Baker The Touchdown Maker
September 30th, 2024
Buccaneers fans are living the fantasy life with their team sitting at 3-1 alone in first place with a critical 3-0 record in the NFC.
Baker Mayfield is in the midst of his own fantasy.
The dude is completing 70.5 percent of his passes and his 8 touchdown passes rank second in the NFL. His two rushing touchdowns? That’s more than he had last year.
Mayfield is on pace for a true a career year, something “this Joe” expected and didn’t believe happened last year, though that was a subject of great debate among the power players at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters. And this 2024 production is coming despite a new offense and offensive line issues.
It’s reached the point, Joe senses, that most Bucs fans now actually expect Mayfield to go out and throw two touchdown passes or more, stay accurate and protect the football nearly every week.
That’s what Pro Bowl quarterbacks do.
September 30th, 2024 at 8:57 am
Agree with this Joe: This season should establish what type of qb Baker can really be. No more talk of reverting to the mean. The mean is being established this year.
September 30th, 2024 at 8:58 am
at his current pace he needs to definitely clear 30 tuddies in the regular season. I’m also expecting minimum 3 tuddies per game in the playoffs win or lose LOL
September 30th, 2024 at 9:00 am
Is Baker elite? Who is better than him, Mahommes, Josh Allen, but not to many other qbs in the nfl.
September 30th, 2024 at 9:10 am
Love his fight
September 30th, 2024 at 9:13 am
So far so good! Thursday night is the next big test! Hopefully the Bucs are more healthy injury wise! The Bucs need to get more of the starters back and keep the foot down on the offensive gas pedal! If they do, few teams can keep up with them. IMHO. The Bucs offensive can average 30 points per game!
The coaches and “next up” players did a great job yesterday! The Bucs need the same at Atlanta! Preparation, practice, then execution!!
September 30th, 2024 at 9:17 am
last week vs Denver, Baker held the ball to long as everyone agrees. gen X has Baker holding much shorter time at 2.22 sec. Made a huge difference.
September 30th, 2024 at 9:27 am
Bucs fans are all in on Baker, of course we will always have the segment of idiots that think Trask is a better option but that minority of dummies is shrinking.
September 30th, 2024 at 9:34 am
Thank Gawd the Bucss don’t listen to me, I would of dumped Todd Bowles and Baker a long time ago. I am not the best fan at all times. Glad to see th Bucs playing well and seeing our draft picks out there. Joe can you feature our draft picks soon, some of them not sure where they are or whats happening.
September 30th, 2024 at 10:02 am
If he can get the kind of protection he had most of the game yesterday, he will indeed break personal records. This will be a good test Thursday night. If we can go into Atlanta and beat the Dirty Birds, the Bucs will have truly arrived. When’s the last time we were 4-1?
September 30th, 2024 at 10:17 am
Like Firethecannons, I am not a good fan at times. I am (was?) not as impressed with the Bucs this year and their rookies as many on the Joes’ web site are. However, one thing I have been sold on is Baker Mayfield. He got to be the #1 pick for some reason. After bouncing around between teams and seeing all kinds of sh!t, he has been through the rookie problems, etc. We got him when we needed somebody and he has balled out. Few teams stumbled into a talented QB like the 49rs have with Purdy. Remarkably, the Bucs have also done that with Baker Mayfield. Work on improving the rest of the team (see JTS) and better protection for the QB. We don’t have to worry about the QB position as long as Mayfield is healthy.
September 30th, 2024 at 10:24 am
The protection was better but it also looked better because his average time to throw was 2.22 seconds which is very fast. Excellent scheme and gamelan by Coen and great decisiveness and execution by Baker
September 30th, 2024 at 10:42 am
Sam Darnold’s career has been way below expectations. Seeing his highlights this year, he’s had great pass protection with nobody near him, and he’s got a good playcaller. I’m NOT comparing Darnold and Baker. My point is, Baker will be as good as his pass pro, protect him and he’ll deliver.
September 30th, 2024 at 10:55 am
Baker maturing and with weapons on top of being out from under Canales and under a much better offensive coordinator means that he SHOULD have a great year. Canales should still be calling Baker and thanking him for helping land a job he was extremely unqualified for… Baker succeeded last year DESPITE of Canales, not BECAUSE of him. Coen is quite a bit better but I’m afraid his time in Tampa will be a short one…. we may be able to keep him for another season after this one but I don’t see him sticking around very long.
September 30th, 2024 at 11:27 am
The Bucs were 3-1 at this point last season and what did they do with all that confidence?
September 30th, 2024 at 11:39 am
The key is using Godwin in the slot and quick releases. Some of Bakers releases were in the 1.5 to 1.7 range yesterday. No defense can deal with that. Once the defense is on it’s heels, then the run game opens up as do longer passes. Think Coen planned an excellent game yesterday and hope the Bucs go for the points and not a typical ball control game that relies heavily on the defense.
September 30th, 2024 at 11:39 am
When Tom Brady got to Tampa, the expectation with a new coordinator was hitting on all cylinders by week 8. It took until week 10 after getting blown out by 35 to the Saints. New coordinators can take some time. Baker has good chemistry with Mike and Chris and he lives him some Shepherd. You could tell he really trusts him. Im impressed that we looked that crisp in week 4. This season could be special if that was just the beginning. Baker needs to play like that every week. The game plan helped him settle in much better and there were 5-7 A+ throws as Brady commented. He can make all the throws with time or schemed plays early. Loved that he hit his outlet more this week. Helped that we had the lead. Even down by 2 scores, just take the easy throws and let Bucky and White work their magic. Quit forcing it downfield. If Baker plays within his means, this team can go toe to toe with anyone.
September 30th, 2024 at 11:45 am
Ok, I was very wrong prior to the game. When it was learned that Goedeke was out again, I would not have bet a penny that we would win Sunday. I am very happy to be a member of the bay area crowded eaters club. As far as Baker goes, I would not take any other QB currently in the NFC over Baker. He is perfect for Tampa. Go Bucs!!!
September 30th, 2024 at 11:45 am
I envision a commercial with baker and darnold sitting in their panther uniforms on the bench, amidst a panther blowout loss. Baker says, “ man, this blows. We need to get out a here.” Darnold says, “how bout Minnesota, they got lakes there?” Baker retorts ( with a smirk) “ how bout Florida, they got a sun there..”Darold laughs, says, “ you’re an idiot. Baker says, “ ah, forget it, it’s not like we’re going anywhere..” crowd roars as another opposing touchdown is scored. Announcer chimes in, “ Southwest Airlines. What’s your next destination?”
Ya baby.
September 30th, 2024 at 11:52 am
Uh, remember guys. A touchdown was dropped by the rookie wideout Johnson. He flat out juggled it, if not we would be having a totally different conversation right now.
September 30th, 2024 at 11:58 am
Pretty sure that after Baker has a sensational season this year, Licht will renegotiate and extend Baker contract. It is laughable what teams are paying Trevor Lawrence, Deshaun Watson and an assorted group of QB’s that don’t possess the leadership or arm skills of Mayfield. When Goedke gets back, fans will see Baker dispel another myth. Baker throws a great deep ball. He just needs what all QB’s need and that is time to set and throw.
September 30th, 2024 at 12:24 pm
Stay focus and consistent. 3 tds or more with minimal turnover give us a higher chance of winning. Consistency at a high level is the only option.
September 30th, 2024 at 1:12 pm
I’ve watched baker work his magic for nearly a decade, first at Oklahoma then with the Browns, the brief but consequential stint as a ram, now Tampa. His ability to affect the entire team in a positive and powerful way is unmatched, period. He does this with hard work and putting his neck on the line for his teammates. How many qbs do you see throwing blocks like baker?
September 30th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
BoomerSooner,
You know what many of us have been saying about Baker forever. He got a raw deal with the helpless Browns. Mayfield is a fantastic competitor with a great arm and leadership skills. I will repeat what I have been saying for over 1.5 years since Baker has been in Tampa. His career will mirror Drew Brees. For saying this stuff many of us have been defiled and called by the naysayers “ Baker Bois.” Don’t care about getting the last laugh. Just wish those so called “ football experts” will acknowledge Mayfield as a winner. Many of the same naysayers relentlessly criticize Coach Bowles. Bowles is a players coach who treats his players like men.
September 30th, 2024 at 1:54 pm
It’s great to see him thriving in TB.
September 30th, 2024 at 1:57 pm
Bucs are set up for a great year . All the teams that the national media was drooling over all off-season are the teams playing the worst. The Bucs have a first place schedule ! So what , they’ve had a first place schedule the last 3 years. Teams aren’t the same as the year before , and the Bucs are way better than last year and they don’t even have their best players healthy yet . I’ll stand by my 12-5 record this year. I’ve said it since training camp
September 30th, 2024 at 2:21 pm
All those haters….where are ya? Baker will be as good as his offensive line is. What casual clowns don’t understand is you gotta let him Bake. Sure he might make a mistake here and there and do goes Patrick Mahomes. But nobody gets the hard criticism like Mayfield does. Let him make a couple mistakes…. he’ll give you 20 plus good plays and it’s the overall picture that matters. And no…this is not a resurgence, this IS who Baker is, just needed a few key pieces he didn’t have at perennially bad teams( who by the way, are still really bad) no you say? Look as Sam Darnold sho Baker beat out at Carolina. That guy is thriving in Minnesota so maybe…just maybe. Baker is that guy. You can’t deny that he tries to win on every down …that’s the Hallmark of a leader, winner. Get behind him and have a blast. He literally won the team over every where he’s been.
September 30th, 2024 at 5:27 pm
@DRDNE
“The Bucs were 3-1 at this point last season and what did they do with all that confidence?”
They used that confidence to continue to believe in themselves during the tough stretch.
What did they do with last year’s start? They won their Division, advanced past the first round of the playoffs and scared the beejesuss out of Detroit in their own crib barely missing out on the NFC Conference Championship game.
And so the question DRD is will you be happy if the Bucs win another Division title, advance in the playoffs and perhaps make the NFC championship this year?
September 30th, 2024 at 6:36 pm
There Really Is Baker Magic, and Talent. All of Our Elite Players and Coaches are Stepping Up! Even the Fans Agree.