Lay Off Baker Mayfield!
May 31st, 2023
Unfair freakout.
Joe noticed last week people going mental on social media after Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield overthrew a tight end.
The sheer horror! Overthrowing a tight end. In underwear football. In warmups. Without facing a defense. In May.
Oh, the humanity!
After practice, Mayfield said the key to May underwear football practices is to get timing down. You know, like learning to be on the same page as a tight end?
Yesterday, the same thing happened. Mayfield — in warmups! — overthrew a tight end. This clip got out on social media and folks were having a coronary. Joe even had a Bucs fan reach out with a copy of the video asking if the Bucs quarterbacks are really this bad.
Well, Tom Brady isn’t the quarterback any longer. So naturally the quarterback position is going to be downgraded. Even Baker Mayfield said when he first signed he’s no Tom Brady. Who the hell is?
Ree-lax, folks. Freaking out over one bad pass in an underwear football practice in warmups without a defense is nothing to go mental about. How do we know that the tight end wasn’t slow off the line of scrimmage, which caused the ball to sail over his head?
It’s May. Getting bent over one overthrown pass (per practice) in May is like going to a Rays game and going mental over Zach Eflin throwing a curveball in the dirt during warmups before the start of the second inning.
In the video below, Evan Closky of WTSP-TV Channel 10 explains that Mayfield throwing one bad pass in warmups in practice is no reason to start burning Mayfield jerseys on Dale Mabry Highway and begin stomping your feet for Caleb Williams (#CollapseForCaleb).
In May!
Last week, Baker Mayfield & Kyle Trask were crucified for *one* errant throw each.
This week, objectively speaking, there were a lot of bad throws.
Conclusion? It is May 30th people.
It's like ripping into pitchers during the start of Spring Training. #GoBucs | @10TampaBay pic.twitter.com/QCZJmes8zW
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) May 30, 2023
May 31st, 2023 at 3:51 am
Lost season!
May 31st, 2023 at 4:02 am
Da Bucs Guy Says:
May 31st, 2023 at 3:51 am
Lost season!
^^^^^^^^^
You’ve probably had 4 or 5 different “names” on JBF, and will have another if the Bucs have a good season.
May 31st, 2023 at 4:09 am
@joe in Michigan
So you are saying that I will have this name at least for the next couple of years.
May 31st, 2023 at 4:19 am
The throws look to be timing issues with the receivers. Hopefully it’s just that and nothing more. You can see the QBs release the ball at the point of the route just as the receiver makes his break, so that’s a timing/route issue.
That can be fixed with reps.
May 31st, 2023 at 4:50 am
We are talking about practice, right. Practice, not the real game; practice…😂😂😂😂
May 31st, 2023 at 5:18 am
I’m just scared this season is gonna set the team and organization back so far it could years and years until Bucs are even mildly interesting again.
It didn’t have to be this way.
May 31st, 2023 at 5:24 am
Pinch me.
This is awesome.
We got a super bowl w the Goat.
We drafted a QB in the second round two years ago, who got to sit back and and full throttle develop.
We brought in a former #1 pick to compete.
This is awesome.
For the, “it didn’t have to be this way” crowd, I take it you are a Jameis/FSU honk, bc let’s get serious, our last few years were out of a story.
May 31st, 2023 at 5:34 am
SteveK Says:
May 31st, 2023 at 5:24 am
Pinch me.
This is awesome.
We got a super bowl w the Goat.
We drafted a QB in the second round two years ago, who got to sit back and and full throttle develop.
We brought in a former #1 pick to compete.
This is awesome.
For the, “it didn’t have to be this way” crowd, I take it you are a Jameis/FSU honk, bc let’s get serious, our last few years were out of a story.
^^^^^^^^
Thank you for your positive post, Sir! I feel the same way, and don’t get the “misery” that some of these goofballs preach.
May 31st, 2023 at 5:59 am
Those big linemen were standing in the way.
May 31st, 2023 at 6:23 am
Um Joe…Why no rants about Kyle Trask?
Layoff Kyle Trask!
Geez
May 31st, 2023 at 6:32 am
So to support your demand that we lay off Baker Mayfield you bring in the big guns Joe? Evan Closky?
That’s playing pretty rough. BTW, who exactly is Evan Closky that we should care what he thinks about Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask?
May 31st, 2023 at 6:38 am
Another feather in the cap of Brady/Arians would be the development of Trask. Here’s to hope, he’s got the size, a great attitude and works his tail off. Hoping he shines and can win the job.
May 31st, 2023 at 6:46 am
“learning to be on the same page as a receiver”
That was not an issue last season when a quarterback threw to a backup though was it?
May 31st, 2023 at 7:08 am
Never seen Joe in the tank for someone like this.
May 31st, 2023 at 7:14 am
“Burning Maybefield’s jersey”, who in the world is dumb enough to buy such garbage?
May 31st, 2023 at 7:20 am
SteveK I take it you’re a Trask/Gator honk holding on to the time Trask almost beat Alabama bc let’s get serious, only Gator fans and his mom believe Trask is a story.
May 31st, 2023 at 7:27 am
Why is it in Tampa that the backup or in this case the third string QB is always the goober smoochers favorite player? Y’all are truly embarrassing. People calling for Trask is exactly why 29 other football cities laugh at us.
May 31st, 2023 at 7:34 am
Nah, Baker Mayfield is kind of trash throwing across the formation and he’s shown that tendency to let passes sail on his WRs in Cleveland and briefly in Carolina.
May 31st, 2023 at 7:46 am
Lol “Leave Britney Alone!” haha
May 31st, 2023 at 7:52 am
BA’s Red pen, how do 29 other teams laugh at us? Pittsburgh, New England (thanks for the superbowl with Tom) Dallass, (been what? 30 years since last superbowl) sanfran,…… Bucs are tied for 11th in SB wins so about 1/2 the league would LOVE to be in our shoes, get some perspective you miserable bastard.
May 31st, 2023 at 7:55 am
Not to mention, alot of these teams were getting shots at superbowls before the Bucs ever started.
May 31st, 2023 at 7:55 am
Yes, the videos are all over Facebook Groups, and the cause of much alarm.
I have seen the videos and I must admit they make our quarterbacks look bad, in the same way a highlight video makes some players look good.
May 31st, 2023 at 7:57 am
It would be more embarrassing to have Baker Mayfield as our starting quarterback. Last year he threw 10 Touchdowns and 8 interceptions and was a huge contributor to Carolina getting the NUMBER ONE OVERALL DRAFT PICK!!
May 31st, 2023 at 7:58 am
DR,
I didn’t know Evan Closky either. However, I found this segment to be pretty darn solid.
May 31st, 2023 at 8:05 am
BA’s Red Pen Says:
May 31st, 2023 at 7:20 am
SteveK I take it you’re a Trask/Gator honk holding on to the time Trask almost beat Alabama bc let’s get serious, only Gator fans and his mom believe Trask is a story.
BA’s Red Pen Says:
May 31st, 2023 at 7:27 am
Why is it in Tampa that the backup or in this case the third string QB is always the goober smoochers favorite player? Y’all are truly embarrassing. People calling for Trask is exactly why 29 other football cities laugh at us
@ BA’s red pen,
The Brady saga was absolutely out of a story. I have hope for Trask. I’d he doesn’t do well, then draft and try again.
We got a super bowl w the goat- that’s epic!
We drafted a 6’5’’ QB who played pretty good in the SEC.
I’ll take this year for the Brady years, and I am pumped that BA and TB signed off on Trask as a prospect. Trask works hard and has always pushed himself to wait for his turn.
I’m very tired of the point, “but he didn’t dress last year, he was 3rd strong!!!??!”
Of course he was! Brady wanted an experienced backup
To help w the game planning. Trask was then afforded the opportunity to fully develop and Brady wasn’t tasked w coaching up his backup. It was best for all involved and a smart move by Licht.
I lmao at all the fans that would gladly watch and decent americas turnover machine, when the resulted were dreadful: turnover margin. Here is to hope that Trask is ready to go!
May 31st, 2023 at 8:06 am
I’m 72 games Mayfields record is 33-39. And that includes at least 4 years in Cleveland with a great defense and 5 years with Nick Chubb in the backfield.
May 31st, 2023 at 8:09 am
In his NFL career, 102 TOUCHDOWNS 64 interceptions
May 31st, 2023 at 8:11 am
And they say WE are crazy because we want Trask to start.
May 31st, 2023 at 8:19 am
The number 1 contributor to Carolina getting the initial number 9 pick in the draft before the trade to number 1 was coach Matt Rhule. Supposedly an offensive coach, he just did not put his quarterbacks in position to win with his horrible game planning and calling.
In his last 17 games as head coach, Rhule’s team only had 11 passing TD’s during that time frame. Kinda makes Brian Leftwich look good.
May 31st, 2023 at 9:10 am
The reaction to Mayfield and Trask missing rookie TEs is over the top. We have no idea what specific routes they were working on or if the rookies were in the wrong spot. This may come as a surprise to some people but often times QBs throw to a spot to where they expect their receiver to be. I know, shocking right?
May 31st, 2023 at 9:14 am
The last paragraph of the story is a tipoff.
May 31st, 2023 at 9:41 am
ATLBuc Says:
May 31st, 2023 at 8:06 am
… with a great defense
Do you even follow the NFL? Great defense?
BTW in first 3 seasons, Baker’s record was 23 and 22. The Browns were 1-31 in the two years before Baker arrived.
In his first 3 seasons, Justin Herbert’s record is 25 and 24. The Chargers were 17-15 the two years before Herbert arrived.
Just wanted to give some different context from the Baker hate that some fans seem to have.
Actually, not a Baker fan except that now he is a Buc. Want to give the dude a chance. The coaches will let the best player between Baker and Trask win in the end.
May 31st, 2023 at 9:54 am
A few years ago the Gators were wondering if there was life after Trask. Now Bucs fans are wondering if there is life after Brady.
I will accept a guy who already left big shoes to fill. Trask has my faith until he proves me wrong.
Mayfly has already left a bunch of teams without leaving even footprints behind, much less shoes to fill.
I will not lay off Mayfly until he can prove that his footsteps resound around the NFL. He has never done that , that I can see.
May 31st, 2023 at 10:30 am
Do I wish Brady could have played like the “GOAT“ as the Bucs quarterback, forever? Sure, most of us probably do. But that ship has definitely sailed. There are only two, maybe three quarterbacks in the entire league that could step in to a new system, and play at the caliber, Tom Brady did over his career. If I remember right, his last year in Tampa wasn’t exactly the kind of year that dreams are made of. Unless you can put on pads, a helmet and get your butt out on the field….sit down, shut up and give these guys a chance. If some of you were half as intelligent as you think you are when it comes to football, you would be on the sidelines and not home sitting in a chair, drinking a beer.
May 31st, 2023 at 10:32 am
Let Baker get into preseason before hiding in your bunker with your tin foil hat. He doesn’t have to be Tom Brady, he just has to be Trent Dilfer circa 2000. If he keeps the INTs down, we have a fighting chance if the defense is improved from last year.
We can win with a strong defense, so to me, that’s the bigger question with Jensen’s ability to bounce back and the new-look OL gelling being the second biggest question. Baker will get bailed out a lot by Evans, Godwin, and hopefully Otton. If the OL is much better, the running game should also be improved.
Baker and Trask are not the single most important question mark going into the season. Dave Canales has to show something too. But, I’ll bet he won’t be worse than Leftnut (without a chaperone)
May 31st, 2023 at 11:14 am
Haha these QBs are so bad they are going viral for the pathetic throws at practice. We are getting the number 1 pick next year. Get ready for a lot of young talent next year with top pics in every round.
May 31st, 2023 at 11:17 am
Nobody knows what we may have in Trask or even Mayfield at this point. If the defense, o-line and running game excel, all either has to be is a competent “game manager” and protect the ball.
Shoot, even the GOAT was a game manager (with a flair for the dramatic) his first few years. He had no big-time weapons but had a good running game and stout defense. Tedy Bruschi even admitted that he didn’t think TB12 was anything special until after they won their SECOND Super Bowl and he saw him at practice every day prior to that.
Our 2 guys have actual weapons to throw to and hopefully a new OC who can keep them focused on limiting mistakes.
I’ll start worrying about Mayfield or Trask when or if they start stinking up the place in an actual game.
May 31st, 2023 at 11:28 am
Baker will be ok….he’ll flash a little and he’ll piss us off a little….expected,
All good. 6-7 wins, but i think we should still trade up for Caleb and just get it over with.
May 31st, 2023 at 11:35 am
None of it matters anyway. This team now has the worst HC in the NFL for his 2nd year. He gradually takes good teams and makes them worse.
May 31st, 2023 at 11:39 am
People just follow along with the opinions of the national media. Some people are like lemmings and have that herd mentality to just go with the common opinion even if it is not in alignment with the current situation as it is playing out this off-season. I believe that we are going to be pretty good this season and the team will be actually entertaining to watch. Last season sucked and I see the offense and defense as being better this year. Just having Leftnut not calling plays and a distracted QB who kinda was checked out retired, will show up big time with a fresh new offense. I believe the biggest factor for a good season is that our OL and DL IMO are going to both be dominant this season and that will allow everyone else to succeed.
May 31st, 2023 at 11:50 am
Problem with Baker is his track record. And the problem with Trask is a lack of one. I still say Bucs should have gone after Brisset. But when them paper sacks over heads start appearing, its gonna be like an inoperable Brain Tumor. At least Bowles won’t be the only Buc to shown the door huh?
May 31st, 2023 at 12:24 pm
So…while I do think it is overblown…beyond overblown…it’s certainly not encouraging. I mean, the passes from last week were only 10 yards.
And to me, the whole ‘it’s practice! Underwear football!’ just means they should be throwing better since the passes are not defended.
So, with that being said…let’s not get our panties in a twist. The season is toast probably anyway, barring a huge surprise from Trask (not Mayfield obviously). It’s a price worth paying.
Gotta say, if every ring cost us 1-2 crappy seasons? I think that’s a good deal. We’d have a lot more rings by now.
May 31st, 2023 at 12:27 pm
@Mike Johnson
I think you hit the nail on the head.
That’s why I’m certain Mayfield is not the answer…and why I’m giving Trask a very slight chance in my mind. Untested means unproven in either direction, right?
I know the odds are against either of them. All I have is hope for Trask, but I’m also realistic. It is what it is…this year.
May 31st, 2023 at 12:27 pm
Glass half full
We know exactly what we have in Baker. That’s why it’s absurd that some wants him to be our starting quarterback. Trask on the other hand could possibly perform as well as or better than Brock Purdy.
May 31st, 2023 at 12:27 pm
Collapse for Caleb!
May 31st, 2023 at 12:28 pm
Glass Half Full Guy Says:
May 31st, 2023 at 11:17 am
“Nobody knows what we may have in Trask or even Mayfield at this point.”
We know exactly what we have in Mayfield. There are just some people who do not want to acknowledge it.
May 31st, 2023 at 12:31 pm
Personally, I’m hoping Trask does well…but if not, I’m hoping he is good enough to become our long-term backup. That means the more he’s put to the test the better.
Mayfield will begin as starter…of that I have no doubt.
If Bowles allows Trask to be starter at the beginning of the season, well…it would completely surprise me…because the writing is on the wall…he wants an experienced starter to save his job.
May 31st, 2023 at 12:39 pm
ATLBuc,
Good points on both QBs. My only misgivings about Mayfield are him trying to play the hero and put the game squarely on his shoulders which is when he sometimes can, but mostly can’t. Let’s see if our new OC can keep that in check.
As for Trask, I don’t expect him to outright suck and he very well may make some believers out of ppl. Who thought Brock Purdy could do anything? Trask has the size and tools and 3 seasons of NFL study and prep.
Now watch Wolford win the job and make all of this moot. Lol
I can’t wait for opening day!
May 31st, 2023 at 1:03 pm
Buc1987 Says: “Collapse for Caleb!”
It worked when we collapsed for Jameis, so why not? Oh … wait.
May 31st, 2023 at 1:16 pm
Yes, an absolute over reaction based on the errant throws. I do think the growing number of errant throws can make people a little uncomfortable. As somebody who was born and raised in Cleveland, I can say with quite a bit of confidence that Baker ain’t it….for anybody. Haha Yes, he had success in moments. A lot of that was scheming and I truly feel they stopped scheming as in depth as they did once they got frustrated with his personality and locker room presence. Obviously just an opinion but many reports seem to back that. I think, once they let him have more control and say in how things go on the field, he crumbled and quite aggressively might I add. People want to point to Baker’s comeback win as a Ram. It was his most successful game as a Ram by far and reports show that Stafford was in his ear on mic during that game walking him through reads and coverage breakdown. It will come down to coaching a lot more than people realize when it comes to Baker Mayfield.
May 31st, 2023 at 1:51 pm
It seemed like Joe saw a good number of great passes in the practice that he watched, and I saw a few on some scanty video. I will bet there were more good ones than bad ones for both of our QBs, even if this was PRACTICE.
May 31st, 2023 at 2:59 pm
Amen.
May 31st, 2023 at 3:15 pm
Yes, lay off.
A man is discouraged and sometimes defeated by hate and criticism.
The Lord says Judge not that
you may be judged.
Romans 1.
May 31st, 2023 at 4:37 pm
I for one am excited about this season, so many new players and positions to watch, Wirfs moving to other side, young draft picks to watch grow, a new O.C, Bowles in his second year. Plus the QB duel will be fun to watch and see who comes out victorious! Maybe one of them can actually scramble for a key 3 and 9 with their feet and keep drives alive! Something poor Brady could almost never do, at least Baker has that one small facet over Tom. Regardless of struggles a true Buc fan will enjoy the process. We had an amazing run last 3 years, but it’s not all gloom and doom if u love football and this team. I for one can’t wait to watch it all play out, and maybe just maybe we turn out to be good, we have enough savvy vets and young guns to hopefully get it done. If not I’ll still tune in every week, just like u
May 31st, 2023 at 5:06 pm
Amen Kidfloflo! Spoken like a true fan.
May 31st, 2023 at 6:58 pm
Yes, the Bucs should layoff Baker so he can find another team.
May 31st, 2023 at 10:26 pm
It’s going to be funny when the Buc’s beat the crap out of everyone,
May 31st, 2023 at 11:20 pm
^^^^
Disagree with this take.
June 1st, 2023 at 1:25 am
Umm… May the Best Buccaneer Win?
Geez… An edited practice video and idiots come out of the woodwork!
June 1st, 2023 at 8:00 am
Pouty Face Whining Here We Come!
June 1st, 2023 at 10:38 am
I just do not get the Caleb lovefest our fans have. WHat has Caleb done in the NFL? Has he had his first NFL practice? Has he oh my GAWD missed his first pass to a TE? This kid has played at USC for 2 seasons. What makes his National Championship game so special? Oh yeah, he hasn’t made it to that big game. What makes all these “(CollapseforCaleb)” think he will come in and win in the NFL, for the Bucs, if we draft him? Our team has had several #1 QB picks… How many have lit it up in their first season? How many were offered a second contract?
I am all for drafting a QB in the 24 draft class. Oregon QB Dix is my choice, he should be there for us when we draft next season regardless of our W/L record. If we did draft Caleb, I will be a fan he is a BUC. I am just not sold on him as our QB, who we collapse for. I would rather our team fights like hell to win this season and move forward with what we have, and add to it with draft picks like we did this draft season.
GO!!!!!BUCS!!!!!
June 1st, 2023 at 10:52 am
You could say that about *every* college football player so with that logic, you would trade away all your draft picks.
If you don’t know why folks are so high on Caleb Williams, that tells Joe you either haven’t watched him play or if you did, you were blind drunk and don’t remember a thing.
Now you really are trolling. Bo Nix??? Ask Auburn fans about him. When Bo Nix was at Auburn, he was an ATM in road games. As in the home team would always cover.
Bo Nix isn’t even the second-best PAC-12 quarterback.
June 1st, 2023 at 5:19 pm
Joe . If the bucs couldn’t developed a quarterback that threw for more touchdowns, yards, and had a higher completion rate than any quarterback in college in 2020 plus played in the SEC and had 2 years to learn behind Brady and the bucs drop the ball on him . What makes you think they will developed a quarterback from next year draft?? Caleb Williams played in a trash conference and still couldn’t make the playoffs with first round talent around him . The only thing the bucs have done is destroy every quarterback they have ever drafted careers all but one and that’s Steve Young because he left and went to the 49ers . I have no confidence in this team developing a quarterback. The bucs need to try and build a great defense and have a good running game with a average quarterback just not a old guy that will retire after 2 years. But them keep drafting quarterbacks just to keep failing them ain’t it . You can’t keep blaming the quarterbacks you drafted when the team has never developed a quarterback in the history of the franchise.
June 1st, 2023 at 10:31 pm
Do not expect too much from Trask who has never practiced with ones but an experienced Baker has no excuse to miss a receiver two weeks from now.