Todd Bowles Selling Baker Mayfield Skill Over Moxie
February 28th, 2024
Enough with all the chatter about Baker Mayfield’s moxie (Joe hates that word), grit and leadership, start talking about the Mayfield the traditional quarterback.
That was a message from head coach Todd Bowles yesterday during his visit to SiriusXM NFL Radio at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
“I don’t think enough people give him enough credit for being a true quarterback,” Bowles said. “He stood back in the pocket and made some throws. He throws a great deep ball. He has a lot of velocity on the ball. He’s very accurate when you give him time. He knows when to run to get the first downs. You’d like him to slide a little bit more, but he knows when to run to get the first downs and he did a heck of a job for us. And I was very proud of him.”
Yes, everyone at One Buc Palace truly and deeply wants Mayfield to return as the starting quarterback.
As Joe has said on the Ira Kaufman Podcast, if Mayfield doesn’t re-sign, then it would be a weird sign that Bucs ownership isn’t firmly in Bowles’ corner.
February 28th, 2024 at 11:07 am
But….I was told by the arm-chair experts at Joebucsfan baker doesn’t throw a good deep ball?
February 28th, 2024 at 11:11 am
No doubt Baker impresses Todd, in practice he regularly shreds Todd’s infamous zone bust pass defense.
February 28th, 2024 at 11:25 am
Baker is a C+ to B- talent, but with A+ intangibles.
February 28th, 2024 at 11:31 am
Sign Baker and Mike already – let’s get focused on the draft.
February 28th, 2024 at 11:47 am
He’s a top 10-15 QB….doubtful he’s going to carry a team on his own to a SB but he’ll get you to step 1 of that process which is making the playoffs. From there anything can happen.
February 28th, 2024 at 11:50 am
Let em bake Says:
February 28th, 2024 at 11:07 am
But….I was told by the arm-chair experts at Joebucsfan baker doesn’t throw a good deep ball?
It looks beautiful. Perfect spiral 5 feet over the receivers head.
February 28th, 2024 at 11:51 am
If Mayfield was so good why did Cleveland go after a pervert for his replacement because he is not that good damn sure not worth 30 mil only an idiot would pay him 30 mil.
February 28th, 2024 at 11:51 am
BA’s Red Pen,
You don’t know what you are talking about. Baker has an elite arm, one of the best in the NFL. That comes from no less an authority than strong armed Josh Allen. It would be fantastic to get his completion percentage up to around 70% but for that to happen he needs an O line that will give him the kind of time Jared Goff and others get to enjoy. With a solid line and a middle of pack running game, Baker has the skill set to get Tampa or any team with a decent line to multiple Super Bowls. Joe, it would be great if you interview John Dorsey, the man who drafted both MaHomes and Mayfield, to get his insight into why Baker was selected over a number of other QB’s in the 2018 draft.
February 28th, 2024 at 11:52 am
Baker deserved to br a number 1 pick
He has the highest QB playoff rating of any Buc QB.
Better than Brady, Garcia, Johnson, Williams, etc.
Hr holds the record for longest thrown ball in the Air.
It went 78 yards. From his hand to the Ground.
If the Bucs and the Glazers dont sign Mayfield, its a sign that they want to ve hated.
Bowles and Licht wouldnt survive it.
The Glazers would be hated, like a certin other owner who let a playoff QB walk.
If Your NFC South Champion, Probowl MVP wants to play here- it will happen.
Wrs, safeties, Lbers come and Go.
Team destinies are determined by their Franchise QB.
And like iy ot not- thats a fact.
No QB, nothing else matters. You Suck.
What was life like with Mike Evans, Lavonte David, and no QB?
We Sucked. Losers every year. They didnt make the difference.
And they stil wouldnt.
February 28th, 2024 at 11:53 am
Yes, if you only listen to the Buc’s coaches, Baker Mayfield is great.
So is JTS and Robert Hainsey.
February 28th, 2024 at 11:58 am
D Cone Says:
It looks beautiful. Perfect spiral 5 feet over the receivers head.
well yeah…after the receiver bobbbles it in his two hands and bats it up thinking he is playign volleyball on the beach.
February 28th, 2024 at 12:00 pm
“He’s very accurate when you give him time. ”
and there we have it. We are drafting in the trenches.
February 28th, 2024 at 12:36 pm
Very accurate when you give him time. Bowles is an idiot that can be said about any QB in the NFL. Looks like the players are the reason we were in the playoffs definitely not Bowles.
February 28th, 2024 at 12:41 pm
Not EVERYONE at One Buc Palace truly and deeply wants Mayfield to return as the starting quarterback…..(Trask)
February 28th, 2024 at 12:46 pm
Baker is no doubt an A++ qb
February 28th, 2024 at 12:52 pm
Yes cone that pass where he threw it 75 yards and took the record for the longest pass in NFL history was a couple over the receivers head.
February 28th, 2024 at 1:01 pm
Baker got NO HELP in Cleveland. They traded for a QB with 4800 yards and a 4 and 12 record because Baker is Baker. When.he tries tackling players in a non playoff game he is less than smart. When he plays Baker football he is as good as they come. Not athletic but he doesn’t need to be the best athlete he is not a clown like the Browns have now. The BROWNS were way better off with Baker and those pix then they are with all the Headaches they are getting from a QB thatcrefused to play in the Sr bowl because Cleveland was coaching that team. WAKE UP!
February 28th, 2024 at 1:21 pm
Allbuccedup Says:
February 28th, 2024 at 12:36 pm
Very accurate when you give him time. Bowles is an idiot that can be said about any QB in the NFL.
Nope. Go learn some NFL Football.
February 28th, 2024 at 1:59 pm
Nice article Joe. Still have a lot of commenters on here that keep proving with their words that they know Jack about QBS though. Every team that doesn’t have “that guy” at QB SPENDS a lot of resources trying to find him. This year Tampa had a decent team with some studs and some holes and THAT GUY and the studs took them almost to the Championship while the team dropped passes, missed picks, failed at run blocking most of the time, failed at pass protection too many times, and couldn’t run the ball. Football people don’t quit talking about Baker’s difference making arrival on this squad BECAUSE Baker has already put this team on his back. Winfield is great because HES put this team on his back at times. If you don’t like Baker as your QB keep talking…it’s always good to hear from the idiot in the room. 😎
February 28th, 2024 at 2:21 pm
Some of yall have lost your minds behind Baker Mayfield lol 🤣🤣!! Last year was his best season in his career and it was very average. We are stuck with Baker Mayfield and when the season starts and Baker Mayfield sucks it will be every one else fault but his. This was a contract year for Baker and he played average. Baker Mayfield is not a elite quarterback regardless how much you think he is. We have 6 years of evidence of what Baker Mayfield is and he’s average. He’s not a trash quarterback but he’s Garden Michew 2.0 and it’s crazy how some of yall think he’s elite but he’s on his 4th team in 6 years that’s not elite or a franchise quarterback. He’s bridge quarterback not a franchise quarterback!!
February 28th, 2024 at 2:26 pm
Eureka, I have it! Instead of drafting the next great quarterback, Licht should just travel in time back to 2000 and draft Tom Brady. Problem solved!
Oh, wait, time travel doesn’t work? And it’s hard to draft the next GOAT? Huh, guess the Bucs should just pay up and sign Baker.
February 28th, 2024 at 3:18 pm
Oneilgirlbuc back again pretending to be a personnel expert, talent scout and quarterback expert. Read what Bucs players, coaches and management say. Others around the league.
Then read Oneilgirlbuc’s posts.
I can’t believe the Glazers don’t call her.
February 28th, 2024 at 3:57 pm
I don’t know if the Bucs will get a deal done with Baker or not. I do hope so. But I do know a few things that are factually accurate about the polarizing QB.
1. Irrespective of what some people who post here may think about him, his Bucs coaches, GM and players all speak highly of him. These were similarly what was heard from his brief stint with the Rams.
2. He did lead the team to a the playoffs and a playoff win with the worst running game in the league.
3. When he gets to the playoffs, he plays well. Same winning % in the playoffs as Allen and Stafford (.500), with a better winning % than Hurts (.400), Jackson (.333) & Prescott (.286).
4. His personality rubs some people the wrong way. That’s what keeps these boards heated. He should stay around just for this!
February 28th, 2024 at 4:02 pm
Spotrac projects Mayfield’s next contract as a four-year, $120 million deal….
These guys like moving the goal post, meaning they are guessing just like the rest of us.
February 28th, 2024 at 4:07 pm
Davepear. You are one of the biggest cheerleader of Baker Mayfield lol 🤣🤣! It’s so easy to make Baker drag queens mad lol 🤣🤣!!
February 28th, 2024 at 4:09 pm
Dave Pear are you Baker’s agent or something?
Why so defensive?
I thought Oneil made great points for once.
Baker’s far from elite.
February 28th, 2024 at 4:11 pm
Allbuccedup Says:
February 28th, 2024 at 11:51 am
If Mayfield was so good why did Cleveland go after a pervert for his replacement because he is not that good damn sure not worth 30 mil only an idiot would pay him 30 mil.
…….
That GM in Cleveland needs to be fired. Biggest bone head move ever as well as over paying someone that has played like 12 games in 2 years.
February 28th, 2024 at 4:13 pm
Bobby M. Says:
February 28th, 2024 at 11:47 am
He’s a top 10-15 QB….doubtful he’s going to carry a team on his own to a SB but he’ll get you to step 1 of that process which is making the playoffs. From there anything can happen.
……………
Gawd…..you people are ridiculous. Tell me one QB that has carry a team on his own to a SB. I will wait.
February 28th, 2024 at 4:23 pm
Allbuccedup Says:
February 28th, 2024 at 11:51 am
If Mayfield was so good why did Cleveland go after a pervert for his replacement because he is not that good damn sure not worth 30 mil only an idiot would pay him 30 mil.
……..
With all due respect, I will acknowledge that there are things about Baker I don’t like. But holding up the Cleveland Browns decision making as an indictment of Baker is beyond silly. They have consistently made one bad decision after another for the past three decades. There are real reasons to criticize Baker, but this ain’t one of them.
February 28th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
“He stood back in the pocket and made some throws. He throws a great deep ball. He has a lot of velocity on the ball. He’s very accurate when you give him time. He knows when to run to get the first downs.”
————-
I’m not a Baker Boi, but I’ll still try to be objective…
“He stood back in the pocket and made some throws.” – Agreed, he did a good job of staying in the pocket and getting rid of the ball under pressure.
“He throws a great deep ball.” – That is a flat out lie. He’s extremely streaky and inaccurate on long passes.
“He has a lot of velocity on the ball.” – Shots fired at Trask… But I agree, while not elite (Josh Allen for example), he’s in that next category of throwers. This is not an insult or ding, there’s only a few elite passers in the NFL, and even my man Winston isn’t in that category.
“He’s very accurate when you give him time.” – False. While he certainly has better accuracy when he has time (what QB doesn’t), he’s not very accurate by any standard. In fact his biggest issue is accuracy, in particular once you get more than 10 yards downfield. He is very streaky however, and some games he can look great, but most games, he’d be near the bottom in accuracy for NFL starting QBs.
“He knows when to run to get the first downs.” – Mixed. While Baker did a good job of getting a handful of 1st downs, he also isn’t nearly as fast or agile as he seems to think he is. There were so many times he’d tuck the ball and start to run and you think he’s going to get 6 or 7 yards based on no one being around him, and then you look up and realize he literally only gain 1 yard. His combine times were all good, so I don’t know what happened to his speed, but he doesn’t have much. Still, Brady could get a 12-yard run now and again, and certainly Baker can do that as well.
February 28th, 2024 at 6:37 pm
Baker is a baller….
February 28th, 2024 at 6:38 pm
RodMunch,
Most of us trust the judgement of coaches, players and competitors like Josh Allen over your biased fake analysis. There was no price that you were willing to pay last season to have Baker start as Tampa QB. Notwithstanding your fake analysis, Baker is about to sign a $35mil to 45mil per year contact with some NFL franchise. Also, when Josh Allen says that Mayfield has an elite arm it has credibility. Give Mayfield, the time Jared Goff had this year and you will see 40TD versus 12 INT. Mayfield threw around 70% completion percentage at Oklahoma. He is actually highly accurate. He just throws deeper out and deeper seem routes than most NFL QB’s. In fact there is a metric that some networks are showing that shows probable completion percentage on passes. Those deep seam and out s have expected probability around 45% but Baker connects on a much higher percentage. Baker not a dink and dunker. He has a howitzer like arm. Coach Bowles like so many others got it right talking about Baker as a pure pocket passer.
February 28th, 2024 at 7:04 pm
How much did we pay Byron leftwich to throw 30 interceptions in one season?
February 28th, 2024 at 7:06 pm
Rod Munch Says:
February 28th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
I’m not a Baker Boi, but I’ll still try to be objective…
One of the high priests of the Trask Occult trying to sell he is objective to the
newbs.
If I put down the amount of lols that deserved I am sure it would get caught in the filter.
February 28th, 2024 at 7:09 pm
Jameis Winston not Byron leftwich
February 28th, 2024 at 7:37 pm
Baker does NOT throw an accurate deep ball, his strength is dink and dunk, less then 10 yards and hope for run after the catch.
Ira in a recent podcast spoke of how the Bucs could get back to the Superbowl with Mayfield under center. He suggested that the Bucs will need a repeat model of the first Super Bowl victory, this included several Hall of Famers on defense with an average Brad Johnson at QB. In a nutshell as I understand it, if Mayfield is the guy moving forward, then the Bucs need to stack tons of talent on this roster around him to achieve another Super Bowl victory. I agree 100%.
February 28th, 2024 at 7:48 pm
Didnt Mayfield win the Accuracy contest this year.
Strongest arm. Most accurate . . .
Geez. Is it possible that Mayfield is a Top five raw talent, who has matured. Bith game wise and as a man.
Isnt that what we expect? Draft a talented QB, give him 4-5 years to learn the job?
Baker has learned. Evolved. Developed.
Hes not a middle of the pack QB. Hes an Elite, franchise Qb.
If given the right tools- He will bring us a SuperBowl.
The team knows it. The coaches know it. Buc management and Ownership know it. 95% of Buc fans know it. Other sites seem unified behind Baker Mayfield.
Its only a few simple people here that cant see it.
You were wrong in the preseason. Wrong during the season. Wrong during the playoffs.
You have bern wrong about everything this season.
“When proven a fool, only a fool keeps speaking”
Thank uou, Socrates!
February 28th, 2024 at 7:51 pm
To all the real bucs fans it’s a waste of time talking to a Baker Mayfield fan boy. They don’t care about the bucs at all! All they care about is Baker Mayfield that’s why win the bucs win it’s Baker and when the bucs lose it’s the team and ain’t Baker Mayfield fault at all. You can bring facts to them with context and they will deny it just like they pretend the Lions game didn’t happen when it was time for Baker to put the team on his back and drive down the field and tie the game up and he threw a pick on his second throw of the drive. Just like this was Baker Mayfield best season in 6 years. Think about that the number one overall pick had his best season in his career and it was a average season for a quarterback. He didn’t lead in yards or touchdowns. He was either in the middle of the pack or at the end of the pack with his stats and this was his best season in his career lol 🤣🤣 but he’s a franchise quarterback lol 🤣🤣 !!
February 28th, 2024 at 7:54 pm
RGA,
Again, trust Canales, Bowles, Josh Allen and John Dorsey on Mayfield arm strength than you. Your insight regarding talent surrounding Baker is like telling us when you get enough rain and sunshine you get a bumper crop. You are probably referring to the KC Chiefs who had 9 Pro Bowl players surrounding Pat MaHomes. No kidding, to win a Super Bowl you need talent on both sides of the ball. Spectacular insight.
Notwithstanding your lack of brilliance, Baker is about to get really rich from people who are paid a lot of money to make correct decisions.
February 28th, 2024 at 8:59 pm
Baker sucks
February 28th, 2024 at 10:19 pm
This is what happens when a fanboi is a head coach, plus if Baker had more skill than moxie Blowles wouldn’t have to try to sell him to anybody, they’d just know. A lot of people out there have seen what skills Baker has and he has never had back to back great seasons yet the fangoils want everyone to believe he’s elite. What good is an elite arm if he’s as liable to miss an intermediate to deep route? You’re talking about the accuracy test before the Pro Bowl cpl Tim really??? I guess he was being rush when he completed his passes. Under a 62% career completion % is not elite. Elite qbs don’t disappear against good defense.
The fangoils live on a whole different planet than most humans. I wonder how many restraining orders he’s had to put out against you all.
February 28th, 2024 at 10:21 pm
Ha ha can tell which Joe posted this article, my last post didn’t go into mod mode or disappear into la la land for a couple hours.
February 28th, 2024 at 10:39 pm
DavidBigBucsFan99,
The guy you have trashed all season is about to get really, really rich for skills that few have. You get to remain DavidBigBucsFan99 forever.
February 28th, 2024 at 11:00 pm
Oneilbuc Says:
February 28th, 2024 at 7:51 pm
To all the real bucs fans it’s a waste of time talking to a Baker Mayfield fan boy. They don’t care about the bucs at all! All they care about is Baker.
—
Licht outed all five of you this week, Everybody he talks to wants Baker back. So as it turns out
The alleged Baker fan bois are the real buc fans
February 28th, 2024 at 11:30 pm
“RGA Says:
February 28th, 2024 at 7:37 pm
Baker does NOT throw an accurate deep ball, his strength is dink and dunk, less then 10 yards and hope for run after the catch.”
…………………..
aBOUT that:
passes that travel 20 yards in the air : 6th, 145
passes that travel 30 yards in the air : tied 5th, 22
passes that travel 40 yards in the air : 2nd, 12
passes that travel 50 yards in the air : tied 3rd, 5
Don’t let your hatred of the man cloud facts
February 29th, 2024 at 12:07 am
And don’t forget, Baker “plays hurt.”
Jimmy G doesn’t do that; if used as a contract-comparable.
Also, Derek Carr gets 37 million/yr with the Saints, and only signed last year; and Derek Carr has a certain “ceiling” to his ability.
Baker in not only fundamentally better than the two examples above, imo, but it also seems like we haven’t even see his full potential.
Keep your fingers crossed for some luck with drafting some O-line upgrades, and it could be a lot o’ fun next year.
February 29th, 2024 at 12:27 am
GM Jason Licht should not saddle his franchise with a huge long term contract to a mediocre QB with a 42-47 winning record, 18th in QBR. Don’t make a Daniel Jones mistake.
February 29th, 2024 at 7:37 am
Ed. Baker will be 29 years old when the season starts he’s not going to get better bro he is what he is at this point of his career. This will be his 7th year in the NFL how much time do you give a quarterback especially in today’s football when you can’t barely hit the quarterback. Baker Mayfield is a one read quarterback and you can’t win a superbowl with quarterback like that.
February 29th, 2024 at 7:47 am
Gipper. You right about that they’re going to bring Baker Mayfield back and they will more likely over pay for him as well. But that don’t mean you going to win with Baker Mayfield so we are stuck with him. And just because he’s coming back and you guys think he’s a hall of famer doesn’t mean you have to turn a blind eye when he plays bad . Watch and see how many excuses you guys are going to give him when the season starts. It ain’t never going to be his fault. It will be Todd Bowles, he’s playing in a new offense it’s the o line fault and the bucs will regret over paying for a quarterback that’s on his 4th team in 6 years.
February 29th, 2024 at 8:18 am
Rod Munch Says: “‘He has a lot of velocity on the ball'”. – Shots fired at Trask…”
I don’t see that at all. Bowles is just hyping his .500 guy.
February 29th, 2024 at 2:32 pm
It is truly a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, ( to coin a phrase), how so many fans are so willing to give an inconsistent , seven year , career , sub .500 win , journeyman quarterback , a “superstar level” contract that locks us in cap hell for the next three or four years with no escape, when he has failed to put together two successful seasons during that time, much less two consecutive seasons in a row ! Mass Hallucinations ? Temporary insanity? Bad drugs?
February 29th, 2024 at 10:39 pm
And Gipper you will always be a Baker gulper who is so happy the man is about to be rich. I’m more than happy at being who I am because I don’t base my happy and joy on another man who don’t even know you exist
March 1st, 2024 at 5:30 am
Oneilgirl, how’s that new gig as Jason Licht’s personal quarterback consultant working out? You clearly know more about QB talent than anyone that gets paid to do it. What a waste of your talents. Didn’t want Brady, now don’t want Mayfield. What a genius. I hope Jason calls you real soon, don’t know what he’ll do without your insights.