“We Haven’t Played Close To Our Best Ball”
September 17th, 2025
Outside of two-minute drills and the running game in Houston, the Bucs offense has sputtered much more than fans got used to last season.
That’s a wonderful sign.
Imagine what it looks like when playcaller Josh Grizzard gets a little more experience, and the offensive line heals up and Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan return.
Baker Mayfield told the Buccaneers Radio Network on Monday that the Bucs have a long way to go.
“Oh man, we like to make it interesting. We’ll watch the film, get things corrected. We still haven’t played nearly close to our best ball,” Mayfield said. “Coming out on the right side of things. So with this, um, it’s good to see the grit and resilience from this team. And to be honest with you, it just shows how, how damn tough this team is and that can carry us a long way. So we just need to get things corrected and play clean ball and we’ll be pretty damn good.”
Joe agrees. The product has been messy and ugly at times, but the Bucs have made big play after big play to eat two Ws on the road.
September 17th, 2025 at 7:55 am
I think the coaching so far has been better than the execution by the players on the field. That has not always been the case.
I’ll give one example. The punt block. It seems to me that the special teams coordinator recognized the possibility and loaded up the middle of his offensive line. Yet, the players along the line and the punter were the ones that screwed up that play.
Ok, others — the players what have been in place to make 4 or 5 interceptions but have just not held onto the ball.
Ok others — McLaughlin has missed multiple kicks.
Ok others — Dennis has been responsible for allowing about 180 of the passing yards against the team — otherwise what giving up 300 passing yards total in two games by other players.
September 17th, 2025 at 8:15 am
“That’s a wonderful sign”
Agreed Jose’s. Just a couple of weeks ago, we (Bucs fans) were hoping and praying that the Bucs would win the first few games, at least until until reinforcements arrived. Well…here we are at 2-0, with a very winnable game on the horizon this Sunday. Can’t wait!
September 17th, 2025 at 8:16 am
Kicker isnt working….time to can him, sorry. Dennis isnt what was advertised but we still need him.
RT, go after Chris Hubbard now….work on acquiring Pipkins next year….Luke will recover but we need serious backup.
And he’s right, once everyone is healthy, look out….but that isnt coming anytime soon.
September 17th, 2025 at 8:23 am
Yea the punter is to lazy with his kicks, if Chad makes field goals we don’t have close games and yes Dennis is a liability he is always out leveraged. Ohh and Grizz is still learning his personal. R. White was great Monday night
September 17th, 2025 at 8:33 am
Baker won’t call them out but the pass protection from this Oline is pretty weak….he is pressured on most throws.
After the first series, the defense has played quite well….especially in the red zone.
September 17th, 2025 at 9:03 am
They knew what they had in Charlie Heck before the season started.They also knew about Wirf’s injury before the season started.. Licht has been praised for assembling quality OL starters. His record of acquiring a competent back up tackle is not looking good right now. That’s a major factor in why the Bucs offense has sputtered. Mayfield is also getting beat to death. Should Mayfield sustain a serious injury this team is sunk. Totally inexcusable.
September 17th, 2025 at 9:06 am
Team can NEVER be healthy, not sure if the players are injury prone, the training staff is weak or it’s just bad luck.
Bucs need to take advantage of their opportunities, protect the ball and play clean until they get healthy.
Licht failed this team in the offseason by paying an injured Godwin over stacking the roster with talent
September 17th, 2025 at 9:18 am
I rarely ever have this feeling, but I have an eery feeling that we’re gonna lose to the Jets this Sunday.
It’s setup to he a classic backup QB a$$-whooping type of game for us.
We have a history of frequently losing these types of games.
Hopefully, we rise up to the occasion and win instead what we usually do in these types of games when everyone thinks it should be a somewhat easy victory for us.
September 17th, 2025 at 9:24 am
This is a Super Bowl talented roster, but the Bucs are probably going to need to make a trade before the trade deadline for another defensive linemen. Even if the Bucs win the Super Bowl, it is obvious the Bucs need to address offensive and defensive line depth along with bringing in at least two new ILB’s.
September 17th, 2025 at 9:29 am
@Erik: We also “HAD” a problem winning in prime time. This is a different kind of Bucs team.
September 17th, 2025 at 9:30 am
“the Bucs offense has sputtered much more than fans got used to last season.”
Some fans, maybe. the offense sputtered week 3 last season against the Broncos and they came into RayJay and whooped our sessa 26-7.
We scored on 1 of 10 possessions, but for this iteration of the team in 2025, were on a 2 game turnover-less streak and just won a primetime game. So who knows, maybe we play up to our potential and spank the Jets in the home opener as we should.
Sure would nice to get 3-4 quarters of clean ball in all 3 phases, THAT would ease a lot of nerves imo
September 17th, 2025 at 10:12 am
Let’s just hope Chase gets it together, but unfortunately, when it gets in your head #danger. Also, little use of the tight ends right now and it will likely remain that way until the offensive line is back together. Dennis is not natural yet, he is doing too much thinking, once he gets out of his head, he will be alright
September 17th, 2025 at 10:39 am
different season different problems.
the good is to see the rushing game get on track, more injuries is to be expected….. some players seem to be stepping up so we’ll see. roberts and gaines come to mind….also white had some good carries when given the opportunity. morrison didnt seem to screw up too bad except that one penalty…so thats the good.
the bad is $claughlin. too bad. hope he turns it around or doesnt keep missing.
the ugly is “Voss”….i dunno, that one play he seems to get lost out in the flat and made to look real bad. they need to fix that or stop using him in that coverage. he looks just lost. how many big plays are they going to allow to go on for…..are we gonna watch him get beat like that for 25+ every game this year?
September 17th, 2025 at 10:54 am
But he has played it CLOSE.
September 17th, 2025 at 11:01 am
This is as good as this team is defense isn’t championship caliber sorry
September 17th, 2025 at 11:02 am
grizz is yale grad super smart he’s keeping the best for the fourth quarter and when it’s really needed
September 17th, 2025 at 11:17 am
This is when all the training in the heat starts to set in. It breaks you down on a cellular level. Since it’s a delayed reaction it doesn’t seem to be looked at. Could explain a lot of the injuries, all the 2-1 starts and the mid season slumps. Why do we have the Glazerr shed. It takes me weeks to recover from a1pm sun soaked heat game. Can’t imagine the players. Who become walking wounded. Where is the sports science on this? Need to incorporate some marathon training recovery mentality. Or we can just shred our tendons and break down our muscle tissue/hamstrings. Go Bowles!
September 17th, 2025 at 11:59 am
Let’s get real here. Bucs practice outside in conditions of heat and high humidity. You go out and do it. It’s not just the heat down here, it’s the humidity. These guys have to wear all sorts of protective game gear just to hit the field Sunday. They will be sweating like crazy. But, it favors the Bucs cos it’s where they base out of. Finally, the weather will favor our Bucs. You can bet Bowles will have them ready. This is his former employer’s team he will facing. 3-0, Bucs.
September 17th, 2025 at 12:40 pm
Kancy came through camp injury free, Evans no hammies, etc so the heat ain’t the issue. Injuries sometimes just happen. Pulled a quad onetime in a pick up softball game, worked out regulary, in good shape, BAM. Sheeite happens.
September 17th, 2025 at 3:41 pm
I’ve been telling people that same thing. Baker hasn’t really played well. Bucky hasn’t played well. We haven’t even seen Otton. And our defense has been middle of the road. With all that being said…we have won our first two games ON THE ROAD.