New Coach; Different Values

July 2nd, 2022

New coach not fully in love?

Joe thought it was funny when Todd Bowles put his foot down, likely the first time as the new Bucs head coach.

This spring, Bucs quarterback coach Clyde Christensen shrugged his shoulders at a press conference and all but admitted backup quarterback Kyle Trask — the only quarterback drafted in 2021 who has yet to take a snap in a regular season game — will not be the Bucs No. 2 quarterbace. Why? Because Christensen couldn’t find a way to get Trask enough practice snaps to try and unseat Blaine Gabbert as Tom Brady’s safety valve.

(Joe found this beyond bizarre because offensive line coaches Harold Goodwin and Joe Gilbert vowed to let four offensive lineman battle for the starting left guard vacancy. They could find snaps for four guys but Christensen couldn’t find snaps for one?)

Two days later, Bowles was firm, direct and blunt: Trask will get his share of snaps and he will compete for the No. 2 quarterback gig.

Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com claims this was a sign that former Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians is no longer pulling the strings.

Last year’s second-round pick, Kyle Trask, will compete with Blaine Gabbert to be Tom Brady’s backup. Bruce Arians had a lot of loyalty for Gabbert that perhaps Todd Bowles doesn’t share.

Several Bucs shouldn’t worry about their position: Tom Brady. Mike Evans. Tristan Wirfs. Ryan Jensen. Lavonte David. Devin White. Vita Vea. Antoine Winfield. And others.

Neither Blaine Gabbert nor any backup should be gifted a job.

Joe has a hunch Bowles feels the same way and he said so on the Ira Kaufman Podcast.

37 Responses to “New Coach; Different Values”

  1. Drebucsfan Says:

    Listen Bucs family idk what the case maybe BUT if Kyle trash can’t beat out Blaine freaking Gabbert then we’ve done a serious mistake by drafting this guy, and doesn’t Clyde help with the evaluation of QBs? Who’s call was it to draft this young man in the second round if they felt he’s only a 3rd string QB in the league lol something doesn’t smell right here. But BA is definitely a loyal man, that’s documented but I’m loyal to winning by any means and watching Kyle in college he seems like he at the very least can be an average to above average QB in this league if given the chance

  2. allen Lofton Says:

    It’s about how well you PERFORM

  3. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    I think our new punter is safe…..

    Nothing wrong with competition……let these guys battle it out……

  4. Mike Says:

    Even if Trask is not better than Gabbert right now, him getting reps will help him be in the best position to help the Bucs when Brady retires. You can’t say that about Gabbert, who is now and will forever be just a backup.

  5. Alanbucsfan Says:

    Gabbert has shown he is not a winner in NFL and he gets sacked too much. To not give Trask an opportunity to be at least a backup is ridiculous. Gabbert may be serviceable, but that’s about it. No team is making playoffs with Gabbert- like Cleveland this year or Miami last year banking on Jacoby Brissett.

  6. An Erection for Sacks Says:

    @Drebucsfan: What a terrible take.

    You’re calling out a group of PROFESSIONALS that are responsible for completely reversing the fortunes of a team that couldn’t even be competitive on a weekly basis, much less win playoff games, into a team that has a chance to win every single week.

    What’s YOUR profession? It’s certainly not as a writer: Your sentences read like an English teacher’s nightmare. You’re not even capable of putting a sentence together, yet you bash people whose job you wouldn’t even be able to perform, and that is ridiculus and pathetic. Get back to school and educate yourself. Until you do, you’ll continue to be unsuccessful at legitimate endeavors.

  7. stpetebucsfan Says:

    Wow I realize it’s a sports blog but really!!!

    nuance – a subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.

    hyperbole – exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

    Gabbert is not great…but he does not suck either. Gabbert has experience and if you look at his career stats he tends to play to the level of the team. IE he can’t carry a team but he won’t deep six a talented team either.

    Best example is 2015 with SF, his first real chance after the Jax disaster.
    He was 3-5 on a 5-11 team…he won more than 37% of his games while the team ended up winning just 31%

    He completed 63% of his passes TB’s career is 64% but he’s getting better with age TB12 completed 65% his first year as a Buc and 67% last year. So NO Gabbert obviously is not near the GOAT.

    He’s not going to CARRY a team but he could easily be a Trent Dilfer who after years of mediocrity with us got lucky and had a 7-1 record and an SB with the Ravens only to be dumped the next year.

    Dilfer NEVER hit a 63% completion rate his best was 59%.

    Life nor sports are black and white!!! There ARE shades of gray.

    Where on the scale you wish to place Gabbert is your opinion and you’re entitled to it. I’m simply saying…he’s not great..but he also does not suck. He IS a competent NFL QB who if surrounded by the right team can win!

    If TB12 goes down for say 3-4 games…at this point in time I’d feel more comfortable with an experienced pro than a virtual rookie who couldn’t even make the team his first year.

  8. A Bucs Fan Says:

    I did not like Clydes comments on Trask and felt his personal bias towards Gabbert, his friend, and not professionally as a coach.

    Bottom line is we know what Gabbert is. We do not know what Trask is and I hope he gets a fair shot under Bowles.

  9. Tbbucs3 Says:

    Gabbert is 100% the best man for the backup job this season. Remember that a huge aspect of being a backup QB is being essentially being a coach on the sidelines and comminucating with the starter.

    Gabbert and Brady are always engaged in sideline banter us Gabbert has years of NFL experience while Trask has only played against basic pre season defenses.

  10. Tbbucs3 Says:

    “Bottom line is we know what Gabbert is.”

    Isnt that exactly what you want from a backup quarterback? Someone who is servicable with years of experience.

  11. A Bucs Fan Says:

    No matter the amount of lip service by the Bucs staff I don’t see Blaine as serviceable. He’s a 10 year vet with a career 56% pass completion rate 50:47 TD:INT ratio and a winning % of .378 (25-42) as a starter. That gives me horrible flashbacks to many years of putrid buc play.

    I’d take my chances on the young buc rather than a 10 year vet that’s never performed or produced.

  12. Jason Says:

    This is all just a test to see if Trask has enough dog in him to TAKE the backup spot. His whole football career has been about waiting his turn. That’s not gonna cut it in the NFL.

  13. Joe in Michigan Says:

    Jason: Look up Brad Johnson and how he was a backup in college and to start his pro career. He “cut it” by being the starting QB later on and winning a Super Bowl with the Bucs.

  14. UKBuccaneer Says:

    If we find ourselves with Trask or Gabbert taking serous snaps, it won’t matter. The season will be over.

  15. sasquatch Says:

    While I agree Trask should be competing for the backup QB, Joe’s comparison to competition for the starting LG job is, as usual, moronic. I won’t bother listing the reasons why, as it’s wasted effort here.

  16. Biff Barker Says:

    Competent, solid backup QB’s are always in short supply.

    Yet Gabbert hasnt had a shred of interest.

    BA is still callling the shots iif we dont know what his job is.

  17. Marine Buc Says:

    I’m looking forward to watching Trask during the preseason. I hope he gets a chance to start a game and play against some quality competition. Last year he just played a handful of snaps against players who probably didn’t make their teams roster.

  18. Buc1987 Says:

    TBBF…. No Gronk A Day today…

    Or do weekends count?

  19. ChiBuc Says:

    @sasquatch, insults and no facts, proof, or even an attempt at logic or reasoning. Your post is the epitome of “wasted effort.” I’m guessing you’re a firm believer in the righteousness of 3 word chants.

  20. FrontFour Says:

    If Trask does not win the #2 job he was a waisted pick. Gabbert is BA’s bud. Will always be a journeyman back up.

  21. sasquatch Says:

    @ChiBuc-

    I guess you didn’t like my post… I’m sure you can think of reasons why comparing STARTING LG competition to backup QB competition was a useless comparison… Do you really want me to state the obvious?

  22. sasquatch Says:

    ChiBuc Says:
    July 2nd, 2022 at 1:43 pm

    I’m guessing you’re a firm believer in the righteousness of 3 word chants.

    I have no idea what this even means.

  23. Nick2 Says:

    Great news! If Bowles wants to put his stamp on this team giving Trask a shot is a great place to start!! I believe he will beat out Gabbert and show he COULD be the heir apparent. If not nothing lost but preseason game snaps! I say give Jason’s hand picked QB a shot he’s been right on draft picks more often than not.

  24. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    87

    Still early yet….but looks like we are getting a Saturday breather on the Gronk-a-day…..maybe the Joes are off.

  25. RandsABucFan Says:

    I think Jason Licht missed out on a golden opportunity this season to unload Trask for draft picks. I believe if Trask had come out of college this season he’d been one of the top three and that to me would have been an easy sell to teams in need.

  26. Joe in Michigan Says:

    RandsABucFan Says:
    July 2nd, 2022 at 3:43 pm
    I think Jason Licht missed out on a golden opportunity this season to unload Trask for draft picks. I believe if Trask had come out of college this season he’d been one of the top three and that to me would have been an easy sell to teams in need.
    ^^^^^^^^^
    So you’re saying, if other teams would trade for him, he has a chance at being good? Why would the Bucs trade him if he has a chance at being good?

  27. DoooshLaRue Says:

    Gabbert is Garbage.

    I know “Blaine knows the system”
    That’s great. Practicing the system doesn’t seem to make him any better or more ready.
    What’s he going to do? Suddenly forget all the plays?

    Give Trask all the reps.

  28. Goatfarmer Says:

    Pray that Brady goes uninjured. If either of the crudites have to start a few games the fans will look back at Jameis and remember him as careful with the football.

  29. Wild Bill Says:

    Truth is Gabs has not shined the few times he has played. And Trask got virtually zero experience last season. BRADY GOES DOWN SEASON OVER!!! Both backups need lots of reps in practices and preseason games or the Bucs are seriously at risk. If either stink in preseason the Bucs better sign whatever free agent vet that can still throw the ball asap.

  30. GOB Says:

    Joe is spot on this time. If a team can’t find enough snaps for competition at every position, then they don’t know how to run practices. It should and always is a competition. This is about lowering expectations for a wasted draft pick. I think we’ll find out by the end of camp, if the Trask rebuild has worked or not. Rebuilding a delivery and throwing motion, is usually a three year project. If he hasn’t shown signs of improvement, and can’t beat out Blane freaking gabbert by then, the depth chart will speak volumes.

  31. Dooley Says:

    Let Kyle Cook, he’s not ready yet.

  32. Buczilla Says:

    It’s mind numbing that Gabbert is even on the team.

  33. westernbuc Says:

    Maybe Christensen doesn’t believe in Trask as a backup

  34. Eddie Marz Says:

    Give Trask he chance. No reason in his second year to hold him back. If he wins the backup role so be it. GOBUCS!

  35. Drebucsfan Says:

    @erectionforsacs lol who peed in this guys cereal? I won’t argue with aman who names himself erection watching a grown man’s sport Lmaoooo last but not least I may not have a English degree but this small trucking company that i own sure generates enough for my family to be blessed..this is by far the best bucs site around thanks Joe bucs fan

  36. Craig Says:

    In the mini camp Trask was consistently better than Gabbert.

    Gabbert had one good day out of five, so he might be able to pull a Fitzmagic out of a hat once in a while, but mostly it will be Fitztragic all over again.

    Trask was pretty consistent through the whole camp. To me, he has earned his chance and be considered as even with Gabbert, at this point.

    Brady isn’t going to last forever, even if he comes back again, we don’t know if he will still be capable, the Bucs need to start lining up the ducks for when Brady is an old man on the field.

  37. Bbro Says:

    The ole ‘dead horse’ subject to bring in the Gator lovers n the semihole fanatics