Regardless of QB injuries... his stats look good. He'd be ranked lower, sure... but the stats look good. I'd say they look better than the actual eye test, which I'm sure you agree with...
Baker was also pretty dang clutch this year. He's a gamer but he will never be elite.
Yes, agreed on all points.
He was hilariously bad...
not really even a coordinator, just a button pusher. A guy calling plays off a sheet.
By comparison, Canales has actually adapted his offense through the season TO SUIT THE EXISTING TALENT and to TRY TO overcome the obvious deficiencies that Bucs have on offense. Easy example is how almost everything is out of the gun now, no under center, even though this limits a staple play action tree and limits the boots. BUT its apparently what works best for Mayfield. He's also gone away from mid zone runs so much etc.
The only game last year where it looked like the Bucs really game planned and adapted the offense was the game where Mike Evans destroyed single high safety man cover of the Panthers, but even that has to have been Brady not Leftwich (based on Brady being Brady and his comments)
I'd say they look better than the actual eye test,
He is beating his best before AND all stats NOW are skewed by a slow start. For example, with the recent exception we went on a good run of games where we were running effectively. For the season though still one of the worst running games, statistically, because the beginning was so rough.
If the offense came out like it played during its winning streak, Mayfield stats are off the charts FOR HIM and the the league.
Even Ledyard's RRP stat. My guess (only a guess) is that we are less RRP near the end (think of the Packers game as an obvious RUN game where Canales must've seen something so we passed a lot early. Could be wrong about that. Just a guess.
If they sign Mayfield, he might totally regress back to his past poor play, instead of playing at his near best like now. HOWEVER, one other alternative is we get a LG and a Center, and a TE and pick up a true 3rd receiver or Palmer actually becomes that (not sure lol) . . and the offense is LEGIT, from a game planning standpoint. . from GAME 1. If the defense only improves a little and it should JUST WITH a better safety and MLB and maybe a better CB . . well, it should be pretty clear why they might move forward as we are, especially still with cap issues.
Mayfield walking off the field after the Panther game
https://x.com/Sara_Walsh/status/1744444307975598299?s=20
Walsh's comments are expanded up in another piece pointing out that Mayfield is typically a run off the field guy and a "ra ra" guy on the sideline during the game, but this game he spent a lot of time sitting. Another article points out that he did not complete a pass over 10 yards.
Maybe he's a little more injured than we think?
Panthers also a top 5 D in yards and passing. They've given up TDs because their offense is so bad (turnovers and field position) and usually give up RUNNING yards.
Regardless of QB injuries... his stats look good. He'd be ranked lower, sure... but the stats look good. I'd say they look better than the actual eye test, which I'm sure you agree with...
Baker was also pretty dang clutch this year. He's a gamer but he will never be elite.
I wouldn't call him clutch (he's had two game winning drives and one 4Q comeback).
But, I'll 100% agree with on the gamer part. He's got moxie, he's spirited, he's not a quitter, and he's a great teammate.
As far as this season is concerned, here's how he was graded by PFF (which matches my eyeball test for the most part):
- 1 Elite Game
- 2 Good Games
- 5 Above Average Games
- 3 Average Games
- 5 Below Average Games
- 1 Poor Game
I mean, all in all, it's just about as average as it gets.
His grade for the season was also the 4th highest of his career. It was also the 4th highest BTT (big time throws) of his career, but also his highest TWP (turnover worthy plays).
On a side note, it was the 2nd least amount of drops he's dealt with in a season.
He won us a few games, and he definitely lost a handful.
But, at the end of the day, he ABSOLUTELY outperformed his contract. Great value.
his highest TWP (turnover worthy plays).
Interesting. That backs up the "he's been lucky in the interception department" argument made earlier.
2.) Can the line keep the pocket clean that long?
This is one of the reasons Canales runs the ball or tries to run the ball, as frustrating as it can be.
Everything in the NFL is fractions of seconds. Brady got rid of the ball super fast and often had too. MAYFIELD would not succeed having to do that. There was a post here about how Mayfield would have done in LAST YEARS offense. He would have REALLY struggled throwing the ball 40 plus times a game. Maybe lead the league in INTs. Evans would have even less productive because defenses would rush 4 only (like last year) and sit back (like last year) and (unlie last year with Brady) Mayfield would throw pick after pick after pick, forcing the ball in games where we . . this is the key part . .where were couldnt keep the offense on the field, somehting we struggled top do erven with Brady
That is the POINT in having Canales. Literally why he was hired by Bowles.
EVEN IF ITS FRUSTRATING, Canales offense is built around making it easier for the QB by using the run game to keep the defense off balance. This means down/distance on schedule, as one example, because 3rd and 4 could easily be a run. Canales (more so than Mayfield) is why we CONVERTED 3rd downs at a pretty great rate this year (for us). Last year we were NOT as good at converting 3rd downs and we converted as well as we did (still shitty) because BRADY WAS THE GOAT. Mayfield is NOT lol
Not surprisingly, you can see the OPPOSITE problem infect Canales OLD TEAM this year Poor 3rd down conversions were a big problem and one (big) reason why . . .
Shane Waldron’s Problematic Playcalling
One of the biggest reasons Seattle had a successful offense with Shane Waldron last season was the surprise run of veteran quarterback Geno Smith and a solid rookie class. They made Waldron’s job a lot easier as a result of their efficient play. This season, there is a lack of confidence in the interior offensive line and it shows with the playcalling. Even though the Seahawks have been better at run-blocking, the offense has run nearly 67% of plays coming from the passing game. The biggest problem with the playcalling from Waldron is the consistency of calling passes from third and short. There have been no signs of development with the offense from last year to this season
So, without the QB playing out of his mind, like Smith last year, the offense struggles and if you look this is where the two two teams (Bucs and hawks diverge. .. as well as playoffs lol)
When I last checked the Bucs were top 10ish in 3rd down conversions and Hawks maybe bottom 3rd? That is NOT because of Mayfield (especially as compared to Smith ), as much as it i because of Canales' philosophy and his focus on keeping the offense on schedule, as frustrating as it may be . . especially when he runs on 2nd and 10 (trying to get us to a better 3rd down down and distance)
It is . . OLD SCHOOL . . no doubt, but if you look at all that "terrible QB play" this season (and actually last season), one part of it is defenses ADJUSTING and catching up to heavy pass offenses.
The NFL is cyclical. Past is always prologue . .. just look at the Dolphins, as an easy example. They are doing something OLD that is described as new. Sean McVay mad a name for himself with an offense built around the run . . and then has adapted to try to stay one step ahead. Or tried. Eagles etc.
Bowles asked on the radio YESTERDAY how we beat the Eagles:
1. stout defense
2. no offensive turnovers
3. being able to run it
Canales before the season
“The guys are really excited about the full complement of what we’re doing,” Canales said on Thursday. “Especially because it all starts with the run game, so the big guys up front are really, really fired up about it.”
we are not built for that yet, but what about next year?
I think we can all agree that if we sign Baker it should be a 1 or 2 year deal. 3 years tops.
And draft a backup for value.
We all know I love Penix. He might fall after that championship game
I think we can all agree that if we sign Baker it should be a 1 or 2 year deal. 3 years tops.
And draft a backup for value.
We all know I love Penix. He might fall after that championship game
Penix would be a great story but doubt he falls that far?
I think we can all agree that if we sign Baker it should be a 1 or 2 year deal. 3 years tops.
And draft a backup for value.
We all know I love Penix. He might fall after that championship game
We already have a 2nd round pick invested in a backup.
If we draft a QB this year, that person is the future starter.
I think we can all agree that if we sign Baker it should be a 1 or 2 year deal. 3 years tops.
And draft a backup for value.
We all know I love Penix. He might fall after that championship game
Penix would be a great story but doubt he falls that far?
IMO I doubt it. It was one game. He was dinged. Michigan has a GREAT defense. He looked all-World vs. Texas. Yes, he's had injuries, what QB at that level hasn't? If he's there when the Bucs pick, he's the pick. But like I said, I doubt he'll be there.
I think we can all agree that if we sign Baker it should be a 1 or 2 year deal. 3 years tops.
And draft a backup for value.
We all know I love Penix. He might fall after that championship game
Penix would be a great story but doubt he falls that far?
IMO I doubt it. It was one game. He was dinged. Michigan has a GREAT defense. He looked all-World vs. Texas. Yes, he's had injuries, what QB at that level hasn't? If he's there when the Bucs pick, he's the pick. But like I said, I doubt he'll be there.
Thats a shame
