He’s been playing while injured, and his line was Swiss cheese.OK, why? Why would a guy who has done it in 4 of our in come-from-behind victories this season - suddenly stop doing it?Baker was the problem. He has stopped escaping the pocket.
Kind of a casual take.
He stayed in the pocket. I don't know why.
The biggest disappointment for me is that yet again, the Bucs come out of the bye unprepared for a game they could have won.
Trap game trapped
Stop.
It wasn’t a trap game.
The 'ole trap game vs. a 7-2 team. Tale as old as time.
No, it wasn't a trap game. Obviously.
Well I guess we will see, right? Ronde Barber seems to agree. Bowles let them off for a whole week. The defensive stars of 2025 - Smith and AWJ - both underperformed. The Bucs usually solid run defense underperformed. Bucs favored at home. . .
But Biggs, feel free to argue it until you're blue in the face lmao. As I've have MADE YOU DEMONSTRATE many time you really cant post here long without some kind of name calling argument.
feel free to prove me wrong lol
The biggest disappointment for me is that yet again, the Bucs come out of the bye unprepared for a game they could have won.
yes i think WT mentioned that as a possibility and I think I posted that Bowles has an 0-2 record post bye, now 0-3
the defense (Bowles domain) did not play poorly BUT the thing that stood out is they repeatedly blew the DETAILS. That is why I say their mind wasn't really in it, underestimated the Patriots (just like the RB) as the likely win of the next three.
But, that kind of stuff happens every season. The real question is how do they respond?
Trap game trapped
Stop.
It wasn’t a trap game.
The 'ole trap game vs. a 7-2 team. Tale as old as time.
No, it wasn't a trap game. Obviously.
Im curious to see the definition of trap game from the few who keep claiming that it was.
Well, I am not keeping track and certainly NOT trying to start a long thread on definitions lmao . . . (why does it matter?) . . . but FOR MY PART I said said specifically that you could almost call it a trap game because of the "most winnable of the three" stuff, so that is the most traditional definition, overlooking a current opponent because of a future big game. I said "almost" a trap game because the Pats are a good team by record, although they were dismissed by many as "weakest schedule" in the NFL" etc. I assume that is why most here had that game as the most likely win OF THE THREE. I dont think any poster said the Bills or the Rams. I think only WT questioned whether they would win and the reaction here and from the TEAM says most though it a win.
I dont follow it, but you do so were the Bucs favored against the Pats but also DOGS against the Bills? I assume they are (or will be) dogs against the Rams?
I think most here would STILL say we are better than the Patriots. Bowles even gave them a week off, I read this morning? The Bucs were underprepared and at least to me FAILED AT THE DETAILS and RUN GAME. Those two things are often part of a mental letdown and/or an effort let down. For example, on the last long TD run (to seal the game) I was focused on LVD and his inability to seal the edge. This morning I read that Ronde Barber called out AWJ for blowing that play by not doing his basic job. Barber should know. The only thing I know is that we are not typically calling out AWJ and Smith for poor play.
The Bucs were underprepared
The “Unprepared and Uninspired Post Bye Performance”.
Or, the Todd Bowles Special.
Sounds like a coaching problem (2-6 as a HC).
Imagine looking past the 1st place AFC East team because you’re playing the 2nd place AFC East team the following week.
Considering who we play next week, the Bills game must be another trap game.
The Bucs were underprepared
The “Unprepared and Uninspired Post Bye Performance”.
Or, the Todd Bowles Special.
Sounds like a coaching problem (2-6 as a HC).
Imagine looking past the 1st place AFC East team because you’re playing the 2nd place AFC East team the following week.
Considering who we play next week, the Bills game is another trap game.
Yes, I posted before the game that Bowles as a Bucs HC was 0-2 post-bye but maybe it was 0-3, not sure. But, i thought of it because of Badabings list of things the Bucs were overcoming and there was a general consensus that this was the win of the three . . . usually a BAD sign.
What from here though? More interesting to me. By memory, we went on one of those midseason losing streaks after one bye and I think a winning streak after another, but I think against weaker opponents.
That is why I almost hope it was a trap game (trap game trapped?), meaning the Bucs are hopefully better than they played and might win one of the next two. TALL ORDER. I think you pointed out (and I agree) all the tougher because of the Bills loss to the fish
Imagine looking past the 1st place AFC East team because you’re playing the 2nd place AFC East team the following week.
lol
Considering who we play next week, the Bills game must be another trap game.
Why not? It's a wonderful excuse to trot out there after a loss.
Looks like the Jets lost a trap game last night. It happens.
The third down guru is dialing up some trash...
When this was pointed out after his hiring, I said that designing plays is different than calling them. We are seeing that on Sundays.
One of them was a double move for Egbuka that Baker just started down.
Is it the playcaller's fault the QB stared down the WR?
Both. A double move implies first read and it takes time to develop. You don't wait for half the double move to work then before he's done look away. It's a one read play unless you're willing to stare for 2 seconds, hold the ball and not get sacked, then go to your flat progression on the other side of the field
First, let me say I don't know what play you're referring to.
Second, I don't know how staring down the WR could be on anybody but the QB. I've never heard any offensive coach tell their QB to stare down a WR on purpose, unless...
Third, if it was a double move (remember, I don't know which specific play you're referring to) then it would make sense for the QB to be looking at the WR and give a pump fake on the initial move to get the CB to bite. Then the WR is wide open on the double move. Did Baker pump or just look at him the whole way?
It was a 3rd and 3 inside slide then outside out route to Egbuka for 2-4 yards. I think it was the 2nd quarter. It's the route Renfrow more or less made famous on the goal line years ago with the raiders.
I don't think Baker pumped the initial slant he just stared and I think Egbuka slipped a little on the first move.
The third down guru is dialing up some trash...
When this was pointed out after his hiring, I said that designing plays is different than calling them. We are seeing that on Sundays.
One of them was a double move for Egbuka that Baker just started down.
Is it the playcaller's fault the QB stared down the WR?
Both. A double move implies first read and it takes time to develop. You don't wait for half the double move to work then before he's done look away. It's a one read play unless you're willing to stare for 2 seconds, hold the ball and not get sacked, then go to your flat progression on the other side of the field
First, let me say I don't know what play you're referring to.
Second, I don't know how staring down the WR could be on anybody but the QB. I've never heard any offensive coach tell their QB to stare down a WR on purpose, unless...
Third, if it was a double move (remember, I don't know which specific play you're referring to) then it would make sense for the QB to be looking at the WR and give a pump fake on the initial move to get the CB to bite. Then the WR is wide open on the double move. Did Baker pump or just look at him the whole way?
It was a 3rd and 3 inside slide then outside out route to Egbuka for 2-4 yards. I think it was the 2nd quarter. It's the route Renfrow more or less made famous on the goal line years ago with the raiders.
I don't think Baker pumped the initial slant he just stared and I think Egbuka slipped a little on the first move.
Its 3rd and 2, ends the first drive of the 2nd quarter. I am not a fan of the call myself, but if you watch the telecast you will here Romo say "its man to man, you go to your best guy . . if Egbuka wins that easy first down."
He doesnt win and its Gonzalez on him.
To me the problem is Mayfield is just going to him. That's it. Full stop. And if you watch the play he either has to give Egbuka more time to separate toward the sideline OR he has to go to Otton who is wide open in the middle of the field, albeit AFTER the pass. The throw is OFF anyway, but if Egbuka even catches it he is not making the first down marker because Gonzales leverage is outside.
Its a Godwin special, except not as a double move (I dont think it is that and there is no pump fake) but instead an OPTION route and Godwin probably keeps going because Gonzalez leverage is to the outside
Itys questions like these (double move or option route) and the open space in the middle and Mayfield locked on and even Romo's response (m2m, best guy . .) that make me lean toward execution so much and not play call. The play is a win to the inside and also a later win to Otton. It may even be a win to the outside if Mayfield waits, but not sure about that because Gonzalez is very good.
The play IMMEDIATELY before is great WR screen to Shepard
all very subjective though because we dont know the play
Its a Godwin special, except not as a double move (I dont think it is that and there is no pump fake) but instead an OPTION route and Godwin probably keeps going because Gonzalez leverage is to the outside
keeping in mind that we dont know the actual call so just speculating, we have all seen Godwin win this kind of option roujte many times, so its just as likely Egbuka inexperience as opposed to a play call. The play call right before is a good one, well-timed and and its executed well. That doesnt mean that all calls are good. They are not. It probably means though that Grizz is entitled to, at a minimum, the benefit of doubt that he has a pretty decent sense of in-game calling.
anyway, that play is just as likely execution as call or design.
a little trip down memory lane from 1st game 2024
"In Week One, the Buccaneers decidedly beat the Commanders 37-20 at Raymond James Stadium. En route to victory, wide receiver Chris Godwin spearheaded the attack in Liam Coen's reimagined offense. He finished with eight catches (eight targets) for 83 receiving yards and a touchdown. Five of those grabs were on third down – all conversions – and seven of his eight catches resulted in a first down. Godwin became the catalyst and Baker Mayfield's go-to in crunch time.
The Bucs 3rd down conversion rate this year is bad. Not sure how anyone could say that the loss of Godwin does not matter. Egbuka does not offset the loss of Godwin, let alone Godwin and Evans.
