“That Gets In Your Quarterback’s Head”
December 10th, 2024
Baker Mayfield
So Bucs superstar left tackle Tristan Wirfs isn’t just protecting Baker Mayfield’s body, he’s also protecting his mental state.
Joe is on record not being a “quarterback pressures” guy. Pressures aren’t a significant factor for quality quarterbacks. But “hits,” sure, those are felt and remembered by quarterbacks.
Sacks, of course, are drive-killers can disrupt QBs in many ways.
Wirfs talked about the strong job he and right tackle Luke Goedeke did Sunday against Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby and the Raiders, via the Buccaneers Radio Network.
Crosby didn’t have his typical superstar day, and Wirfs heaped a lot of praise on Goedeke for playing “out of his mind.”
Wirfs, however, was upset with himself for giving up Crosby’s lone QB hit early in the game but said he adjusted successfuly and quickly.
Overall, per Wirfs, the Bucs’ tackles didn’t alter their games for Crosby but did focus on keeping Crosby out of Baker Mayfield’s head.
“Just doing our best to stay connected to him not let him get those little touches after the play and stuff,” Wirfs said. “You know, that gets in your quarterback’s head; that gets in everybody’s head. So doing our best to limit that was I think the main gameplan.”
The Bucs tackles had a strong day, but it seemed the interior Raiders’ pass rush did rattle Mayfield. Bucs left guard Ben Bredeson certainly had too many rough moments.
But Joe was intrigued by Wirfs talking about how even late touches, pokes and taps on a quarterback by pass rushers can rattle the QB.
Was he speaking about all QBs, the Bucs QBs he’s played with, or just Mayfield?
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