The Quick-Study Bucs
September 6th, 2023
Left tackle Tristan Wirfs.
Joe was very encouraged by one point of emphasis from Baker Mayfield today.
Seasoned NFL observers, especially ex-quarterbacks, are quick to say a team with a new offense and new playcaller is fighting an uphill battle. A level of continuity, comfort and mastery take many weeks if not a year, they say.
Well, the Bucs don’t have that kind of time. Todd Bowles is on a hot seat and Mayfield is on a prove-it contract with a relatively soft schedule.
Mayfield proved to be a history quick-study QB with the Rams last season, winning his first start on very short notice after joining the club late in the season. Bucs coaches say Mayfield has shown those quick-study skills in Tampa, too.
But Mayfield sees it in the group, he said today, and that leaves him very encouraged.
Asked what he’s most looking forward to on opening day, he said it’s the offense playing fast and loose.
“I think our group truly understands the system that we’ve put in, what we’re trying to get accomplished,” Mayfield said.
The heavy emphasis was on “truly,” so Joe suspects Mayfield, who has played for many offensive coordiantors has seen his share of teams looking a little clueless on opening day.
Joe thinks it speaks to new playcaller Dave Canales being such a high-energy teacher who doesn’t try to overcomplicate the game.
September 6th, 2023 at 2:45 pm
What a difference. From SB contenders to SB pretenders. I like cheering in both situtations. Obviously it was fun watching those two SB wins.
But I also have enjoyed the many stories of young guys finally coming together to win, long before they actually won. It’s fun to cheer improvement. A simple winning record would be improvement over last season.
September 6th, 2023 at 2:51 pm
Proof will be in our Sunday Pudding. Blah Blah pre season blather will be moot.
September 6th, 2023 at 2:53 pm
Totally different in real games though. It will take a few games for everyone to truly get the hang of things, including the OC.
You said Bowles is hot seat and Mayfield is on a prove-it contract. Well, Canales is on a prove it contract too. If he stinks, he will never be anything more than a QB coach. Like it or not, there is a LOT of pressure on Dave. I do think, and hope, he will be an improvement over last year, maybe by a wide margin, but I don’t KNOW yet that will be the case. Sunday we find out.
September 6th, 2023 at 2:58 pm
The best thing the Bucs can do is to go on the road this week and start the season with a dub. I know it would be just one win, but it would help quiet a lot of noise down. Then if things do really well, they can beat the Bear at home week two, and then they’re in business.
Cmon…just win this first game.
September 6th, 2023 at 3:02 pm
Sunday we only start to find out. It takes more than one game to be a large enough sample size…By the bye week we should have a pretty good idea if he is the real deal or not.
September 6th, 2023 at 3:06 pm
Well they looked like they knew what they were doing on offense in pre season, save from a few illegal formations and called back run plays. They couldn’t get on the same page all year last year. Blown assignments on Offense all year.
September 6th, 2023 at 3:17 pm
They looked pretty damn smooth in that 3rd preseason game when the starting O-line was in.
September 6th, 2023 at 3:21 pm
Play Smarter not Harder
September 6th, 2023 at 3:27 pm
Just listened to Bowles presser, I almost fell of my work chair!! best interview ever, finally saw a little emotion and realness… just check out the 4 minute mark. asked what he was looking forward to in Sundays game….
September 6th, 2023 at 4:08 pm
I, too, have already seen improvement from last year. I could hardly watch last year’s preseason games, while two of this year’s were WINS! I am worried about the Saints and the Bears but we may just take the Vikes. GO BUCS!
September 6th, 2023 at 4:39 pm
Come Monay we will have a pretty good idea about the Bucs.
September 6th, 2023 at 4:50 pm
Upstate NY Buc … After reading your comment I watched Todd Bowles’ & Baker Mayfield’s & Dave Canales’ pressers on the Bucs’ site. All 3 of them were excellent IMO in that all 3 seem to be ‘confident & comfortable’ going into the first game. I for one am excited to see how this team does up in Minnesota this Sunday. I personally think that we can come away with a win, but it’ll be close IMO because it pits their strength (their offense) against our strength (our defense).
September 6th, 2023 at 5:10 pm
Carl Nassib just quit football to persue other.interest ….A Nelson put on about 15 lbs and get on the D line!
September 6th, 2023 at 5:44 pm
Bowles is not on the hot seat. The hot seats are for coaches like McDermitt, and McCarthy. Coaches who have SB ready teams that are supposed win now. That’s not Todd Bowles, and the Bucs. McCarthy, and McDermitt are in more danger of losing their jobs then Bowles. Please give the hot seat take a break Joe till they play some games. Joe Buc Fan, always stoking the fire em flames.
September 7th, 2023 at 2:07 am
Joe,
Lets hope clueless is not a word used in the post game comments here on JBF.
Hope is we look like we have been in this offense for a couple of years and that Canales calls plays like a veteran OC.
Go Bucs!