“We Were Pretty Sloppy”

August 12th, 2023

Good for Baker Mayfield!

Joe always appreciates and respects candor. Joe would hope most others do, too.

So Joe liked that Mayfield didn’t try to excuse what happened on his offense Friday night in a preseason loss to the Steelers in which the Bucs averaged an offensive penalty per possession. That’s beyond depressing.

“A lot of things to clean up, offensively,” Mayfield said. “We were pretty sloppy. A few illegal formations – it’s the little stuff – just getting lined up right.

“You can’t have a good play if you’re already hurting yourself. I felt good for the most part, but … we need to be a lot more clean on the offensive front.”

Indeed! Aside from the penalties, the Bucs stunk out loud run blocking, specifically three guys who likely will start next month, Robert Hainsey, Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke.

(No, Joe will not believe Ryan Jensen can start Week 1 until Joe sees him practice in full at least two consecutive days.)

A lot of the offensive penalties were just dumb. Joe doesn’t know if there is a quick fix for dumb.

48 Responses to ““We Were Pretty Sloppy””

  1. Sly Pirate Says:

    Always surprised when “pro” athletes make rudimentary mistakes. Unless you’re Yaya, You’ve been playing football for a decade.

  2. Mike Johnson Says:

    If any of my fellow Buc fans think Baker is taking us to a winning season or the playoffs, then they are delusional.

  3. Give it a Rest, Trask Bridge Says:

    The QB, as a team leader, always needs to take the blame for his oline and TEs who line up in illegal formations TWICE.

    One would hope that first team will make less of these dumb mistakes come the season.

  4. Pewter Power Says:

    Not that the penalties were dumb, those 3 guys were bullied

  5. Buc1987 Says:

    4 wins Mike Johnson…4 wins.

    Shiny new QB here we come.

  6. pepsi Says:

    Mauch was a mixed bag. got worked some snaps, and had some dominating to the whistle blocks on some snaps

  7. D Cone Says:

    It’s Bakers job to make sure his guys are set for the play. Two illegal formation penalties within a minute are on him. Better than two fumbled snaps in a row.

    Line looked OK during the first 5 series. Looked worn out the next 5. With plenty of fresh Linemen coming in for the Steelers the O-Line wore Down. Both QB’s threw some good passes. One was at a disadvantage with support.

    Next week it flips and then Apples can be compared to Apples.

  8. Roc Says:

    Saying the Bucs looked Sloppy is an insult to the word Sloppy

    High School Coaches would run their team till they puke if they played like that

    COME ON
    NO EXCUSE

    But they will tell FANS TO SUPPORT YOUR TEAM

    Mistakes I get
    Trying players I get

    What hit the Field YESTERDAY WAS HORRIBLE

    Bowles and the Players Owe the fans an apology

  9. DS Says:

    It’s not a good team, it’s a reflection of the coach

  10. Give it a Rest, Trask Bridge Says:

    @ Mike Johnson.

    If Mayfield could take a Brown’s team that was 1-31 when he joined them to the playoffs with an 18th ranked defense and no true WR1, it’s fair to at least suppose he can lead an 8-9 Bucs team with better and healthier defense.

    Even in 2021, with six different injuries, Mayfield had Cleveland in the hunt until the penultimate week. This was better than Brisset & Watson managed-with a better receiving core and a healthier oline.

    As with all teams, the Oline and running game are a bigger factor in getting the offense working, regardless of the starter.

    This season will depend on oline and running game, and the defense not sliding.

  11. Larrd Says:

    So far, Hainsey, Goedeke and Mauch seem like decent 5th round project picks. Okay backups after about year three.

    Who is the OL coach?

  12. JD Still Says:

    Well self examination is good but usually you need to start with “self”, Mayfield did not show much of anything offensively, simple handoffs will keep you from fumbling and dunk passes will pad your statistics and keep you from getting intercepted ,but , that won’t help you or the team get better ,my little sister can do handoffs and complete three yard passes but You can’t win in the NFL doing that.

  13. D-Rok Says:

    When Joe says,

    “A lot of the offensive penalties were just dumb. Joe doesn’t know if there is a quick fix for dumb.”

    I’d say there is a fix: Coaching. Well-coached teams rarely make “dumb” mistakes.

  14. Tbbucs3 Says:

    “If any of my fellow Buc fans think Baker is taking us to a winning season or the playoffs, then they are delusional”

    Thats quite the statement when Baker has literally taken team with lesser talent to the playoffs.

  15. Statistically Insignificant Reader Says:

    I did not expect to watch a perfect game but was not expecting what I saw.
    With the exception of a few plays that game was nauseating. Am expecting a more cohesive unit next week irregardless if any starters get in the game.

  16. Fansince76 Says:

    Baker played fine but right side of O line appears to be a huge looming problem!

  17. Obvious Says:

    Tbuc3,
    A team with less talent? Really? Are you SURE about that? You DO KNOW who the team he had behind him that year? Apparently Not…

    That team had far superior offensive fire power than what we’re sporting out there this season. Including a STRONG O line!
    The ONLY “Sure Shots” we have this year is Mike and Chris.

    THAT’S IT! Everything else is debatable…

    You should probably check that out…

  18. Pryda…sec147 Says:

    Been saying it all off season give the qb time to throw we can win 10 games seems like that’s a dream

  19. Give it a Rest, Trask Bridge Says:

    @Obvious. the 2020 Browns had a good running game a good run blocking oline and the worst receiver corp in the playoffs that year and a defense that blew histoic leads (and couldn’t stop Chad Henne)

    America’s fascination with overstating the Brown’s roster under Mayfield is never tiresome /s.

    Almost as tiresome as those that repeat Mayfield is death to WR#1 —when OBJ HAD A 1000 YARD SEASON WITH MAYFIELD.

    Yes, that same OBJ who was hurt in 2020 when Mayfield went on a tear the Browns won their only playoff game.

  20. Tbbucs3 Says:

    Obvious, the 2020 Browns defense was middle of the pack that season and the Bucs defense has a chance to be top 10…..

    How is it “outrageous” that Mayfield could lead a team with a good defense to the playoffs in a weak division when he has literally proven he can do it?

    Bakers chances of taking this team to the post season FAR outweigh Trask chances to

  21. Gofortheface30 Says:

    Sounds to me like Mike Johnson is getting some serious menstrual cramps over Kyle Trask not being the guy

  22. WyomingJoe Says:

    You Trask whiners never give up! Baker could have passed for 300 yards in the first quarter and you still would have bitched! You praised Trask when he dinked n’dunked in training camp saying that Trask was protecting the ball like his coaches wanted him to do. But when Baker does it, he’s scum. Since you guys love facts: Baker had 100% less INTs than Trask did, and 100% more TDs. PLUS Trask did a poor job adjusting to the blitz. And he WISHES he had Baker’s touch. Give it a rest already.

  23. Mike S Says:

    Oh boy the Baker stans are out in FORCE.

    He threw for 63 yards and they’re dancing in the streets.

    The Bucs will be 0-4 at the break. Even at peak the guy doesn’t generate offense.

  24. Wild Bill Says:

    What a mess that game was. I have seen school yard pick up games look better organized. It was a cluster duck from beginning to end. Duck needed an f to be more accurate but ya know the rules here.

  25. Jason Says:

    Is it just me or does Goedeke look like he has big arms, that aren’t very strong though?
    Not sure if that makes any sense or not. Lol.

  26. Cobraboy Says:

    This is the time of year when casuals jump off bridges, or risk the kid’s college fund to bet the over based on the first PS game when 70% of starters didn’t dress.

    Happens every year, as if there is a link between the PS and final record.

  27. ModHairKen Says:

    Trask: “I struggled in the other system, in (Arians’) system. … This one, I was able to pick it up a lot quicker and feel like I can play like myself.”

  28. BucsFan81 Says:

    Going to go with 2 to 4 wins. Definitely bet the under with Vegas no way is this team coming close to 6.5 wins they won’t even get to 5.

  29. Reality BucFan Says:

    If training Camp has been Horrible…why should we expect a good game from the same people that’s practicing if we have no depth no way in hell we win A Game.. fundamentals should have been taught high school level not covering the tight end those simple things…. Well we will start a trend of loosing that Zone defense is pathetic and the Jets and Ravens will definitely beat us the same way the Steelers did… I can see Kirk cousins week 1 you like that

  30. ATLBuc Says:

    A veteran QB should not have lining up penalties. He should make sure everyone is set up right.

  31. Beej Says:

    I’m not REAL worried about the first game of PRE-season. Ironing out penalties, etc is what it’s for

  32. ATLBuc Says:

    Give it a Rest, Trask Bridge Says:
    August 12th, 2023 at 12:13 pm
    @ Mike Johnson.

    If Mayfield could take a Brown’s team that was 1-31 when he joined them to the playoffs with an 18th ranked defense and no true WR1, it’s fair to at least suppose he can lead an 8-9 Bucs team with better and healthier defense.

    It’s possible if Canales can do with Baker what he did with Geno. But, Trask has a higher upside and can create more explosive plays. True, Baker has a nice long ball but when he’s not throwing it he’s checkdown Charlie.

  33. Statguy Says:

    Time to put stinnie at RG and move Feiler to RT

  34. Rod Munch Says:

    First game, in a new offense, with a new QB – I didn’t really expect things to go smoothly. It never does in that situation.

  35. Obvious Says:

    Well guys, See I heard FAR differently than your saying now. The word on the street is that he had an “A List” product that season, through AND through.

    BUT, it’s fair enough to say I didn’t watch all of the Browns games that year so I’ll have to give some room for inaccuracy as to what I’ve been hearing all this time.

    As far as Mayfield VS Trask VS Woldon, They are ALL my horses in this race. However, TO Be Clear, I’ve got one more. Next year’s draft pick….

    I’m rooting for ALL of them And None of them. In Other words, I’m rooting for “the team”
    AND I DO WITH ALL MY LITTLE HEART DEEPLY DESIRE A DYNASTY LEVEL, FRANCHISE QB.

    And “if” none of the three we have on hand meet that criteria, They Can ALL Kick Rocks while walking out to stage Left door! As in Good Bye…

    I want us to be a Feared Team as a Pro Football Team SHOULD BE! I’ve got a taste of winning now and part timers aren’t good enough anymore.

    If Mayfield can resurrect his career from the dead, I’LL TAKE IT!
    If Trask can show us ALL he’s a Fairy Tale Come True, I’LL TAKE IT!
    Same for Woldron..
    If OUR Franchise qb is playing college ball right now, WE BETTER GO AND TAKE HIM!
    That’s where I’m at and that’s where I’m gonna stay…

    GO BUCS!

  36. Don’t tell me it’s raining Says:

    Mayfield
    -8/9, 63 pass yds, 1 TD / 0 INT, 0 Sacks, 132.9 RTG

    Trask
    -6/10, 99 pass yds, 0 TD / 1 INT, 3 Sacks, 53.8 RTG

    Baker left the game tied 7/7. It was 27/7 when Trask left. Mayfield played with the same players as Trask. The difference was he was able to handle it and execute the plays better than Trask.

    I thought it was raining earlier today in Alachua County but as it turns out, it was only gator tears. MMMM…salty 🙂

    I guess Mr. Check Down’s perfect TD pass to back of the end zone wasn’t as “explosive” as Trask’s 20 yard bullet to Thompson. It was explosive, I’ll give you that.

  37. Chris O Says:

    You saw a well coached team vs a Todd bowles coached team. Bucs are talking about tackling fundamentals after last night, it’s embarrassing

  38. Craig Says:

    I have seen several QBs who have taken the time to make sure the line is not in illegal positions.

    It might be the new scheme, or the fact that his OC got changed every year, but Duh Baker is not one of them.

    It is only the first game, but Tomlin’s crew made the Bucs look outclassed.

  39. MadMax Says:

    Move up and draft Drake!….saying it now.

    Dont get me wrong, Baker will do well enough and Trask will be our 3rd, but Drake and a newly drafted RT is what will be needed next draft! Unless Baker really shows out!

  40. MadMax Says:

    Drake Maye
    RT JC Latham

  41. Buckeyebuckchuck Says:

    Welcome to Bakerworld Bucs fans. Took the stinking Brownies to the playoffs, beat Pitt and damn near did KC on the road, and got trashed by Ownership the next year because they didn’t hit the SB but the Bengals did. He wont Superman this team to a championship, but he won’t be THe REASON they dont make it either.

  42. Infomeplease Says:

    Buckeybuckchuck, we’ll put!!!!

  43. Thisisouryear!! Says:

    People on this site jump off the cliff way too fast. We didn’t play our starting d-line Aand linebackers, or receivers. Yes they were sloppy but it’s the time of year to be sloppy. New o-lines will take a month minimum in the season to begin to gel. The only thing that came out of that game was Baker is your starting qb. We should start moving forward with that. We certainly have the talent to win our division. Hang in there- could be a very interesting season.

  44. D Cone Says:

    MadMax Says:
    Move up and draft Drake!….saying it now

    3 teams have a total of 100 million tied up on 3 1st round picks and none looked as good as any of Tampa’s 3.

  45. Dave Pear Says:

    I know it’s hard for some heart struck fans to accept results as a valid measure of performance, so to you fine people, please consider—

    1. They both played with the same supporting cast.
    2. Baker played against stiffer competition.
    3. Baker led the only TD drive until garbage time.
    4. Trask threw the only interception and produced zero touchdowns.

    Oh, but but, but,…….

    Thems there dafacts.

    Spin away.

    I’m liking this Mayfield kid, personally.

  46. WyomingJoe Says:

    @ Dave Pear …Couldn’t have said it better!

  47. teacherman777 Says:

    Licht has been drafting white boy tough guys.

    Goedeke can’t move.

    Hainsey gets knocked on his butt every other okay.

    Mauch weighs 300 pounds.

    Guards need to be 320-330 pounds! They have to push defensive tackles!

    We are screwed again!

    We need to pay Jensen and cut him.

    We need to release Hainsey.

    And we need to trade for a real NFL center!

  48. garro Says:

    Penalties aside I thought the run blocking looked solid compared to last years.
    Except on the short yardage 4th down plays. That unfortunately looked the same. No push.

    Go Bucs!