The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t just want to improve their roster this offseason. They wanted to change the culture and attitude within their locker room.
In diagnosing what went wrong during last season’s 8-9 debacle, the front office and coaching staff clearly decided that the team was lacking leadership and accountability. Every personnel decision the Buccaneers made this offseason was made with that in mind. Tampa Bay didn’t just want to bring in good football players — they wanted stone-cold killers to help give this team the edge it lacked last season. Early signs indicate that they succeeded in doing just that.
Count Baker Mayfield among those impressed by the new energy that has taken over the locker room.
Baker Mayfield loves the new attitude of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mayfield spoke to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times and discussed the new feel of this year’s Buccaneers team.
“I could tell that from the spring with the new additions that we had, whether it was the draft picks, some of the undrafted free agents and the free-agent signings. The culture, the guys they brought in just for the attitude and mindset. I think, for me, that was probably the most important thing… We got the right fit of guys to have truly a group of savages out there. It’s an aggressive unit. We need to have that killer instinct," Mayfield said.
Some of the additions Mayfield is talking about include veteran defensive tackles A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches. Robinson is known for his leadership and no-nonsense demeanor, and takes pride in being a bully on the football field. Nunez-Roches brings the energy as one of the loudest players on the field who is always trash talking opponents, and even his teammates during practice.
There are rookies involved in the culture change, too. Rueben Bain Jr. and Josiah Trotter have quickly emerged as players who are bringing a mean streak and physicality with them to Tampa Bay.
Mayfield is challenging Tampa Bay’s newcomers to make life miserable for opponents.
“The new additions that have come in, the attitude guys, have to say we’re not going to take any s--t and we’re going to try and embarrass you on the field."
The Bucs quarterback is extremely confident heading into the season, as he finally has a team that matches his edge and intensity.
“I think we’re going to shock a lot of people… It’s the walk-off-the-bus mentality. Take somebody’s soul.”
Tampa Bay will get its first opportunity to “take somebody’s soul” next weekend when they travel to Cincinnati to take on a Bengals team boasting one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses.
The Buccaneers have talked a big game about their new attitude all offseason. It’s time to see if they can back it up.
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