Mahomes # 1---Baker # 20 behind Russell Wilson, Geno Smith, and DeShaun Watson? Really?
Well, last season he had career numbers and a lot of that was (fairly, in my view) attributed to Canales and the QB-friendly system.
THIS YEAR they are giving him the offense almost entirely. He has the "last red pen" as Thad Lewis said.
I think that means we will all see where he really ranks
Mayfield left a lot of points and first downs on the field due this inaccuracy last year. But at the same time no running game and interior OL was a mess with a rookie play caller. So, I would rank him around the middle to be honest. Mayfield should be closer to #17-18 overall but I think #20 is too low for Mayfield.
I still think we haven't seen the best of Mayfield because this is on par with his career averages so far and Coen might be able to squeeze more out of Mayfield due to motion and finding a way to re-ignite a dead last run game two years in a row.
Mayfield is a classic play action QB and no run game means he is very pedestrian in the grand scheme of things without a run game.
I would rank him around the middle to be honest.
seems fair, for now.
I am not sure about all the control they are giving him now, but hopefully it works out well.
He’s rightfully behind Cousins (CBS must not be national media) but having him behind Watson is laughable.
Yeah 20 is a bit low but not totally off base. Entering the season I’d have him at around 16
He could probably jump to 12 depending on play
you have to remember while he was top 10 last year, a lot of injuries. Also, these rankings are based off complete body of work
Mayfield needs to build off last year and that’s no guarantee as much as I am a “baker bro”
Yes, he plays with fire, and he can go on a run. I thought 20th was a little low, probably 15th… but until he can demonstrate he can take care of himself (ie, NOT lowering shoulders against d-linemen & LB’s) & proves he can be both available & consistent - I can’t argue the ranking.I would rank him around the middle to be honest.
seems fair, for now.
I am not sure about all the control they are giving him now, but hopefully it works out well.
But he’s better than we deserved.
But he’s better than we deserved.
the right guy at the right time.
For all the criticism of Bowles, he seems to be able to identify players (White maybe the exception, but thats also Arians) and teach and build a culture. Licht too. Talk this draft of drafting "our kind of guys."
All sounds great, but still have to win!
Arians and Brady built the culture.
Let's not kid ourselves.
I’ll definitely agree that Arians & Brady created & defined the culture.
As we’ve seen before, here, that’s not enough.
The fact that Licht & Bowles valued, embraced and protected that culture and along with the key veteran players still around that also embraced and modeled the behavior necessary to maintain the culture - has allowed this organization to operate in, and build off, the framework that Arians & Brady began.
It can be the difference.
NO had a chance, but they quickly lost their way. It’s hard to get it back.
Its the edge this organization has, and it separates us from the rest.
its why consistency, over time, is key.
Did Bowles protect it?
in 2022, it ended up being the GOATS only losing season albeit made playoffs in weak division
in 2023, at 4-7, many of us thought he was one week away from an in season termination and well on his way to possible out by offseason
The out of nowhere 5-1 stretch saved his ass
so depends really on Bowles. Will the Bucs be that 5-1 team or are they closer more towards the season and a half we saw prior?
Given their schedule, a better division, and didn’t really improve on last years roster; rest assured Bowles will be on the hot seat by November if the season doesn’t go as planned
Arians and Brady built the culture.
Let's not kid ourselves.
they are both gone
I agree though that they changed what was here BUT Arians quit and Brady owns the dysfunction of 2022. And that matters because I was speaking of the culture now. Bowles turned it around last year with less. He took the team further last year WITH LESS. He got a disintegrating team under Brady to turn into an over performing team and a big part of that was his hiring of Canales and Mayfield. He even navigated the team through White’s quitting and a losing streak in the middle. The 2022 team sunk.
Every person is some combo of good and bad. If Bowles should have been fired after 2022 (as some here claimed ) then he has to be credited for 2023… if the judgment is fair
Did Bowles protect it?
he actually turned it around. Arians and Brady absolutely make the team a winner in 2019-2021, but BOTH of them own A LOT of the negatives of 2022.
If one believes the 2022 team was a good team held back by Leftwich then by simple logic and basic fairness Bowles is credited with 2023 and absolved in large part for 2022 because he DUMPED Leftwich as soon as he could and HIRED Canales.
If one believes that Bowles led Brady to his only losing season, then again by simple logic and basic fairness, Bowles is credited with turning that QB play around because he brought in Mayfield and Canales and got MORE out of the position with WAY LESS
Bowles is definitely an imperfect HC. I am not campaigning for his induction into the ROH lol. Just trying to point out that ALL HUMAN PERFORMANCE is mixed.
Gruden won a Super bowl, but then set the team back for years. Dungy absolutely changed the culture to a winner, but was too stubborn to get the team over the top. Arians absolutely helped the Bucs by getting rid of Winston, changing the culture, playing a part in Brady . . but he also QUIT and absolutely created some of the dysfunction of 2022 )i mean, he stuck the team with Leftwich lol). . and he drafted WHITE (lol) . . that was HIS guy . . the guy who "loved football."
The timing of Arians quitting never added up to me
staring down the barrel of Trask starting and no intention of retiring
Brady returning and you retire coming off a 13-4 season?
wouldn’t necessarily say Arians quit unless you believe it was his decision to retire
corporations do this all the time where executives “retire” but more so are forced out
The timing of Arians quitting never added up to me
staring down the barrel of Trask starting and no intention of retiring
Brady returning and you retire coming off a 13-4 season?
wouldn’t necessarily say Arians quit unless you believe it was his decision to retire
corporations do this all the time where executives “retire” but more so are forced out
Very fair point and maybe quit is not true, but to your timing point:
Brady announced his return on March 13, 2022
Arians announces retirement on March 30 2022
The timing of his departure is portrayed by Arians as tied to consideration for his juniors. Thats weird though because it is the timing that almost ends Bowles career, right? Bowles even tells the story of his shock at being told and no time for staff etc. And, if you believe, as some do, that the offense does better with Arians then he also really hurt Leftwich's chances. Leftwich was a HC candidate. Still, Arians said to Rock Reilly long after the fact: "When we did it, it was just I think perfect timing for all of us.”
It was the OPPOSITE of that.
Much of the struggles of 2022 were put on Bowles. Fans definitely calling for his head. But, this past year a lesser team went further and the KEY difference was Bowles was 100% in charge. His staff, his QB etc.
Whatever the truth about Arians, his departure HURT the chances of his juniors and played a role in the struggles of 2022. I dont think that would be his intent. I mean, we are talking about someone who defended Leftwich by blaming Brady
