Baker Mayfield Acknowledges Two Tough Days For Him And “Great Practices” By Kyle Trask
August 3rd, 2023
Baker Mayfield talks QB battle.
Baker Mayfield is battling to lead the Bucs on opening day — in 38 short days.
Yes, it’s a battle. And Joe found cool this morning to hear Mayfield acknolwedge that he didn’t look good during Monday and Tuesday practice sessions — and that Kyle Trask did.
“The two practices [prior to today] were not my best by any means,” Mayfield said. We looked at it; footwork was a little off. Just being out of rhythm. Just getting back to that, it was a lot better for me today. … Today was better than the previous two ”
Regarding Trask, Mayfield said the Bucs’ 2021 second-round pick enjoyed “the past few days” of “great practices” within the new offensive system. He also didn’t push back on a reporter’s premise that the QB competition has gotten tight.
“It’s great for everybody, to be honest with you,” Mayfield said. “When the quarterback room is having success, it shows what this offense can be capable of.”
Mayfield added that the Bucs are installing fewer plays, which is leading to more smooth offensive play. A big focus now, Mayfield said, is to “cut down on the penalties and hone in on our assignments.”
August 3rd, 2023 at 11:32 am
fewer plays? could that mean Trask is winning the job?
August 3rd, 2023 at 11:36 am
Unfortunately, I feel like at some point probably early in the season to start the season Mayfield will get the job handed to him but there’s no way he makes it the whole season the proof is in the pudding clearly he’s not good enough. I know Joe’s hung up but it was the first overall pick which he never should have been.
August 3rd, 2023 at 11:37 am
I respect Mayfield’s mindset and effort, but it seems clear that Trask has the better tools and long term growth potential, so if Trask keeps stacking good days, he’s got a chance to be the starter for the Bucs.
August 3rd, 2023 at 11:45 am
Trask got together and worked with Bucs receivers this offseason.
Trask came into One Buc regularly and worked on his craft until he worked out all the kinks and learned the offense.
Trask is now performing better than Mayfield on a daily basis.
Traak will be our starting QB.
August 3rd, 2023 at 11:48 am
It was TB’s Mental Capacity and his relentless execution to be the best that separated him from everyone. Adding fewer plays could mean Baker isn’t grasping plays as quickly as Trask…having the smarts means making faster decisions on the field.
August 3rd, 2023 at 11:52 am
Knock him out Trask!
August 3rd, 2023 at 11:52 am
Baker could be Tampa’s long term answer at backup QB. Trask has another year left on his rookie deal. Baker could get more money then Trask signing as his backup next season.
August 3rd, 2023 at 11:59 am
Unlike most Baker Haters, I acknowledge that Trask has been performing well during the last couple of practices. However, I still believe that Baker will be the starter and that he’ll have a bounce-back season for the Bucs. Something tells me that the receivers would lean more toward Mayfield because of his big play ability and his accuracy. YES, Baker can be very accurate. But, honestly, I didn’t see a lot of Trask when he played in college, so comparisons are tough for me to make at this stage. Go Bucs.
August 3rd, 2023 at 12:00 pm
It’s good sign that BM admits that he hasn’t been playing well, he’s owning his results! It’s also good that KT is doing well and pushing BM. So far so good. We’ll have a better feel for the o-line, run game, qb competition and offense in general after next Fridays game!! So far so good!
August 3rd, 2023 at 12:08 pm
I forgot to yell hooray!!! Today’s there is a NFL game!!!! Pre season of course..any NFL game is better than no NFL game!!!!!! For those living off the grid … the Hall of Fame game is tonight. Hooray!
August 3rd, 2023 at 12:32 pm
38 short (and long) days. The only problem I have with the advent of football season is the waning of bikini season. Really the only negative aspect I can find.
August 3rd, 2023 at 12:33 pm
It appears that Mayfield may be a deliberate learner of the new system, no?
August 3rd, 2023 at 12:42 pm
Baker the more “experienced” QB is in regular season form. Tossing picks and near picks along with batted down passes. What people see in this guy I will never know. He’s not good. I’m sure he’s a great person, but he’s a mid QB.
August 3rd, 2023 at 12:43 pm
Is it close because it’s two backup QB’s going toe to toe, with neither being an NFL starter.
August 3rd, 2023 at 12:51 pm
FOOTWORK?
August 3rd, 2023 at 12:54 pm
Are you kidding me? An 8 year veteran talking about working on his FOOTWORK? That’s just plain undisciplined. That explains the high volume of picks. I think he will make a good backup though.
August 3rd, 2023 at 12:59 pm
Small hand QB’s simply do not perform as well as large hand QB’s on average in QBR or ability to hold onto the football. Baker is a 9.25 hand size and Kyle is a 10.12-a huge difference. Not to mention Trask can see better at 6’4″ than Baker at 6’1″. Trask will be more durable at that height and with a much bigger frame at 240(though it would appear Baker is closing the weight gap quickly). Trask is the guy.
August 3rd, 2023 at 1:02 pm
Trask is bigger in every way-hand size,height and heart. Bigger is better for an NFL QB for sure . Trask is the guy.
August 3rd, 2023 at 1:04 pm
The time for squabbling over BM/KT is done. Whoever wins the starting position is gonna be the QB on week 1 and we back them 100%. I figured BM’s experience would put him over the edge but the best guy will win. The division is so poor that this is a great chance for postseason football again. Let’s go get it 🙂
August 3rd, 2023 at 1:08 pm
A lot of people are comparing Mayfield to Winston, I guess statistically. He really reminds of Fitzpatrick. Similar size, can run around a bit. He will make some really great passes and then some head scratchers. Can win you some games, can lose you some. He’s already half way to playing for 8 teams in his career.
Baker’s pre-snap reads may be more akin to Winston though. If things don’t unfold the way he reads it, he will either not notice, force it or run around until he can make things happen. He should improve over time but, like Vinny, may still take a few more years and the right opportunities.
August 3rd, 2023 at 1:09 pm
Actually, Rich Gannon was that kind of guy early on but continued to learn and became a pretty good QB. Also became a victim of the Bucs defense.
August 3rd, 2023 at 1:11 pm
Don’t expect much of anything pairing a 1st year play caller with a 1st year QB
August 3rd, 2023 at 1:11 pm
Back in the day they say Detroit Lions QB Scott Mitchell never had a pass touch the ground in practice. But when the red jersey came off it was a different story. It will take more than a few good practices to beat out a guy who took the worst franchise in the NFL to the playoffs.
August 3rd, 2023 at 1:13 pm
I said back in April or May that the best things for the Bucs would be if Trask beats out Mayfield, even though Mayfield looked solid himself.
We’ll see what happens, but it seems to me that Trask MAY have a higher ceiling than Mayfield… maybe.
August 3rd, 2023 at 1:15 pm
Agree Capt2fish, practice performance can often be misleading… while it’s great that Trask seems to be improving, can he do it on 1pm Sundays with bullets flying over the course of a 17 game season?
Canales leading some high school QB competition is putting the Bucs at a serious QB disadvantage against Minnesota, Chicago and Philly. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Bucs start 0-3 regardless of who the QB is.
August 3rd, 2023 at 1:16 pm
The book is out on Mayfield. NFL defensive coordinators don’t lose an ounce of sleep preparing for him.
Every snap Baker takes in practice is a missed opportunity for Trask to get better.
Just look at that picture up there and tell me which one looks like an NFL QB and which one looks like the water boy? Baker is good at talking, thats about it. It’s time for him to hop on TV commentating Big 12 games.
August 3rd, 2023 at 1:37 pm
Way too many folks calling the match already, but we haven’t even completed the first round and it’s not a knockout. I like Trask a lot, and I like Mayfield a lot, wish they could both win, but the good news is whoever wins we have a quality backup when injury comes calling, as it does all too often.
The decision on who will start week one will likely be made after the second preseason game, so that the week one starter gets at least a quarter or so with the first teamers in the last game to hone their timing and comms and such. Pretty sure that’s how the coaches will look at it.
Practices provide some clues, but actual games against actual opponents will matter more, even though the games don’t count.
August 3rd, 2023 at 2:11 pm
gotbbucs Says: “Baker is good at talking, that’s about it.”
And having his agent video him drinking beer and eating hot dogs at Rays baseball games. Because, well, the starting job was in the bag.
August 3rd, 2023 at 2:12 pm
The hatred for Baker really is despicable, though also a symptom of our larger culture. I am really liking the FACT that both quarterbacks appear highly competent. If Trask is chosen, there will be a steep learning curve, but I expect him to grow into the position. If Baker is chosen, I expect him to play the way he did in 2020. The kid has talent. His main problem now is whether he can put the troubles–not entirely of his own making–behind him. This is a test of character. I think both of these guys are high character human beings who deserve our support.
August 3rd, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Practice? You talking about practice? C’mon, man!
August 3rd, 2023 at 2:19 pm
Buddha Says: “The hatred for Baker really is despicable”
But the hatred for Trask spewed on this site for two years is hunky-dory, right?
August 3rd, 2023 at 2:22 pm
unbelievable Says: “it seems to me that Trask MAY have a higher ceiling than Mayfield”
He absolutely does. Mayfield has reached his ceiling which is why nobody wanted him.
August 3rd, 2023 at 3:16 pm
It’s not gonna be decided until after the Jets game likely – hoping we go with Trask – it’s a given if Baker starts it’s just a matter of time until he gets pulled
Unless the wheels just fall off Trask when the lights come on, we should go with him a
Finally a real reason to go to a preseason game!!
August 3rd, 2023 at 5:45 pm
Gaytor bois are feeling it still a long way to go
August 3rd, 2023 at 5:59 pm
Jenkins. You ain’t lieing about the hate for Trask that’s been a on going narrative by bucs media wich trickle down to the fan base. If Trask starts their will be some bucs fans hoping we lose because Trask is the quarterback!!