“The Grit”
October 5th, 2025
Gritty.
So last week, Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians was on “Up and Adams” with the seductive Kay Adams, and Adams wanted more.
More Baker Mayfield.
What is it about Mayfield that fans love so much, she asked Arians? What is it about Mayfield that isn’t written about enough or yelled about on the various national hollering shows?
It’s really simple, Arians said.
“I think the grit, you know,” Arians said. “The grit he plays with. And I’m like you. I love the fact that he talks sh!t, and it starts a lot of stuff out there.
“And that keeps the guys up, especially his offensive line men who are his best friends.”
A perfect example of that happened last week against the Eagles. Philadelphia corner Quinyon Mitchell ran his mouth at Mayfield and tried to start a hassle. Here comes Tristan Wirfs! Mayfield and Wirfs are tight and Wirfs, just back from surgery, was ready to throw down for his friend and quarterback.
Joe thinks Arians has a good point. Mayfield running smack at the defense gets his offensive linemen fired up. That’s a good thing.
“Baker, he just brings it,” Arians said. “He brings energy. He brings everything, passion. The fans actually love him and and he can flat throw the ball. He can still spin it.”
Spinning two or three touchdown passes today against a strong opponent sure would be nice.
October 5th, 2025 at 1:49 am
He’s playing great. I actually don’t care about the grit and moxy stuff. Jeff Garcia had that, too. Baker has been making mostly great decisions and delivering mostly great passes. the team seems to love him and they’re responding to his leadership. Now can he keep it going and resist the urge to be Hero Ball Baker again? Will he start forcing stuff to Evans later in the season for the streak? Will he take an unnecessary hit and wind up missing games? I love watching him play football but he still makes me a little nervous as a fan. It’s like a recipe that works for greatness and disaster.
October 5th, 2025 at 2:00 am
I’m not bashing Baker with this, but the whole ‘grit’ thing always said about someone who isn’t actually talented enough to play, and Baker was the top pick in the NFL, and clearly has talent.
Since 2000, how many QBs who won the SB could be called ‘gritty’? Probably Dilfer and maybe Foles. Baker is too talented and too good a QB to be written off as ‘gritty’.
BTW, here’s an amazing stat for you… since 2000, there’s been 25 SBs, and a former or current Bucs QB took part in 16 of those SBs.
2000 — Trent Dilfer (Ravens)
2001 — Tom Brady (Patriots)
2002 — Brad Johnson (Buccaneers)
2003 — Tom Brady (Patriots)
2004 — Tom Brady (Patriots) | Jeff Garcia (Eagles)
2007 — Tom Brady (Patriots)
2008 — Byron Leftwich (Steelers backup)
2010 — Byron Leftwich (Steelers backup)
2011 — Tom Brady (Patriots)
2014 — Tom Brady (Patriots)
2016 — Tom Brady (Patriots)
2017 — Tom Brady (Patriots)
2018 — Tom Brady (Patriots)
2020 — Tom Brady (Buccaneers)
2021 — John Wolford (Rams backup)
2023 — Blaine Gabbert (Chiefs backup)
October 5th, 2025 at 2:55 am
He’s come a long way from” middling”, eh rod? Our boy just needed the right fit.
October 5th, 2025 at 5:19 am
yes, watch us win this game today at 4:05 pm……
F the 12th mongrel…!
October 5th, 2025 at 5:36 am
Baker running 50+ yards down the field to block for Bucky…
Baker scrambling to the sideline, stiff-arming Bosa the entire way and still completing a pass to Rachaad for a first down…
That’s grit.
The trash talk really isn’t my style, but the camaraderie and leadership he’s demonstrated really shows when an opponent gets in his face.
Last week it was just Tristan against a young man that I thought must’ve had a death wish, lol.
But, I can recall a couple of other games when the entire O Line swarmed around him when the trash talk started getting out of hand.
It’s hard not to root for him when you see how he plays, and how his teammates will always have his back in an instant.
October 5th, 2025 at 7:02 am
Kay Adams has such a feel for the game! Astute observations and then the ability to listen-asks the smart questions and then keeps her mouth shut! Really, she’s just a Gem in so many ways!
October 5th, 2025 at 7:30 am
Wirfs had his helmet ripped off, and there was no flag. The refs have been real bad league wide this year. Bucs have been on the short end of the stick too many times. Replays havent been much help either.
October 5th, 2025 at 8:35 am
Agreed, Hodad. I am worried again for our game today too.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:10 am
That grit is his edge in the game. I think without it he would not be the same QB
October 5th, 2025 at 9:18 am
“…Philadelphia corner Quinyon Mitchell ran his mouth at Mayfield and tried to start a hassle. Here comes Tristan Wirfs!”
Except for a couple of EE’s amazing catches, THAT video of Wirfs is one of my favorites for the year. That was awesome! If we could only have seen the video of Mitchell having to run off the field to change his underwear… lol
Joe, you like to put links at the end of your articles. That links would be a good one. I’d go back and watch that over and over.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:20 am
If BM6 can get the offense moving early, the Buc’s can come back with a huge W!! Give ’em hell Baker!!
October 5th, 2025 at 9:24 am
Hodad says “Wirfs had his helmet ripped off, and there was no flag. The refs have been real bad league wide this year. ”
I couldn’t agree more!! The Buc’s have to beat their opponent, the refs, and injuries this year. When they get through this they will be so strong and dominant! Get it done!
October 5th, 2025 at 9:25 am
Grit and talent aren’t mutually exclusive. Baker’s pretty talented in most categories. The physical part includes arm talent, good mobility and decent speed, strength to shed would be sacks and then the cerebral part of his game which is a byproduct of all the different coordinators he’s had. The grit intangibles include mental and physical toughness, willingness to play hurt, and his pure love of the game.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:31 am
Yes, Munchenstein it is sad but truths that Grit and hustlers are backhanded slams to say you have no talent. I see it in all sports. On The other hand it is not good enough to have talent in the top leagues. All the top sports are littered with first-round failures. People say reverently that LeBron hustles and dives after loose balls not as a no talent slam but to say Bron can ride on talent but does not. So you have to look at Bruces unsaid assumptions and that is of course Baker has talent but he does not stop there. He pushes the limit and makes everyone better. If you look at first round busts such as Fields or Manziel or Josh rosen or the Bear’s kid or now Watson or anyone you can think of they dont say that person hustles or has grit than that is probability why they did not meet first round expectations.
October 5th, 2025 at 9:40 am
Munch boi ain’t got much going on in life
October 5th, 2025 at 10:17 am
It also draws roughing the passer penalties which helps. Baker is a crafty veteran.
October 5th, 2025 at 11:33 am
“with the seductive Kay Adams,”
Why haven’t you guys living in tampa set Lee up on a date yet?
October 5th, 2025 at 11:36 am
that int last week showed signs of a QB feeling himself too much. Huge Bake Boi but want to see these accolades when there’s some playoff wins under the belt.
October 5th, 2025 at 2:35 pm
Feisty Bake is on a mission, and this team is with him. I’m always carrying on that the Bucs have to beat two teams every game they play: refs and the actual opposing team. Some of the ref crap over the years is just beyond insulting. I want to see an upset today cos that might back the refs off a little. Notice the use of the word, ‘might.’