition. He’s had competition and hasn’t performed. Again, not me but from what he’s shown them. Anyone who thinks he hasn’t had a fair look, either doesn’t understand how the league works, or is a conspiracy theorist.
April 10th, 2023 at 1:32 pm
Trying to be the clubhouse leader when you haven’t won the job yet could create some friction. Trask at least knows the guys. If he’s beaten by a vet, no harm. If Mayfield tried to take the reigns and then Trask beat him out, that would be a little weird. Not fatal, but weird.
April 10th, 2023 at 1:34 pm
I’m chuckling at the thought of everyone else wearing their uniforms, and Trask is standing there in his underwear…………..
April 10th, 2023 at 1:35 pm
It would be rude to act like a top dog before you were selected….rude and presumptuous.
April 10th, 2023 at 1:38 pm
I’m sure if Mayfield wants to do some off the books throwing to receivers, and backs he’d also want Trask there. One arm would wear out fast, plus that’s what being a good teammate is about. Having your competition with you, because in the end your teammates.
April 10th, 2023 at 1:45 pm
“You know, acting like the top-dog QB when he’s barely begun to compete for the job.”
Actually – that’s exactly what you want from your QB!
April 10th, 2023 at 1:48 pm
I think to be an effective leader that a high social IQ is important. So if those QBs are unable to engage their teammates without making fools of themselves, maybe they should not be the face of a franchise. While it may not affect the “competition,” it would be foolish for these guys to passively sit around waiting for a poor leader like Bowles to give them permission.
I personally believe they both should be hungrily reaching for the reigns to prove themselves. Who wants a wilting wallflower leading their team? A QB should want to lead.
April 10th, 2023 at 1:53 pm
GF, roflmao 🤣, let’s just pray he keeps his underoos on.
April 10th, 2023 at 1:54 pm
Until you’ve EARNED that respect from your teammates, coming in there acting like you’re the new boss especially in this circumstance seems presumptuous and weak. If you really want to be seen as the leader, have the confidence to let it play out, bet on yourself and be a good teammate. Servant leadership will gain you more respect than waving your junk around.
April 10th, 2023 at 1:57 pm
You mean like Jameis and Devin ?
April 10th, 2023 at 2:00 pm
^^Tim, I see your point, but leadership is not walking into a room and bossing people around. It would be foolish to start hurling commands to Evans, Godwin, etc. They could lead by asking questions, getting in extra gym time, etc. This is why a high social IQ is import. Idk about you, but I never thought barking bosses were good leaders. There are more subtle ways to lead
April 10th, 2023 at 2:01 pm
@SB Yeah pretty much.
April 10th, 2023 at 2:08 pm
“this is the process of losing” -Todd Bowles
April 10th, 2023 at 2:18 pm
Mayfly has all of the arrogance, so he will try to take over.
Hope he doesn’t end up looking like a fool.
April 10th, 2023 at 2:57 pm
DISAGREE 100%
You don’t think Evans and Godwin have a voice in the decision of who’s under center?
If one QB shows initiative and gets in extra work with the WR, then that QB will have an advantage. They’ll get the starting reps, they’ll have rapport with the WR, they’ll have the timing down, and they’ll look better in practice.
Mike wants his 1000. The Bucs will go with whoever he thinks will get him the ball.
April 10th, 2023 at 3:08 pm
This is the silly season….Everything that Coaches say at this point of the year is smoke filled BS.
Of course every roster role is up for competition, except for the ones that aren’t…
But the FO targeted & brought in an swaggy alpha Type A to counter balance the mild mannered beta Type B already on the roster. Baker’s signing was a calculated move…You don’t make that move if there’s any chance Trask is the future of the franchise.
(IMO…Baker’s not the experienced / late career Mentor type that would have been targeted, if Trask was considered a real QB1 option!!!)
April 10th, 2023 at 3:13 pm
So is that going to be Mayfield’s moniker? Swaggy Baker?
April 10th, 2023 at 3:38 pm
If I was Trask, I would already have been organizing some throwing sessions with Evans, Godwin, Gage, etc…
Mayfield would be smart to do the same. Heck- they could both organize it together!
April 10th, 2023 at 3:39 pm
Swaggy Baker LOFL
April 10th, 2023 at 3:49 pm
Backstabbing Bowles is hoping Mayfield will bail him out this year so he can keep his job. 8
April 10th, 2023 at 3:56 pm
Hodad Says:
April 10th, 2023 at 1:38 pm
I’m sure if Mayfield wants to do some off the books throwing to receivers, and backs he’d also want Trask there. One arm would wear out fast, plus that’s what being a good teammate is about. Having your competition with you, because in the end your teammates.
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Yeah, he WILL want Trask there. He won’t want to risk splitting the locker room even before training camp begins! Mayfield will do everything within his power to win the job, but he’ll do it through a fair competition. Excluding Trask during off-season get-togethers could be dangerous for him. If he wants to display his leadership qualities then organizing such off-season workouts with his receivers and ALL the QBs will help. It’s not like in recent years when Brady was already the starting QB and there was no need to compete.
April 10th, 2023 at 4:01 pm
That’s all part of the competition. The competition has already started, and it’s smart for both QBs to do everything they can do to maximize their chances of success. Mayfield knows this. He’s a veteran. Trask may not know it. He’s a hesitant rookie / BUQB. Go ahead, act like the top dog. It’s good. That’s confidence! If I was Trask, I would schedule a two week QB training session with top notch QB coaches. Brady used to do it to hone his skills and work on his mechanics. Jalen Hurts has done it. Let’s be honest. The chance thar Trask is going to out compete a veteran like Mayfield is very close to zero, not zero, but something like one outta twenty. Yeh, Baker go Shake & Bake! Act like the top dog dude, cuz you are the top dog! Go Bucs!
April 10th, 2023 at 5:06 pm
When I was a youngun’, and started actin’ a fool, Mama used to slap me upside the head. Bowles needs to start slappin’ a fool who gets outta line.
April 10th, 2023 at 6:23 pm
Leadership is highly overrated. The only true motivation in doing well, comws from within a person. Rah Rah motivation is very short lived & does nothing in the long run. Either you have it or you don’t..
April 10th, 2023 at 6:29 pm
I get the feeling that Mayfield will be a bad loser and could possibly be a cancer if not given his way.
April 10th, 2023 at 7:07 pm
Organizing teammates and building camaraderie seems like part of the job. Maybe Trask is a gamer, though.
April 10th, 2023 at 7:22 pm
I get the feeling that this group of men won’t tolerate a locker room cancer, but of course a Trask slurper would say something stupid like that.
April 10th, 2023 at 7:53 pm
No matter who starts, can either make it through a full season? Trask has never done it yet in the NFL, and Baker has missed games do to injury. Chances are both will play this year.
April 10th, 2023 at 9:32 pm
Why not both Mayfield and Trask get together with the WRs? Problem solved.
April 10th, 2023 at 9:35 pm
Goatf_ _k’r
You always want to make it personal. It amazes me how pip-squeaks always act tough on the internet. You’re a joke lil’ man.
April 11th, 2023 at 1:10 am
So, I’m not even sure if half the people even read the article, or just responded to the title.
Bowles once again shows he is an idiot.
If course these And should be organising activities! First, t’s a new offense, so getting on age the same page quickly is important.
Secondly, which ever QB does it will show the rest of the team he’s hungry, and if the players want you, it will make it hard to bench you.
It won’t be rude. It wouldn’t be presumptuous.
It would be smart. The NFL is now limiting practices more. The players better be doing stuff on their own!
Being a new offense and all, it doesn’t surprise me that we haven’t heard anything yet, but if it doesn’t happen soon, we’re screwed.
The least they can do is well-written to help learn the new playbook!
April 11th, 2023 at 1:11 am
I hate auto correct.
April 11th, 2023 at 4:58 am
Swaggy (tree humper) Baker acted like the top dog too… let that sink in.
April 11th, 2023 at 7:49 am
I have read here that Todd has seen Trask working alone in the off season and last year. My question is why aren”t some of our “leaders” or guys trying to get some playing time on the field with him? Is this coaching? Is this players? Is this lack of leaders in the clubhouse? Or are there guys out there with him who just were not mentioned?
If he is actually alone out there I think there is a real problem at One Buc!
April 11th, 2023 at 9:22 am
If one of them wants to ACT like top dog, they’ll invite all the backs and receivers AND the other QB. The top dog has nothing to fear except a lost opportunity to prove their superiority. Besides that, Mayfield can learn the players from Trask and Trask can learn the offense from Mayfield. This would be win-win.
April 11th, 2023 at 2:53 pm
Garro . I wonder why he’s out there alone to and I do know one thing that’s not the way to develop any quarterback.