“He’s Never Seen A Guy That’s Not Open”
May 17th, 2024
Baker Mayfield (and Kyle Trask) go under the microscope.
So a former Super Bowl quarterback did an in-depth comparison of Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield.
And he did it with his son. Joe is referring to Phil Simms, the legendary Giants quarterback and former CBS game analyst, alongside former Jets and Falcons backup QB Matt Simms on their Simms Complete podcast.
They took on the task of ranking NFC South quarterbacks — all of them.
The elder Simms is a big Mayfield fan and spoke of film study on the Bucs’ Pro Bowler.
“He’s never seen a guy that’s not open,” Phil Simms said of Mayfield, noting that’s the opposite of slimy Saints QB Derek Carr, who he ranked third in the division.
Mayfield settled down and matured as a thrower when he arrived in Tampa, per Phil Simms. “He quit trying to just kill everybody with the fastball. I thought his pace on the football was better.”
Phil Simms added that he likes how Mayfield extends plays and advises fans to not worry about the sacks that costs Mayfield.
However, Phil Simms thinks Mayfield ranks second among NFC South starting QBs, a step behind Cousins of the Falcons.
Matt Simms disagreed and has Cousins ranked No. 2, citing Mayfield hitting leadership high notes last season, as well as being a better overall playmaker and fit within his team. He called the Mayfield-Todd Bowles marriage “a match made in heaven” for a head coach that plays an aggressive style of defense.
Phil Simms added that it is an ideal fit within a team environment when a head coach and a quarterback have attack mentalties.
As for the Kyle Trask groupies, well, they’re not going to like the Simms clan. Father and son explained that Trask is the third-best backup in the division behind Andy Dalton (Carolina) and rookie Michael Penix (Atlanta). The arm strength and pocket movement Penix showed in college, per the Simms clan, was enough to rank him ahead of Trask.
May 17th, 2024 at 5:41 pm
I’m confused…..Joe told us that Penix was starting and we would face him twice.
May 17th, 2024 at 5:58 pm
I don’t remember Joe writing that but I can see why. It’s not hard to imagine Cousins missing the start the season. Heck he might even end up on the PUP list with that injury and his age. Falcons doubled down and have their plan B ready if Kirk doesn’t come back strong and quickly.
May 17th, 2024 at 6:35 pm
Did he mention how incredibly inaccurate Mayfield is on passes that are more than 10 yards down the field?
May 17th, 2024 at 6:40 pm
Yeah ,Mayfield with normally hit someone, us or them, especially in the last two minutes of a game.
May 17th, 2024 at 6:45 pm
A Bucs Fan
Joe simply suggested that it was a possibility that Penix would blow up in TC & end up being the starter or Cousins would not be 100% from his injury..
I think he has a Manziel Crush on Penix.
May 17th, 2024 at 7:17 pm
I, for one, certainly don’t look forward to facing Penix twice a year. If the Kid doesn’t get hurt he has Stroud capabilities.
May 17th, 2024 at 9:29 pm
As usual Rod, bash Mayfield. Your favorite thing to do my man. Keep up the great content you are the man. I can say you are usually not wrong. Looking forward to reading you intelligent comments. Thanks. P.S. I don’t clam to know a hole lot about playing football at that level or and level for that matter. I do love watching him play (Baker that is) he is one gritty S.O.B. I hope he plays the rest of his career for our Buccaneers baby.
May 17th, 2024 at 10:22 pm
One of our draft picks (at least) played with the QB Penix. While watching his highlights I saw an awful lot of Penix’s play, as well. He looked REALLY good.
May 17th, 2024 at 10:51 pm
Rod Munch is a clown
May 17th, 2024 at 11:00 pm
Rod munch… prove it.
May 17th, 2024 at 11:12 pm
Just read Oct 29 posting from joebucsfan where Rod Munch was blasting Mayfield after the Bucs 3-1 start. Article was quoting Ronde Barber who had some legitimate insight into Baker. Munch as usual blasted away. This was end of Oct way prior to Baker leading the team to the playoffs without a running game and huge O line deficiencies. Baker was outstanding in 2 playoff games and later named Pro Bowl MVP. Got to give Munch credit for being consistently wrong on Baker. Again, find it laughable that an acknowledged successful GM like Jason Licht doesn’t know Mayfield as well as Munch. Going to be a fun season watching Munch slunk out of the hole he has dug for himself. Baker will have a spectacular Season 2 with Bucs and Munch will tell us it isn’t really happening.
May 17th, 2024 at 11:55 pm
Every buc blog needs a “ lightning” Rod..😊
May 18th, 2024 at 12:30 am
Mayfield has been totally inaccurate at down field throws. He has to not have less then 50 yards passing in the first half of any games moving forward.
May 18th, 2024 at 5:39 am
“He’s never seen a guy that’s not open”
Ok, it’s now the next day, and I STILL can’t figure out wtf that means
May 18th, 2024 at 6:02 am
I am worried about Penix, and like SB said too, Penix could be the next C.J. Stroud. Cousins may start, but Penix could finish.
May 18th, 2024 at 7:24 am
Capt.Ahab,
When you are forced to play behind a rookie and two backups for an Offensive line, and have the worst running game in the league- 50 yards is pretty impressive.
May 18th, 2024 at 7:36 am
I’ll worry about Penix when he actually gives us something to worry about. Winston was supposed to be a can’t miss prospect and he missed pretty hard.
May 18th, 2024 at 8:01 am
@Beeej it’s a very confusing statement. I’ve narrowed it down to a few options:
1) Bakers receivers are always covered and he has to throw them open.
2) Bakers receivers are always wide open.
3) Baker can’t throw receivers open.
4) Baker’s actually blind
My conclusion, none of those are accurate and the statement still makes zero sense.
May 18th, 2024 at 9:18 am
I believe it means that with Baker’s arm strength he always believes that his receivers are open enough to get them the ball
May 18th, 2024 at 10:18 am
Did he mention how everything rod munch posts isn’t true? 🤥
May 18th, 2024 at 10:55 am
“He’s never seen a guy that’s not open,”
@JP09 – I’m with you. What does that even mean?! If I take out the double negative is he saying that Baker only sees people that are open? Is that a bad thing?
Phil Simms obviously knows the game and is still my favorite QB in Tecmo Bowl, however Chris Simms is a better evaluator of QB talent.
May 18th, 2024 at 11:31 am
“He’s never seen a guy that’s not open,”
Does this mean that even when a WR isn’t open Simms likes the fact Mayfield will throw it anyway? yikes
May 18th, 2024 at 12:52 pm
I’m confused too. If he’s never seen a guy that’s not open why does he need to extend plays?? I think he meant he’s never seen a guy that’s open. Although his field vision blows so maybe he doesnt see the defense at all
May 18th, 2024 at 1:50 pm
lol@Davyboy.
May 18th, 2024 at 3:20 pm
Trask being the third best backup. What a glowing stat. LMAO.
May 18th, 2024 at 3:37 pm
I can,t put print screens here but Google shows a lot of articles on how accurate Baker was in long passes in 2020. Stefanski let Bakes throw downfield a lot more than Canales. We will see what they let him do in 2024.
May 18th, 2024 at 3:56 pm
Rod your football IQ seems to be deteriorating more and more with each passing day.
Lotta dropped passes on the long balls last year in case you forgot.
May 18th, 2024 at 5:51 pm
Rod Munch needs to get a new TV. That Sylvania CRT box is distorting Baker’s passes.
May 19th, 2024 at 12:15 pm
Rod Munch ? lol! Is that a sex ad ?