“At First He Was A Little Nervous, A Little Skittish”
August 4th, 2023
A fresh Friday take on the Kyle Trask experience from one of the great Buccaneers on the roster.
Tristan Wirfs took to the WDAE airwaves and talked about the quarterback competition between Wirfs’ good friend and training camp suitemate, Baker Mayfield, and Kyle Trask.
Wirfs said the usual stuff about Mayfield’s leadership and their friendship, and then he weighed in on Trask.
Joe was surprised that Wirfs said Trask was a bit nervous when jumping in with the first team but is “starting to” come around.
“Trask has been awesome. I feel like he’s starting to just blossom,” Wirfs said. “Every day he comes out and gets better. You know, he had a couple years to sit behind Tom and Blaine, you know those guys, learn a little bit. At first he was a little nervous, a little skittish, kind of being the one in command. I think he’s kind of starting to get that swag about him, that presence about him in the huddle.”
Joe gets a guy being nervous, but it hits a different level when your teammates see it, especially for a third-year player like Trask.
Week 1 kicks off in 37 days. Joe feels a litle uneasy about Trask if Wirfs is staying Trask is now “kind of starting” to command the huddle like a starter.
That doesn’t mean Trask can’t handle the job, but perhaps he’s not mentally ready for prime time?
August 4th, 2023 at 1:24 pm
Only one way to find out
August 4th, 2023 at 1:31 pm
This just proves that Arians/Leftwich did not or cannot develop QB’s. Guess that is why Arians had to buy a top notch QB to have any success.
August 4th, 2023 at 1:32 pm
Geez, you can’t even read your own quote of Tristan Wirfs, you know Joe, when he says “At first … every day he comes out and gets better.”
Being ready to play by Week 1 is what every player on every team is focused on during the preseason. Nobody starts training camp the same as they play in Week One.
August 4th, 2023 at 1:35 pm
I hope and pray im wrong, but anyone who’s watched the NFL for a long time knows, if you have 2 QBs, you have NO quarterback.
Kyle Trask could become a Brad Johnson, Jake Delhome, but in my days as a Bucs fan, which are longer than Ira’s by a couple seasons, I only see the “we have two QBs” of the past: Golsteyn/Thompson, Testaverde/Chandler, DeBerg/Erickson, Glennon/McCown
August 4th, 2023 at 1:40 pm
‘Joe feels a litle uneasy about Trask if Wirfs is saying Trask is now “kind of starting” to command the huddle like a starter. That doesn’t mean Trask can’t handle the job, but perhaps he’s not mentally ready for prime time?’
You’re a true master of reading into things Joe. The ONLY QB that Wirfs has known in the NFL is a guy named TOM BRADY (aka, THE GOAT). MAYBE Wirfs is making the statement with that comparison as his baseline?
Actually, the comparison in context was to Mayfield. Regardless, Joe is here to read into things, like most fans do. It’s what makes a 20-game season fun year-round. –Joe
August 4th, 2023 at 1:49 pm
You’re a corporate executive, looking to fill an important position. One guy is young, a little nervous at first but each day he gets better and takes more command. The other guy has more experience, but his performance has flatlined or maybe trended down a bit to the point where right now they are both equal. Who do you hire?
August 4th, 2023 at 1:53 pm
Trask has that aww shucks attitude that makes it easy to overlook him.
The only way for him to be able to run a team is to do it. There will be no bluster involved, he will just do his best possible and that will continue to grow.
August 4th, 2023 at 1:57 pm
Wirfs: “This guy is starting to get it”
Joe: “The glass is half empty”
Spin spin spin
August 4th, 2023 at 2:10 pm
LOL! LOL! Man oh, man Joe. That’s all I’ve got for you. LOL!
August 4th, 2023 at 2:46 pm
I’m getting the impression that Trask is actually going to win the job, which is something I never would have predicted months ago.
August 4th, 2023 at 2:55 pm
Run, Kyle, run. The kid can absolutely play and I’m happy to hear he’s making a leap.
August 4th, 2023 at 2:59 pm
I don’t have any issues with what Wirfs said there about Trask. Trask has been 3rd guy up, now he’s getting a chance to be 1st guy up, so if it takes a week or two to get back into that role of being the lead dog – that’s not a bad thing.
Also I can’t stand the idea that everyone needs to be lead. The QB needs to do his job, which is to lead the offense to points. I don’t care if he’s not giving his offensive line a pep-talk every 5 mins while they dreamily look into his eyes, thinking, this is the man I want to lead us. This isn’t WW2, you’re not following him into combat, you’re playing a game which has been watered down to being only a step above flag football.
August 4th, 2023 at 3:05 pm
Rod;
Exactly! QBs can lead through their play, and you’re spot on about it taking time to organically gel and demonstrate confidence/consistency.
I believe Mr. Evans or. Mr. Jensen would not have any issue with using effective words in the huddle. The young Tiger needs to earn his stripes.
August 4th, 2023 at 3:11 pm
You’ve had a Bugatti La Voitue Noire is the garage for a few years and now you have a Bugatti Centodieci. One is only half as good as the other based on price. If Trask picked up half of Brady’s knowledge he will be way ahead of a lot of QB’s.
He’s a smart guy and I am sure he retained a ton.
First snaps with the one’s of course he is going to be nervous.
It’s pretty simple. Prove you belong and the offense will start looking to you to lead. Come in acting like you’re the boss and you’re gonna get blindsided a few times.
August 4th, 2023 at 3:16 pm
are you serious a guy steps in a huddle leading men (who lively hood depends on his success) they have no idea what he is capable of, and you think he is going to feel no pressure and be 100% comfortable lol ok!
August 4th, 2023 at 3:43 pm
This is a big nothingburger.
August 4th, 2023 at 3:44 pm
PREDICTION:
Mayfield goes 4 games, loses 3, throws 6 picks, gets the bye-week hook, asks for release, gets it. (Goes on to a stellar career calling ESPN Big 12 football.) Trask comes in, plays .500 ball the rest of the way, gets named ’24 starter since we’ll have a mid-level pick. Bowles get fired, Canales gets promoted, and it’s the start of another mediocre two-decade run for us.
C’mon, guys, this is Tampa Bay, where we go two decades between championship contending teams (’79, ’99-’02, ’20-’21.) History tends to repeat itself. Our next shot will come around SB LXX to LXXV. So settle in.
August 4th, 2023 at 3:48 pm
Task won’t start the season but might start after the bye
August 4th, 2023 at 3:55 pm
Remember, Trask is a ” deliberate” learner. He just has to get Minnesota ready right?
August 4th, 2023 at 5:07 pm
Just from what I’ve read here it sounds to be that wallflower Trask is rather quickly turned into a butterfly…soon to be an eagle. (Not Phillie). I admire the brashness and confidence of Mayfield, and I figured he was a given to start in Minnesota. Baker has seemed to be panicking lately. He seems to be forcing throws ala Jaymiss to try to frantically play catch-up. I’m not fond of panicky people…especially quarter backs.
I’m willing to sample my portion of humble pie right now and throw down with Mr. Trask.
August 4th, 2023 at 5:09 pm
Joe says;
“Week 1 kicks off in 37 days. Joe feels a litle uneasy about Trask if Wirfs is staying Trask is now “kind of starting” to command the huddle like a starter.
That doesn’t mean Trask can’t handle the job, but perhaps he’s not mentally ready for prime time?”
I think Joe realizes that he needs to jump on Trask bandwagon before is too.
Joe, I tis not too late please stop making excuses and admit you have been wrong evaluating/reporting Trask.
Wirfs said Trask was nervous at the start of the camp which is acceptable to play first time with the starters.
Please stop twisting and spinning words. Baker is leading Trask 5 to 1 in throwing picks. Simple math Joe.
August 4th, 2023 at 5:20 pm
If I recall Trask has played big prime time games in college, the Florida/ Alabama game comes to mind.
August 4th, 2023 at 5:22 pm
The Dave Oklahoma is moving to the SEC.
Looking forward to those OK v FU games at the Swamp with Baker at the call.
August 4th, 2023 at 5:23 pm
OK v UF lol typo
August 4th, 2023 at 5:25 pm
Even Brady admitted to being nervous before every game. Laughable that people are criticizing Trask just cause he was at first nervous lol
August 4th, 2023 at 5:27 pm
TRASK WILL START. BOOK IT.
Mayfield turns the ball over too much and is too inconsistent. Canales knows it and he’ll remind Bowles of it everyday.
Mayfield was signed as INSURANCE if Trask became a bust. It’s not the other way around that so many in the media thought; Mayfield wasn’t signed to be the starter.
Just wait, you’ll see.
August 4th, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Oh, and Mr(?) Dave: we’ve had TWO Super Bowles this young century. I’m not looking it up, but I’d bet less than half of the NFL teams game any at all this century. Ok, I did look it up just now. Since 2000 14 different teams had at least one Super Bowl win. The Patsies has six, we’ve had two, the Rams have had two, the Ravens two, and the Chiefs two. I lose track in the counting, but I think it’s 14 different winners. ( Try remembering which teams are repeats will counting a long list… I’m within one). That’s 14 champions out of 32 teams, so 18 teams have none and we are only one of four of five with two or more. Only the Pats have more than two. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
August 4th, 2023 at 5:38 pm
I wish we had an edit button. Between referencing all that stuff I forgot to proof read.
August 4th, 2023 at 5:45 pm
His nerves are just a result of not having the reps which lead to confidence. In sports, reps are everything as it leads to muscle memory and recognition of situations.
I think Kyle’s biggest reason for being buried in the depth chart is because the game was too fast and complicated without reps. He’s past that now and showing something. I actually hope he wins the job. He has prototypical size and arm strength. And he was accurate in college.
August 4th, 2023 at 5:50 pm
One of the best things to happen to Kyle, now that he has a legit shot of starting, is having a loud mouth over-confident Baker Mayfield. If the Bucs picked up another stoic QB, it wouldn’t have lit a fire.
August 4th, 2023 at 5:51 pm
@ Fred
LOL.
No Worries.
Anyone who corrects spelling or grammar on this site is a real C U Next Tuesday…
August 4th, 2023 at 6:08 pm
Trial by fire!
August 4th, 2023 at 7:01 pm
Mr. Fred, my point still stands that it was almost 20 years between championships, just like it was 20 years from the 1979 McKay team that was 10 points from Super Bowl XIV to the Dungy-Gruden Bucs that finally put us over the top. My point was we won’t be championship material again for about 20 years, that’s been our history.
And Mike S – I never said anything about Oklahoma. I know OU and UT are moving to the mighty S-E-C but they already have a number of good announcers for their network. The Big 12 needs some.
August 4th, 2023 at 7:03 pm
Having 2 awful guards and no rght tackle….
Will make it hard for these two guys.
August 4th, 2023 at 7:48 pm
So after two years of being treated like the red haired step child Trask finally gets some playing time. And surprise, surprise he is throwing more completions and much fewer interceptions than the experienced qb brought in to avoid promoting Trask. Why they even drafted him high only to get almost no coaching or playing time for 2 years. Two preseasons with virtually no playing time!!! So now the Bucs are embarassed when the kid shakes the bench splinters out of his ass and outplays the qb at least three other teams dumped! If the Bucs stay true to form, the Bucs will start the looser they plucked from the trash pile and keep Trask on the bench until a significant number of losses force them to give Trask a chance. All I am saying, is give Trask a chance! Pun intended.
August 4th, 2023 at 8:01 pm
I believe Baker is serving a purpose here. That purpose is to push Trask.
Go look at Mayfields contract and tell me where it guarantees him anything. He’s being paid to be a means to an end.
August 4th, 2023 at 11:25 pm
Joe your man crush on Baker is getting to be absurd. The guy was passed on by 3 teams in a year. His leadership skills that you have touted were all BS con games easily deciphered by even the simplest minds. His teammates have hated him wherever he has gone. Trask may not end being an A-list guy but I’d still rather roll the dice with a 6’5” guy who has seemingly earned the respect of his teammates over a guy who is on his 4th team is a little more than a year.
August 4th, 2023 at 11:32 pm
Trask has stepped up and succeeded at every level of competition. He sat for two years. Shaking off some rust should be expected. By all appearances and reports Trask is now exceeding expectations. Mayfield is not. We have another month to make a decision. I’m not surprised by Trask, and I’m not surprised at Mayfield. I became a Trask fan when the Bucs drafted him, not one minute more.
August 4th, 2023 at 11:43 pm
Don’t have a mancrush on him.
Joe must be doing something right. Today, Joe’s been called a Trask homer and having a mancrush on Mayfield.
August 5th, 2023 at 1:16 am
Can’t wait to see Trask on the field with the 1s. Trask has TONS of upside potential.
Could he turn out to be a bust? Of course, but let’s give the young guy a chance. He put up absolutely crazy numbers at Florida. I don’t care who his receivers were as someone still has to get the ball to them.
August 5th, 2023 at 7:59 am
I read that late into his career even Tom Brady admitted he got nervous before games.
August 5th, 2023 at 8:06 am
I think the “surprise” at Trask’s performance by those OUTSIDE the Bucs organization is fake. It is being used to cover up their very wrong evaluation of the kid. Nobody can go from terrible to good in a few months of offseason work. Has anyone INSIDE the Bucs organization said they are “surprised” by Trask’s performance? I haven’t seen it.
August 5th, 2023 at 8:57 am
In Trask’s first 3 years he’s essentially been told “you aren’t good enough”. “You aren’t good enough to be the #2. You aren’t good enough to even suit up for games”, etc.
If he entered camp with a roaring alpha dog bravado, it would be fake and people would think he was on drugs, especially those who’ve been around him and know he’s a laid back guy. Guys like Johnny Manziel that try that delusional “I’m the MAN” attitude when they’ve proven nothing in the NFL usually have a rude awakening.
Trask knows this is his first real shot to prove himself so, whether he’s an alpha or not, he’s human so of course there will be some jitters and “stage fright” at first. It would be easier if he’d “been there, done that” but he hasn’t. Add in that this is the first “post GOAT” camp and alll eyes are on the next guy in line at the QB position, you can forgive a little bit of nerves at first until a comfort level is reached within yourself and especially trust from your teammates.
I get what Joe is saying about his teammates seeing his initial jitters, but I wouldn’t call it terribly worrisome. Wirfs says he’s “starting to blossom” and “come around”. Whether that’s a fact or just a teammate not taking a dump on another teammate remains to be seen but Joe’s in-depth camp notes would seem to point that Trask is indeed “coming around” and is playing with much more confidence.
I doubt he’ll ever “out-moxie” Mayfield but he’s a different cat. In a historical prospective, he seems to be more of a Phil Simms type than a Jim McMahon type. As long as his coaches and teammates believe in him, and he believes in himself first, he can succeed and lead a team. For the first time, he’s getting a chance to prove it.
Oh, and that whole “if you have 2 QBs you have none” phrase….it’s really outdated. You lose a starter and don’t have a viable backup, you’re doomed. You need to look no farther than the 49ers last year. Luckily, they had 2 so when Lance went down, Garapolo kept them winning. Then when Jimmy G went down, hey…that Purdy guy took over (that makes 3) and it got them to within a victory in the NFC title game of being in the Super Bowl. When Purdy got hurt in that game, you can bet they wished they had 4 decent QBs, let alone 2.