Welcome to SR’s Fab 5 – my weekly insider column on the Bucs that options 5 issues which can be on my thoughts. SR’s Fab 5 is now a faster learn, however nonetheless packs a punch. Get pleasure from!

FAB 1. Todd Bowles’ Largest Choice – Selecting The Proper QB

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles was confronted with two monumental selections this offseason. The primary was changing offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, who was fired after Tampa Bay averaged 18 factors per recreation final season, which was down from 30 factors per recreation from 2020-21.

Bowles took a giant danger on hiring Seattle quarterbacks coach Dave Canales, an unproven play-caller. Canales has acquired rave opinions from the gamers, coaches and entrance workplace, and can achieve some wanted helpful expertise calling performs for the primary time because the Bucs’ preseason begins.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles and OC Dave Canales – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bowles’ subsequent massive resolution is definitely fairly monumental – selecting his beginning quarterback. Prefer it or not – regardless of throwing extra interceptions up to now in coaching camp, veteran journeyman Baker Mayfield might be the safer decide by Bowles to begin Tampa Bay’s season opener at Minnesota.

Though, that’s not already set in stone, regardless of a report from reporter Ira Kaufman that group sources inform me is “very untimely,” particularly for the reason that preseason hasn’t even begun but. As Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Instances precisely studies, Kyle Trask has caught as much as Mayfield in practices by doing a greater job of defending the soccer.

Mayfield has 69 profession begins below his belt and has performed in loads of hostile environments as he begins his sixth 12 months within the league. However he’s additionally led the NFL with 64 interceptions since getting into the league in 2018.

“We’ve obtained a superb foundation of the place we’re with these two guys,” Bowles mentioned on Wednesday. “And we simply must see some issues Friday so far as working the offense and getting a really feel for the place they’re. We type of have a superb foundation and floor foundation of what we wish to do. However seeing them carry out is totally completely different from recreation to follow. So we’ve obtained an thought and we’ve obtained a superb really feel. So we’ll type of let it play out a little bit bit extra, however we now have a superb stat sheet the place we type of have the whole lot rated of how we see them.”

Even when Mayfield underwhelms within the preseason and the unproven Kyle Trask fares higher, it will nonetheless take numerous guts for Bowles to decide on a man who enters his third season in Tampa Bay with simply 9 profession go makes an attempt to begin versus the Vikings. A sold-out U.S. Financial institution Stadium stuffed with 73,000 purple folks screaming, “SKOL!” is a tricky sufficient atmosphere for any quarterback to enter, particularly on the frenzy that’s opening day.

Bucs DC Todd Bowles and CB Jamel Dean – Photograph by: USA At this time

But Bowles shouldn’t be afraid of enjoying younger, unproven gamers if they’ve expertise. He began rookies Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean at cornerback in 2019 reverse Carlton Davis III, then a second-year participant himself. In 2020, he began rookie Antoine Winfield Jr. at security through the Bucs’ Tremendous Bowl season.

In his first 12 months as the top coach in Tampa Bay, he OK’d the choice to begin Luke Goedeke, a second-round decide, at left guard. And he was simply advantageous enjoying a trio of rookies in defensive sort out Logan Corridor and tight ends Cade Otton and Ko Kieft regularly.

However we’re speaking about the quarterback place right here.

As a lot as Bowles is a defensive-minded head coach and believes that protection can nonetheless win championships, he is aware of that no different place impacts wins and losses greater than the QB.

Make the best alternative below heart and the Bucs may get off to a better-than-expected begin and be an early shock group across the league. But the incorrect resolution may flip into an unpleasant begin in Tampa Bay and shortly immediate requires the backup quarterback – whoever that finally ends up being.

It’s uncommon within the NFL that the backup quarterback is available in and rights the ship after the primary month or two of the season after which leads the group to the playoffs. Often what tends to occur is that the starter falters, the backup is available in and finally ends up underwhelming after which is benched for the starter once more. A yo-yo quarterback scenario nearly at all times winds up with a double-digit shedding season, adopted by a reset on the QB place the subsequent 12 months, and normally the firing of the top coach.

Bucs QBs Kyle Trask and Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bowles is lower than one month from making a call that can largely affect his tenure in Tampa Bay. If he’s going to decide on Mayfield, he has to hope that Dave Canales’ system will assist him restrict expensive turnovers. If Bowles goes to decide on Trask, he has to hope that the second received’t be too massive for him, and that Trask continues on a profession path of that of a late bloomer, which is what he was in each highschool and on the College of Florida.

Whoever winds up because the starter, the subsequent resolution Bowles will make can be third-most troublesome of the 12 months – and one he hopes he by no means has to make. That’s when to drag the plug on a failing starter if it seems that’s the case. Bowles and Leftwich waited too lengthy to bench Goedeke final 12 months (in Week 8) and let the rookie wrestle so unhealthy that it wound up hurting the offense.

If Bowles doesn’t make the best resolution at quarterback this 12 months, and if the Bucs collapse in consequence, he won’t be round to make the subsequent resolution: which quarterback to draft within the High 10 in 2024 in that situation.

FAB 2. Baker Mayfield’s Execs And Cons – So Far

Except the underside falls out for Baker Mayfield this preseason with a considerable amount of interceptions, it’s anticipated that head coach Todd Bowles will identify him the starter for opening day at Minnesota. Mayfield will get the primary begin through the preseason on Friday evening at dwelling towards Pittsburgh, though Kyle Trask will play. Via three weeks of coaching camp, we’ve gotten an opportunity to see Mayfield’s execs and cons in follow. Let’s have a look.

Professional: Sport Expertise

QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: USA At this time
Photograph By: USA At this time

There isn’t a substitute for expertise, and Baker Mayfield has it as a starter during the last 4.5 years within the league between Cleveland, Carolina and Los Angeles with the Rams. Mayfield is 31-38 as an NFL starter, together with a 30-31 mark with the Browns. He did have a profitable season, main Cleveland to the playoffs with an 11-5 document and a postseason victory. The Browns misplaced to the eventual AFC champion Chiefs in 2020. The Bucs hope to see that model of Mayfield – with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions – in 2022.

Professional: Management

A part of the explanation why Baker Mayfield was the primary total decide in 2018 was due to his swagger and aura. He’s a pure, outspoken chief and gamers naturally gravitate in the direction of him. Mayfield exudes confidence within the locker room, on the follow area, on the sidelines, and most significantly, within the huddle. If Todd Bowles picks Mayfield to begin the season opener in Minnesota, this intangible can be a giant motive why.

Professional: Extra Massive Play Potential

There isn’t a doubt that Baker Mayfield has generated extra “wow” performs in follow, particularly along with his downfield throws. He’s linked deep at a greater fee than Trask has. He’s extra prepared to present his receivers an opportunity to make a play on a soar ball – whether or not or not it’s the likes of established gamers like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin or younger guys like Deven Thompkins and Rakim Jarrett. Trask has confirmed to be extra risk-averse in follow, particularly in the case of pushing the ball downfield.

Con: Extra Interceptions

Bucs QBs Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

With extra dangers come extra interceptions. Baker Mayfield is actually not afraid to push the ball downfield or into tight home windows, however typically that comes at nice peril. The brand new Bucs QB has thrown a team-high 9 interceptions by 12 practices, and a few of these had been merely not good selections. To his credit score, Mayfield has by no means thrown extra interceptions than touchdowns in any season, however he had 10 TDs and eight INTs final 12 months, and 17 touchdowns and 13 picks the 12 months earlier than that in his ultimate season in Cleveland. Ideally, QBs wish to have a 3:1 TD-to-INT ratio, and Mayfield is much away from that with 102 profession TDs and 64 INTs. That’s not even a 2:1 ratio.

Con: Peak

Baker Mayfield stands simply 6-foot-1 and typically has hassle seeing over the road of scrimmage. Tampa Bay’s O-line options 6-foot-6 guard Matt Feiler, a trio of linemen at 6-foot-5 in sort out Tristan Wirfs, guard Cody Mauch and sort out Luke Goedeke, and a pair of 6-foot-4 facilities in Ryan Jensen and Robert Hainsey. Mayfield has already had points with batted balls in follow, and rookie outdoors linebacker YaYa Diaby made a diving interception on one among them. The problem of batted balls has been with him his entire profession and got here up final 12 months in Carolina, the place Mayfield obtained agitated speaking about it.

FAB 3. Kyle Trask’s Execs And Cons – So Far

It will take some extenuating circumstances within the preseason for Todd Bowles to call Kyle Trask the beginning quarterback in Week 1 at Minnesota. However that’s why they play the video games, proper? Trask has fared higher than most anticipated in coaching camp, and after a so-so first week of camp, he’s actually stepped up. Trask is extra decisive along with his decision-making and throws, and is rather more in control of the offense. Right here is how Trask’s execs and cons shake out heading into the preseason.

Professional: Peak

Bucs QBs Kyle Trask and Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

Kyle Trask is a legit 6-foot-5 quarterback and that top helps him to see over Tampa Bay’s tall offensive line and discover open receivers downfield. Trask even admitted to slouching within the pocket some over his first two years within the league and is standing up straighter and enjoying taller within the pocket this 12 months. His top interprets to the next launch level for the soccer within the pocket and helps Trask keep away from the batted balls that the 6-foot-1 Baker Mayfield has to endure.

Professional: Extra Reps With Sure Gamers

Whereas Kyle Trask barely threw any passes to Tampa Bay’s star receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin throughout his first two seasons because the group’s third- or fourth-string QB, he did set up a rapport with the backups. Trask did get high quality reps final 12 months with the Bucs’ rookie class, together with receivers Deven Thompkins and Kaylon Geiger, tight ends Cade Otton and Ko Kieft and working again Rachaad White, along with backup working again Ke’Shawn Vaughn. That established chemistry has paid off this summer season with a excessive diploma of completions to these gamers, whereas getting used to throwing to Evans, Godwin and the newcomers.

Professional: Avoiding Turnovers

Via 12 coaching camp practices, Kyle Trask has solely thrown 5 interceptions, and three of these got here in a single follow on Tuesday when the Bucs had been practising last-play, end-of-game eventualities. The ball needed to be compelled into the tip zone every now and then and two of Trask’s picks got here in that scenario, as did one among Baker Mayfield’s two INTs throughout Tuesday’s follow. However Trask was comparatively error-free in 10 practices, which was good to see, because the emphasis from offensive coordinator Dave Canales and head coach Todd Bowles is defending the soccer.

Con: Inexperience

Bucs QB Kyle Trask – Photograph by: USA At this time

There isn’t a getting round Kyle Trask’s lack of expertise. He appeared in only one quarter of the ultimate common season recreation final 12 months, finishing 3-of-9 throws for simply 23 yards in a Week 18 loss at Atlanta. Outdoors of that, Trask solely has expertise enjoying in preseason video games with backups or third-stringers. Whereas Mayfield will get the beginning towards Pittsburgh on Friday evening, Trask will see time with the starters when the Bucs play the Jets at New York the next week. It’s uncommon that inexperienced quarterbacks fare effectively of their first season as a starter, which is why it will take numerous braveness and conviction for Todd Bowles to begin Trask in 2023.

Con: Deep Ball

Kyle Trask is listening to the mantra of Dave Canales and Todd Bowles – each of whom preach defending the soccer. He’s performed an excellent job of that, even when it’s come on the expense of some potential big-play alternatives. Trask hasn’t let ‘er rip with as many deep throws as Mayfield has, and when he has taken pictures downfield, they haven’t linked at a excessive fee. To his credit score, most of Trask’s incompletions are overthrows and never interceptions dangers. He must preserve engaged on connecting downfield, particularly outdoors the hashes. Trask is extra snug with intermediate vary throws down the center, particularly to the tight ends.

FAB 4. Dave Canales Sees Bucs’ QB Race Tighten

New Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales needed to see the group’s quarterback competitors tighten in coaching camp, and that’s precisely what has occurred with Kyle Trask approaching robust the final two weeks of follow .

Bucs QB Kyle Trask and OC Dave Canales – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Attempting to determine the quarterback scenario, which goes improbable – higher than I may have imagined and even dreamed of, the way in which that that is going,” Canales mentioned on a current episode of the Salty Canines Podcast. In a current episode on Aug. 10, Canales was requested to present his evaluation of each Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask.

“What Baker does effectively is his expertise permits him to see issues and to anticipate,” Canales mentioned. “What I’m seeing from Kyle in that regard is I’m seeing a man who’s working tirelessly, learning, asking questions. Kyle desires it to be crystal clear. ‘Okay, let’s go over this yet another time.’ In order he catches up with the with the ideas you see his expertise actually beginning to emerge.

“You’ve obtained two improbable guys with actually robust arms, nice, fast decision-making means, and fairly good athletes – each of them. You already know, clearly, I used to be spoiled having Russell [Wilson] after which Geno Smith – two guys who historically may actually run and transfer round, the place these guys get it performed one other manner. However quick house quickness – each of them can get it performed. So watching these guys actually push one another as we attempt to grasp this offense has been so cool.”

Canales was requested if he can preserve the identical play requires each Mayfield and Trask or if he has to run sure performs for a sure sign caller.

Bucs OC Dave Canales and QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I might say barely,” Canales mentioned. “And it’s actually simply the extent of consolation that they’ve with go ideas. They simply might favor one or the opposite. In order that’s simply taking notes. Actually one of the best factor to do within the course of is simply have two separate name sheets for guys so that you don’t must filter by all of them. However I might say 75% of it – all three guys, John [Wolford] included – have actually mastered most of that. There are only a few issues that he doesn’t actually like or I can inform he’s not being actually efficient in, and people issues we’ll be identical to, ‘All proper, let’s not name these performs in these conditions.”

As Pewter Report has reported time and time once more, the Bucs’ QB competitors will largely come right down to turnovers. Which quarterback does the higher job of defending the ball? If it’s Mayfield, he’ll get the nod for opening day towards the Vikings at Minnesota. If it’s Trask … effectively, then it will get attention-grabbing for Todd Bowles.

“I take them very severely,” Canales mentioned of the interceptions thrown in follow in a current interview with WFLA Information Channel 8. “As a result of for my part — the way in which that I used to be educated, and particularly right here with Coach Bowles and the way in which we’re going to play protection — ensuring we maintain that ball is the important thing to our success this 12 months.”

FAB 5. Todd Bowles Remembers His First Preseason Sport – vs. Tampa Bay

Earlier than he obtained into teaching on the NFL stage, head coach Todd Bowles had an eight-year profession at security within the NFL. Bowles signed as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Redskins (1986-90), then performed for the San Francisco 49ers in 1991 earlier than returning to Washington for his ultimate two seasons. Bowles’ profession spotlight was profitable Tremendous Bowl XXII with the Redskins in 1987.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

On Wednesday, Bowles recalled his first NFL preseason recreation, which occurred to be towards the Bucs in Tampa. Bowles made an enormous play towards the lovable losers in orange and white that finally helped him make the group in 1986.

“My first preseason recreation really was towards Tampa Bay,” Bowles mentioned. “I obtained a pick-six off of Steve DeBerg, in order that helped me make the group fairly good [laughs]. I do keep in mind it as a result of it was storming and raining and we couldn’t get out of the airport that evening. We needed to keep in a single day after which fly out the subsequent day. I’m at all times keen on Tampa that manner. You’re not likely frightened in regards to the nationwide anthem or the followers – you’re making an attempt to make the group.

“You might have numerous butterflies and you’re going to play as a rookie – and also you’re going to play all particular groups. After I obtained the pick-six, I believe I might need spiked the ball a yard after going over the tip zone as a result of I knew I needed to go down on the kickoff group – I didn’t wish to expend any vitality. It’s thrilling – as a rookie, it’ll be thrilling. It’s a matter of who manages their feelings effectively and who can play below the lights.”