What would make anyone think Mayfield is going to have a good year? He’s literally been the worst starting QB in football for 2-straight years now, and is on his 4th team in the last year. When I go back and watch his tape from last year, he’s literally terrible – which is backed up by having, by far, the worst QBR in football.
Now, to answer my own question, I’ll try to be fair… reason for optimism is that he’s going to have two elite WRs, and he’s mobile (but not a rusher). I’d say he’s going to a veteran offense, but that’s not really true – only Mike, Godwin, Jensen and Wirfs are veterans, everyone else is very young (for the most part).
I’m not a doom and gloomer, and out of the last 7 years, I correctly picked the Bucs exact record 6 times, the only time I got it wrong was last year when I thought they’d win 10 games – and even then made the case they could go under that, and said the reason was Byron Leftwich.
I’m not meaning to rain on anyone else who is optimistic, but I don’t know where this optimism comes from unless it’s just blind loyalty to the team and a hope for the best. BTW, nothing wrong with that, I’d love to have that same feeling going into this year. But instead, I see 5 or 6 wins, and Bowles being fired. I just hope Licht isn’t thrown to the wolves, I think he’s done an excellent job over the years. Also, for Bowles, I think he’s a top flight DC, and it’s a shame the team can’t just move him back to that position and keep him – but as a HC, he’s terrible.
Good poll question. Tough one. Ridder is the only one repeating in the same system, tempted to suggest he could be the top. But…ehhhn Atlanta gonna do Atlanta things. I figure Carr has a lot of pressure and a new system, I think he will disappoint. Rookie Young in Carolina is going to have a transition to make and too much going on between moving up, learning the NFL game and dealing with a move and change of scenery. I think Mayfield has the best chance to have a good year. I really do. I think Bowles/Canales will insist on running. So that takes the pressure off Mayfield as long as they don’t ram their collective heads into a wall for three quarters and expect him to throw 25 passes every fourth quarter.
On a different note, if you want to see the future in action, I asked the AI to make a strong case, using advanced statistics, that the 2002 Bucs are the best passing defense in NFL history………..
Certainly, here are some advanced statistics that make a strong case for the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers as one of the best pass defenses in NFL history:
The Bucs’ defense led the league in Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt (ANY/A) allowed with a mark of 3.2. ANY/A takes into account yards per attempt, touchdowns, interceptions, and sacks and is considered a more advanced measure of passing efficiency allowed by defenses. The Bucs’ mark of 3.2 is the lowest in the NFL since the merger in 1970.
Tampa Bay allowed just 134 first downs through the air, which is the second-fewest in a single season since the merger in 1970.
The Bucs’ defense allowed just 10 touchdown passes all season, which is the second-fewest in a single season since the merger in 1970.
Tampa Bay’s defense had a 34.2% Success Rate allowed, which measures the percentage of plays that did not allow the opposing offense to gain at least 40% of needed yards on first down, 50% of needed yards on second down, or 100% of needed yards on third and fourth down. That mark is the lowest in the NFL since the merger in 1970.
In terms of advanced metrics that look at the overall performance of a team’s defense, the 2002 Bucs’ defense ranks as the best in NFL history in DVOA and EPA (expected points added).
When you look at these advanced statistics, it becomes even clearer that the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers had one of the best pass defenses in NFL history. They were incredibly efficient in every aspect of the passing game, allowing the fewest yards, touchdowns, and first downs through the air while also being incredibly successful on defense on a play-to-play basis. Additionally, the Bucs’ defense was so dominant that it’s the only defense in NFL history to rank first in both DVOA and EPA for a single season.
All of these advanced metrics provide evidence that the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers had one of the best pass defenses in NFL history. Their combination of a ferocious pass rush, shutdown cornerbacks, and ball-hawking safeties allowed them to completely shut down opposing offenses and dominate games. While there have been other great pass defenses in NFL history, the 2002 Bucs are certainly in the conversation for the best ever based on these advanced statistics.
Crickett Baker – Boring answer, but probably Carr, mainly because he plays indoors and knows how to juice his QB rating by throwing a bunch of short passes to boost his completion percentage.
But who will actually be the best? Likely Young, although I suspect he’ll get off to a slow start.
The other choice would be Taylor Heinicke. I don’t see Ridder was a legit starter and he’ll likely be out by week 5 or 6, and if the schedule aligns so Taylor Heinicke gets two starts versus the Bucs, we know he’s going to run up his stats in those games. I also wouldn’t be shocked if Heinicke just flat out wins the job in preseason – but he’d also be on a short leash, so it’s a risky pick.
I had the good luck to cast the first vote. I was torn voting for my ruther, Trask, but voted Mayfield because I think he’s better overall.
Yeah, he stunk in 2021 playing in a shoulder brace for a truly stupid coach with an even more ignorant front office. He got traded in an equally inept team in the paaanthers and Matt raaaaalph…I mean rhule. Then he went to the collapsing Rams team and rallied the troops for one win before the team vortex took him down the pipe with the rest of them.
I give him a Jeckle or Hyde chance to make it. We’ll get greatness or we’ll get Trask.
For those thinking, Trask is going to win the starting job, why?
I liked the Trask draft pick, but he hasn’t even been active for 2 years. He can’t get past third string.
Do you think they’ve been hiding that and suddenly he’s gonna be the answer at quarterback? That’s absurd.
Heck, they are trying to bring in a vet backup to keep him at third string. If he wasn’t so cheap, he’d be gone, and they would just admit their mistake.
Rod, I appreciate your homework. It’s Saturday bro, give it a rest :).
Remember, in the 2002 playoffs, our Bucs nearly shut out the 49ers who had J. Garcia, T.O. & a prolific offense; the Eggles, lead by D. Mc Nabb in an effective offense then the Raiders & the #1 offense in the league in the S.B. All by a comfortale margin. That late 1990’s- mid 2000’s defense was legendary, indeed!
David Says
“For those thinking, Trask is going to win the starting job, why?
I liked the Trask draft pick, but he hasn’t even been active for 2 years. He can’t get past third string.”
I don’t think that anyone really knows if Track will be any good. That’s the point.
His first year was a red shirt year. No point in holding that against him at all. Arians was not going to backup the great Tom Brady with a rookie.
His second year, Bowles was head coach. He had Brady and did not want to risk changing things. Bowles is not a risk taker. He’s also a bit of a football coward.
Will Trask get the start? I really doubt it. But not necessarily because of his shortcomings. I do not believe for a moment that Bowles brought in Mayfield to be a backup. He wanted experience, same as last year.
I also do not believe Bowles will willingly tank. Not with his job on the line. That is a decision the Glazers will have to make…and they’ll have to ‘survey’s to Licht to try to make it happen.
But…anyone with eyes knows Baker Mayfield is not a franchise quarterback. Last year was his best year, and he only had a 40% winning record.
Our new OC won’t be changing that…and, btw, that OC is a rookie OC.
I also think Bowles STILL wants a veteran backup, and that is why Licht mentioned bringing in another veteran.
I doubt we’d get so luck that it would be Joe Flacco…who, if called upon in the second half of the season, might stand a chance to play saviour (that is about when the lines should start geling).
Desmond Ridder will be the best qb in the NFC South for years to come. Falcons are going to run the South for the next 5-7 years. If you cannot see young talent on both sides of the ball with that team you are blind. That team is stacked and will be a true contender soon.
I say this as an optimistic Bucs fan who really likes the direction of the team post Brady. I truley believe what they did in the Draft and free angency will
Pay off in 2-4 years.
May 6th, 2023 at 1:04 pm
What?
No JayMiss option?
That’s just ray. Cyst
May 6th, 2023 at 1:07 pm
Baker duh
May 6th, 2023 at 1:52 pm
No chance of it being Baker Mayfield. Reality check.
Don’t know what Trask will be.
Gonna be Carr…this year.
May 6th, 2023 at 1:52 pm
What would make anyone think Mayfield is going to have a good year? He’s literally been the worst starting QB in football for 2-straight years now, and is on his 4th team in the last year. When I go back and watch his tape from last year, he’s literally terrible – which is backed up by having, by far, the worst QBR in football.
Now, to answer my own question, I’ll try to be fair… reason for optimism is that he’s going to have two elite WRs, and he’s mobile (but not a rusher). I’d say he’s going to a veteran offense, but that’s not really true – only Mike, Godwin, Jensen and Wirfs are veterans, everyone else is very young (for the most part).
I’m not a doom and gloomer, and out of the last 7 years, I correctly picked the Bucs exact record 6 times, the only time I got it wrong was last year when I thought they’d win 10 games – and even then made the case they could go under that, and said the reason was Byron Leftwich.
I’m not meaning to rain on anyone else who is optimistic, but I don’t know where this optimism comes from unless it’s just blind loyalty to the team and a hope for the best. BTW, nothing wrong with that, I’d love to have that same feeling going into this year. But instead, I see 5 or 6 wins, and Bowles being fired. I just hope Licht isn’t thrown to the wolves, I think he’s done an excellent job over the years. Also, for Bowles, I think he’s a top flight DC, and it’s a shame the team can’t just move him back to that position and keep him – but as a HC, he’s terrible.
May 6th, 2023 at 2:02 pm
The Goat
May 6th, 2023 at 2:23 pm
Good poll question. Tough one. Ridder is the only one repeating in the same system, tempted to suggest he could be the top. But…ehhhn Atlanta gonna do Atlanta things. I figure Carr has a lot of pressure and a new system, I think he will disappoint. Rookie Young in Carolina is going to have a transition to make and too much going on between moving up, learning the NFL game and dealing with a move and change of scenery. I think Mayfield has the best chance to have a good year. I really do. I think Bowles/Canales will insist on running. So that takes the pressure off Mayfield as long as they don’t ram their collective heads into a wall for three quarters and expect him to throw 25 passes every fourth quarter.
May 6th, 2023 at 2:36 pm
So Rod..who is your pick?
May 6th, 2023 at 2:38 pm
On a different note, if you want to see the future in action, I asked the AI to make a strong case, using advanced statistics, that the 2002 Bucs are the best passing defense in NFL history………..
Certainly, here are some advanced statistics that make a strong case for the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers as one of the best pass defenses in NFL history:
The Bucs’ defense led the league in Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt (ANY/A) allowed with a mark of 3.2. ANY/A takes into account yards per attempt, touchdowns, interceptions, and sacks and is considered a more advanced measure of passing efficiency allowed by defenses. The Bucs’ mark of 3.2 is the lowest in the NFL since the merger in 1970.
Tampa Bay allowed just 134 first downs through the air, which is the second-fewest in a single season since the merger in 1970.
The Bucs’ defense allowed just 10 touchdown passes all season, which is the second-fewest in a single season since the merger in 1970.
Tampa Bay’s defense had a 34.2% Success Rate allowed, which measures the percentage of plays that did not allow the opposing offense to gain at least 40% of needed yards on first down, 50% of needed yards on second down, or 100% of needed yards on third and fourth down. That mark is the lowest in the NFL since the merger in 1970.
In terms of advanced metrics that look at the overall performance of a team’s defense, the 2002 Bucs’ defense ranks as the best in NFL history in DVOA and EPA (expected points added).
When you look at these advanced statistics, it becomes even clearer that the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers had one of the best pass defenses in NFL history. They were incredibly efficient in every aspect of the passing game, allowing the fewest yards, touchdowns, and first downs through the air while also being incredibly successful on defense on a play-to-play basis. Additionally, the Bucs’ defense was so dominant that it’s the only defense in NFL history to rank first in both DVOA and EPA for a single season.
All of these advanced metrics provide evidence that the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers had one of the best pass defenses in NFL history. Their combination of a ferocious pass rush, shutdown cornerbacks, and ball-hawking safeties allowed them to completely shut down opposing offenses and dominate games. While there have been other great pass defenses in NFL history, the 2002 Bucs are certainly in the conversation for the best ever based on these advanced statistics.
May 6th, 2023 at 2:42 pm
Crickett Baker – Boring answer, but probably Carr, mainly because he plays indoors and knows how to juice his QB rating by throwing a bunch of short passes to boost his completion percentage.
But who will actually be the best? Likely Young, although I suspect he’ll get off to a slow start.
The other choice would be Taylor Heinicke. I don’t see Ridder was a legit starter and he’ll likely be out by week 5 or 6, and if the schedule aligns so Taylor Heinicke gets two starts versus the Bucs, we know he’s going to run up his stats in those games. I also wouldn’t be shocked if Heinicke just flat out wins the job in preseason – but he’d also be on a short leash, so it’s a risky pick.
May 6th, 2023 at 3:29 pm
Best season being QBR or Total wins?
May 6th, 2023 at 3:34 pm
Geez, @rod, put down the meth bowl.
May 6th, 2023 at 3:47 pm
I had the good luck to cast the first vote. I was torn voting for my ruther, Trask, but voted Mayfield because I think he’s better overall.
Yeah, he stunk in 2021 playing in a shoulder brace for a truly stupid coach with an even more ignorant front office. He got traded in an equally inept team in the paaanthers and Matt raaaaalph…I mean rhule. Then he went to the collapsing Rams team and rallied the troops for one win before the team vortex took him down the pipe with the rest of them.
I give him a Jeckle or Hyde chance to make it. We’ll get greatness or we’ll get Trask.
May 6th, 2023 at 3:50 pm
Trask…I don’t know what to expect from him.
May 6th, 2023 at 4:09 pm
DoooshLaRue Says:
They signed Ronald Jones last year.
Mr. Jones has a super bowl ring, so KC did not make a mistake.
May 6th, 2023 at 5:48 pm
Rod pretty much nailed it.
May 6th, 2023 at 6:48 pm
Lonely
May 6th, 2023 at 8:01 pm
This poll was done by serious people. All Bucs Mayfield haters are wrong about him. He’s going to have his best season this year! Save my words.
May 6th, 2023 at 9:09 pm
Obviously Carr.
For those thinking, Trask is going to win the starting job, why?
I liked the Trask draft pick, but he hasn’t even been active for 2 years. He can’t get past third string.
Do you think they’ve been hiding that and suddenly he’s gonna be the answer at quarterback? That’s absurd.
Heck, they are trying to bring in a vet backup to keep him at third string. If he wasn’t so cheap, he’d be gone, and they would just admit their mistake.
May 6th, 2023 at 10:01 pm
Rod, I appreciate your homework. It’s Saturday bro, give it a rest :).
Remember, in the 2002 playoffs, our Bucs nearly shut out the 49ers who had J. Garcia, T.O. & a prolific offense; the Eggles, lead by D. Mc Nabb in an effective offense then the Raiders & the #1 offense in the league in the S.B. All by a comfortale margin. That late 1990’s- mid 2000’s defense was legendary, indeed!
May 6th, 2023 at 10:29 pm
This unwarranted Baker love stinks of the Johnny Manziel Era of joebucsfan and we all know how that worked out.
May 6th, 2023 at 11:28 pm
David Says
“For those thinking, Trask is going to win the starting job, why?
I liked the Trask draft pick, but he hasn’t even been active for 2 years. He can’t get past third string.”
I don’t think that anyone really knows if Track will be any good. That’s the point.
His first year was a red shirt year. No point in holding that against him at all. Arians was not going to backup the great Tom Brady with a rookie.
His second year, Bowles was head coach. He had Brady and did not want to risk changing things. Bowles is not a risk taker. He’s also a bit of a football coward.
Will Trask get the start? I really doubt it. But not necessarily because of his shortcomings. I do not believe for a moment that Bowles brought in Mayfield to be a backup. He wanted experience, same as last year.
I also do not believe Bowles will willingly tank. Not with his job on the line. That is a decision the Glazers will have to make…and they’ll have to ‘survey’s to Licht to try to make it happen.
But…anyone with eyes knows Baker Mayfield is not a franchise quarterback. Last year was his best year, and he only had a 40% winning record.
Our new OC won’t be changing that…and, btw, that OC is a rookie OC.
May 6th, 2023 at 11:33 pm
I also think Bowles STILL wants a veteran backup, and that is why Licht mentioned bringing in another veteran.
I doubt we’d get so luck that it would be Joe Flacco…who, if called upon in the second half of the season, might stand a chance to play saviour (that is about when the lines should start geling).
May 6th, 2023 at 11:42 pm
It could easily be Derek Carr but He and Mayfield aren’t all that different!
May 7th, 2023 at 4:01 am
Well, you all have interesting takes. I can hardly wait to find out which “no QB” we end up with. 🙂
May 7th, 2023 at 10:55 am
Remeber this post 5/7/2023 10:50am
Desmond Ridder will be the best qb in the NFC South for years to come. Falcons are going to run the South for the next 5-7 years. If you cannot see young talent on both sides of the ball with that team you are blind. That team is stacked and will be a true contender soon.
I say this as an optimistic Bucs fan who really likes the direction of the team post Brady. I truley believe what they did in the Draft and free angency will
Pay off in 2-4 years.
Falcons 12-5
Saints 11-6
Panthers 7-10
Bucs 6-12
May 7th, 2023 at 6:37 pm
Hopefully bucs get someone better than trask as a backup
May 8th, 2023 at 8:14 pm
Hilarious that there are that many morons voting for Kyle’s Trashk to be the best QB in the NFCS. Jack Concannon has a better chance.