James Pearce Vs. Baker Mayfield
September 1st, 2025
Pressure, in more ways than one.
UPDATED: 3:50 p.m. The Bucs, the past couple of years, have encouraged Baker Mayfield to get rid of the ball quickly. Quick passes. Get the ball out of his hand.
Might that be an even bigger priority on Sunday?
The Dixie Chicks will likely start rookie defensive end James Pearce at right defensive end. That’s where Tristan Wirfs’ backup, Charlie Heck, will be at left tackle.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles was asked what he saw from Pearce when the Bucs scouted him this past offseason.
One word quickly came out of Bowles’ mouth. Speed. That was the first trait that came up after Bowles was asked about Atlanta’s two rookie edge rushers.
“They bring a lot of speed,” Bowles said. “[Pearce] can really run.”
On SiriusXM NFL Radio today, Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris said Pearce has “very advanced pass rush moves that have been fine tuned.” And Raheem gave a lot of credit to his defensive line coach, former Bucs edge rusher Jacquies Smith.
So with Pearce being able to turn the jets on coming from Mayfield’s blind side, provided he gets past Heck, will Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard emphasize quick (very quick) passes even more?
September 1st, 2025 at 3:17 pm
The season’s almost here!
LFG!
September 1st, 2025 at 3:17 pm
I sure hope so. Stay with what worked last season. Lots of motion and quick passes. Baker isn’t the best with deep shots. Stick to the teams strengths and BEAT ATLANTA!
September 1st, 2025 at 3:25 pm
2 TE set might help, might not. More concerned with the D
September 1st, 2025 at 3:34 pm
Rookie edge rusher rarely shine in their first season, let alone their first NFL game.
September 1st, 2025 at 3:37 pm
Run the football and that will solve the pass rush.
September 1st, 2025 at 3:38 pm
Reading camp reports, Pearce had an excellent training camp, so the Bucs had better be ready. Meanwhile the Falcons other rookie, Jalon Walker, who was considered a much safer pick, apparently has struggled a bit. That’s what I read as of a couple of weeks ago anyways.
September 1st, 2025 at 3:44 pm
Yeah, he’s like 6’5”/250 and runs a 4.4/40 (I think). A total, FREAK. Been hearing comparisons this preseason to the ‘original’ FREAK… Jevon Kearse. Though, I believe it was really Shawn Kemp, when I saw HIM for the very first time in HS and then in the McDonald’s Game. The ONLY ??’s on Pearce is IF he can keep his head on straight. He and Jalon Walker together, are going to be a ‘BIG’ PROBLEM for the Bucs to have to deal with, for MANY YEARS!!!!
September 1st, 2025 at 3:57 pm
He was clocked at 4.47. And he had enough character issues that some teams were rumored to have dropped him off of their boards. That being said, the Dixie Chicks moved up to get him. Others reportedly had him as Late 2nd round or lower.
Seems to me I remember Rah had Kellen Winslow II on the Bucs. This may turn out badly, too….
September 1st, 2025 at 3:58 pm
I hope the big problem will be reversed here…..
Reddick versus a 3rd string Falcons right tackle..
This boy better FEAST like there’s no tomorrow!!
September 1st, 2025 at 4:06 pm
I think Leonard Floyd might have the best game from the Falcons Edge Rushers. He has the experience and the tools..
September 1st, 2025 at 4:08 pm
Hope Baker doesn’t need to run the ball much. Those fast guys coming from behind you are more dangerous than when they are out front of you. At least you can see them.
September 1st, 2025 at 4:09 pm
Actually, I think it was the McDonald’s Game when Kemp grabbed that rebound and took it ‘coast to coast’ only taking like ‘TWO-dribbles’ form HALF-COURT, and just DUNKING all over those guys!!!! Shew. Just SO NASTY. I was a real little kid and my jaw just hit the floor… Never seen anything like that before. Bo was really my first “freak” but I didn’t even know the term yet, at that age! I was only like, 7 or 8 LoL.
September 1st, 2025 at 5:15 pm
I don’t are how quick they are I’ll put money on Goedeke to contain him. And Heck will have help.
LFG!!!
September 1st, 2025 at 5:27 pm
It’s six days until we find out the answer. Why bother guessing what will happen? Time will tell, but at this point, nobody knows anything.
September 1st, 2025 at 7:02 pm
Think Heck will be able to lock him up and handle him. If not Kieft will be put in to help. More concerned about our defense than Heck.
September 1st, 2025 at 7:23 pm
6-5 245 lbs 4.47 40, Oh Baker….
September 1st, 2025 at 7:25 pm
WE shall see how much our Pass Defense has improved come Sunday. I have a feeling we will give Pennix pure Hell.
September 1st, 2025 at 7:26 pm
Put your spider senses to work Baker
September 1st, 2025 at 8:33 pm
Pearce can be special if he’s mentally focused, from my understanding he got away from Knoxville as soon as he could and locked in. It’s hard to produce as a rookie on the D-line but I would expect some help heading Heck’s way just to show Pearce and Walker different looks.
September 2nd, 2025 at 3:58 am
I remember Clowney getting schooled in his rookie year. They ran his ass off. He was drained by the second quarter if i remember right. It was a brilliant strategy to negate his speed.
Would love tosee similar in Atlanta. Make him run.
Go Bucs!
September 2nd, 2025 at 5:39 am
Feeling more and more that Baker will need to be very careful out there. He’s been our own Houdini twisting and turning through but shouldn’t need to.
September 2nd, 2025 at 8:06 am
Run right at Pearce and bury him.
September 2nd, 2025 at 8:09 am
While Pearce is getting his footing in the NFL Pass Rush game he will still be a major player is shutting down the run with his speed and ability to get off blocks. Then with his length he will be able to put a dent in the running back screen that have proven valuable in the past. Just by forcing a little more arc on a screen gives the DB’s more time to react to the play if Pearce does not run him down first.
Both of the falcons first round picks are the real deal and the only upside to Week 1 is Mayfield will only have to deal with one.
Would not surprise me one bit if the Falcons hold the RB’s to 4 receptions for 20 yards as the Commanders did in the Wild Card game 2024. If that is the case we will get a good look at the Bucs new receiving Corp as well as the Falcons new Secondary. With some luck the Bucs might put up a few more than the 189 yards passing the last time they were on the field.
NFL scheduled 8 Division match ups Week 1 with probably the best one being Thursday Night. After that the Lions vs Packers and Bucs vs Falcons are the other two games to keep an eye on. It’s going to be a case of “We are still the team to Beat” or ” There is a new Sheriff in Town”
September 2nd, 2025 at 8:24 am
Baker is excellent on the run.