“You Can’t Feel Good About Tampa’s Chances”
January 11th, 2024.
Unlike nearly all of his national NFL analyst colleagues, Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian attended Sunday’s Bucs-Panthers game in Charlotte.
He came away aghast at the Tampa Bay offense.
Per Polian, Baker Mayfield threw four balls into the hands of Panthers defensive players but none were intercepted. He went on to say Mayfield missed two open Bucs receivers for touchdowns and the Bucs only played “pretty well” on defense despite the 9-0 shutout victory.
Polian speculated the Bucs should have lost by two scores. He largely credited Panthers mistakes to the outcome rather than plays made by the Bucs.
“Carolina not only shot themselves in the foot, they shot themselves in both feet, both arms and their belly button. …You can’t feel good about Tampa’s chances [against the Eagles]. They’re going to have to play great on defense. You know, did Baker just have a bad day? Hard to believe against a defense that’s as poor as Carolina’s was.”
It seemed to flummox Polian that the Bucs didn’t pounce on a bad team because he was certain the Bucs weren’t looking past the Panthers.
“Could they have been overlooking Carolina … while needing to clinch [a division title]? That seems unlikely. So I don’t know what to make of that group,” Polian said.
Joe can’t explain what happened against Carolina, a truly brutal team. Was it really all Mayfield’s injury? Joe also can’t explain the Eagles’ historic implosion.
This is why Joe won’t be wagering on Monday night’s game.
January 11th, 2024 at 9:55 am
If that dinosaur Polian was still on the rules committee the players would be wearing leather helmets.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:00 am
Sorry but,
Eagles 34-10
January 11th, 2024 at 10:03 am
Does Polian realize Carolina was 4th in total defense? Baker was also injured. Couldn’t get the ball downfield. Wasn’t pretty but we got the job done.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:06 am
Last week has no bearing on this week. Moreover, criticizing a Defense that got a shutout is moronic.
No one knows what will happen Monday. That’s why the games are played.
But if Bowles gets waxed, welcome Pete Carroll to Tampa!
January 11th, 2024 at 10:07 am
Well history says the Eagles will get well against the Bucs
January 11th, 2024 at 10:08 am
Polian is correct. Bucs laid two stinky eggs, Aints and Kitties, to end the season on a “meh” note.
Zero Mo Mentum.
I have little confidence in whacking the Iggles Monday night.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:10 am
If i had a nickel for every time a national pundit got a prediction wrong over the years I’d be a Billionaire.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:10 am
I mean I don’t blame the Glazers for seeing the last 2 games and wanting to see how this team comes to play in the playoffs. Especially after the last playoff blowout loss where the defense did not come to play vs the Cowboys.
Context matters. Not all 9-8 teams are the same based on how they got there and who they played / etc.
I’m proud of the team though for where we’ve gotten. But we better come to play in this game
January 11th, 2024 at 10:12 am
BA – Leather helmets are not a bad idea to go back to. Sure, at first, there would be some Bonk-Bonks, but players would quickly learn to play leaving the head out of it, and that would reduce the concussions.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:14 am
That was Bakers worst game easily. He was clearly in pain as has been reported and it showed. The ugly overthrows were back. That game was exactly how he played while grinding through his last Season with the Browns on that bad shoulder.
Healthy Baker = decent QB, can win games
Unhealthy Baker = garbage / Jameis without the upside
Bucs are in a super tough spot now. Need to throw lots but the QB might not be able to get it done. I hope he is very close to 100% by Monday
January 11th, 2024 at 10:16 am
Seems to me this”experto” didn’t even Watch the tape of the game.
BM played injured that’s the reason he couldn’t throw accurately.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:27 am
Unless Baker gets something straightened out, like maybe his contacts, this playoff run won’t make it past halftime.
The Bucs did not win that last game, Carolina lost it. When Carolina wasn’t snake-bit, they kept dropping rocks on their own feet.
If just two of their plays had worked, the Bucs would be watching Hot Toddie box up his personal stuff.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:32 am
The Eagles have a lot more talent than we do and in theory this shouldn’t be all that close.
But we will see.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:39 am
You guys thinking you know better than Bill Polian need psychiatric assistance.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:41 am
Even without Bakers injury Bucs are a .500 team. Eagles get right against the Bucs.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:47 am
If BM is too badly injured, Bucs play the backup QB. Last time I checked, that’s why teams have backups. Just common sense which there’s a dearth of on this site. Go Bucs, play your best A+ game!!
January 11th, 2024 at 10:49 am
Carolina has a good defense- their offense is terrible
Mayfield had a bad game- rib and ankle injury definitely affected his play
Interior OLine had a bad game
Palmer dropped another pass
January 11th, 2024 at 10:49 am
Eagles 27 Bucs 10. Time to clean house with coaches & quarterback
January 11th, 2024 at 11:00 am
The Bucs should re-sign every Player on the roster as this is a great team and they would of went 17-0 if not for the Coach ..Ok back to Common sense the Team was favored in 1 game to start the season and won 9 so how good were they suppose to be .Coaching is overrated you have to have Players .
January 11th, 2024 at 11:04 am
If Mayfield isn’t 100%, which is probable, sit him and start Trask. Hell, according to Bowles as reported here on this site, the Bucs are going to be running the ball a lot in the Eagles game. Trask can hand the ball off as well as Mayfield, and can sure as hell make some of the throws Mayfield missed last week. Everyone’s expecting the Bucs to get killed anyway. So, what’s to lose? Who knows Trask may add a spark that’s been totally missing the last couple of games. This is all contingent on Mayfield’s health.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:05 am
It boils down to healthy Trask vs. banged up Mayfield. Sorry, but I’ve go to go with Trask on this one.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:19 am
KC beat the Charges 13 -12 on a less than a minute left Field Goal and loss to the Broncos scoring you guessed it 9 points. You think everyone is picking them apart, Mahomes, Reid and the entire team. I just don’t get Tampa Bay fans or maybe it is just the so-called fans on here.
If I was a player I would be looking how I could get the hell out of TB.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:20 am
Lots of discussions out there that Bowles must win or he’s out. Have to believe that’s coming from OBP. Nobody from ownership or management has made any vote of confidence for Bowles sticking around.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:24 am
PSL….It boils down to healthy Trask vs. banged up Mayfield. Sorry, but I’ve go to go with Trask on this one.
On what basis, all the stats that Trask ran up this year. If you truly are a Trask fan, you would be putting him in an awful situation for him to come out and lay an egg. Not really fair to him and if he does he will relegate himself to be a journeymen backup that never sees the field and holding a clipboard on the sideline.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:29 am
As a Baker fan, if he’s healthy enough to throw a good pass, then he starts. If not, that’s what backups are for. Period.
I’m also of the opinion that Philly does not have more talent (overall) than the Bucs- except for the O-line. If they had soooo much talent, then why did they lose five of their last six?
This has been a crazy year for most NFL teams. So why can’t the Bucs pull off a win?
January 11th, 2024 at 11:33 am
WyomingJoe … This has been a crazy year for most NFL teams. So why can’t the Bucs pull off a win?
I agree totally with what you said… Bucs are riding a 2 bad game slide, the Eagle are riding a 1-6 slide but in peoples mind on this board the Eagles are soaring.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:36 am
Nothing in Baker’s demeanor suggested he isn’t gonna play.
Last game we had a chance n a pretty drive and some good runs, but Otton dropped an easy screen and Mike dropped a TD pass.
Baker doesn’t have to hit bombs or even 20+.
It was the screen game that gave them problems.
This could be that breakout game honestly.
Bucs 34-17.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:47 am
To para-quote Forrest Gump “Baker is like a box of Chocolates, you never know what you are going to get”
January 11th, 2024 at 11:54 am
See more people saying my name in their posts lately
January 11th, 2024 at 11:54 am
Baker may be fine by monday. Explain to me how a healthy first rounder Bryce did worse than Banged up Baker. And why would a healthy second rounder with no experience do better than Bryce with a year under his belt.
January 11th, 2024 at 11:54 am
REALITY …
Canales is easily outcoached. Easily. He doesn’t gameplan strengths vs weaknesses and he’s late to adjust.
Get ready for a lot of punts, a few turnovers, and a defense that gets hung out.
January 11th, 2024 at 12:11 pm
I find it hard to believe that it could have been designed this way but 9-8 was my biggest fear. Just good enough but nothing more than mediocre. Unless Bowles wins the NFC ( and who knows? ) he has done just barely enough to make the decision difficult for the Glazers. However, they have been lucky in the past.
My sense is that Bowles sticks for one more year while Canales is prepped for head coach and his development QB is drafted. I think Baker gets signed for short term with some creative outs for both sides. Here comes Dirk Koetter 2.0 next year. Let’s hope it works out better this time.
January 11th, 2024 at 12:13 pm
Like all Buc fans, I wat to see us beat the hell out of them Eagles. But..I don’t see or feel it. Baker is going to have to have one of his best games ever guys. And he’s banged up something terrible. Playing on guts and trying to make all of his bonuses and incentives. He is hurtin bad. And our Defense is going to have to have one of its best days ever with sacks and pass rushes. I know we will play hard. But I fear it will not be nearly enough. Now, Surprise the hell out of all of us Bucs.
January 11th, 2024 at 12:27 pm
Gonna need to play better for sure, ala Packers/Jags effort. I’ll keep fingers crossed and hope they can put it together.
Agree if BM not capable of going go to Trask but not just to make a change after last 2 wks.
Would be setting Trask up to fail and could ruin career. Let’s hope they can make something happen
GO BUCS
January 11th, 2024 at 1:11 pm
Stop trying to find the problem. It’s obvious. It’s coaching.
It’s the coaches job to game plan.
It’s the coaches job to prepare the team.
It’s the coaches job to scheme appropriately.
It’s the coaches job to make halftime adjustments.
It’s the coaches job to utilize players to the best of their abilities.
Now. Look at those job duties and ask yourselves if you’ve seen ANY of these traits from this staff?
That’s a hard NO, for me dawg.
January 11th, 2024 at 1:16 pm
MIKE TOMLIN :
“Scared money don’t make money.”
Toilet Bowl, llsten to Mike Tomlin’s press conference !!!
WOW , Toilet you could really learn from Tomlin’s philosophy, we could really see if you have any potential or if your absurd philosophy is your ceiling.
January 11th, 2024 at 1:17 pm
BakerFan Says :
“relegate himself to be a journeymen backup”
Hilarious you say that about Trask….when Baker’s more close to that then you obviously know.
January 11th, 2024 at 1:18 pm
BucsBeast…all of that terrible coaching and yet they won 9 games.
January 11th, 2024 at 1:19 pm
Got to agree on Coaching, all the way back to Houston (Thats on Bowles all the way) I don’t know WTF Canales is doing 1/2 the time. Need to get their sht together and let it all go Monday, nothing to lose.
January 11th, 2024 at 1:26 pm
Buc1987 How many snaps as a pro has Trask taken…. you idiots are delusional.
January 11th, 2024 at 1:30 pm
If the Eagles had not crapped the bed over the past few weeks, I would have said the Bucs had little chance to win this game. Even now, it’s only the Eagles’ problems that make me think we might have a shot. Our offense is offensive and with the exception of the dreadful Panthers, our defense seems to focus on tackling receivers after they make wide-open catches for big gains. I’ll cheer and hope I’m wrong, though.
January 11th, 2024 at 1:45 pm
BakerFan,
Kyle Trask is 100% unknown. He may be a journeyman, a backup, or he could eventually get a shot and do well. What’s so hard to fathom about that.
Baker Mayfield is an average QB in the NFL. You don’t pay average. You pay HoF Mike Evans and the stud DB- AWJr.
Baker is hella tough, but I don’t know if he’s truly very good. We will see this Monday against the Eagles. I hope he slaughters them.
January 11th, 2024 at 1:48 pm
All these Baker/TB will cease as soon as a loss to Eagles. Why ? I tell you. These combo of daddy/loved son will be dismissed.
January 11th, 2024 at 1:53 pm
Better make the run this season because I have a feeling the NFC South is going to have a dominant team next season.
One team has a decent defense, a good running game, and a QB that is just some coaching away from being a legit starter. Owner also suffered a devastating Super Bowl defeat after being up 28-3. Yes the Falcons could be the next landing spot for Bill Belechik. If Ridder isn’t a consideration perhaps he does a Bowles what would have been at the Jets with Mayfield and brings in Garoppolo. Ole Bill could have his 15 wins and the all time wins record before the Bye 2025.
If that is the case and the Saints and Falcons return to prominence the Bucs are going to have to really step it up after this season.
Get Vita a case of Red Bull and turn him loose.
January 11th, 2024 at 2:23 pm
Would have been nice to give the backups some playing time during the season. The Bucs have no idea what Trask can do when the real bullets are flying much less in a playoff game.
January 11th, 2024 at 2:28 pm
Bakefield is beat up. I hope they have Trask ready if he gets hurt.
January 11th, 2024 at 2:46 pm
I guess polian didn’t see Mayfield grimacing from the rib pain, and limping around from the ankle injury. He also couldn’t be troubled to look up the fact that the Carolina Panthers have the number three defense in the league, and the wind was bowing 20 knows! Just pathetic effort on Polian’s part.
January 11th, 2024 at 2:51 pm
No sht, didn’t beat anyone badly enough to even give Trask a chance.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:02 pm
SteveK Says:
January 11th, 2024 at 1:45 pm
BakerFan,
Kyle Trask is 100% unknown. He may be a journeyman, a backup, or he could eventually get a shot and do well. What’s so hard to fathom about that.
Baker Mayfield is an average QB in the NFL. You don’t pay average. You pay HoF Mike Evans and the stud DB- AWJr.
Baker is hella tough, but I don’t know if he’s truly very good. We will see this Monday against the Eagles. I hope he slaughters them………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Personally I have nothing against Trask, I just think it would be unfortunate for him to come in and the Bucs TEAM lays a stinker. If that happens he may never get another shot at a starter.
I do not try to hide being a Baker Fan…. This is his chance to shine and play for that big pay day. If he stinks it up then his chances are running out. I don’t want to hear that he stunk it up because he was injured in this playoff game. Either you are up to the job or you are not. I would like to see Baker move on from the Bucs, IF the attitude on this board is the type of fans that Tampa Bay has.
I hope he comes in and lights it up. But if Trask plays I am not rooting against the Bucs like a lot of the Baker Haters do on here. Then we will see what Trask has on the biggest stage that he will be in up to this date in his football career.
But I guarantee if the Bucs run for 2 yards on the first 2 downs and play behind the chains all game, it does not matter who the QB is they will lose and will lose big.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:04 pm
If Trask never gets his chance, that’ll be sad for the kid, but that’s the way the NFL is. He’s had 3 years to show the coaching staff that he’s the future – it’s clear now that the team aren’t buying it. I think the fairest think we can do for KT (if we re-sign Baker) is to cut him and let him try his luck elsewhere
January 11th, 2024 at 3:05 pm
Trash Baker fans;
Again just shut up until your boy can win his second playoff game in six years.
Don’t post, Don’t text, Don’t talk, Don’t ruin this website.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:20 pm
If he was at the game — and he was — unlikely.
People see (and hear) stuff on TV folks at the game will never see (unless they are watching the game on TV there).
January 11th, 2024 at 3:27 pm
If Baker was healthy I’d say the Bucs have a great shot at this.
But if he looks like he did v Carolina it’s going it be tough sledding.
January 11th, 2024 at 4:07 pm
Mayfield was clearly very injured against Carolina. How is that even a question?
The question now is: how injured is he still?
If can’t push the ball downfield, we have ZERO chance. Run game won’t do it, no matter what our boneheaded moronic coaches try to say.
January 11th, 2024 at 4:22 pm
Are u maniacs actually pining for a back up QB with no starts and ONE preseason td on his whole nfl resume to now start his first game under the lights in a playoff game to replace the guy who got u there because of ur disdain for him!?? Unreal
January 11th, 2024 at 5:35 pm
I was there. I gotta say it was much windier than it looked there. Really affected a few kicks and throws. I saw balls litterally curve in trajectory.
January 11th, 2024 at 5:36 pm
At field level the wind was litterally moving the opposite direction than it was at the top of the stadium. The uprights were shaking from the wind.
January 11th, 2024 at 6:20 pm
David Says:
January 11th, 2024 at 1:48 pm
These combo of daddy/loved son will be dismissed.
——-
Is that what happened to you David?
January 11th, 2024 at 6:24 pm
Baker needs to be at least 90%. If not start trask
January 11th, 2024 at 9:22 pm
These fakerbois are so delusional. Why is it your man crush deserved his shot even though he had never thrown a pass in the NFL but the qb we drafted to replace Brady doesn’t because of the same thing? He was forced to sit two years behind Brady like that was his choice and NEVER would be given the chance to start no matter how he played. There’s no way he couldn’t have done better against the Panthers as bad as Baker played. He showed enough during preseason that he knew as much of Cornales’ offense as Baker a 6th year vet. I’m sure deep down you guys are afraid that Trask will eventually show up your boy and then that would be all she wrote for him. If Baker is not full go Blowles should let Trask start would be no worse than if he started during the regular season when Baker stunk it up
January 12th, 2024 at 5:28 am
Polian is probably one of the smartest dudes in football.
He ain’t wrong…But hope springs eternal with this Buc fan.
Go Bucs!
January 12th, 2024 at 4:23 pm
To both David’s… bahahahahaha! Roll me up one out of yalls sack bcuz you two idiots have to be high AF! And to all you history b(l)uffs – we’ve trashed the eagles several times in the playoffs and too the rest of you sissies that want Trask out there please jump off the skyway or go back to Gainesville and relive your glory days – whatever you have to do to stop regurgitating the same lame ass take… go bucs!
January 12th, 2024 at 7:54 pm
Sorry,but Bill Pollan was exactly right.