“The Lions Do Not Have A Guy In The Secondary Who Can Cover Mike Evans”
January 19th, 2024
Showtime.
A former No. 1 overall pick quarterback is very eager to see two No. 1 overall pick QBs square off Sunday in Detroit.
Alex Smith was the top pick in the draft by San Francisco in 2005. Smith’s career developed slowly and he ended up becoming a three-time Pro Bowler with the Chiefs and the 2017 mentor to Patrick Mahomes.
So Smith really feels for Baker Mayfield, the 2018 No. 1 overall pick, thriving with his new team and preparing to face Jared Goff (2016) and the Lions. Goff was a Rams draft pick and was sent packing after leading them to the Super Bowl during the 2018 season.
Sentiments aside, Smith was on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week talking about how he rewatched the Week 6 Bucs-Lions game and saw the Bucs miss big play after big play.
“Multiple opportunites in that game where the Bucs missed big throws downfield,” Smith said. “I could show you a clip of six plays where there are guys wide open running down the field and the Bucs just missed them. They missed them. If they hit half of them, it’s a completely different football game.”
Regarding Sunday in Detroit, Smith has his player to watch.
“I feel like this is a big Mike Evans game,” Smith said emphatically. “[The Lions] do not have a guy in the secondary who can cover Mike Evans 1-on-1.”
Can the Bucs execute? Smith says Mayfield’s stellar play on Monday night was better than it appeared. He cited the Bucs drops and a quarterback in full control.
“You saw the command,” Smith said. “He really diced them up.”
Joe didn’t hear Smith predict a Bucs win (or a Lions win) but he did call Tampa Bay “the darling underdog.”
January 19th, 2024 at 12:46 pm
Alex Smith doesn’t know what he is talking about. RodMunch, David, NE fan and DavidBigBucs99 you better straighten Alex Smith out about Mayfield.
January 19th, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Better yet Alex Smith is just, what is your favorite derogatory term—a “fan bois.”
January 19th, 2024 at 12:57 pm
Great snark, Gipper. Spot on.
January 19th, 2024 at 1:03 pm
LOL!
“Multiple opportunites in that game where the Bucs missed big throws downfield,” Smith said. “I could show you a clip of six plays where there are guys wide open running down the field and the Bucs just missed them. They missed them. If they hit half of them, it’s a completely different football game.”
I’ve been saying the same thing and have been insulted and called a “Baker hater” for making the exact same comment.
I hope “good” Baker shows up in Detroit.
This is why they call Baker the Forrest Gump of QBs.
“You never know what your gonna get”
January 19th, 2024 at 1:05 pm
I am the biggest Mike Evans fan…that said…he needs to clean up these drops he’s been having! We cannot afford to drop big plays and TD’s like he’s done several times this year! Clean it up ME!
January 19th, 2024 at 1:12 pm
Correct, they’re getting weak corner play in DET. Safeties/NB are decent with Branch and Joseph…but they’re not gonna contain Big Mike. I don’t think they can hang with Godwin either. Otton and Payne better watch their knees around Dirty Kerby
January 19th, 2024 at 1:24 pm
Stop it A!ex. You are just motivating the little Kittys. in better news i just watched a clip of the notoriously wrong Stephen A who dIssed Baker some more. Pile it on Stevie wonder the blind analyst.
January 19th, 2024 at 1:26 pm
It is a small data sample but Baker has yet to have a bad playoff game.
January 19th, 2024 at 1:30 pm
Smith’s comments are puzzling,
He says Baker didn’t see a lot of wide open receivers but says he played well ?
Baker is going to need to see all those wide open receivers.
I love ME13 but there are many games where he is taken out of games. Also many games he catches Tuddies , I suppose.
Bill Polian says Lions DB’s are one of the most successful at getting away with holding penalties and that’s an advantage for the Lions cuz refs usually don’t call holding as much and just let them play in the playoffs.
Let’s hope BM to ME is huge, as well as CG.
January 19th, 2024 at 1:32 pm
If Baker is as focused this week as last, the Bucs win easily. I saw it in his eyes during his pregame interview and knew good things were coming against the Eagles.
January 19th, 2024 at 1:36 pm
Sorry
Reading blogs out of order.
My comment has to do with what joes posted on last article,
NM !
January 19th, 2024 at 1:36 pm
Marine Buc says…..I hope “good” Baker shows up in Detroit.
…………………………………………………………………………..
Noticed you have changed your mantra from Baker can’t throw 12 yards to this new one. “I hope “good” Baker shows up”
January 19th, 2024 at 1:59 pm
I am watching all these analyst clips picking the Lions and the one thing they all have in common is the reasons they pick the Kittys have nothing to do with Football. 1. Crowd noise 2.:Hyped up fans. 3. Motown sound. 4.:It has been 30 years. 5. Long suffering fans etc. We know the Bucs are finally jelling, play better on the road, and beat two dome teams on the road. Really only Alex Smith gave solid football analysis and he was pointing out nobody can guard Evans and Baker is in compete command slicing and dicing secondaries.
January 19th, 2024 at 2:00 pm
@Marine Buc
You’re the Forrest Gump of commenters “Stupid is as stupid does”
January 19th, 2024 at 2:01 pm
And who is going to cover St. Brown with over 1500 yds???
January 19th, 2024 at 2:09 pm
@ Bakerfan
If you watch the Lions game film you will clearly see why that was y mantra.
Let’s be honest here folks – Baker had 4-5 good games this season. He had 13 or so mediocre/bad games.
That is not an “elite” QB.
Should the Bucs re-sign Baker if they are able – sure.
Should the Bucs give Baker more than $30M per season – No way…
The only thing we are arguing about is Baker’s deserved compensation.
The Bucs have 24 free agents once we cut Jenson and Gage. Several of them will be very expensive.
If the Bucs GM gives BM any more than $30M per season than he will be the Forrest Gump of GMs.
“Stupid is as stupid does”
January 19th, 2024 at 2:26 pm
Evans is 6’5″ thus hard to cover….St. Brown is barely 6′ with a 4.5 40 time. If we play MAN, CD3 or Dean can cover him
January 19th, 2024 at 2:36 pm
There’s no one in the NFL who can cover Evans on-one-on.
And, no, Lattimore getting 70 yards in pass interference calls per game, does not mean he’s doing a good job.
January 19th, 2024 at 2:40 pm
Beej@ like Dean covered 6′ 170lb Smith last week. Wasn’t it him that got smoked on the Eagles TD pass?
January 19th, 2024 at 2:40 pm
“there are guys wide open running down the field and the Bucs just missed them. They missed them.”
Who is “they”?
January 19th, 2024 at 2:42 pm
They do not have the players, but they have a scheme that they are well coached on.
Dan Campbell knows Evans is there and will probably have a safety waiting.
It is going to be a tough game, unless Baker is flat it will not be a blowout against the Lions.
January 19th, 2024 at 2:45 pm
Rod, i like Evan’s but come on man, he had 3 catches for 48yds last week with Slay coving him and one of his receptions on the sideline was a clear no call push off on Evan’s. I don’t want to hear about dropped balls, every wr drops balls.
January 19th, 2024 at 3:42 pm
@MarineBuc
You do a great job of defending yourself and don’t need me but some of the crap on here gets ridiculous.
i don’t agree with ALL your takes…but most…but I RESPECT all of them!
Semper Fi Bro!
January 19th, 2024 at 3:43 pm
BTW
When Baker was hurt…particularly the Carolina game he DID have trouble with passes over 12 yards. He got HEALTHY!
January 19th, 2024 at 3:46 pm
“NE Fan Says:
January 19th, 2024 at 2:40 pm
Beej@ like Dean covered 6′ 170lb Smith last week. Wasn’t it him that got smoked on the Eagles TD pass?”
…………….
As Troy Aikman mentioned about half a dozen times over the span of 5 minutes, it was really Antoine Winfield’s fault, as he was late to provide over the top cover
January 19th, 2024 at 3:55 pm
NE Fan Says:
January 19th, 2024 at 2:45 pm
Rod, i like Evan’s but come on man, he had 3 catches for 48yds last week with Slay coving him and one of his receptions on the sideline was a clear no call push off on Evan’s. I don’t want to hear about dropped balls, every wr drops balls.
————–
LOL! Yeah, a dropped 50 yard TD, which isn’t going to happen all the time, plus another 48 ayrds – so that’s a 100 yard 1 TD, a pace of 1700 yards and 17 TDs… but yeah, the Eagles corner did a heck of a job slowing him down. LOL!
January 19th, 2024 at 3:57 pm
My money is on Palmer & Moore again……if we can find a way to get them open, they can really, really run…..
What a great mix we had in the Eagles game…..one odd note….just one pass completed to White.
We truly have multiple weapons in the passing game.
January 19th, 2024 at 3:59 pm
Marine Buc Says:
January 19th, 2024 at 1:03 pm
This is why they call Baker the Forrest Gump of QBs.
—-
NO one calls him tht except th idiot who just did.
January 19th, 2024 at 4:06 pm
@ StPete
Thanks buddy.
I feel sad for the individuals who feel the need to hurl constant insults in order to push their agenda…
Unfortunately – this is the world we currently live within.
Beker Mayfield is a mediocre NFL QB and his compensation should align with reality.
3 yr deal. – $90M salary plus a few mil in incentives with @ $40M guaranteed.
Any more than that would be a waste of resources.
January 19th, 2024 at 4:08 pm
Not Says:
January 19th, 2024 at 1:30 pm
Smith’s comments are puzzling,
He says Baker didn’t see a lot of wide open receivers but says he played well ?
—-
Not really. He is talking about his review of ONE GAME early in the season of a new offense and one or two fools are making into something that fits their narrative. SO lol depsite their claims he likes our QB1 and his command of the game.
also makes no reference as to whats happenng inthe pocket at the time they were open ( assuming they rally were) . Not saying there were no msises but usually thts what I see on the all 22- people looking at players down the field without any revefence to whats happenng in the pocket.
January 19th, 2024 at 4:12 pm
stpetebucfan Says:
January 19th, 2024 at 3:43 pm
BTW
When Baker was hurt…particularly the Carolina game he DID have trouble with passes over 12 yards. He got HEALTHY!
—-
BTW – you are wrong. We got into this with Marine buc last week. His point was NOT that he could only throw for 12 yards the week he was injured but GENERALLY could not throw past that.
SO your defense of him fails on the facts. The idiocy is confirmed.
January 19th, 2024 at 4:13 pm
Rod, he dropped a lay up in an earlier game this season that would have been a TD, he dropped a ball last season Brady threw in Carolina for a TD a pop Warner player could catch. YOU CANNOT TAKE THEM BACK nor can you count them as receiving yards and would of been TD’s. Every receiver has them, c’mon, you’re better than that.
January 19th, 2024 at 4:13 pm
The last thing the Lions DB’s hope for is the refs stuffing their whistles.
ME13 is one of the physically gifted and strong wide receivers in the NFL.
The Lions DB’s range in height from 5’11 to 6 feet tall. Giving up 5 to 6 inches to ME13.
ME13 has a freakish almost 7 foot wingspan.
ME13 is a master of using his size, height, wingspan and strength to get away with a lot of offensive pass interferences.
It’s a part of his game and what makes him special.
It’s why I would love for the Bucs to draft the Noles 6’7” and 230lbs Johnny Wilson at WR on day 2 and let ME13 teach him.
Tug of War goes both ways and it heavily favors ME13 if the refs stuff their flags.
It’s a bad plan to go head up against a guy who is bigger than you, taller than you, stronger than you and has a greater reach than you in a wrestling match.
January 19th, 2024 at 4:18 pm
@ StPete
“The idiocy is confirmed.”
See what I mean?
It’s so sad. My heart really aches for someone who has this much anger and hate over such a minor debate…
Yikes.
January 19th, 2024 at 4:20 pm
ME is a great player should be hall of famer first ballot
However he’s damaged his case for discussion among the greatest receivers because You almost never saw them drop the kind o f balls that Mike does and especially not t in the playoffs.
January 19th, 2024 at 4:23 pm
Marine Buc Says:
It’s so sad. My heart really aches for someone who has this much anger and hate over such a minor debate…
—–
Oh bring out the violins ..lol
YOu hate on yor ow ( alleged) player all season log and want to talk about anger and hate. Last I checked Baker Mayfield is a human being so dont even try with the humanitarian of love award reciepient speech.
🙂 Som me fo you are sooo hilarious you ought to do stand up.
January 19th, 2024 at 4:30 pm
BelleGladeBuc Says:
January 19th, 2024 at 4:13 pm
The last thing the Lions DB’s hope for is the refs stuffing their whistles.
ME13 is one of the physically gifted and strong wide receivers in the NFL.
The Lions DB’s range in height from 5’11 to 6 feet tall. Giving up 5 to 6 inches to ME13.
That’s true but if Mayfield throws some high one’s as he does Evans certainly does not have a vertical jump of 72 inches and it won’t take much to topple him.
Example would be the throw over the middle to Evans in the first Philly game. Had the Safety not let Evans ride on his back until his feet were back on the ground he could have be severely injured. saints may not have been so accommodating.
January 19th, 2024 at 4:31 pm
Marine Buc Says:
January 19th, 2024 at 4:18 pm
@ StPete
“The idiocy is confirmed.”
See what I mean?
It’s so sad. My heart really aches for someone who has this much anger and hate over such a minor debate…
Yikes.
________
Really entertaining coming from Marine “the peacemaker” after he has spent an entire season ragging on Mayfield and beating up those who have stood by Baker and Bowles. Now that Mayfield has proven he is a Top 8 QB in the NFL and Bowles has proven his quiet way is an effective way to lead men, MarineBuc is suddenly a diplomat. Got to love it. Can’t make this stuff up. Again, the beauty of this blog is the written word doesn’t lie no matter how much some wish it would,
January 19th, 2024 at 4:37 pm
@ Tony
There is a difference.
Baker Mayfield is a public figure making millions of dollars in an entertainment business. He has been criticized his entire career. Are you delusional? He doesn’t give two squats what we say on here. LOL!!!
Your attacks are personal on people you don’t know who are just making comments on a sports fan blog… You are insulting people just for voicing their own opions.
And YES my friend. That is sad…
January 19th, 2024 at 4:38 pm
@ Gipper
Like I said to you before.
I feel sorry for your dog…
Have a nice day buddy.
January 19th, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Marine Buc Says:
January 19th, 2024 at 4:37 pm
@ Tony
There is a difference.
–
Baker Mayfield is a public figure making millions of dollars in an entertainment business. He has been criticized his entire career.
—-
What kind of stupid messed up morality is that? So we can be hateful and means spirited to other human beings dependent on their populairity index?
Chalk that up to another moronic argument from you. Criticsm is fine but when someobody insists against all facts that a guy in the top half of the league in passes over 20+ yards can’t throw past 12 yards ( healthy or injured).
the name for that is – hating.
and yes – idiocy.
January 19th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
@ Tony
Why don’t you tell us all – with all your infinite football wisdom – what do you believe Baker Mayfield’s next contract should look like?
If you were the GM how many years? How much money? How much guaranteed?
Go!
January 19th, 2024 at 5:14 pm
Fair compensation is non existent. Supply and demand will determine Bakers compensation. It could be nobody bids and Baker returns on the cheap. The draft and FA is a crapshoot. The Saints paid a lot and got an ok season from Carr. The Jets and Giants got nothing from their big deals. The difference here is Bucs got good results up front so if he does suck next year you average the years. One thing no one is considering is this was a learning year for Baker and Canales. They both have learned as games went on so you would think they would be better next year. Either way everyone elses team is e!iminated so enjoy the ride.
January 19th, 2024 at 5:17 pm
Marine Buc Says:
January 19th, 2024 at 5:06 pm
@ Tony
Why don’t you tell us all – with all your infinite football wisdom – what do you believe Baker Mayfield’s next contract should look like?
—-
where is contract discussions anywhere in this post of Joe’s again?
or can we just file that under – I realize now my argument was silly so lets change the subject rather than maning up?
January 19th, 2024 at 5:20 pm
Marine Buc Says:
January 19th, 2024 at 4:38 pm
@ Gipper
Like I said to you before.
I feel sorry for your dog…
Have a nice day buddy.
______________________
My dog and my kids are just fine. I like to think because I am kind to them and never run them down . How about your dog and kids?
January 19th, 2024 at 5:24 pm
D Cone
ME13 can grab the top of a basketball backboard. I’ve seen him do it.
His vertical jump is over 3 feet.
Do you not remember the insane catch he made from Baker in week 3 against the Eagles three a ball that would hit the rim of a basketball got, and were ME13 jumped up and grabbed the ball over the 6 foot DB with one hand?
BTW, he’s done that numerous times over his career.
He’s one of Bruce Feldman’s highest rated freaks.
ME13 is a violent and aggressive player.
Do you not remember how he came out and defended Jameis and blew up Lattimore, knocked him on his a$$ and started punching him while he was on the ground.
ME13 made Lattimore his b!tch and wasn’t thrown out of the game and Sean Payton and Lattimore cried about it, which made Lattimore an even bigger b!tch.
The league knows this.
January 19th, 2024 at 5:24 pm
@ Markymark
“Fair compensation is non existent. Supply and demand will determine Bakers compensation.”
Exactly right.
I agree 100%.
How many teams are looking for new QBs? Four Maybe five will be drafted in round 1 and 2-3 will be drafted in round 2…
Then there is Wilson, Cousins, Minshew, Garapalo and Baker – J. Fields might join this list but I doubt it…
January 19th, 2024 at 5:24 pm
anyway I’ll shock you MB
I think the guy that argues franchise tag Baker has a valid Rational football point.
Much better than his hating Baker can’t throw more than 12 yards hater take.
I’d be happy as Baker fan to see him get 40 Mill plus but as a Buc’s fan
Not with us.
January 19th, 2024 at 5:27 pm
@ Gipper
That is good to hear.
My loved ones are all healthy and happy.
Thank you for asking.
I am glad we could finally find some common ground.
Let’s expand this into an amazing friendship that will last eons…
January 19th, 2024 at 5:28 pm
@ Tony
OK.
So I suggested using the Transition tag on Baker.
$31M for one season. Bucs get to decide to match any competing offers.
You believe that my counter offer is unreasonable?
January 19th, 2024 at 5:34 pm
D Cone
The Philly catch if ME13 that you and I are both talking about, the DB had no other choice but that and made a business decision like most DB’s do because of their body positions and the direction and speed that they were running.
Any other move and the DB is injured by a 230 pound man landing on top of him.
January 19th, 2024 at 5:53 pm
hopefully ME13 focuses on the catch and catches the touchdown passes going forward.
January 19th, 2024 at 6:17 pm
@ marine – Semper Lie!
SMDH.
Don’t respond to the haterade.
Go Baker! Go Bucs!
January 19th, 2024 at 6:24 pm
@ opt
“Go Baker! Go Bucs!”
Oh – here we go… Another unfortunate child of a mean drunk…
Do you also need therapy love?
January 19th, 2024 at 6:29 pm
@ opt
“Semper Lie”
I actually found this one pretty funny. Although a bit disrespectful…
Still pretty funny…
January 19th, 2024 at 6:40 pm
If Baker gets 30-40 million in 2024, Chase Mclaughlin deserves 10 million. Chase only makes $1,080,000 this season with a 93.5% success rate on field goals to Baker’s CMP rating 64.3%. In regular season Chase scored 7.1 points per game – Baker 10.5 per game. Chase saved our a$$ this year – long kicks and such.
I only mention this, because compensation for QB’s is getting stupid compared to the other players, especially a great kicker like McLaughlin. Really good kickers/punters are hard to find (we Bucs fans know that). Kickers can score more points individually, than any other member on the team. Punter Camarda’s annual salary is $1,085,080. Kicker/punters need a union. Think about that Devin White!
January 19th, 2024 at 9:18 pm
See BakerGulper this is a big problem with you fanbois, among living in an altered reality you clowns have reading and comprehension problems.
Where in that entire piece did you see Smith dog Baker???
Please enlighten me!
I saw him dog the receivers who dropped 6 passes and that BAKER WAS IN COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE OFFENSE AND HIS STELLAR PLAY AND HE DICED THE EAGLES UP.
You shemale cheerleaders get into your feelings so quickly if you even think someone is dogging your heart throb ❤❤❤ that you miss the actual gist of the story.
You are a the brown streaks in every players tighty whiteys!
January 19th, 2024 at 9:26 pm
@marine – My dad was a marine…my grandfather a POW in the Korean war…stuff no one should ever have to endure. I have the utmost respect for all military/police/first responders. Even you…so I apologize for any disrespect. It was a joke. We proudly fly a POW/MIA flag out front. I normally enjoy your posts but I’m over the Evans fanbois. He’s not more important than an efficient QB PROVEN QB. I don’t care about player X retiring as a Buc. I don’t. Evans needs a decent QB to put up stats. And even then he pushes off way too much. As he ages he’ll do it more and more. Baker is short but able to push the ball downfield when allowed. Evans? HOF’er. But expendable at this point. Drafting a QB is a total crapshoot.
Giove me another year and a running game for Baker. If we FRANCHISE him. No problem. He balls again and we will end up paying $50+ mill a yr.
QB>WR
EVans production will have to be replaced from multiple players.
Make sense?
January 19th, 2024 at 9:31 pm
Oops my bad I’m the one with the comprehension problem thought he was talking about the playoff game since he spoke of 6 missed plays. So guess he was dogging Baker some
after all because we all know he missed some open guys against the Lions which is the case when he plays a good defense because he gets nervous and happy feet.
January 19th, 2024 at 9:40 pm
DavidBigBucFan99,
Alex Smith did not dog Baker he was being rightfully complimentary. My comments were sarcastic that somehow people like you know more about Baker’s talent than Alex Smith. I suggested that maybe you and others could straighten out Alex Smith. The fact that I have to explain this to you also speaks volumes about you. That’s OK, I if we were all the same life would be boring. One thing about you, you are not boring even though you are often wrong.
January 19th, 2024 at 9:50 pm
DavidBigBucsFan99,
More than once you have referred to Baker “nervous and happy feet.” This is right out of Manning QB football school that when a QB sets to throw and wants to go away from primary receiver, the first thing you do is move your feet in the direction of secondary and or tertiary receiver. Baker excels at buying time in the pocket and moving through what OC’s call progressions. People like Alex Smith and people who have played quarterback know this. What team did play quarterback for?
January 19th, 2024 at 10:06 pm
DavidBigBucsFan99,
More on Peyton Manning’s “nervous feet”
Why?
Some of it is style, but Manning’s shuffle is integral to the timing of his release. Most plays are designed for a receiver to be open at certain point in the QB’s dropback. For example, a quick hitch route is usually in sync with a QB’s 3 step drop, a crossing route a 5 steps and longer pattern at 7 steps. By the rhythm of his footwork, Manning is basically syncing his ability to release the ball at the moment his receivers make their breaks to get open.
Think of his characteristic shuffle as the equivalent of a passing metronome. 🙂
You’ll notice that exceptional QBs have consistent and active footwork that dictates their ability to perfectly time passes. Poor QBs generally suffer from footwork that does not match the timing demands of their plays.