Buccaneers QB Kyle Trask Doing 'Great' at No. 1 Responsibility

While the battle wasn't expected to be tight between Bucs quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask, the third-year passer is keeping it tight by focusing on job No. 1.

When you look to build the perfect Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback what do you want to secure first?

Is it the ability to lead the Buccaneers roster with bravado, throw rocket shots downfield, run the ball, or keep the football out of the defense's hands?

Most - if not all - coaches will tell you the answer is to keep the ball out of the defender's hands and in the possession of the offense. 

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As a third-year quarterback makes a push to win the starting quarterback job, it's that ability that's setting him apart early in training camp.

"It's a great thing," coach Todd Bowles said after watching Trask go three-straight practices without an interception. "Their number one responsibility is don't turn the ball over. He's been doing a good job of not turning it over."

A lot of people on the outside looking in didn't give Trask much of a chance to beat the more veteran and experienced Baker Mayfield once he was signed this offseason. 

When evaluating the Seattle Seahawks offense that new coordinator Dave Canales is coming from, it would appear at first blush that Mayfield fits the scheme basics more than Trask in many areas. 

For media in attendance, many have reported that Mayfield's deep ball looks better, but it's Trask's ability to prevent turnovers and consistently get passes past the first level of the defense that is making him stand out.

Coach Canales adds that Trask's mental ability is also shining through in the first week of camp.

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"He is mastering the concepts, so the more that he can, in a pre-snap way, gather information and really start to progress...you could have as many as three or four progressions, but you do not have time to check all three," Canales said. "When guys start to play comfortable and play fast, is when they eliminate one and two, then they are getting to three and four in the same rhythm...That is what I am seeing from him that I am excited about."

It's not always the biggest arm in the camp that wins the starting job. 

But getting smarter about where to put the ball and doing so in a way that protects your defense while progressing the offense is a surefire way to win a starting quarterback job in the NFL.

There's a long way to go, but those who changed the channel from the Mayfield vs. Trask training camp battle might want to give it another look. And settle in with your snack of choice, because this fight may go the distance.

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Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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