It’s time for Scott Reynolds’ post-game 2-Level Conversion column, which options two large statements, two probing questions and two daring predictions. Nearly all of the staff’s starters took the sphere towards the Ravens and helped the Bucs open up a 14-7 lead within the first quarter en path to a 26-20 victory.
Baker Mayfield was excellent at quarterback, and each he and Kyle Trask threw landing passes because the Tampa Bay offense rolled up almost 400 yards towards Baltimore.
2 BIG STATEMENTS
STATEMENT 1. Bucs Offense Is Prepared To Bake
We didn’t get to see Mike Evans catch a go from beginning quarterback Baker Mayfield because the Bucs rested their star receiver. However we did get to see Mayfield join with Chris Godwin early and infrequently to the tune of 4 receptions and an 11-yard landing to tie the rating at 7-7 halfway by means of the primary quarter of Tampa Bay’s 26-20 victory over Baltimore.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: USA At this time
Mayfield solely performed two collection towards the Ravens and completed the sport finishing 6-of-6 passes for 43 yards and a landing. In two restricted preseason appearances, Mayfield has accomplished 14-of-15 passes for 107 yards and two TDs with no interceptions.
Within the 5 preseason possessions he’s presided over, the Bucs have scored two touchdowns. That’s fairly a ratio.
Ought to that proceed (which it gained’t) it could imply out of a typical 12-possession sport Mayfield would lead the offense to about 5 touchdowns per sport – or the equal of 35 factors per sport. After all that’s unrealistic, however the Bucs could be proud of three landing drives every week this season after averaging simply 18 factors per sport final yr underneath former offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.
Mayfield seems to be prepared for the season opener towards the Vikings in Minnesota. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles correctly known as an finish to the QB competitors forward of the preseason finale. That may give Mayfield a full three weeks with the starters to organize for Week 1.
Mayfield additionally seems to be extremely comfy in Tampa Bay – not solely in Dave Canales’ offense, which performs to his strengths rolling out of the pocket, but additionally behind a revamped offensive line. The primary-team offensive line debuted on Saturday night time and appeared prepared, too. The O-line didn’t enable a sack, and it blasted holes open for Rachaad White, who averaged 5.6 yards per carry with 39 yards on seven totes.
“I assumed he was environment friendly,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles mentioned. “I assumed they ran performs nicely collectively. The symmetry and the chemistry was there, breaking in out and of the huddles, which is what we needed to see. He was environment friendly within the passing sport [and] went down and bought a rating.”
Bucs RT Luke Goedeke and QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: USA At this time
When requested if two collection with the starters versus Baltimore was sufficient for Mayfield, Bowles mentioned it was.
“We get greater than sufficient in the course of the season,” Bowles mentioned. “We get greater than sufficient. We’ll be enjoying their prime guys in the course of the yr. We needed to get some chemistry and a few sport motion and we bought what we bought carried out.”
Granted it was towards some Baltimore backups, nevertheless it gave Tampa Bay’s starters some confidence heading into the season that it may run and throw the ball successfully – and put touchdowns on the board with Mayfield on the helm.
“Yeah, it’s at all times the query in preseason – are you going to play your guys or not?” Mayfield mentioned. “However, we’ve got a had a ton of labor in apply, as nicely. We have now had plenty of good work, so I feel we’re prepared. I actually consider that, and we are going to see Week 1.”
STATEMENT 2. Dave Canales, The Play-Caller, Appears Prepared
After the Ravens took an early 7-0 lead, the Bucs bounced again with a six-play, 59-yard scoring drive, capped off by an 11-yard landing go from Baker Mayfield to Chris Godwin. On the very subsequent offensive collection, Kyle Trask changed Mayfield because the starter and drove the Bucs – with assist from the beginning offensive line – 94 yards in 12 performs. Trask hit backup tight finish David Wells with a 6-yard landing to rapidly give the Bucs a 14-7 lead with one second left within the first quarter.
Bucs OC Dave Canales and QBs Kyle Trask and Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
With each starter within the lineup aside from broad receiver Mike Evans, the Bucs offense appeared like a well-oiled machine – with both Mayfield or Trask underneath heart on Saturday night time. That’s a tribute to new offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who known as a heck of sport.
“I really feel extraordinarily comfy about the place we’re at offensively proper now, and I feel you guys noticed the sort of groove that Dave bought into play-calling clever, and never simply Dave, however all people understanding the movement of our sport [and] what we try to get achieved,” Mayfield mentioned. “I feel we might have run 20 play-action keepers, however we wouldn’t have gotten in any [work] within the [run] sport. We did all of the little issues proper immediately, and on that second drive particularly.”
Canales is emphasizing the run sport this yr, and it got here to life to the tune of 158 yards on Saturday. Baltimore ran for 137 yards, and anytime a staff out-rushes the Ravens, it’s notable. Granted, plenty of the speeding yardage got here with backups within the sport, however the Bucs did whole 51 yards on the bottom within the first quarter alone with Rachaad White main the best way with 39 yards.
It’s one factor to be a place coach, which Canales was with the receivers and the quarterbacks for 13 years in Seattle. It’s one other factor to put in a playbook after which name performs on sport days underneath the stress of a sport clock and going through fixed changes by the protection.
There will likely be some bumps within the highway for Canales and the offense this season. There will likely be some instances when he loses the chess match to a greater defensive coordinator. There will likely be some video games when the offense sputters and has to accept too many area objectives.
Bucs OC Dave Canales- Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
However on Saturday night time towards the Ravens, there weren’t any moments the place one might actually query Canales’ play calls. Each name appeared to be logical, even when it wasn’t correctly executed by the gamers on the sphere. Nothing appeared predictable.
Canales appeared greater than succesful as a play-caller because the Bucs offense racked up 385 yards and 26 factors – even with the starters simply enjoying roughly 1 / 4. Heading into the season opener, Canales ought to have a great deal of confidence in his skill to name performs – even after simply the third time doing it this August.
Extra importantly, everybody within the Bucs group ought to really feel comfy with Canales’ play-calling too after Saturday night time.
“Operation-wise, I feel was extraordinarily clear,” Mayfield mentioned. “I’m actually happy with that. Execution-wise [with] the primary group… that’s what we talked about all spring, OTAs, and now into coaching camp is communication – all people be on the identical web page. If you throw guys on the market for the primary stay [game], I feel you noticed what occurs. Once we’re all on the identical web page, good issues occur. We’ve simply bought to proceed that and perceive that’s a very powerful factor.”
2 PROBING QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1. How Did Tristan Wirfs Fare At Left Deal with?
Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Tristan Wirfs was completely dominant in his preseason debut as a left sort out after being a Professional Bowl and All-Professional-caliber proper sort out for the primary three years of his Tampa Bay profession. Wirfs was a people-mover within the run sport, punching two holes open for a pair of 9-yard features by Rachaad White. Wirfs shoved 305-pound defensive sort out Rayshad Nichols out of the best way with ease on the second large run from White.
In go safety he was supremely stout, shutting out a trio of go rushers in David Ojabo, Tavius Robinson and Jeremiah Moon. None of them even bought near Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. When Malik Harrison jumped up and tried to swat down Trask’s 6-yard landing go to tight finish David Wells, Wirfs resembled The Unimaginable Hulk, swiftly throwing the blitzing linebacker down on the bottom in “Hulk Smash!” trend.
In 21 performs towards the Ravens, Wirfs earned an 89.7 grade from Professional Soccer Focus, together with a 91.2 run-blocking grade. He’ll get a far stiffer take a look at in Week 1 going towards extra succesful and skilled edge rushers in Minnesota’s Danielle Hunter and Marcus Davenport. However Wirfs definitely handed his first take a look at at left sort out with flying colours.
QUESTION 2. Which Depth Gamers Stood Out vs. Ravens?
Defensive sort out Will Gholston and defensive again Dee Delaney stood out on protection, and broad receiver Rakim Jarrett and tight finish David Wells confirmed up nicely on offense. Gholston had three tackles and a game-high 1.5 sacks. He’s really performed higher at instances in coaching camp and the preseason than Logan Corridor at defensive sort out, regardless of slowing down a bit at age 30. However expertise could make a giant distinction, and Gholston took benefit of the inexperience of the Ravens’ backups to have a giant night time.
Bucs TE David Wells – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Delaney bought the beginning at free security rather than the injured Antoine Winfield Jr. and was the second-highest graded defender with an 84.1 PFF grade. Delaney had a key go breakup on third right down to power a punt within the first quarter, and will begin at free security in Week 1 if Winfield can’t go.
For the second straight sport, Jarrett led the Bucs in receiving, this time with 4 catches for 48 yards. His seven catches for 126 yards had been essentially the most in Tampa Bay in the course of the preseason regardless of lacking the preseason opener towards Pittsburgh. Jarrett will make the staff as an undrafted free agent.
Wells was spectacular towards the Ravens, catching only one go for a 6-yard landing. He confirmed he might successfully block and even carried out higher in that class than Ko Kieft did on Saturday night time. Wells will make the 53-man roster and will see loads of enjoying time forward of Payne Durham, a fifth-round draft decide.
2 BOLD PREDICTIONS
PREDICTION 1. Chase McLaughlin Is Going To Have A Heck Of A 12 months
Bucs Okay Chase McLaughlin – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Previous to signing Ryan Succop, who helped the Bucs win Tremendous Bowl LV in 2020, discovering a reliable kicker was a nightmare for basic supervisor Jason Licht. Parting methods with the growing older Succop, 36, was robust, however Licht might have discovered a greater, youthful improve in Chase McLaughlin.
The previous Colts kicker beat out Rodrigo Blankenship for the kicking job, and was completely excellent in the course of the preseason. On Saturday, McLaughlin was 4-of-4 on area objectives from 47 yards, 27 yards, 38 yards and 48 yards, and made each additional factors. He made each of his additional level makes an attempt towards the Steelers, in addition to his lone PAT towards the Jets, along with a 48-yard area objective. McLaughlin appears destined for a giant yr in Tampa Bay.
PREDICTION 2. Canales-Mayfield Combo Will Be Higher Than Leftwich-Brady
It’s laborious to consider {that a} first-year play-caller and a journeyman quarterback will likely be extra profitable in Tampa Bay than a Tremendous Bowl-winning offensive coordinator and the best quarterback of all time. However that’s what’s going to occur this yr.
The combo of Dave Canales and Baker Mayfield will put up extra factors this season than Byron Leftwich and Tom Brady did final yr when the Bucs averaged simply 18 factors per sport.
Simply watch.
