There is no question that the Bucs let the first game of the season slip away. It just so happened that the second game on the schedule was against the Browns, who have lacked a solid quarterback since, well, Baker Mayfield. Mayfield facing his former team was one of the biggest headlines heading into Sunday, but one of the biggest after the game is how stale Tampa Bay already appears two weeks into the season. They played down to an inferior opponent again, losing in dismal fashion, 23-19.

Disaster struck, and I can’t even begin to list what was most disappointing from Sunday’s Week 2 contest.

QB Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield played it calm, cool, and collected in his press conference leading up to this game, reflecting on his time with the Browns. Still, Mayfield had the chance at revenge against the team that did him wrong and cast him aside. That surely lingered at the top of his mind, but it failed to translate into productive play.

Bringing back the mustache was not the right call, either.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Rather than lighting it up, his performance was underwhelming and filled with erratic moments. His first-half interception to cornerback Myles Harden was an example of poor decision-making as no offensive target was even close. As was the case last Sunday, Mayfield chose to escape the pocket with little success as he either was sacked or forced into a short checkdown.

And when it came to clutch time in the fourth quarter, Mayfield couldn’t deliver. Granted, he did put one throw on the money to Ted Hurst III for a potential game-winning touchdown only for the rookie to drop it. But on the next play, Mayfield rolled out, found no one and tried but failed to outrun Carson Schwesinger. Instead, he was forced out of bounds for only a 3-yard gain.

On the ensuing 4th & 10, Mayfield made an errant throw intended for Emeka Egbuka that fell short in the end zone, and that was that. The Bucs lost, and it was once again due in part to their quarterback’s play.

I will admit that I defended him in my latest Slivon’s Slant column against the haters, but how he played will only add fuel to the fire of those who did not want to see him extended.

You know what, I don’t even blame the haters anymore after what transpired. Until Mayfield proves otherwise, he is what we see.

Also, he really can’t throw a deep ball.

OC Zac Robinson’s Playcalling

It is one thing to see Baker Mayfield struggle, but Zac Robinson offensive playcalling did not help the unit get into a rhythm at all, either.

For Robinson, this offense has to better cater to the strengths of its personnel. There is no reason for none of the wide receivers being schemed open enough for Mayfield to hit, or for Kenny Gainwell’s versatility to be better utilized (see below). While screen passes near the line of scrimmage are fine every once in a while, it can’t be the main source of offense every week. This unit was a frustrating watch as it once again lacked a vertical element and explosiveness attacking defenses. Going horizontal already seems predictable at this point.

Tampa Bay’s quarterback has to be more consistent, but Robinson also needs to draw blame for not recognizing how he can get things clicking. Much of the offense’s success relied on Bucky Irving, and there is too much talent for this group to continually fall flat.

Yet, that is exactly what happened.

Robinson has to figure this out quickly, or serious questions about this offense will only continue to be raised.

ILB Alex Anzalone

Alex Anzalone was one of the most disappointing players in Week 1, and he did not do himself any favors in Week 2. Anzalone missed several tackles again, including in a critical moment near the end of the third quarter.

The veteran linebacker failed to wrap up rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston, who also evaded safeties Tykee Smith and Antoine Winfield Jr. on the way to scoring a 55-yard touchdown. Anzalone has not only failed to play like a starting linebacker, but Todd Bowles might have to make a difficult decision in benching one of the team’s biggest offseason acquisitions, because he has been bad through two games.

OLBs Rueben Bain Jr. And Yaya Diaby

Umm, where is this supposed lethal pass-rushing duo?

Rueben Bain Jr. was invisible for the second straight game, as it feels like the Bucs’ first-round pick has already hit the rookie wall. Bain has failed to look anything like he did in the preseason. That has also been the case for Yaya Diaby, who has failed to generate any pressure.

Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr. and Bucs OLB Rueben Bain Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

These developments are equally concerning, especially as Bain was expected to provide some pass-rushing juice, while Diaby was viewed as someone who could breakout in a contract year. Instead, the outside pass rush is non-existent.

The Whole Bucs Offensive Line

LG Ben Bredeson And C Graham Barton

Ben Bredeson’s offensive holding penalty in the second quarter was poorly timed, as it came after Baker Mayfield found Chris Godwin Jr. to convert a third-and-8 opportunity. Even though Mayfield found wide Ted Hurst III on the following play to move the chains on third-and-18, that does not save Bredeson from making this list.

Graham Barton also had a holding call at the wrong time, as Mayfield completed a pass to Bucky Irving for 12 yards. That play was called back after Barton’s penalty turned what would have been a third-and-5 conversion into a third-and-15. To make matters worse, Bredeson allowed a sack to Mason Graham on the following play to force a Riley Dixon punt.

Barton then had another offensive holding penalty that made a second-and-3 and second-and-13 with less than a minute to play in the game.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

RG Cody Mauch

Cody Mauch gave up a lot of pressure along the interior, which contributed to Baker Mayfield quickly rolling out to evade pressure. Part of it is Mayfield being jumpy and looking to make something happen, but the pocket also collapsed with Mauch often being main culprit. On the day, Tampa Bay allowed three sacks.

LT Tristan Wirfs

Tristan Wirfs was called for a personal foul penalty in the first half, and he has failed to look like an All-Pro left tackle these first two weeks. Wirfs has looked rusty through the first two games, a product of missing much of training camp due to injury.

RB Kenny Gainwell

For all the hype about what Kenny Gainwell would provide the Bucs’ offense, the answer through two games is — not much. Gainwell had a quiet debut with Tampa Bay, with just 15 yards on five carries and three yards on one catch in Cincinnati. His lack of involvement and production continued when taking on the Browns, as the veteran running back had just two carries for 10 yards and three catches for five yards.

What was he signed for, exactly?

Gainwell has failed to be the dynamic, do-it-all complement to Bucky Irving. Irving has looked as advertised, but he has had to the heavy lifting in the backfield early on this season. While there was optimism about how the duo could play off each other, that has failed to happen.