Bucs Surpassing Everyone’s Expectations – But Their Own

Bucs OC Dave Canales, ST coordinator Keith Armstrong and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs went from contender status to potential rebuild candidate within the NFC overnight after losing Tom Brady in the offseason.

But despite a change under center, Baker Mayfield has been ‘baking’ through two games and showcasing his talent. The team has continued their winning ways despite an overhaul at quarterback and an influx of both rookies and newly signed free agents. Todd Bowles sees the roster as no different despite others viewing it through a more pessimistic lens.

“Even when we had [Tom Brady], it was a team full of winners, so it’s no different for us,” Bowles said this week. “We don’t feel any differently in the building. We set our own expectations and that’s what we go by.

“I think the minute you start performing to other people’s expectations, you start letting yourself down and letting everybody else down. We have belief in this building, we have confidence in this building. We’ve had winners in this building the past few years – that has not changed. The people have changed but that has not changed. We’re continuing to do that.”

Some insiders have begun singing a different tune on the Bucs. Peter King has recently become a believer in Mayfield, and on a Thursday morning edition of “The Insiders,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted how the Baker Mayfield-Dave Canales pairing has had success despite being an unheralded duo.

https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1704908775503675483?s=20

For The Bucs, It’s Been A Group Effort Getting Wins

Bucs CB Christian Izien Photo by: USA Today

Yes, Baker Mayfield has impressed so far, but it really has been a group effort. Take a look at each position group on the field, and you will see plenty of new faces in new places. The younger guys have contributed just as much to the team’s success.

“Them being able to learn and attention to detail, the coaches being able to get the information to them – it’s a group effort here,” Bowles added. “We don’t win alone, we don’t lose alone. I think those guys – I told you they could play before.

“The good thing with having young legs, they can practice every day. Older guys, you have to rest more. They’re eager, they’re very good football players. We’ve just got to give them the right information.”

It has been a mixed bag of young and old players alike having success. For every Tristan Wirfs or Mike Evans, there has been a Trey Palmer or Luke Goedeke. Whether it’s been established players making plays in Vita Vea, Devin White, and Shaq Barrett or others looking to take the next step in Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Zyon McCollum, and Christian Izien, plenty of guys have stepped up and contributed greatly to the outcomes of games. Heck, even punter Jake Camarda has helped out the cause.

Getting new players to emerge week in and week out will be vital in reaching unforeseen heights.

Heights that only the Bucs have internally.

They would shift public perception greatly by pulling off a surprise upset on the Eagles, who hold the status they once did of Super Bowl contenders. That begins by getting the best from everyone, from the quarterback to the long snapper.

“[It is a] very talented team, very well-coached, Bowles said. “They were in the Super Bowl last year. We’ve been in that situation. They’ve got talent at every level on both sides of the ball. We’re going to have to use everybody to try and win this ballgame. It’s not going to come from one or two groups, it’s going to have to be individual play, it’s going to have to be group play. We’re going to have to be very sound.”