Tuesday, 4 a.m.
5 Thoughts
- What does it say about Baker Mayfield that his finest highlights aren’t really about passing the ball. They’re about stiff-arming Joey Bosa, or about delivering a downfield block. The guy is a competitor. Give him that.
2. I think Rachaad White is a fine player. I just think Bucky Irving is better.
3. After 11 games of watching Liam Coen, I have this to say about Dave Canales: Thanks for leaving.
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4. Still-active Bucs who will end up in the Ring of Honor: Mike Evans, Lavonte David, Tristan Wirfs. Possibles: Mayfield, Antoine Winfield.
5. Sunday seems to me to be the biggest trap game on the Bucs’ schedule.
5 Comments
(From Todd Bowles’ day-after press conference)
(On the decision process for NT Vita Vea to play some offensive snaps at fullback): “It didn’t take much convincing. We’re trying to score every way possible so everybody is available. The more you can do.”
On how well Vea is playing and if he is having a Pro Bowl caliber season): “I mean, he has a good season every year for me. It’s not about the Pro Bowl, it’s about helping us win and the accolades will come as they come. Whoever has the best record – it usually ends up like that and it kind of goes according to that, but I think he had a Pro Bowl year the last couple seasons for us. In my opinion, he’s playing good football, he’s got the sacks to show it – that’s not the whole story that it tells because he’s destroying the middle and he’s keeping us in ballgames.”
(On what areas DL Calijah Kancey can improve on to take him to the next level):“It’s always fundamentals for me down there with his technique. We know he’s fast, we know he’s strong but when he uses his hands he’s unstoppable. When he doesn’t use his hands, he gets stuck a little bit. He’s using his hands quite a bit right now getting in the back field and he’s really just unlocking his potential. We look for more things to happen for him every week.”
(On if he considered taking out QB Baker Mayfield after his stinger towards the end of the game): “He wanted to finish the game. There’s not much conversation about pulling them. We don’t have a bunch of guys. We tried to finish the ballgame on offense, he was just handing it off. You want your leaders in there to finish the ballgame. We were trying to get a first down so everybody was out there playing.”
(On the job that Carolina Head Coach Dave Canales has done and the challenge that they present): “It’s an NFC South battle and all of them are going to be hard. None of them are going to be easy. I think Dave has done an excellent job taking on that team and it’s taking over his personality right now. They’re playing pretty good football. They miss some games here and there but they’re playing very good football right now. It’s going to be a tough battle. I’m proud of him.”
Game Balls
Offense: Bucky Irving was even better than Mayfield.
Defense: Christian Izien had 10 tackles.
Special teams: No winner.
Grades
Quarterback: Mayfield graded more than 100 again, and he would have had more than 300 yards passing if the Bucs weren’t worried about the clock. Grade: A-.
Running back: Irving is the team’s best back. Any arguments?
Grade: A.
Offensive line: Where was that vaunted Giants’ pass rush? Grade: A.
Defensive line: Defensive tackles Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey owned the middle. Grade: B+.
Linebackers: The Giants didn’t do much running. Grade: B-.
Secondary: They tackled better, but DeVito was better in the second half. Grade: C.
Power Rankings
- Detroit.
2. Kansas City.
3. Buffalo.
4. Philadelphia.
5. Minnesota.
—
15. Tampa Bay.
Bottom 5
32. N.Y. Giants.
31. Las Vegas.
30. Jacksonville.
29. New England.
28. Tennessee.
NFL Stats
Category Player Stat League rank
Passing Tds Baker Mayfield 24 3
Passing Yds Mayfield 2799 7
Rushing Bucky Iring 579 25
Receiving Chris Godwin 50 24
Cade Otten 50 24
Opp. QB Rating 104.1 29