Mayfield “is attempting to practice,” Garafolo said. “Because he’s got to show the Bucs that he can throw the football.
“And as they came into the week, [the Bucs] weren’t sure where he’d be. So the next couple of days, as he returns to practice here and tries to show them that he can grip the football — and it’s about that.
“It’s about functionality, not about pain tolerance. If it was about pain tolerance, Baker Mayfield probably would be back a couple of weeks ago. … You know how tough he is.”
dont fall out of your chair, but Baker is our only hope!
The Bucs could find themselves right in the thick of the division race with back to back wins here to get to 3-5.
Carolina got Green Bay and Denver after us
But all starts with us..one game at a time.
This team is capable of doing a winning streak but they are still going to end up in a mediocre state under this coaching staff when this season ends. Either a mediocre/below average record or a top five pick is all but guaranteed at this point.
For the further development of the young players on offense we need Mayfield to elevate his game so we can see what the Bucs really have moving forward for 2027.
Just fucking tank it's gonna be ok..we find ways to lose.
Just let it be. Let the bad times roll.
Get what you can for Godwin and all the aging vets after you fire Licht.
We kept Todd Bowles because the organization did not want to risk being worse than his mediocre .500 record.
Or because it's pretty rare to fire HCs who make the playoffs, especially when that's not the expectation going in.
common sense that only seems uncommon now because of the collapse.
I think Mike Mularkey was fired after playoffs but he was an interim coach really.
Bills coach but again unusual scenario. Like the Dungy scenario
That's a fail on the glazers to not see the writing on the wall with how mediocre our division was. Anyone with two eyes could see that winning that division was not an accomplishment by any means because you knew what would happen in the playoffs. Not good enough. The team was mediocre. And it seems like the glazers didn't see that. Most people on here knew it.
I've been away on vacation, and am now catching up. Ehinote, as he usually does, sums things up quite succinctly. The owners have settled for "just good enough" with a coach and team barely getting by in by far the weakest division in the NFL since Tom Brady left. I personally believe it's time to part with Bowles AND Licht. Both have had their moments, but it's time for change. Let them play out the 2026 season, and then rebuild. Bring in a younger GM, and rely on him (sorry if that seems sexist) to bring in a young aggressive offensive-minded HC.
Meanwhile, so damn proud of the Rays. Monday night was the most excited I've ever been for a baseball game. And they and I were wearing the Devil Rays ballcap. We went to six Rays games this season and they've been an exciting team to watch. Hoping for a first World Series win!
Mayfield “is attempting to practice,” Garafolo said. “Because he’s got to show the Bucs that he can throw the football.
“And as they came into the week, [the Bucs] weren’t sure where he’d be. So the next couple of days, as he returns to practice here and tries to show them that he can grip the football — and it’s about that.
“It’s about functionality, not about pain tolerance. If it was about pain tolerance, Baker Mayfield probably would be back a couple of weeks ago. … You know how tough he is.”
dont fall out of your chair, but Baker is our only hope!
maybe he can get us to .500. .. .because, ya know, that is who he is . . based on a moment in time from the 2024 season!
Mayfield “is attempting to practice,” Garafolo said. “Because he’s got to show the Bucs that he can throw the football.
“And as they came into the week, [the Bucs] weren’t sure where he’d be. So the next couple of days, as he returns to practice here and tries to show them that he can grip the football — and it’s about that.
“It’s about functionality, not about pain tolerance. If it was about pain tolerance, Baker Mayfield probably would be back a couple of weeks ago. … You know how tough he is.”
dont fall out of your chair, but Baker is our only hope!
maybe he can get us to .500. .. .because, ya know, that is who he is . . based on a moment in time from the 2024 season!
Looks like he's back for Panthers
I think the roster is easily a 10-12 win team with a competent coaching staff. There is clearly talent here. Not a tear down rebuild.
I think the roster is easily a 10-12 win team with a competent coaching staff. There is clearly talent here. Not a tear down rebuild.
are we though?
it's hard to really assess the team with the offense being so helpless
what do we have in our WR core? Is Egbuka a bust or just result of poor quarterback play and OC? Same question about Godwin? Is he washed or again just poor schemes?
is McMillan even on the team next year? worthless to even type his name out.
Is Graham Barton even a top 20 center? This is his 3rd year, would have expected top 10 easily by now. Not the case
Wirf is a top tackle in the league or you can say easily in the top 5 right. Goedeke also a bright spot call it top 25.
Bucky is solid.
Baker is a huge question mark. Assuming 2024 was a fluke, and let's say so was the down play so far this year, back half of last year; maybe he is more closely the 2023 guy? Well that's good play but not great play...call it top 15 QB play. Guess we've seen worse. So can an offense coach get him back to 2023 play?
For a team that once was top 5 in offense (again this included Mike Evans who is making Purdy an MVP), i don't' really see much to be excited about the Bucs O
Defensively, ok, we are seeing improvement but outside of a few guys, who are building blocks in the future? Bain Jr, Trotter, AWJ, Parrish?
Morrison? Ass. Diaby? Ass. Kancey? Ass hurts. Robinson? Stud but old. Vea? looks like he quite quit.
the team has mid talent so you expect mid record. To me, they wont see 10+ wins again unless we see a drastically different Baker + the maintained improvement on defense.
Need to start hitting on draft picks.
Bucs haven't "HIT" on a first round pick since Wirfs back in 2020. Struck out on JTR, popped out to catcher on Kancey, infield single with Barton, and we are still at bat on Egbuka and Bain Jr.
I think the roster is easily a 10-12 win team with a competent coaching staff. There is clearly talent here. Not a tear down rebuild.
are we though?
it's hard to really assess the team with the offense being so helpless
what do we have in our WR core? Is Egbuka a bust or just result of poor quarterback play and OC? Same question about Godwin? Is he washed or again just poor schemes?
is McMillan even on the team next year? worthless to even type his name out.
Is Graham Barton even a top 20 center? This is his 3rd year, would have expected top 10 easily by now. Not the case
Wirf is a top tackle in the league or you can say easily in the top 5 right. Goedeke also a bright spot call it top 25.
Bucky is solid.
Baker is a huge question mark. Assuming 2024 was a fluke, and let's say so was the down play so far this year, back half of last year; maybe he is more closely the 2023 guy? Well that's good play but not great play...call it top 15 QB play. Guess we've seen worse. So can an offense coach get him back to 2023 play?
For a team that once was top 5 in offense (again this included Mike Evans who is making Purdy an MVP), i don't' really see much to be excited about the Bucs O
Defensively, ok, we are seeing improvement but outside of a few guys, who are building blocks in the future? Bain Jr, Trotter, AWJ, Parrish?
Morrison? Ass. Diaby? Ass. Kancey? Ass hurts. Robinson? Stud but old. Vea? looks like he quite quit.
the team has mid talent so you expect mid record. To me, they wont see 10+ wins again unless we see a drastically different Baker + the maintained improvement on defense.
Need to start hitting on draft picks.
Bucs haven't "HIT" on a first round pick since Wirfs back in 2020. Struck out on JTR, popped out to catcher on Kancey, infield single with Barton, and we are still at bat on Egbuka and Bain Jr.
WR core I'm not super worried about. Egbuka may not be a true 1 and that's fine. Hurst is promising but raw. Godwin looks alright to me when we actually get him the ball. Licht has a good tracker record with WR's.
McMillan- we'll see.
Barton- Would like to see him move to LG and replace the C.
Tackles are in good shape.
We're good with Bucky.
Defensively. Corners are set even if Morrison doesn't pan out though he has shown flashes.
Diaby would be a great rotational guy if we had a true #1 rusher. Walker looks great so far, Bain obviously we have no idea yet. Vea & Robsinson are getting older but that position you can play at a very high level in to your 30's. Kancey has shown flashes.
Every single team can go down their roster and poke a million holes. Get a proper staff in here and I'm confident we'll see better results.
17 straight one possession games tells me they can compete but need to get over the hump.
The talent level of the team is sort of a whiplash item on the Red Board. If the discussion is Bowles the team is talented enough to win, even when injured. If the discussion is Mayfield then it's "he owns the team record" even when there is doubt about the team talent level.
I think the team, and particularly the defense, is missing key All-Pro level player (or players) that teams are often times built around. Maybe one of the young defensive players (Bain or Trotter, for example) will become that but that player doesn't really exist today.
On offense we have Wirfs and he is that kind of player but if you go WR we have many good players but not one dominant guy. No dominant guy at TE. Committee at RB
so some talent but no true stars other than maybe Wirfs. Part of that is no truly early 1st round pick for years.
WR core I'm not super worried about. Egbuka may not be a true 1 and that's fine. Hurst is promising but raw. Godwin looks alright to me when we actually get him the ball. Licht has a good tracker record with WR's.
Sorry, but how can you not be worried about the WR group?
Egbuka is AT BEST a WR2.
Godwin was never a WR1. And, is a shell of himself.
JMac is basically the "Calijah Kancey" of the group.
Tez is a gimmick WR
No idea what Hurst is, but he's probably the only hope we have for an alpha WR1.
WR core I'm not super worried about. Egbuka may not be a true 1 and that's fine. Hurst is promising but raw. Godwin looks alright to me when we actually get him the ball. Licht has a good tracker record with WR's.
Sorry, but how can you not be worried about the WR group?
Egbuka is AT BEST a WR2.
Godwin was never a WR1. And, is a shell of himself.
JMac is basically the "Calijah Kancey" of the group.
Tez is a gimmick WR
No idea what Hurst is, but he's probably the only hope we have for an alpha WR1.
Licht has a pretty good track record for receivers. There are a ton available every year in the draft. We've seen Baker excel with Godwin & Evans out against good teams, albeit the 2024 season (with good coaching).
Here is my honest view of the roster:
Mayfield top 15/20 Geno Smith territory and needs a competent OC to help him build quick rhythm passing attack.
Irving Jr, Gainwell, Tucker more than good enough for any NFL roster. That is not even up for debate.
EE I think still can be a 1 even if people are down on him but if he is a high end 2 that is still good. Hurst looks like a 2 but right now I can envision him being a core 3 WR. McMillan should be an easy 3 but his injury history suggests he is clearly a 4. Tez is definitely a 4 and might sneak up into a 3 at some point as he does play on the boundary and not just slot.
Otton is clearly a high end 2 but no way a dominant 1 or even a low end 1. Even pairing another 2 with Otton would help him not face so many top tier coverage so he can do his work in the open field.
Wirfs is still a cornerstone
Goedeke is solid and you can't do that much better at RT relative to what the Bucs are spending.
But the opposite is true with Bredeson as in terms of value he is overpaid and should be a backup swing interior lineman or at least the starting center
Barton is not progressing as fast as anyone hoped I would like to see him kick to LG or even RG to see if he can be quicker off the snap.
Mauch is not worth re-signing and it is better to move Barton into Bredeson or Mauch's spot and draft a new center.
Schrauth right now on paper looks like a potential backup interior OL which is okay along with Haggard. Can't see either one being a starter at some point in the future.
Durham is a solid 3 TE but is being forced to play more snaps because the Bucs lack a true 1.
Kancey is basically a worse version of Nacho and has no future with this team.
Simmons, Roberts and Capehart are the future rotational players and might be fringe starters at some point.
Diaby is just playing himself off this team at this point.
The same with Winfield Jr.
McCollum, Garnes, Parrish, and Morrison are the core 4 corners right now. Scott is in the mix and he can moonlight as a safety too.
Smith is the new top dog at safety and the secondary right now because he is out playing Winfield Jr.
Walker and Bain are your new starting duo at edge based on what we have seen so far.
Trotter Jr has his spot locked down but need a new guy next to him. Fordham could do it but the depth is nothing here long term.
Overall a very average, young roster that lacks top end talent. A .500 ball club that could win 10 to 11 games with good coaching on a consistent basis.
Good post. I added my thoughts in red. I agree almost totally with what you are saying here with a few tweaks.Here is my honest view of the roster:
Mayfield top 15/20 Geno Smith territory and needs a competent OC to help him build quick rhythm passing attack. AGREE
Irving Jr, Gainwell, Tucker more than good enough for any NFL roster. That is not even up for debate. AGREE
EE I think still can be a 1 even if people are down on him but if he is a high end 2 that is still good. Hurst looks like a 2 but right now I can envision him being a core 3 WR. McMillan should be an easy 3 but his injury history suggests he is clearly a 4. Tez is definitely a 4 and might sneak up into a 3 at some point as he does play on the boundary and not just slot. SLIGHT DISAGREEMENT. EE HAS NEVER DEMONSTRATED HE WAS A 1. JMc SHOULD BE COMPLETELY DISREGARDED AND NOT EVEN ON THE LIST.
Otton is clearly a high end 2 but no way a dominant 1 or even a low end 1. Even pairing another 2 with Otton would help him not face so many top tier coverage so he can do his work in the open field. AGREE
Wirfs is still a cornerstone AGREE
Goedeke is solid and you can't do that much better at RT relative to what the Bucs are spending. AGREE
But the opposite is true with Bredeson as in terms of value he is overpaid and should be a backup swing interior lineman or at least the starting center. HE NEEDS TO GO. HE IS ONE OF THE SWINGING GATES ON THE O-LINE.
Barton is not progressing as fast as anyone hoped I would like to see him kick to LG or even RG to see if he can be quicker off the snap. AGREE
Mauch is not worth re-signing and it is better to move Barton into Bredeson or Mauch's spot and draft a new center. AGREE
Schrauth right now on paper looks like a potential backup interior OL which is okay along with Haggard. Can't see either one being a starter at some point in the future. AGREE
Durham is a solid 3 TE but is being forced to play more snaps because the Bucs lack a true 1. AGREE
Kancey is basically a worse version of Nacho and has no future with this team. 100% AGREE
Simmons, Roberts and Capehart are the future rotational players and might be fringe starters at some point. AGREE FOR THE MOST PART. I HAVE HIGHER EXPECTATIONS FOR CAPEHART.
Diaby is just playing himself off this team at this point. AGREE
The same with Winfield Jr. AGREE
McCollum, Garnes, Parrish, and Morrison are the core 4 corners right now. Scott is in the mix and he can moonlight as a safety too. AGREE
Smith is the new top dog at safety and the secondary right now because he is out playing Winfield Jr. AGREE
Walker and Bain are your new starting duo at edge based on what we have seen so far. AGREE
Trotter Jr has his spot locked down but need a new guy next to him. Fordham could do it but the depth is nothing here long term. AGREE
Overall a very average, young roster that lacks top end talent. A .500 ball club that could win 10 to 11 games with good coaching on a consistent basis. AGREE
In fairness the WR room is hard to read given how this offensive scheme is being put in place. It is no secret that I do not like Robinson. Godwin is an elite slot WR and he isn't being used so I am not too down on McMillan, EE, and Tez. Hurst has shown he can make plays no matter what though which has value but I wouldn't leap frog Hurst over Godwin, EE or McMillan based on that right now. But I do see the potential like he is a mini megatron when he makes his cuts in the open field.
Plus, another function of how people perceive WR beyond scheme is also QB play. Mayfield and Daniels have not been spectacular after dozens of games tracing back from last year and the start of this year.
But overall the point remains that this team lacks a dominant WR1 or TE1 IMVHO. Need an alpha WR1 or TE1 to elevate this offense and a stud LG to put this offense over the top. Defensively, they need a stud DT, and safety to really coalesce this defensive unit. Sadly Kancey and Winfield Jr were supposed to be those cornerstone anchors but it is not looking like it. Maybe T. Smith becomes that but I want to see a true big bodied safety play next to Smith and a big, fast DT play at three tech. Having two big and fast players a three tech and Free safety would really elevate this defense in my view.
