Baker Mayfield Suggests Encouragement Works With Raw Offensive Linemen
September 22nd, 2025
Baker Mayfield talks blocking.
Joe’s seen many veteran, star quarterbacks who, when things don’t go their way, will either stare down an offensive lineman like drama queen Aaron Rodgers or outright chew their heads off like Dan Marino would do.
It seems Baker Mayfield doesn’t believe in that approach. Instead, Mayfield said he is more into encouragement when mistakes are made by young, green offensive linemen, like the kind blocking for the Bucs yesterday.
Asked what he said to the two first-time NFL starters yesterday when the zebras tried to turn the game into a flagfest worthy of being staged at Arlington National Cemetery, Mayfield said he doesn’t go after people.
“Keep doing what you are doing,” Mayfield said his advice consists of. “Some of [the flags] were real ticky-tacky. Just keep doing what you are doing.
“Obviously, there are some [flags thrown] when the ball is bouncing outside. You just have to be smarter and let go [of blocks] a little bit earlier.”
Mayfield also said who the Bucs were trying to block set up offensive linemen to get flagged.
“It is going to happen when you are trying to block Quinnen Williams — one of the top interior d-lineman in the league,” Mayfield said.
Summing up his observations playing behind in a line where no starter was projected to be in his role all summer, Mayfield said, “Those guys rose to the challenge.”
It wasn’t pretty but when Mayfield needed time to throw on the game-winning drive, his protective shell found a way to get the job done.
Just like Mayfield has been doing the first three weeks of the season.
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:05 am
3-0
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:07 am
Leader of men!
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:09 am
Any word on Mike ???
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:11 am
So far so good!! The OL played well enough to bring in another W!! Next week won’t be a cake walk either! Even if TW78 is back! We may need one more miracle! Get it done!
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:11 am
If you told me we’d have 0/5 starters in their positions along the OL, I’d have said we’d be 1-2. The fact that we are 3-0 is beautiful. Especially with Godwin and Wirfs on their way back
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:26 am
Joe, don’t want to have to correct you. “Just like Mayfield has been doing the first 3 weeks of this season”. We lost 4 games last year-4!!-where Mayfield tied or got us the lead and then the defense let the opponent win with no time left to give Mayfield a chance. 2 of those were OT and that would have maybe been different this year with the new OT rules. Our defense is better this year and Mayfield is doing what he’s always done. The few doubters here point to the Detroit playoff game. I went to that game and Baker threw 3 TDS and was the best player on the field. The doubters pointed out the Washington playoff game- highest QB rating in NFL playoff history! Tied it up with 5 plus minutes to play!! Never got the ball back. I have never, ever seen Mayfield choke. Quite the contrary. That’s why he’s a top 10 QB in NFL history. Many here have seen me make this comment before. I ain’t Whistling Dixie when I say it.
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:31 am
Was there yesterday! thought it funny they featured to O-line for the team introductions! but definitely can understand the logic behind it! Lift them up as opposed to kicking their legs out from underneath them.
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:47 am
Joe you’re on fire. Love this take of how Baker responded to his OLine regarding all the penalties. Doesn’t do a bit of good to yell & scream.
Kenton … nice take also regarding our defense being better than last season, and also about Baker’s performance in that Detroit game. I’m still unsure about what happened in the 4th qtr yesterday, but it looked like we stopped being aggressive with the blitzing & the defense just let their foot off the gas as a consequence. Doesn’t explain a lick about our horrid S/Ts perforamnce once again, but maybe no one’s told them yet that the 2025 season had begun.
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:55 am
LOL. Love Baker but he didn’t seem very encouraging on how he called the Mike on that one play. Sounded very much like previous plays the line was making the wrong calls and messing up assignments.
September 22nd, 2025 at 10:00 am
I swear some fans definitely were not around on the lost decade. Why can’t we just be happy with a win no matter how it was done.
September 22nd, 2025 at 10:04 am
Kenton, that’s a great perspective. What a gem we got in Baker!
September 22nd, 2025 at 10:04 am
Defense Rules, you are one of not too many that knows what we’ve got going on here. Stpetebucsfan and his positive attitude is another of my favorites. Our defense was incredible yesterday. Our offense has been wounded, heck, anyone knows the game starts with the OLine. I didn’t know if Taylor was gonna come back that second half as hard as our defense beat him up that first half. He’s a tough old veteran and I knew he was. But offensively we didn’t help the defense out that second half. The blocked kick was the real boner play of the game. Team has this behind them and it’s full speed ahead! We are going to lose a few games this season. But not many!
September 22nd, 2025 at 10:06 am
Seems like Grizz could have called better plays to help the O line in the 3rd and 4th Quarters. Trying to run Bucky and White on pitch outs to the left side of the line wasn’t working, but Grizz kept calling those plays. It was like Canales was back on the sidelines. Play calling has to get better in the next four weeks.
As far as the refs, think the Bucs need to complain to the league. Those guys sucked.
September 22nd, 2025 at 10:09 am
I remember the 80’s and the Steve Deberg teams, when you could trade a pack of cigs for an end zone seat
September 22nd, 2025 at 10:18 am
Watching the GMF show this morning and it is obvious the league was wanting the Jets to win and I am sure they tried their best to influence the outcome.
September 22nd, 2025 at 10:19 am
Wirfs should solve three problems next week: LT, LG and C.
September 22nd, 2025 at 10:23 am
Our blank holes puckered up yesterday. The offense was playing not to make a mistake instead of trying to extend the lead. The defense started playing back, losing all aggression. That’s Todd Bowles, should be use to it by now. Bucs didn’t have to kick that FG that was blocked. They could’ve put the game away with a 1st down, it was 4th, and one. Our FG kicker has missed two FGs already this year, and an extra point. That FG that was blocked wasn’t a give me. We couldn’t get a yard to end the game? Todd should trust his offense more. They’ve been more clutch than his defense, and STs. Todd being Todd.
September 22nd, 2025 at 10:48 am
Hodad. Worth a thought. And I like aggressive. But that one was a no brainer. You’ve got to be 90 % on that kick. Running a play there would have been 70 % tops. Todd made the right call, no doubt about that.
September 22nd, 2025 at 10:57 am
I won’t lie, the past two games I prepared mentally to lose. I never want to lose, but if we do it ruins my week, so I mentally prepare myself.
But Baker is better at last minute saves than Tom Brady was for us. He’s a huge confidence builder. I have always wanted an undefeated season because of our first year, but I have never felt us capable. This team is different.
Some observations:
🏈 Bowles saying “I feel like we let up to early”…We all know that was on him. Defense was aggressive until he told them not to be. I felt like he did it on purpose for his friend across the sidelines. But regardless, he needs to man up an take responsibility.
🏈 Mike Evans usually has an early game with drops… doesn’t bother me because he always addresses it between games. My heart breaks for him with the hamstring issue. He’s got the talent and ability to play several more years, but that hammy keeps getting in the way. No wonder he threw his helmet.
🏈 I love how this team has no quit in them. Regardless of the DC (Bowles) nearly blowing everything yesterday, which is not on the players, they always fight to the end.
🏈 Our defense is developing into championship caliber. It’s not there yet, but it’s a few games away.
🏈 The offense had a ragtag OL, had to use TEs to protect the QB, and Baker was making throws with an injured hand. And yet…they still produced big. If we ever get them fully healthy (maybe by week 8?) they will be unstoppable.
🏈 The DL is slowly improving.
Honestly, I think this team can go all they way when healthy…but Todd Bowles needs to learn the lesson Tony Dungy taught his team: a game is 60 minutes. Play like it is. Don’t let up until the whistle blows.
September 22nd, 2025 at 11:00 am
Ex Browns Fan Says:
September 22nd, 2025 at 10:19 am
“Wirfs should solve three problems next week: LT, LG and C.”
I hate playing the Eagles. They play dirty every time. I would rather they were not his first game back.
September 22nd, 2025 at 11:29 am
Hard fought game regardless of the zebras getting in the way. Defense is coming along just find I feel. Morrison and Parrish ™ (I call them two the firm) looked solid with the tackles. Dean playing better as of late. SVD didn’t look that bad lol. Man if Braswell and SVD find their footing, watch out. Next week will be a tough outing. I’m standing on it… Bucs win
September 22nd, 2025 at 11:39 am
Bonzai , excellent take. 100% agree. He has no one to tell him to change, he’s his own boss.
September 22nd, 2025 at 1:57 pm
@buccaneerbonzai
“We all know that was on him”
We? Do you have a rat in your pocket? We who?
September 22nd, 2025 at 2:09 pm
See what I mean, Bonzai? Very knowledgeable comment by a Buc fan. You know that officiating was bad, and worse than it normally is for Tampa Bay.