October 18, 2025 • 27 mins
In this episode, Dan Holmi breaks down everything Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans need to know heading into Week 7. Baker Mayfield continues to light it up on the field — extending plays, throwing darts, and turning broken downs into highlight reels. After another electric performance, fans at Raymond James Stadium are chanting “MVP,” and Dan digs into what that means for Baker and for the Buccaneers’ bigger goals. Pulling from ESPN’s Jenna Laine and FOX Sports’ latest features, he explains how Mayfield’s leadership and grounded mentality are keeping the team focused on wins over hype. Then the focus shifts to Buccaneers injuries and depth, including updates on Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, and rookie standout Emeka Egbuka. Dan discusses how the offense might adjust without key playmakers and who needs to rise up — from Rachaad White in the backfield to Cade Otton in short-yardage spots. To close it out, Dan previews the Monday Night Football clash with the Detroit Lions, a prime-time NFC battle that could shape the playoff picture. He breaks down the defensive resurgence led by Jamel Dean and SirVocea Dennis, Todd Bowles’ strategic matchups, and how the Buccaneers can keep momentum rolling. #TampaBayBuccaneers #GoBucs #NFL #BucsReport #BucsMinuteCast
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
On today's show, with the Bucks thirty to nineteen victory
over the forty nine ers, the chance of MVP MVP
surrounding Baker Mayfield are getting louder, are they warranted? And
what's the latest with a Mecca Abuka. I'll discuss next
on this edition of The Box Report. Let's get out then. Well, Hello, Windo,
(00:59):
welcome in this edition of The Bucks Report, part of
the Bucks Report podcast network. I'm so glad you decided
to join me today. As always, this podcast is free
and available on all the major platforms. The best way
that you can help grow this show is to subscribe
to the Bus Report on YouTube and comment anything down below.
(01:19):
And the source of all your Buccaneers news is Thebusreport
dot com. So in this edition of the Bucks Report,
the Buccaneers continue to keep rolling. And as I prepare
for this show from week to week, I think and
I brace myself that at some point I'm going to
have to come to you guys about a buccaneer's loss.
(01:44):
And to be clear here, I don't want to, but
it just seems inevitable. But Baker Mayfield continues to keep
diving deep. You take a look at the wide receivers.
It doesn't matter anymore. Mike Evans out not an issue.
God went out, not an issue, McMillan out not an issue,
Abuca out not an issue. The Buccaneers continue to keep dominating.
(02:07):
What's in the DNA of this year's Buccaneers team. And
then a bit later we'll talk about the Bucks as
they prepare to take on the lines in some Monday
night football action. But let's just dive into it here
in the first segment, and before I get too deep
into it, let's just talk about the box score, because
(02:28):
there is a lot to love about this year's Buccaneers team.
Baker Mayfield, the chance of MVP are getting louder. Seventeen
of twenty three, two hundred and fifty six yards. That
when Baker Mayfield is down, he's not down and out,
(02:49):
And you know, I think the MVP chants are warranted.
I'll talk about that a bit later. But Rashad White's
a huge game of touchdown, Sean Tucker a touchdown, Johnson
and Johnson, I'm talking Cameron and tz touchdowns. That this
team is firing on all cylinders and if you can
believe it, they're only going to get better at least
(03:13):
ostensibly right. You got to think that, you know, Godwin, Evans, McMillan, Abuka,
all of them out there, that this team has just
got to be built for truly great things. So let's
dive into it. In what we saw in the most
recent game where the Bucks down the forty nine Ers
by a score of thirty to nineteen. To be clear here,
(03:37):
this is or was a forty nine Ers team that
was facing a lot of injuries as well, as we know,
brock Party, mister Irrelevant wasn't in the game. His title
from so many years ago, Mac Jones was in and
despite the injuries that the forty nine Ers faced, they
still made it an interesting fight. But the Buccaneers are victorious,
(04:01):
so let's dive into it. I'll talk about the game,
and then you know, just the fanfare that's surrounding Baker
Mayfield and how does he keep out all of the noise.
You think that with all those chants, you'd be walking
around with a fat head. You'd have a hard time
getting in the doors. You know, I'm gonna have to
squeeze your head together. Not the case. I think that
(04:23):
Baker Mayfield is the guy the remembers where he came
from that He's had to hop, skip and jump around
the NFL to get where he's at his forever home
in Tampa. And I think that that is the rocket
fuel within him that continues to propel him forward. Despite
what we have seen in this early season that I
(04:46):
still think that his eyes are set on the prize
winning the NFC South and dare I say winning a
Super Bowl. Listen, guys, I know that the bottom could
fall out here at any point, but this team right
now is playing some of the best football that's well
I have seen in years. So let's get right into
it and Baker Mayfield making the headlines after what felt
(05:10):
like a bit of a miraculous and this is what
I'm talking about. I had to start the game on
the radio, which is a treat that the play by
play for the Buccaneers is top notch, and that he's down, No,
he scrambles, he continues to keep going, he gets the
first down. It was one heck of a game. And after,
like I said, what felt like a bit of a
(05:31):
miraculous scramble and a forty five yard diving touchdown to
Test Johnson, the crowd was chanting MVP MVP, but Bicker
was quick to cool things off and reminded everyone, hey, guys,
it's still early, and it is. I think it's important
to temper expectations right that, you know, I go through
(05:55):
my day to day life with creamsicle colored glasses on.
I don't know about you, but I don't want to
say I'm not waiting for the next thing to fall.
But you've got to know at some point that there's
got to be hiccups. I don't want there to be,
but it seems all but apparent. But Baker manks Mayfield saying,
we've got a lot more work to do. He's playing
with confidence you can hear and feel, but he's not
(06:17):
buying into the noise. And I'll dig a little bit
deeper into the MVP chance a bit later in the show.
But you know what's stut out to me on that play,
how willing he is to take chances. And you know
that seems like an easy thing to do. Just take
a chance, go ahead and do it well if you
(06:38):
can do it tactfully, and if you can, you know,
execute well. Because Jameis Winston, if you can remember famous
Jameis Winston, you know the guy that's going to eat
the dup. He also was the kind of guy that
liked to take chances and well, very often those turned
into interceptions, and that is something that egged Baker Mayfield
(07:01):
last year, for example, and earlier in his career. But
this is the absolute best Baker Mayfield I have ever seen,
and that's something. But like I said, what stood out
on that play is how willing he is to take chances.
He scrambled for a third and long, he picked up
fifteen yards, then he hit tes for the big score.
(07:23):
That sequence showed you the dual threat he brings. He's
got the arms, he's got the legs, he's got the heart,
He's got what it takes. And that particular sequence put
a big exclamation on the thirty to nineteen victory. Bam
at ray j A and a fist pumping moment, And
you can have those even on the radio side. I
(07:44):
know it's preferable to watch all the games on television,
but I'm here to tell you that the Bucks radio
broadcast really brings me into it as well. But here's
the reality check. The MVP chants are fun. They make
for headlines, they make for clicks, and I get it.
You know, Baker's playing some of the best football of
his career, like I said, but he did it on
Sunday with essentially one starting skill player on the field.
(08:08):
And not to be lost in all of this is
Kate Aughten. Wow, this guy is a beast out there.
And you know he got thrown around where he tried
to jump and the guy lifted him up and threw
him down. That this guy is really built for warfare.
But Kate Aughton was the only starting playing on defense.
A Mecca Abuca left with a hamstring issue. Yes, it
(08:31):
was just the last episode of the Bucks Report that
I came to you guys and I said that other
than Baker Mayfield, that is the absolute worst case scenario.
And well it came true. And what do you know?
What do you know that the running backs right they
picked up the slack for Shad White, you know, getting
(08:54):
a touchdown Tucker out there, Johnson and Johnson that this tea,
like I said, and it's almost the makings of a movie,
you know if you ask me that all that they
have been able to accomplish in this early season. But
you know, quite stunning what they've been able to do.
But a Mecca Abuka left with a hamstring issue. Mike
(09:15):
Evans and Chris Godwin we're not active and it didn't matter.
And I think that is quieting a lot of the
critics that you know, this team is good. You got
Evans in there, you got Godwin in there. But if
you pull anyone out of there, that Buccaneers team is
just a deck of cards. And I'm willing to throw
(09:36):
the middle fingers up to say, maybe a better check
to box score because it didn't matter. Take away our
big weapons were still going to find a way to
stick it to you. And that context matters. If you're
going to judge bigger long term, you have to see
him carry the team with the roster even uh even
without key players on the team. And what is that
(09:59):
You know you have got that result with lesser quarterback, maybe,
but maybe enough. I think bailed. I know the Baker
Mayfield is the guy stirn the drink for the Bucks
that the players love playing for him. And that's the
thing that is said as well, is the players that
played under the Brady years and the players that have
(10:20):
played under Baker Mayfield, they actually prefer playing under Baker
Mayfield better. He's just one of the guys. It's not
going out there and playing with dad. So exciting as
a Bucks fan as this team continues to fire on
all cylinders. All right, So after the break, we'll continue
to talk about the Baker Mayfield MVP buzz. I'll discuss
(10:44):
straight ahead. All right, Welcome back into this edition of
the Bucks Report, part of the Bucks Report podcast network,
simulcast on the Bucks Minute cast feed, part of the
Fan for Sports Network. So the MVP chance are getting
(11:05):
louder and are they founded? You better believe it. He
is one of the best, if not the best quarterbacks
in the National Football League. And that's quite a statement.
And I know you could throw some names in there.
You could throw you know, Mahomes and you know different
other quarterbacks and there. But for me, he's right there.
He's right in the conversation as the greatest quarterback in
(11:28):
the NFL right now. I really have no doubt about it.
And again I'm not saying that just because you know
I'm a homer for the Bucks. I really do believe
what I'm saying here. But it's important to keep the
noise aside, and that's what Baker Mayfield has had to do.
And maybe struggled with it a little bit here. So
we're going to start here in the next segment with
Baker Mayfield. He has been playing some ridiculous ball and
(11:53):
the crowd chance of MVP after some of those plays,
and it's interesting that after Johnson got his first touchdown
at they're like MVP and they're like for me, I mean,
this is the first time I played, and they're like, no, no, man,
it's about Baker Mayfield and just you know, a team
that's playing so well around him, and what you saw
(12:15):
in the games. You saw him scramble, you saw the throw,
the one he escapes at third and long thins out
of trouble and then dropped a beautiful forty five yard
bomb on Tesz Johnson. There it goes. That play had
people losing their minds and the noise in the stadium.
It was legit, that is for sure, but Baker classic.
(12:37):
Baker tried to tone it down and said, it's week
six here and we're just getting started. Let that resonate
with you. We're just getting started, and you know all
that's at stake here. He wanted to keep the team grounded.
The quote was in at Jenna Lane's piece over on
ESPN that said, week six kind of temper expectations. Now, look,
(13:00):
there's praise coming from a lot of different quarters, and
it's interesting because this team has been brushed aside season
after season after season. But finally the Buccaneers are getting
their flowers. And it's early in the season to be
getting flowers. But gee, thank you that that's where the
Bucks are at right now. And the MVP talk is
(13:22):
fun for fans. It makes for hot takes on social
media and makes the headlines. It's part of the narrative.
But for a team like the Bucks, the smarter move
is to keep the head down, keep the process, and
protect the win streak. I've seen this before last season,
for example, and the bottom fell out there for a bit.
(13:42):
They still rallied. But this team is built better. And
that's the one thing Baker saying it's week six, we're
just getting started that tells me he's trying to keep
guys hungry and accountable, because complacency will get you nowhere.
That's leadership. That is veteran stuff there. That's why the
room is buying the output. But let's not close gloss
(14:06):
over the pure entertainment value. And honestly, after a few
of those big plays, I had to chuckle because Baker's
swigger and grit make him a storyline material. He's a
fun guy to watch. You know, some guys are out there,
they're just stoic. They execute and they move on to
the next one. He's a showman. He is a fun
(14:26):
guy to watch on the field, you know, generally playing well,
but still a fun guy to watch. And if the
offense keeps clicking, people will keep chanting and the headlines
will keep coming. But let's not divorce the narrative from reality.
We still need health and we still need depth because
now whoa WHOA stop the clock is that now with
(14:49):
all the pieces that are missing, it will really get real.
And I'll talk about the injuries a little bit later
in the show. But the Buccaneers are definitely and I'm
not trying to say this as a pejorative or you know,
you know, saying anything detrimental about these players, but they're
you know, getting to the bottom of the depth chart,
at least at the wide receiver position. You know, don't
(15:11):
tell that to them because look at they put up
two touchdowns in the last game. But we need guys
to come back, and I will talk about that a
bit more later in the show. But the Buccaneers rising
up and that is what has me excited that they
continue to keep knocking it out of the park despite
what injuries and what setbacks are put in their way.
(15:35):
All right, so coming up here after the break, we'll
talk about those injury concerns. Who's in the game, who's
out of the game, who are the question marks. I'll
break it all down next. All right, welcome back into
this edition of the Bucks Report podcast. So let's take
(15:56):
a look at the injury report. There are some players
that are emphatically out of the game. They are Chris Godwin,
Luke Haggard, Bucky Irving, Josh Williams and uh and Josh
Williams questionable, our Teddy Bridgewater, Lavonte David a Mecca at BUKA,
Mike Evans questionable. I would say that they are a
(16:20):
long shot, but encouraging signs as well with Mike Evans
as he was getting in some practice so inching closer
to return as well. But then you know, what did
we see with Godwin. It's good that they're back, but
there's always kind of this, you know, ramp up period
right where it takes a bit for them to get
up to full speed, but having at some point Evans
(16:41):
back out on the field will be huge. Make no
mistake this segment. I want to talk about injuries because
football injuries happen, and right now we're juggling a few
and that matters because a hot quarterback and a shakey
water receiver room changes the game plan. Headline one, Chris
Godwin and Bucky Irving are out on Monday night football,
(17:04):
ESPN reported they were ruled out. That's immediate ripple effect
for the game plan. Godwin is a veteran route runner.
We know what he brings to this team, especially when
he's healthy. He's dependable on the seam. Losing his arm
means others have to step up. Questionable is a Mecca Abuca,
the rookie I left the game with a hamstring issue.
(17:25):
That's the kind of thing we watch closely with young receivers.
You don't want to push them back too fast, so
the receiving depth chart gets thinner, which yeah, pushes more
depth to whoever's healthy. So that makes it an interesting
storyline to follow as well. So what does this mean
and what does the roster. Look like I open up
the official Bucks roster and the injury report is worth
(17:48):
noting everybody doing the same in the morning before a game.
Those pages listed who is limited, and I will go
down into depth a little bit more about the players
that are going to be in out of the game,
because you know, I know that this team has faced
a lot of setbacks. But at some point, like I said,
we are going to need some of these players to
(18:09):
come back. But Chris Godwin, like I said, he is
officially out with a fibula issue. That's a big name
to lose. He's reliable, he's consistent. We know he's been out.
Losing him changes how defenses can play Evans out. Seeing
Mike back on the field, even in limited fashion, is encouraging.
He draws attention, He helps the run game by pulling
(18:31):
coverage if he's available, even at seventy percent. He's a
huge positive because he forced his teams to respect the
vertical threat a Mecca Abuka, my man, the guy that
has absolutely knocked it out of the park in his
rookie season. Here. You know, and a lot of people
why did they draft another wide receiver? Do you know? Now?
(18:53):
Do you know now the kid has been absolutely amazing,
leads the team in cat catches and has been a
concent distant piece of the offense. He was limited in
practice and is a game time decision. If he's out,
that puts even more pressure on a thin receiving group.
What does that mean, Well, that means Sterling Shepherd right
(19:15):
that he is going to factor in the Johnson and Johnson.
I expect more from Kadot and expect more, you know,
from Rashad White and from Tucker because Bucky Irving out.
Losing Bucky again a blow. He's been electric and he
gives the offense a multi dimensional edge. When he's out,
then Rashad White and Sean Tucker and whoever else they
(19:36):
activate need to produce. That change changes the game script.
You run different concepts if you're missing that home run threat.
So those are you know, the moves and the depth
and practice squad moves. The Bucks did not shuffle bodies
on the practice squad and the roster. Earlier this week.
They brought in Michael Wiley to the seventeen man A
(19:57):
practice squad that tells you they're bracing for bodies missing
and want options. So you take a look at it.
The you know, we're hoping that a lot of these
players are getting going to come back sooner and sooner.
But the good thing, the reassuring thing for me, is
they're finding a way to rally around with these players
(20:17):
out of the mix. So the game plan adjustment in
playing English here is with Bucky out and the running
back snaps go to Rashad White and Sean Tucker. White
is of course that veteran who can shoulder the load.
Tucker gives a change of pace. If Josh Williams is out,
the Bucks will need to be cautious with rookie usage.
They will protect the quarterback from third down sets and
(20:40):
expose him to hit or pressure. So I'm not concerned,
and maybe I should be with how the Buccaneers are
playing like that, I said that, you know, they continue
to find a way to keep rising above, but you
know they're getting put to test here. And you know,
the last piece that we really need to cross our
fing in toeson is Baker Mayfield because things are going
(21:04):
to change exponentially if he is out of the mix.
That at some point, you know, knock on fake wood here.
I hope that that doesn't happen, but it just seems
like you're playing a game out of odds at some
point where you do whatever it takes to get the
first down, but at some point you're going to get
(21:24):
hit and the rubber is going to meet the road
and then it's going to be Teddy Bridgewater or whoever else.
So we really need to protect the man Baker Mayfield
because he is a big part of the buccaneers success,
the biggest part. I guess you could say, all right, next,
let's talk about the game itself, Monday night football in Detroit.
(21:46):
And you know, you take a look at the standings
right now, the Buccaneers are five and one. They are
tied with the Indianapolis Colts as having the best record
five and one, and you know, it's kind of hard
to believe that we're in the position that we're in.
And I say that just based on the fact of
(22:08):
all the injuries and all the players that are out.
But talking about Detroit four in two, second place in
the North. But the one thing I know, they are
going to throw it at the Bucks. They're not going
to take it easy. And this is a team as
of late that has shown that they can really answer
the bell, But that is the game Monday night. I
(22:29):
know that Baker and a lot of the guys say
they don't generally like playing night games, especially the nationally
televised games if you look at them historically, they don't
necessarily favor the Bucks. But prime time Monday night Bucks
versus Lions, two teams near the top of the conference,
this is a heavyweight championship. You got Jared Goff, you
(22:51):
got jim or Gibbs, you got Aman Ross Saint Brown
doing his Aman Ross Saint Brown thing. You got a
Bucks defense that's starting to hum. It's going to be
a chess match. Schemes and matchups and small edges matter
more than just hype. And I think that you know,
Baker has the right idea, right and he's kind of,
(23:11):
you know, let that be known amongst you know, the
players to kind of just keep keep your attitude in check.
We haven't done anything yet. That this season is still
fairly early, and there's a lot of football that needs
to be played, and we want to have our eyes
on the prize and we don't want to get distracted
too much by someone jingling car keys telling you that
you're the greatest team in the NFL, so I think
(23:34):
that that is important. But here are the players to
look for. Aman Ross Saint Brown versus Jacob Parrish. Saint
Brown is a chain mover, a consistent volume target for
GoF Parish is the rookie Nicol who has been impressing
since camp. He brings speed and attitude. If Parish can
slow down Saint Brown enough, the Bucks defense can hang
(23:56):
on with other threats, other things. If you're Todd, you
have to decide if you shade safety help to get
the slot or trust the nickel to hold. If you
over commit to stopping Saint Brown, you open up Jamber
on the ground. If you don't, Saint Brown will pick
you apart. Love those choices. They make the game fun.
(24:17):
And you know the thing of it is is I
know that they're going to have their hands full. They
absolutely are, and you know, you take a look at it.
The Buccaneers have the better record, but don't read too
much into that. You don't want to fall into what
is a trap game. On the other side, Baker Mayfield
needs to be sharp. I'm not too worried about it.
If Abuka as at least limited, and what is said
(24:39):
is that he wants to play. Yeah, he said that
he wants to play. But you know, of course the
medical team is going to have to approve that first.
But I think that we need him in there. You
know that we're really thin that I listed earlier the players,
I'm talking Sterling Shepherd, I'm talking Johnson and john I'm
(25:00):
talking Outen, I'm talking the running backs, those kind of things.
But you need more options at the wide receiver position.
I don't want to say the Buccaneers got lucky in
the last game, but you don't want to test it
too much. Time of possession, third down efficiency and staying
physical at the point of attack will matter. The lines
will test the Bucks front with their run games, so protection,
(25:21):
screens and staying balanced is the plan. This one feels
like a playoff dress rehearsal to an extent, because you know,
the lines have been good here for the last couple
of seasons, and well, you know this could very well
be you know what's going to happen at the end
of the season. Two really great teams in which one
will reign supreme. Both teams are built to move and
(25:43):
handle pressure. Every matchup matters. Special teams, penalties, red zone trips.
Those little things decide primetime games. So we're hoping that
Chase McLaughlin has dialed into right and all things considered,
has you know, played pretty well since that one debacle
game where he was less than stellar. But I'm talking
(26:04):
closing takedown. If I had to pick the single biggest swing,
if the Bucks linebackers and Nickels can make those third
down stops and if Dean keeps showing up with game
changing plays, the Bucks can control the game. If the
offense can stay balanced and get Abuka involved even a little,
that is advantageous. So big things and not to be
(26:27):
lost in all of this, as well as Jamel Dean
and what kind of game that he has definitely in
approve it phase of his career, a guy that is
injury prone and when you are in the kind of
situation that he's in where he needs to prove it
and that will hinge on his future in the NFL.
(26:48):
I think that at the end of the day, at
least in part, that is why you are seeing the
absolute best out of Jamel Dean. Listen, I want to
thank you for joining me on this edition of The
Bucks Report, part of The Bucks Report podcast Network again
for all of your Buccaneers news, head on over to
Thebusreport dot com. They got you covered updown, left, right
(27:11):
with all the news surrounding your favorite team and mine.
All right, listen, once again, I want to thank you
for joining me on this edition of the Bus Report,
and I'll talk to again next time.
On today's show, with the Bucks thirty to nineteen victory
over the forty nine ers, the chance of MVP MVP
surrounding Baker Mayfield are getting louder, are they warranted? And
what's the latest with a Mecca Abuka. I'll discuss next
on this edition of The Box Report. Let's get out then. Well, Hello, Windo,
(00:59):
welcome in this edition of The Bucks Report, part of
the Bucks Report podcast network. I'm so glad you decided
to join me today. As always, this podcast is free
and available on all the major platforms. The best way
that you can help grow this show is to subscribe
to the Bus Report on YouTube and comment anything down below.
(01:19):
And the source of all your Buccaneers news is Thebusreport
dot com. So in this edition of the Bucks Report,
the Buccaneers continue to keep rolling. And as I prepare
for this show from week to week, I think and
I brace myself that at some point I'm going to
have to come to you guys about a buccaneer's loss.
(01:44):
And to be clear here, I don't want to, but
it just seems inevitable. But Baker Mayfield continues to keep
diving deep. You take a look at the wide receivers.
It doesn't matter anymore. Mike Evans out not an issue.
God went out, not an issue, McMillan out not an issue,
Abuca out not an issue. The Buccaneers continue to keep dominating.
(02:07):
What's in the DNA of this year's Buccaneers team. And
then a bit later we'll talk about the Bucks as
they prepare to take on the lines in some Monday
night football action. But let's just dive into it here
in the first segment, and before I get too deep
into it, let's just talk about the box score, because
(02:28):
there is a lot to love about this year's Buccaneers team.
Baker Mayfield, the chance of MVP are getting louder. Seventeen
of twenty three, two hundred and fifty six yards. That
when Baker Mayfield is down, he's not down and out,
(02:49):
And you know, I think the MVP chants are warranted.
I'll talk about that a bit later. But Rashad White's
a huge game of touchdown, Sean Tucker a touchdown, Johnson
and Johnson, I'm talking Cameron and tz touchdowns. That this
team is firing on all cylinders and if you can
believe it, they're only going to get better at least
(03:13):
ostensibly right. You got to think that, you know, Godwin, Evans, McMillan, Abuka,
all of them out there, that this team has just
got to be built for truly great things. So let's
dive into it. In what we saw in the most
recent game where the Bucks down the forty nine Ers
by a score of thirty to nineteen. To be clear here,
(03:37):
this is or was a forty nine Ers team that
was facing a lot of injuries as well, as we know,
brock Party, mister Irrelevant wasn't in the game. His title
from so many years ago, Mac Jones was in and
despite the injuries that the forty nine Ers faced, they
still made it an interesting fight. But the Buccaneers are victorious,
(04:01):
so let's dive into it. I'll talk about the game,
and then you know, just the fanfare that's surrounding Baker
Mayfield and how does he keep out all of the noise.
You think that with all those chants, you'd be walking
around with a fat head. You'd have a hard time
getting in the doors. You know, I'm gonna have to
squeeze your head together. Not the case. I think that
(04:23):
Baker Mayfield is the guy the remembers where he came
from that He's had to hop, skip and jump around
the NFL to get where he's at his forever home
in Tampa. And I think that that is the rocket
fuel within him that continues to propel him forward. Despite
what we have seen in this early season that I
(04:46):
still think that his eyes are set on the prize
winning the NFC South and dare I say winning a
Super Bowl. Listen, guys, I know that the bottom could
fall out here at any point, but this team right
now is playing some of the best football that's well
I have seen in years. So let's get right into
it and Baker Mayfield making the headlines after what felt
(05:10):
like a bit of a miraculous and this is what
I'm talking about. I had to start the game on
the radio, which is a treat that the play by
play for the Buccaneers is top notch, and that he's down, No,
he scrambles, he continues to keep going, he gets the
first down. It was one heck of a game. And after,
like I said, what felt like a bit of a
(05:31):
miraculous scramble and a forty five yard diving touchdown to
Test Johnson, the crowd was chanting MVP MVP, but Bicker
was quick to cool things off and reminded everyone, hey, guys,
it's still early, and it is. I think it's important
to temper expectations right that, you know, I go through
(05:55):
my day to day life with creamsicle colored glasses on.
I don't know about you, but I don't want to
say I'm not waiting for the next thing to fall.
But you've got to know at some point that there's
got to be hiccups. I don't want there to be,
but it seems all but apparent. But Baker manks Mayfield saying,
we've got a lot more work to do. He's playing
with confidence you can hear and feel, but he's not
(06:17):
buying into the noise. And I'll dig a little bit
deeper into the MVP chance a bit later in the show.
But you know what's stut out to me on that play,
how willing he is to take chances. And you know
that seems like an easy thing to do. Just take
a chance, go ahead and do it well if you
(06:38):
can do it tactfully, and if you can, you know,
execute well. Because Jameis Winston, if you can remember famous
Jameis Winston, you know the guy that's going to eat
the dup. He also was the kind of guy that
liked to take chances and well, very often those turned
into interceptions, and that is something that egged Baker Mayfield
(07:01):
last year, for example, and earlier in his career. But
this is the absolute best Baker Mayfield I have ever seen,
and that's something. But like I said, what stood out
on that play is how willing he is to take chances.
He scrambled for a third and long, he picked up
fifteen yards, then he hit tes for the big score.
(07:23):
That sequence showed you the dual threat he brings. He's
got the arms, he's got the legs, he's got the heart,
He's got what it takes. And that particular sequence put
a big exclamation on the thirty to nineteen victory. Bam
at ray j A and a fist pumping moment, And
you can have those even on the radio side. I
(07:44):
know it's preferable to watch all the games on television,
but I'm here to tell you that the Bucks radio
broadcast really brings me into it as well. But here's
the reality check. The MVP chants are fun. They make
for headlines, they make for clicks, and I get it.
You know, Baker's playing some of the best football of
his career, like I said, but he did it on
Sunday with essentially one starting skill player on the field.
(08:08):
And not to be lost in all of this is
Kate Aughten. Wow, this guy is a beast out there.
And you know he got thrown around where he tried
to jump and the guy lifted him up and threw
him down. That this guy is really built for warfare.
But Kate Aughton was the only starting playing on defense.
A Mecca Abuca left with a hamstring issue. Yes, it
(08:31):
was just the last episode of the Bucks Report that
I came to you guys and I said that other
than Baker Mayfield, that is the absolute worst case scenario.
And well it came true. And what do you know?
What do you know that the running backs right they
picked up the slack for Shad White, you know, getting
(08:54):
a touchdown Tucker out there, Johnson and Johnson that this tea,
like I said, and it's almost the makings of a movie,
you know if you ask me that all that they
have been able to accomplish in this early season. But
you know, quite stunning what they've been able to do.
But a Mecca Abuka left with a hamstring issue. Mike
(09:15):
Evans and Chris Godwin we're not active and it didn't matter.
And I think that is quieting a lot of the
critics that you know, this team is good. You got
Evans in there, you got Godwin in there. But if
you pull anyone out of there, that Buccaneers team is
just a deck of cards. And I'm willing to throw
(09:36):
the middle fingers up to say, maybe a better check
to box score because it didn't matter. Take away our
big weapons were still going to find a way to
stick it to you. And that context matters. If you're
going to judge bigger long term, you have to see
him carry the team with the roster even uh even
without key players on the team. And what is that
(09:59):
You know you have got that result with lesser quarterback, maybe,
but maybe enough. I think bailed. I know the Baker
Mayfield is the guy stirn the drink for the Bucks
that the players love playing for him. And that's the
thing that is said as well, is the players that
played under the Brady years and the players that have
(10:20):
played under Baker Mayfield, they actually prefer playing under Baker
Mayfield better. He's just one of the guys. It's not
going out there and playing with dad. So exciting as
a Bucks fan as this team continues to fire on
all cylinders. All right, So after the break, we'll continue
to talk about the Baker Mayfield MVP buzz. I'll discuss
(10:44):
straight ahead. All right, Welcome back into this edition of
the Bucks Report, part of the Bucks Report podcast network,
simulcast on the Bucks Minute cast feed, part of the
Fan for Sports Network. So the MVP chance are getting
(11:05):
louder and are they founded? You better believe it. He
is one of the best, if not the best quarterbacks
in the National Football League. And that's quite a statement.
And I know you could throw some names in there.
You could throw you know, Mahomes and you know different
other quarterbacks and there. But for me, he's right there.
He's right in the conversation as the greatest quarterback in
(11:28):
the NFL right now. I really have no doubt about it.
And again I'm not saying that just because you know
I'm a homer for the Bucks. I really do believe
what I'm saying here. But it's important to keep the
noise aside, and that's what Baker Mayfield has had to do.
And maybe struggled with it a little bit here. So
we're going to start here in the next segment with
Baker Mayfield. He has been playing some ridiculous ball and
(11:53):
the crowd chance of MVP after some of those plays,
and it's interesting that after Johnson got his first touchdown
at they're like MVP and they're like for me, I mean,
this is the first time I played, and they're like, no, no, man,
it's about Baker Mayfield and just you know, a team
that's playing so well around him, and what you saw
(12:15):
in the games. You saw him scramble, you saw the throw,
the one he escapes at third and long thins out
of trouble and then dropped a beautiful forty five yard
bomb on Tesz Johnson. There it goes. That play had
people losing their minds and the noise in the stadium.
It was legit, that is for sure, but Baker classic.
(12:37):
Baker tried to tone it down and said, it's week
six here and we're just getting started. Let that resonate
with you. We're just getting started, and you know all
that's at stake here. He wanted to keep the team grounded.
The quote was in at Jenna Lane's piece over on
ESPN that said, week six kind of temper expectations. Now, look,
(13:00):
there's praise coming from a lot of different quarters, and
it's interesting because this team has been brushed aside season
after season after season. But finally the Buccaneers are getting
their flowers. And it's early in the season to be
getting flowers. But gee, thank you that that's where the
Bucks are at right now. And the MVP talk is
(13:22):
fun for fans. It makes for hot takes on social
media and makes the headlines. It's part of the narrative.
But for a team like the Bucks, the smarter move
is to keep the head down, keep the process, and
protect the win streak. I've seen this before last season,
for example, and the bottom fell out there for a bit.
(13:42):
They still rallied. But this team is built better. And
that's the one thing Baker saying it's week six, we're
just getting started that tells me he's trying to keep
guys hungry and accountable, because complacency will get you nowhere.
That's leadership. That is veteran stuff there. That's why the
room is buying the output. But let's not close gloss
(14:06):
over the pure entertainment value. And honestly, after a few
of those big plays, I had to chuckle because Baker's
swigger and grit make him a storyline material. He's a
fun guy to watch. You know, some guys are out there,
they're just stoic. They execute and they move on to
the next one. He's a showman. He is a fun
(14:26):
guy to watch on the field, you know, generally playing well,
but still a fun guy to watch. And if the
offense keeps clicking, people will keep chanting and the headlines
will keep coming. But let's not divorce the narrative from reality.
We still need health and we still need depth because
now whoa WHOA stop the clock is that now with
(14:49):
all the pieces that are missing, it will really get real.
And I'll talk about the injuries a little bit later
in the show. But the Buccaneers are definitely and I'm
not trying to say this as a pejorative or you know,
you know, saying anything detrimental about these players, but they're
you know, getting to the bottom of the depth chart,
at least at the wide receiver position. You know, don't
(15:11):
tell that to them because look at they put up
two touchdowns in the last game. But we need guys
to come back, and I will talk about that a
bit more later in the show. But the Buccaneers rising
up and that is what has me excited that they
continue to keep knocking it out of the park despite
what injuries and what setbacks are put in their way.
(15:35):
All right, so coming up here after the break, we'll
talk about those injury concerns. Who's in the game, who's
out of the game, who are the question marks. I'll
break it all down next. All right, welcome back into
this edition of the Bucks Report podcast. So let's take
(15:56):
a look at the injury report. There are some players
that are emphatically out of the game. They are Chris Godwin,
Luke Haggard, Bucky Irving, Josh Williams and uh and Josh
Williams questionable, our Teddy Bridgewater, Lavonte David a Mecca at BUKA,
Mike Evans questionable. I would say that they are a
(16:20):
long shot, but encouraging signs as well with Mike Evans
as he was getting in some practice so inching closer
to return as well. But then you know, what did
we see with Godwin. It's good that they're back, but
there's always kind of this, you know, ramp up period
right where it takes a bit for them to get
up to full speed, but having at some point Evans
(16:41):
back out on the field will be huge. Make no
mistake this segment. I want to talk about injuries because
football injuries happen, and right now we're juggling a few
and that matters because a hot quarterback and a shakey
water receiver room changes the game plan. Headline one, Chris
Godwin and Bucky Irving are out on Monday night football,
(17:04):
ESPN reported they were ruled out. That's immediate ripple effect
for the game plan. Godwin is a veteran route runner.
We know what he brings to this team, especially when
he's healthy. He's dependable on the seam. Losing his arm
means others have to step up. Questionable is a Mecca Abuca,
the rookie I left the game with a hamstring issue.
(17:25):
That's the kind of thing we watch closely with young receivers.
You don't want to push them back too fast, so
the receiving depth chart gets thinner, which yeah, pushes more
depth to whoever's healthy. So that makes it an interesting
storyline to follow as well. So what does this mean
and what does the roster. Look like I open up
the official Bucks roster and the injury report is worth
(17:48):
noting everybody doing the same in the morning before a game.
Those pages listed who is limited, and I will go
down into depth a little bit more about the players
that are going to be in out of the game,
because you know, I know that this team has faced
a lot of setbacks. But at some point, like I said,
we are going to need some of these players to
(18:09):
come back. But Chris Godwin, like I said, he is
officially out with a fibula issue. That's a big name
to lose. He's reliable, he's consistent. We know he's been out.
Losing him changes how defenses can play Evans out. Seeing
Mike back on the field, even in limited fashion, is encouraging.
He draws attention, He helps the run game by pulling
(18:31):
coverage if he's available, even at seventy percent. He's a
huge positive because he forced his teams to respect the
vertical threat a Mecca Abuka, my man, the guy that
has absolutely knocked it out of the park in his
rookie season. Here. You know, and a lot of people
why did they draft another wide receiver? Do you know? Now?
(18:53):
Do you know now the kid has been absolutely amazing,
leads the team in cat catches and has been a
concent distant piece of the offense. He was limited in
practice and is a game time decision. If he's out,
that puts even more pressure on a thin receiving group.
What does that mean, Well, that means Sterling Shepherd right
(19:15):
that he is going to factor in the Johnson and Johnson.
I expect more from Kadot and expect more, you know,
from Rashad White and from Tucker because Bucky Irving out.
Losing Bucky again a blow. He's been electric and he
gives the offense a multi dimensional edge. When he's out,
then Rashad White and Sean Tucker and whoever else they
(19:36):
activate need to produce. That change changes the game script.
You run different concepts if you're missing that home run threat.
So those are you know, the moves and the depth
and practice squad moves. The Bucks did not shuffle bodies
on the practice squad and the roster. Earlier this week.
They brought in Michael Wiley to the seventeen man A
(19:57):
practice squad that tells you they're bracing for bodies missing
and want options. So you take a look at it.
The you know, we're hoping that a lot of these
players are getting going to come back sooner and sooner.
But the good thing, the reassuring thing for me, is
they're finding a way to rally around with these players
(20:17):
out of the mix. So the game plan adjustment in
playing English here is with Bucky out and the running
back snaps go to Rashad White and Sean Tucker. White
is of course that veteran who can shoulder the load.
Tucker gives a change of pace. If Josh Williams is out,
the Bucks will need to be cautious with rookie usage.
They will protect the quarterback from third down sets and
(20:40):
expose him to hit or pressure. So I'm not concerned,
and maybe I should be with how the Buccaneers are
playing like that, I said that, you know, they continue
to find a way to keep rising above, but you
know they're getting put to test here. And you know,
the last piece that we really need to cross our
fing in toeson is Baker Mayfield because things are going
(21:04):
to change exponentially if he is out of the mix.
That at some point, you know, knock on fake wood here.
I hope that that doesn't happen, but it just seems
like you're playing a game out of odds at some
point where you do whatever it takes to get the
first down, but at some point you're going to get
(21:24):
hit and the rubber is going to meet the road
and then it's going to be Teddy Bridgewater or whoever else.
So we really need to protect the man Baker Mayfield
because he is a big part of the buccaneers success,
the biggest part. I guess you could say, all right, next,
let's talk about the game itself, Monday night football in Detroit.
(21:46):
And you know, you take a look at the standings
right now, the Buccaneers are five and one. They are
tied with the Indianapolis Colts as having the best record
five and one, and you know, it's kind of hard
to believe that we're in the position that we're in.
And I say that just based on the fact of
(22:08):
all the injuries and all the players that are out.
But talking about Detroit four in two, second place in
the North. But the one thing I know, they are
going to throw it at the Bucks. They're not going
to take it easy. And this is a team as
of late that has shown that they can really answer
the bell, But that is the game Monday night. I
(22:29):
know that Baker and a lot of the guys say
they don't generally like playing night games, especially the nationally
televised games if you look at them historically, they don't
necessarily favor the Bucks. But prime time Monday night Bucks
versus Lions, two teams near the top of the conference,
this is a heavyweight championship. You got Jared Goff, you
(22:51):
got jim or Gibbs, you got Aman Ross Saint Brown
doing his Aman Ross Saint Brown thing. You got a
Bucks defense that's starting to hum. It's going to be
a chess match. Schemes and matchups and small edges matter
more than just hype. And I think that you know,
Baker has the right idea, right and he's kind of,
(23:11):
you know, let that be known amongst you know, the
players to kind of just keep keep your attitude in check.
We haven't done anything yet. That this season is still
fairly early, and there's a lot of football that needs
to be played, and we want to have our eyes
on the prize and we don't want to get distracted
too much by someone jingling car keys telling you that
you're the greatest team in the NFL, so I think
(23:34):
that that is important. But here are the players to
look for. Aman Ross Saint Brown versus Jacob Parrish. Saint
Brown is a chain mover, a consistent volume target for
GoF Parish is the rookie Nicol who has been impressing
since camp. He brings speed and attitude. If Parish can
slow down Saint Brown enough, the Bucks defense can hang
(23:56):
on with other threats, other things. If you're Todd, you
have to decide if you shade safety help to get
the slot or trust the nickel to hold. If you
over commit to stopping Saint Brown, you open up Jamber
on the ground. If you don't, Saint Brown will pick
you apart. Love those choices. They make the game fun.
(24:17):
And you know the thing of it is is I
know that they're going to have their hands full. They
absolutely are, and you know, you take a look at it.
The Buccaneers have the better record, but don't read too
much into that. You don't want to fall into what
is a trap game. On the other side, Baker Mayfield
needs to be sharp. I'm not too worried about it.
If Abuka as at least limited, and what is said
(24:39):
is that he wants to play. Yeah, he said that
he wants to play. But you know, of course the
medical team is going to have to approve that first.
But I think that we need him in there. You
know that we're really thin that I listed earlier the players,
I'm talking Sterling Shepherd, I'm talking Johnson and john I'm
(25:00):
talking Outen, I'm talking the running backs, those kind of things.
But you need more options at the wide receiver position.
I don't want to say the Buccaneers got lucky in
the last game, but you don't want to test it
too much. Time of possession, third down efficiency and staying
physical at the point of attack will matter. The lines
will test the Bucks front with their run games, so protection,
(25:21):
screens and staying balanced is the plan. This one feels
like a playoff dress rehearsal to an extent, because you know,
the lines have been good here for the last couple
of seasons, and well, you know this could very well
be you know what's going to happen at the end
of the season. Two really great teams in which one
will reign supreme. Both teams are built to move and
(25:43):
handle pressure. Every matchup matters. Special teams, penalties, red zone trips.
Those little things decide primetime games. So we're hoping that
Chase McLaughlin has dialed into right and all things considered,
has you know, played pretty well since that one debacle
game where he was less than stellar. But I'm talking
(26:04):
closing takedown. If I had to pick the single biggest swing,
if the Bucks linebackers and Nickels can make those third
down stops and if Dean keeps showing up with game
changing plays, the Bucks can control the game. If the
offense can stay balanced and get Abuka involved even a little,
that is advantageous. So big things and not to be
(26:27):
lost in all of this, as well as Jamel Dean
and what kind of game that he has definitely in
approve it phase of his career, a guy that is
injury prone and when you are in the kind of
situation that he's in where he needs to prove it
and that will hinge on his future in the NFL.
(26:48):
I think that at the end of the day, at
least in part, that is why you are seeing the
absolute best out of Jamel Dean. Listen, I want to
thank you for joining me on this edition of The
Bucks Report, part of The Bucks Report podcast Network again
for all of your Buccaneers news, head on over to
Thebusreport dot com. They got you covered updown, left, right
(27:11):
with all the news surrounding your favorite team and mine.
All right, listen, once again, I want to thank you
for joining me on this edition of the Bus Report,
and I'll talk to again next time.
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