1 week Ago By Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. — Todd Bowles barely could contain his laughter when asked to share his thoughts on Baker Mayfield’s mobility and ability to run. The usually stoic coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cracked up when a questioner suggested his quarterback might not be as elusive as Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Washington’s Jayden Daniels or Buffalo’s Josh Allen, but he’s still capable of making game-changing plays on the move.
“He’s fourth, let’s just say, behind those three guys,” Bowles said, still smiling. “He’s mobile enough to get the yards we need. “You don’t have to be a fast quarterback to be a mobile quarterback.
He understands when he has to run, and he’s great at that.” Mayfield, who faces Jackson and the AFC North-leading Ravens on Monday night, agrees he never will be confused with being one of the best runners at his position. But that hasn’t prevented him from straying from the pocket when necessary while helping the Bucs (4-2) to a strong start that has his team tied atop the NFC South.
“I would not put myself in that category with those guys by any means,” Mayfield said. “It amazes me when you get to watch some of these guys on tape. Lamar, Jayden, Josh, the things they can do, extending plays, just the vision that they have, that’s a God-given gift that they have.
I’ll do what I can, but it’s not to that level.” Jackson, a two-time MVP, arguably is playing the best football of his career, and the Ravens (4-2) have won four straight following an 0-2 start. Mayfield has thrown for 1,489 yards and a league-leading 15 touchdowns.
Baltimore leads the NFL in rushing and total offense, with Jackson passing for 1,529 yards and 10 TDs and running for 403 yards and two more scores. The quarterbacks have known each other since both were Heisman Trophy winners in college, with Jackson receiving the award in 2016 and Mayfield winning it the following season. Mayfield was the first overall pick in the 2018 draft.
Jackson entered the NFL the same year as the last selection of the first round. The Ravens star said there’s no extra motivation going against a quarterback from his draft class. “No, I just want to win.
I go out there, and I look at every game the same way. (Mayfield) is a tremendous quarterback, he has been since college, ever since I’ve known him — even going back to the Heisman,” Jackson said. “You can say we have a relationship a little bit from there.
But outside of football, I’m not really around other quarterbacks. ..
. I love his game. He’s still the same person from what I see.
From afar, he’s still the same Baker.”.
