More Baker Mayfield Love From Todd Bowles
September 19th, 2023
Even the Kyle Trask loyalists concede Baker Mayfield is playing strong football and exercising A-grade leadership.
Could Mayfield have performed much better through the first two weeks of this season?
(Joe is pretending not to remember Mayfield’s should-have-been-an-interception throw on Sunday’s opening drive against the Bears.)
Mayfield has been damn near perfect.
Todd Bowles didn’t shy away from lauding his quarterback on SiriusXM NFL Radio yesterday.
“We feel like we’ve got a good player playing very smart,” Bowles said.
Joe has noticed that when Bowles calls a player smart, that means he really respects him. There are some very good Buccaneers for which Bowles does not use that adjective.
At times in his career, Mayfield hasn’t been thought of as a smart player or a just-the-right-touch leader. He’s been both in a Tampa Bay uniform.
It’s only been two games, but Joe attributes Mayfield’s early success to maturity. Talent, of course, was never an issue for the 2018 No. 1 overall pick.
September 19th, 2023 at 9:59 am
Happy to be a blind squirrel on this one!
September 19th, 2023 at 10:08 am
(Joe is pretending not to remember Mayfield’s should-have-been-an-interception throw on Sunday’s opening drive against the Bears.)
Not trying to alleviate Baker of all responsibility for the almost interception, but to to be fair, it wasn’t entirely all on him. Now here’s the part, which will raise the ire of all Bucs fans. Mike Evans was a little lackadaisical on the play and also rounded off the top of his route. Go back and watch the play and you’ll see what I mean.
I suspect, being the second play of the game, Canales had called a play that would be a relatively easy completion for Mayfield and would get Evans involved early. Should the ball have been thrown? Probably not, but I also suspect it is a play that has been run so many times in practice, that everyone felt comfortable with it and felt they could execute it without any problem.
Again, second play of the game and fortunately it didn’t blow up in our faces. Just my two cents.
September 19th, 2023 at 10:15 am
I was certainly rooting for Kyle, but have to admit I’ve been impressed with Mayfield’s play so far. The bar has been lifted this week. Hope I feel the same way next Tuesday.
September 19th, 2023 at 10:22 am
The issue with Brady in his last year is those blitzes up the middle – he would either immediately get rid of the ball or go in to a protective position and take the sack. inability to step UP in to the pocket in the face of pressure severely handicapped the offense. Mayfield being 20-23 for 200 against the blitz is astounding. Obviously there will be some ebb and flow, and at some point Mayfield will have a 2 int game or whatever but the play design by Canales and the ability to make adjustments has been a god send. Will the bucs win the superbowl – no. But there is a renewed enthusiasm that was completely non existent last yr. Seems to be more unity, fun, and focus.The monday night game is going to be EXTREMELY interesting. No one could have ever predicted before the yr that this may be the game of the week. that is all we could ever ask for.
September 19th, 2023 at 10:28 am
Baker #5 in QB rating. #1 in 3rd down percentage.
September 19th, 2023 at 10:32 am
Have seen so many times in sports where everyone loves you when you do great. Do poorly, and they’ll turn on you in a heartbeat. Such is life I guess …
Yes Baker’s probably ‘matured’, but I think the reasons for his 2-game success thus far is (1) playing within the system; and (2) being surrounded by talented players on both offense AND defense.
Canales’ offensive scheme fits Baker Mayfield … AND Todd Bowles … perfectly. I still remember in the Spring when Bowles interviewed OC after OC without picking anyone, much to the chagrine of many JBFers I might add. But Todd knew what he wanted from the offensive side of the ball, and he passed on a lot of talented coaches because they didn’t match what he was looking for.
This may look to some like a dinosaur attack (and in some ways it is), but it’s maturing rapidly & being executed very well. A lot of the credit deservedly goes to Mayfield, but just as much goes to the play of this young team. They’ve bought in to the system to the man it appears, and it’ll continue to get better & better. The best part IMO is that we’re controlling the game, in more ways than one. If we can continue to do that, the sky’s the limit.
September 19th, 2023 at 10:42 am
Mayfield has generally played within his competence level and made few mistakes against two teams that have yet to win a game , it is yet to be seen how well he plays against upper tier competition , who now have film on him , know what to expect , and how Mayfield will react under the greater pressure they will bring, the next two games against Philadelphia and New Orleans two teams that are also undefeated ,should show where We stand .
September 19th, 2023 at 11:01 am
Dont have an issue with the Bucs Baking right niw. But his height is an issue and limits the Offense.
September 19th, 2023 at 11:10 am
joe even you have to admit at some point the short game will be a killer! he made a few throw let the season play out i know fools gold when i see it and its fools gold. the defense is keeping the bucs in the game and he executing the (short game) good for him i am not ready to put him in the hall of fame yet!
September 19th, 2023 at 11:25 am
@Steve I noticed the same thing on that play.
September 19th, 2023 at 11:43 am
Has anyone watch the Eagles yet, not that polished of a team so far. There are some who will never accept Mayfield, just like above, “he is too short”. The guy has game. He has been dealt a shitty hand up in Cleveland. Look at how many OC coordinators he has had. I challenge anyone that has had that type of upheaval be able to string along successful seasons. He played while injured and that was something he should of not done. Look at the train wreck of DeShaun Watson, bet many up there would love to have Mayfield back. That GM put the Browns in a position of all or nothing and it looks like Cleveland is going into the NOTHING catagory for years to come. The Bucs GM seems pretty intelligent, but will have some hard choices to make after this season.
Prediction if Mayfield stays healthy and this Defense keeps playing the way it is playing you will probably have Bucs vs. Dallas in the NFC championship, barring injuries on both teams.
September 19th, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Mayfail (yeah they call him that in Browns country) has never had a pair of receivers like Evans and Godwin. In CLE he had a washed diva that couldn’t resist free lancing and management dictated the diva get a lot of targets with a 50% catch rate. Time will tell, but this could end up being really good
September 19th, 2023 at 12:48 pm
Now IF…Our Bucs can beat the Eagles come Monday night?
September 19th, 2023 at 12:49 pm
Baker looked good to great in Game 2, but I see his success as a team effort.
OL – 0 sacks, 1 QB hit
Evans – Great separation and spectacular catches
Baker- Pose, movement, and escapability
So good so far. Philly is the real test.
September 19th, 2023 at 12:51 pm
One more thing …
How bad has Cleveland been since he left?
Carolina is horrible!!!! I don’t care who you put back there.
Kudos to Licht to see Baker in spite of these franchises and surround QBs with tons of talent.
September 19th, 2023 at 1:22 pm
DefRules..I heard 3 coaches turned Todd down for OC. I am sure that Monken (sp?) did. It wasn’t easy to find someone who would take the job. It seems we lucked out. 🙂
September 19th, 2023 at 1:23 pm
The Cleveland media and their fans are beginning to really trash Deshaun Watson, the “Diva” from Houston (yes I’m being kind). Based on Watson’s performances over 8 games with the franchise, he really stunk it up! And he’s been surrounded by MORE talent than Mayfield ever had. What I’m getting to is that EVERY QB needs talent around him. NO QB can carry a team on his back for an entire season. Not one. Not even the GOAT. The Bucs defense has been good, and on some occasions elite. But they still gave up a lot of passing yards to the Vikings and some chunk plays against the Bears. The great thing about the Bucs this year is that all three parts of the team have contributed to the 2-0 start. That’s what makes them dangerous.
September 19th, 2023 at 1:24 pm
Wow, talent and maturity this tandem can take you places. Let’s Bake some more!
September 19th, 2023 at 1:34 pm
SlyPirate you are absolutely correct. With the right system and supporting cast, a lot of NFL QBs can shine, especially if they can last long enough to figure out the NFL. The Jets and Browns have ruined more highly drafted QBs than most teams. Geno Smith is a prime example. Maybe its Mayfield’s turn this year? We will know by the bye week
September 19th, 2023 at 1:41 pm
Bet some of you fellas kick your dog in the morning
September 19th, 2023 at 3:52 pm
I said it when Baker was first connected to the Bucs. They are very lucky to have the chance to go from TB to a guy that can actually step in and play. This guy was the #1 Pick. He won the Heisman. He took the putrid Browns to the playoffs. He is a Gamer. The Bucs really hit the jackpot here on this Low Risk-it biscuit QB move. He will be our QB the next 10 years here. GO BUCS!!!
September 19th, 2023 at 4:39 pm
Mayfield has been solid. A little shaky at the start of each game, but is finding his own. If he continues to play within the system, and the offensive guys all get more comfortable, I think we’ll see a few more points each week as well. I am curious to see how he responds in a game once we are down by a few scores, or after taking a few hits / sacks. Philly will be a good test.
@St Pete – to your point, I was also wondering whether that was Mike not running it crisply, or if it was more of a “muddy” play design from Canales? There was another receiver (Godwin I think) who was also right in that area, which resulted in a lot of DBs being right there.
I have noticed that on a few plays now through 2 weeks, where it seems like we have multiple players just a little too close to one another in their routes. Unsure whether it is the players not running them correctly yet, or if they are actually designed that way.
September 19th, 2023 at 4:43 pm
You guys suck. Give credit where credit due. I said Mayfield will light it up, we haven’t even seen that yet, still all this BS.
I provided his college stat highlights, MF he’s 1,2 or 3 in everything. Took the Browns to playoff and almost championship game.
I picked Browns to go 3-0 well before season started, no one on this chain did.
I noticed Rod Munch is now saying he had them 3-0, right. Wish Joe Bucks Fan could filter his comments and populate.\
Only one more idiotic than him is that cousin of his Richard Smoker. HA
get it?
September 19th, 2023 at 4:45 pm
Short passing and screen games are not going to win many games against the good teams. Bucs know who the Baker is and protecting him from throwing many pass plays which could result in picks.
Bucs relying on their strong defense to win games. Bucs are winning in despite of Baker. To Baker’s credit he has been a good boy so far going a long with the plan.
September 19th, 2023 at 4:47 pm
You can tell they don’t sell a lot of tickets for seeing Baker play. The stands were 1/2 empty. Trask would pull a bigger crowd being he played down the road. I guess the owner doesn’t care about money.
September 19th, 2023 at 4:50 pm
As for the Browns, this is what happens when kids tell owner they think this is a good idea. What they did to Mayfield in Cle was horrendous. Guy goes out and plays injured the entire yr, stats go down trying, and then send off with a bunch of BS about maturity, blah blah blah.
Browns have set their sails for another 5 yrs of mediocrity. Good riddance
September 19th, 2023 at 4:54 pm
Right Tony, are u F kidding me, we’ll see Monday night,
Dave, I don’t know WTF ur talking about, did we watch the same games, what screens?
September 19th, 2023 at 5:06 pm
Tony you might be able to say Brady would have filled the place…especially the first season…but Trask?
NOBODY but Brady could fill RayJay on a freaking ROASTING, HUMID day. It’s going to take a lot more winning before they all return.
And let’s face it…normally the Bear fans used to travel and come to the Sombrero and help fill it…apparently the Bear fans saw the writing on the wall.
September 19th, 2023 at 5:14 pm
Place will be rockin Monday night
Looking forward to big night
Go bucs
September 19th, 2023 at 5:17 pm
I think we out to go get Adrain Peterson for about 200 k
September 20th, 2023 at 2:23 am
If Baker can continue to play within himself…meaning don’t play hero ball and don’t turn the ball over, (remembering the near INT) we have a shot at winning games.
Jaymiss is not so long ago to forget. Great talent but the hero ball and just plain dumb decisions with the ball killed his career. Picks on your side of the 50 is a cardinal sin in the NFL.
Go Bucs!
September 20th, 2023 at 1:20 pm
I agree Tony, Trask will fill more seats!!!