Game Ball: Baker Mayfield
September 9th, 2025
Acknowledged.
Offensive linemen like to stick up for quarterbacks. And that was the case for NFL Network’s Willie Colon.
The former Steelers and Jets guard co-hosted NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” and when he and his three co-hosts had to give out game balls for Week 1 play, Colon gave his to Baker Mayfield.
While Mayfield didn’t have eye-popping numbers, shoot, they were pedestrian as he only threw for 167 yards, Mayfield did lead the Bucs in rushing with 39 yards and he did throw three touchdown passes, two to Emeka Egbuka (including the game-winner) and one to Bucky Irving.
“My game ball goes to Baker “The Touchdown Maker” Mayfield,” Colon began. Sunday “was a grinder of a game. But you talk about two minutes to go, this guy was efficient, steady and ready to roll.
“I thought he led this Bucs offense right down the field. He was money-good, man.”
Colon noted that for some, Mayfield is still a lightning rod but clutch play like he had Sunday will shut up the haters.
“Baker takes a lot of criticism, but you talk about evolving into a true pro, I mean, he owns this division right now,” Colon said. “So I love Mayfield. I love what this offense looks like going forward for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”
The way Emeka Egbuka played, Joe will trying not to drool if the Bucs can get both Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs back in the month of October.
If Godwin is anything close to what we know he can be, watch out, NFL!
Our Week 1 Game Balls go to… 👀
Manti Te'o 🏈 @chargers Justin Herbert@willcolon66 🏈 @Buccaneers @bakermayfield @JamieErdahl 🏈 @49ers @JakeTonges @KyleBrandt 🏈 @Colts Daniel Jones pic.twitter.com/1RA1r3zYbd
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) September 8, 2025
September 9th, 2025 at 3:37 pm
he stepped up when we needed it the most. This guy is a Gamer and his teammates love him. Go BUCS!!!
September 9th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Check the archives.
Teacherman has been saying for weeks to put Barton at LT.
I guarantee they read my messages.
If only they had listened to Teacherman he called for Mark Barron to move to LB.
When Teacherman wanted to draft Keuchly.
And when Teacherman wanted to draft the Honey Badger in Round 2.
Now?
When we get Morrison and Izien back.
Will they listen and install “The Tampa 7”
Rush 4. Zero linebackers. And 7 DBs on the field.
We have the personal for it.
Izien and Tykes Smith as “money backers”
Give LVD some snaps off.
And drop 7!
September 9th, 2025 at 3:51 pm
The way him, and EE are already nodding, and winking at each other for TDs is rare. Those were two nice TDs. Go Bucs!
September 9th, 2025 at 4:00 pm
^^^^^^^ idiot^^^^^^ jack meoff
September 9th, 2025 at 4:01 pm
Trask was givng people an option with a wink and nod. “Paper or plastic”?
September 9th, 2025 at 4:02 pm
Jack
Hoping this is all tongue in cheek.
What team do you really root for when not working the comedy tour circuit?
If it’s still the Bucs, that would take some convincing around here. LOL
September 9th, 2025 at 4:19 pm
If Mayfield is a “lighting rod for some”, it must be for the really uninformed. The media bought into fake news about a washed out Mayfield but many of us knew the truth: A badly injured Mayfield played the entire 2021 season with a serious shoulder injury. He did it for the most inept franchise in the NFL who rewarded him by signing predator, Demassage Watson. How has that worked out for the Browns and Mayfield?
September 9th, 2025 at 4:20 pm
@Teacherman
I guarantee they are not making personnel or scheme changes based on blog comments – lol.
September 9th, 2025 at 4:21 pm
Why was Hassan Reddick flying home on the 6 pm Atlanta to Tampa flight on Monday Night? Can Ira get to the bottom of this?
September 9th, 2025 at 4:56 pm
I haven’t trusted teachers since they came out with that new math crap in 1969
September 9th, 2025 at 4:57 pm
Teacherman — check your archives on other Offensive lineman.
You were wrong on Cappa.
You were wrong on Goedeke many times.’
You were wrong on your favorite boy from who was drafted by the Vikings, Ed Ingram.
To me you have been more wrong on the offensive line than correct. But I am sure you can correct those misunderstandings.
teacherman
May 27th, 2020 at 3:15 am
We need a RG who can get low and open lanes!!
Cappa is 6-6 and his center of gravity is too high!
We need a RG who has a thick lower body. Cappa can’t move DTs alone!
Please re-watch the season! Every snap!
We cant win a Super Bowl with Cappa!
teacherman
September 9th, 2022 at 7:45 am
Engram looks great for the Vikings.
He was a LG for LSU. Now, he’s the RG for the Vikings.
Goedeke was a RT at a tiny school.
teacherman
April 29th, 2023 at 4:38 am
Goedeke at RT?
Omg.
He’s slow with short arms.
He’s gonna get destroyed.
September 9th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
Funny but Bret Favre went to 2 superbowls winning 1. Throwing 16 and 23 interceptions both seasons and passer ratings of 87 & 92. I’m sure Bakers throwing of 16 interceptions, what 1 time, with an annual passer rating of 106.8 is plenty good enough to get that job done. Especially since when it’s playoff time our boy Baker plays better than anyone-105.9 for his career. Yeah, so I’m not sure what you want Jack. Maybe you think other quarterbacks don’t make mistakes. When a quarterback has the highest passer rating of all time in the playoffs, that’s who you want…playing in “the playoffs”. At least until he has proven he doesn’t have what it takes anymore and Baker is on the rise not the decline. I guess we just need to thank the football gods that Jack’s opinion doesn’t carry a lot of weight with the coaching staff. Baker has the necessary skills, it’s just a matter of building a team that is good enough around him and the staff is doing that. It is only a matter of time. Brady threw 12 or more interceptions 10 times in his career. Mahomes threw 12 or more 4 out of his 7 years. Heck, Ben Rothlesburger threw 2 interceptions in the superbowl he won and had a passer rating record for the lowest rating of 22.6. Bakers playoff PR this year was 146.5 to Rothlesburgers 22.6. 146.5 vs. 22.6 that’s 6.5 times better just so you are aware Are you kidding us Jack?? What are you even talking about? Baker is plenty good enough. UF fan for sure.
September 9th, 2025 at 5:55 pm
Gameball to Baker: No
Defense: AWJ
Offense: Embuka
ST: Johnson
September 9th, 2025 at 6:39 pm
At least 3 players deserve game balls. 1–Bake, 2-EE2 (what a debut), 3-AWJ (great game saving play).
September 9th, 2025 at 7:51 pm
Need to get the running game going. Gotta give baker some help