Raheem Morris: Dixie Chicks Couldn’t Get Baker Mayfield On The Ground
September 8th, 2025
Baker Mayfield scrambled for critical yards on third downs Sunday.
Finding a way to win. That’s what good quarterbacks do and Raheem Morris found out the hard way (though his quarterback damn near pulled off what Baker Mayfield did.)
It wasn’t the greatest of days for the Bucs’ pass protection. A decent chunk was two guys were playing out of position and a third was pulled off the unemployment line in July.
The Bucs, almost irresponsibly, decided to shake up their offensive line by benching Charlie Heck, who was pegged to play in place of rehabbing left tackle Tristan Wirfs back in minicamp.
The Bucs flipped center Graham Barton to left tackle and left guard Ben Bredeson to center. Then filled the hole at left guard with not-that Michael Jordan. Got it?
The Bucs brazenly hatched this plan after the worthless preseason. Months of preparation was flushed down the toilet. At least for one game, it worked. Barely.
But this did leave the Bucs offense vulnerable. Bucky Irving never got into a rhythm. And Mayfield didn’t often have a clean pocket.
Still, Mayfield had critical runs to extend drives and keep the ball out of Michael Penix’s hands. And this frustrated Dixie Chicks coach Raheem Morris.
“Started off well,” Morris said of Atlanta’s pass rush. “We just couldn’t get [Mayfield] on the ground.
“He scrambled for big third downs. He scrambled for a bunch of plays there that looked like they were rushing yards. Baker is tough to get on the ground.”
And that’s what Mayfield does. Just when you think he had him bottled up and shut down the passing game, he takes off and finds a way to get a first down.
Mayfield led the Bucs with 39 yards rushing.
Finding a way to win is what good quarterbacks do. And Mayfield found ways to win when needed most in the fourth quarter.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:05 am
I shouldve noted the time, it was 3rd or 4th qtr, but Bucky laid a key block on a guy twice his size headed straight for Baker…Bucky was bending but held that block! That was awesome! Baker’s shaking off a little rust but he finds ways.
Houston is looking to avenge their opening loss next (mon night), so we’re going to be in for another tough one. Might have to keep Barton at LT.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:10 am
MadMax Says:
September 8th, 2025 at 12:05 am
I shouldve noted the time, it was 3rd or 4th qtr, but Bucky laid a key block on a guy twice his size headed straight for Baker…
———–
I know the play you’re talking about, but I’m pretty sure that was White — but I could be wrong. In any case, it was an excellent block since it looked at first like they were going to layout Baker.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:21 am
Rod, I agree with you. I think it was White with that block. I think that was the only time I saw White in there, but I was at a party so may have missed a play or two.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:22 am
Run game really not good. Emeka did have a nice run on an imaginative inside sweep.
Baker and Otton played like they’d never met..
Raachad should have had substantially more touches, the one or two he got were gainers. Bucky IS NOT a bell cow, workhorse back.
I initially thought like everyone else that this was some last second, gamed day change to the OL, but they’ve been practicing it?? So that excuse is no good.
Hoping the rust gets knocked off and Grizzard gets his head wrapped around the task at hand PDQ. The next three games are no cakewalk.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:22 am
Joe — thought Heck was good enough.
The Bucs, Saskbucs and I thought Heck was lacking.
My comment to Joe’s article on Heck — no Excuses on September 6th:
When I read this from this Joe — “Joe doesn’t want to hear excuses for anything Charlie Heck”
All I think of is that LT is the 2nd hardest position to secure on an NFL team. To act like — one of — or the best — OT in football can be replaced by a journeyman — just because he has been here all offseason and we think our scouting and coaching of the line is good — is hyperbole about the scouting and coaching —
and underestimates the key thing — the player at LT is the biggest part of the equation.
Saskbucs comment just after mine:
I’ll believe it when I see it. I want to agree but fear this Heck stinks. Dont think the coaching is taking the stench off. Hope I’m wrong, but it’s why I’m praying they run the ball a ton. Looks like that big bugger can run block decently.
Obviously, the coaching said that despite all the coaching they did that Heck did not come up to quality level. So, what did they do — they put a better play at that key left tackle position.
It is ok to admit when you are wrong, Joe. Your almost irresponsibly comment is so out of line in this case — they knew what they were doing in the end.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:35 am
Never suggested Heck was all that. Shoot, Joe had no idea what to expect.
But to have a wholesale change to your offensive line in a handful of days goes against everything the Bucs pound in Joe’s head, from suits and coaches to players, that for a successful offensive line, everyone has to play together for a long time.
Crap, Joe was told that (again) by Cody Mauch just two weeks ago. “It takes time.”
Joe is OK if the Bucs didn’t think Heck could get the job done. But where were these same coaches the past four months? They couldn’t figure out Heck wasn’t the answer until maybe two weeks ago?
Talk about hanging Barton out to dry, much less Bredeson. Bucs could have had Barton at left tackle and Bredeson at center all friggin’ training camp. Imagine how much better they would have been.
Don’t try to pin this on Joe. Why did the coaches not figure this out at the end of July? They are paid handsomely to know better.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:37 am
Couldve been White, my bad if so, it was a crowded loud bar, but I thought I saw it was Bucky.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:40 am
Not exactly inaccurate. Otton missed maybe a total of three weeks of practice the past six weeks.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:46 am
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD could someone please teach Mayfield to slide. The man dives head first and lands on his throwing shoulder for a first down and then makes two bad throws afterwards. Not the dive was the reason for the bad throws but probably didn’t help and dang it I’m tired of holding my breath when Bake does that crap!
September 8th, 2025 at 12:54 am
Agree. Mayfield needs to protect his body a bit better.
September 8th, 2025 at 3:38 am
As ugly as this game was, there’s something to be said about a veteran team that knows how to win close games. The Bucs were never that team during the Lost Decade, they are now. A win is a win, they won’t all be pretty. This is a team that will rarely get blown out, will play a ton of close games, and will win more than they lose.
September 8th, 2025 at 4:48 am
Joe’s right on the O line, Bucs had all camp to figure this out. We could not run the ball between the tackles, our bread, and butter. Barton in the middle makes that work. The continuity between Barton, Cody, and Ben wasn’t there, and it showed. Wirfs can’t return fast enough. If Heck can’t do it, why have him on the team? Play the rookie Chukuma. Play the rookies, Bullock, or Jackson over Dennis. Time to cut bait with players that can’t be trusted to get the job done.
September 8th, 2025 at 5:34 am
Jason alluded to the fact the run game suffers when Heck is in there. Can’t see how it could be much worse than yesterday
September 8th, 2025 at 5:56 am
Rod Munch saying something positive here wow… on a side note Joe, Baker played with Michael Jordan in Carolina so there is some chemistry there
September 8th, 2025 at 7:11 am
@BucYou
That was a balanced post that is spot on!
September 8th, 2025 at 7:17 am
Bucky showed improved pass blocking and it was great
September 8th, 2025 at 8:14 am
Jmark, I’m with you man. It sounded like this was a last second decision. When the announcers mentioned it, I thought WTF? Why would they do something like this at the last minute? I think we were lucky to come out of Atlanta with a win. We left 11 points off the board (Baker missing a wide open Otten, and McLaughlin missing a FG and Xpoint), while the Falcons had at least one TD taken off the board by a iffy penalty call. Oh well, we won, and that’s all that counts.
September 8th, 2025 at 8:47 am
Bowles shuffled the line because he said Barton was the better run blocker. Like Dr. Phil is know for saying, “How did that work out for you”? Keep people in position and this offence will start clicking.
September 8th, 2025 at 8:59 am
To modify a quote from the Traskophiles, “Let’s see what we have in Heck” and let the rest of the OL go back to their original positions and gameplan to compensate for the matador rather than turning the whole OL into a matador training academy.
September 8th, 2025 at 9:17 am
Have to agree with Joe here…
“ Joe is OK if the Bucs didn’t think Heck could get the job done. But where were these same coaches the past four months? They couldn’t figure out Heck wasn’t the answer until maybe two weeks ago”
And now they all seem really tickled by their dirty little secret. Very strange.
September 8th, 2025 at 9:49 am
I recall reading Bakers draft analysis and it said he was the Sooners best runner. I did not believe it. But i am a believer now.
September 8th, 2025 at 11:13 am
There’s a lot of talk about the change to the offensive line at the last minute. I think we need to take a moment to appreciate how blessed we are to have guys like Barton and Bredesen, who are versatile enough to change roles and perform well enough to give the team a chance.
Barton not getting enough credit.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
Hey Joe, nothing like still another NEW Offensive Coordinator to get used to, yet again! That’s one big reason why the OLine was changed up. Plus, nothing wrong with Raheem Morris. He and the GA birds are going to be giving teams a lot of headaches this season. Bucs win, and that is all that counts.
September 8th, 2025 at 12:47 pm
” benching Charlie Heck, who was pegged”
Ah so that was the reason.
September 9th, 2025 at 1:15 am
Couldn’t get Mayfield down. Hilarious. I thought he was too slow