Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield kept his team in games all season because of his mentality and style of play. Mayfield never backs down from a challenge, always looking forward to the next play, whether the previous one was a touchdown throw or an interception.
That ability has helped him and the rest of the team overcome the struggles in recent weeks against the Panthers and the scoring slump against the Raiders. it is proof of resilienceEven if it means hitting the reset button.
Baker Mayfield plays ‘with heightened awareness’ in ‘chaotic situation’
Even in the midst of an uphill battle, Baker Mayfield tightens his bootstraps and continues to fight until the end of the match.
The most notable example of this happened two weeks ago against the Panthers. Mayfield’s two interceptions and struggles throughout the game gave Carolina a 16-10 lead midway through the fourth quarter. But for the rest of the quarter and into overtime, even after briefly leaving the game with an injury, he became a different player. His ability to flip the switch was crucial to the Bucks winning 26-23 in overtime.
Bucks QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
How can a veteran quarterback make plays in tense times after a tough performance? Mayfield spoke at length last week about the mentality he plays in that moment.
“For me, it’s that ‘next play matters most’ mentality and that’s something you really want to mentally consider throughout the week when it comes to in-game situations,” Mayfield said.
“Of course, experience and time helps, but you don’t want to cover those situations and understand where you want to get the ball, where you want to do it, and sometimes even in chaotic situations… It just makes you more aware” – you don’t want situations to dictate how you feel, but you just really want to [pay] Pay attention to details and get back to basics in the moment. ”
After scoring two touchdowns and earning a start in last week’s game against the Raiders, the offense had another tough time, but finished on a high note. “Offensively, I was probably the worst player,” Mayfield admitted after the game.
He employs negative self-talk as a motivational tactic.
“I’ve never been a great example of positive self-talk,” Mayfield added. “You just have to hit the reset button, do it, look at the picture on the sideline and just move on. Everyone has to do their job on each play, so I’m the tone setter in that regard. You have to make a bad play, move on, make it happen.”
Graham Burton gives his opinion on Baker Mayfield’s mentality
Bucks QB Baker Mayfield and C. Graham Burton – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Graham Burton had the opportunity to watch Baker Mayfield go through the ups and downs of the game from a unique vantage point as the Bucks’ starting center. It also means Burton is watching Mayfield flare up and how he bounces back when the going gets tough.
He told Pewter Report how the quarterback’s competitive spirit spreads throughout the team.
“Baker is just a competitor,” Barton said. “It’s in his DNA. He doesn’t get upset, and even if he gets upset, he doesn’t express it. I wouldn’t say he’s very calm. As you can see, he’s pretty calm. He’s a hot guy. He’s good at keeping everyone calm when things aren’t going well or there’s a little bit of a lull in the second and third quarters. Baker is really good at keeping everyone together.
“Just being able to take control of the offense and direct us through it was really good. No matter where we are in the game, even if it looks bleak or if we’re playing well, Even without that, you never see his confidence waver, and I think it reflects on everyone else’s ability as an offense to see him have that much confidence. ”
Sunday afternoon, how should I translate this? It won’t be any easier going up against a Chargers defense that has grown under first-year defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. With high-end talent at all three levels and the ability to play physical soccer, points could be very costly. Tampa Bay’s ability to control and move the line of scrimmage will be one key to victory.
Bucks OC Liam Cohen – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
“Sticking to what we know,” Barton said of how the Bucs’ offense continues to be successful. “Like every game the last 10 weeks, we’ve got to find a way to run the ball, be able to establish the line of scrimmage. If we’re successful as an offensive line establishing the offensive line, that’s going to help our playbook. I think everything else will open up. They have to be able to do that. They’ve got the guys they like there. [Joey] Bosa, Khalil Mack, Derwin James, they’re all really good players. Two people in charge of interior design [Poona] with ford [Teair] Tart, many of them are really good people.
“They’ve got some big names on the edge and in the secondary with Darwin, but the guys inside are really talented players as well. Again, this is a good challenge for us, but ultimately it’s just a matter of getting to the line of scrimmage. “Can it be established?” Give Baker time to review his progress. If we can have success up front, it opens up everything else for our attack in any football game. ”
