Fast-Learner-In-Chief Baker Mayfield
March 21st, 2023
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield.
One interesting element to the Kyle Trask-Baker Mayfield competition is how Trask has been described as a deliberate learner (euphemism for slow?) and Mayfield is a proven fast learner.
Mayfield gave a reason why he’s a quick study during his recent visit to SiriusXM NFL Radio.
It comes down to experience, he said, the kind he got playing for so many offensive coordinators before he landed with the Rams last December and stunned the NFL with a strong game despite not having a practice.
“I think for a long time I was wondering why I’ve been in so many offensive systems,” Mayfield began. “But when you’re able to relate all the different coaching points that I’ve heard and been through, it helps me kind of eliminate and go through that [adjustment] process quicker — when it comes to reads and [answering], ‘what are we trying to accomplish?’ So it could be a bad thing if I was to harp on it, but being able to be around a bunch of great offensive minds and take different tips and pointers from them is always a great thing to take away.”
When Mayfield was signed by the Rams, he said he arrived there on a Tuesday night at 10 p.m. PST. He was the starting quarterback at 5 p.m. on Thursday and went 22-of-35 for 230 yards and a touchdown in a comeback Rams win.
Mayfield said even he was surprised how well he played without knowing teammates. It was a “learning-people’s-names-on-the-sidelines-during-the-game type thing.”
Joe thinks Mayfield’s status as a fast learner gives him a massive leg up on Trask. Heck, he might have the starting job wrapped up by June minicamp.
Trask is going to have to prove fromer Bucs QB coach Clyde Christensen wrong in a hurry.
March 21st, 2023 at 9:32 am
I think Baker will be great for Mike Evans, because Baker is kind of a gunslinger, the way Johnny Manziel was.
March 21st, 2023 at 9:33 am
Wasn’t a quick learner in Carolina
March 21st, 2023 at 9:34 am
The OC is in a great situation. No lose. He turns Mayfield or Trask into a good QB he is looking at HC jobs next year. If not. He will not be blamed. Why he took this job.
March 21st, 2023 at 9:38 am
I would be surprised if Trask won the starting job against Mayfield……it’s a no lose situation for the Bucs.
Considering the rest of our team, I think we have a good chance to win the division with Mayfield.
March 21st, 2023 at 9:45 am
What matters is what is actually learned, not the speed. Trask has been learning with the Bucs and the GOAT for the last two full years, and knows his teammates and they know him. The offense will be different under Canales, but Canales has described it as simplified, player friendly, running friendly, and quarterback friendly.
But Joe never misses an opportunity to sh*t on Kyle Trask and promote his new BFF Baker Mayfield, as if he will have any input whatsoever into whom the Bucs select as our starting quarterback this year. JBF keeps trying to declare the quarterback competition over when it is far from even beginning.
Strange due, JBF … you sound no smarter than the average extremely biased and extremely ignorant fan, rather than a thoughtful, knowledgeable sports journalist. I can get that kinda crap out of the comment threads here, or the nearest sports bar arguing with the drunks there on game day.
March 21st, 2023 at 9:54 am
If you judge Mayfield by the dumpster fire in Cleveland or the dysfunctional moronic Carolina, then you are misguided. Give this kid some WRs, some time and a structure, and then see how he does. He won a frigging Heisman for a reason.
March 21st, 2023 at 9:56 am
Anyone remember what we paid our 2nd string QBs 15 years ago? Around $5m per year.
Accounting for salary inflation since, $8m is about what one should make right now.
I’m going to be honest here…I like rooting for underdogs so I’m rooting for Trask.
There are a lot of fans who want a mobile QB…I get that. They can be exciting to watch. But the rules are more and more leaning toward protecting pocket passers.
Good instinct in the pocket is a must…quick reading of defenses…able to adjust rapidly…accuracy and timing…these are the things that really matter.
The majority of mobile QBs still do not succeed. Fans see a few have success and think that’s the secret. For most teams, it’s not.
So far as our OL rebuilding…a mobile QB is harder to protect.
March 21st, 2023 at 9:58 am
Unlike US, Joe has had the opportunity to watch Trask in practice for two years
March 21st, 2023 at 10:26 am
Mike S Says:
March 21st, 2023 at 9:33 am
Wasn’t a quick learner in Carolina
^^^^^^^^^^
Some Bucs “fans”: Todd Bowles IS TO BLAME FOR EVERYTHING, including war in Ukraine!
Same Bucs “fans”: It was ALL Baker Mayfield’s fault, not the sh!tshow college coach they had early on!
March 21st, 2023 at 10:28 am
I wasn’t really a Mayfield fan but with his ability to scramble, and for what I am hearing he’s pretty decent with the deep ball throws, I think the Bucs are in pretty good shape. Brady wasn’t a scrabbler. Now teams will have to defend the QB running also.
March 21st, 2023 at 10:37 am
I really am pulling for Baker. Dab-burnit..But I just don’t see it. Hoping he provers many of us doubters wrong though.
March 21st, 2023 at 10:39 am
Mayfield does not need to be a scrambler, but he has the ability to avoid a sack and run for the first down when it is there. And buy a little time for receivers to run open. I am not sure Trask can do that. I do know that Trask, cannot throw a deep sideline out pass without a wobble.
March 21st, 2023 at 10:45 am
Clyde never gave Trask a chance to start! BA never gave Trask a chance to start! Bowels never gave Trask a chance to start! Waaawaaawahhhhh.
It’s so unfair. A team that wants to win and has seen him every day for two years knows what they have, and there are plenty of good reasons why #2 is in this position. He’s earned it.
The Trask slurpers want to see what the Bucs have seen for two years. Here’s a solution, go to practices and get a job in the Bucs organization. Because they’ve seen it.
March 21st, 2023 at 11:25 am
Now we are going to see who have been the ride or die bucs fans. I’m not gonna lie I had to take a break because I got anxiety thinking we are gonna turn back into the yucks. This is going to be a no expectations year for me. I really hope our guys pull it together and produce a serviceable team. We still have some weapons and I hope one of the qbs surprise America. Hopefully I don’t have to drink myself though Sundays like the Jamis Winston Era 😫😫😫
March 21st, 2023 at 11:52 am
According to what I have HEARD, the Organization has seen Trask practice ALONE. IDK why, but that seems to be the skinny. I have barely even seen him speak, let alone practice with the starters. I like the way Mayfield talks, and at least we have seen him play (but not with our team, yet). This is an exciting and interesting conundrum to me. I am not making any judgments yet.
March 21st, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Goat I’m already shopping for the spices and seasonings that are going to be in the plate of crow I plan on cooking up for you.
I’m diving deep into the Salt Bae cook book.
March 21st, 2023 at 1:39 pm
I’m snuggling my Trask body pillow right now as I type!
We shall see. But people need to drop the “Trask has been treated unfairly” shiite. It’s the NFL. Fairness is based on, did you win or not. Who gives us the best chance to win? Period.
March 21st, 2023 at 1:40 pm
And Mike S – if Trask really does break out after all my opinionating, I deserve the crow straight out of the boiling pot, unseasoned. In fact, maybe just raw.
March 21st, 2023 at 5:55 pm
Son of Trask is back again. You just can’t control yourself. Once again you are not fooling anyone. I hope they draft a QB for this competition. And of course if Mayfield becomes the starter everyone knows what you will cry. But you will have to change name 3 or 4 times by then anyway.
March 21st, 2023 at 7:25 pm
I’m glad we got Baker. Go Bucs 🚶
March 21st, 2023 at 7:35 pm
You know, by no means is this guy Brady or Mahomes. But he’s a gamer. Never lost head to head with Joe Burrow, and took that turd team to a playoff win in Pitt in 2020, damn near beat Mahomes in KC. Play to his strengths like McVay did, lots of play-action and boots, he can be effective and like playing Broncos on Christmas Day. Playing statue-ball in the pocket like McAdoo did in Carolina…you gonna get a lot of batted down passes and high throws.
Room for hope, sounds like the offense Canales wants to play just might fit old boys strengths. Come September we will see
March 21st, 2023 at 8:20 pm
Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa (first comment)
SPOT ON!
1. Mike Evans won Johnny Football a Heisman.
2. Mike got Jameis mad stats that he’s never came close to reproducing post-Bucs.
3. Mike got TB12 ridiculous yards at the end of his career. When TB12 FINALLY looked his way last season, Mike went for 200 yards and 3 TDs.
Mike is going to show up on day 1 and tell Baker, “Yo, I got you.” And why would it be any different? Evans is a QB maker.
Look for Baker-Evans to have a monster year.
March 21st, 2023 at 9:05 pm
Mayfield has the leg up simply because he has seen a variety of offense. Trask should be able to compete with him based on his familiarity with the team. If not then the job is clearly Mayfield’s to lose.
March 21st, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Trask seemed to grasp Mariucci’s board pretty well… hard to know what’s edited out but that was still decent.