Baker Mayfield: Fire The Cannons

[natedagg]

It took Cousins 6 games, give Baker 8 before rushing to judgement.

This is a reprogramming of a dude who had it ingrained that he was going to HAVE to be the guy and make the throws for us to win. They have challenged him to not turn it over. It’s the opposite: they have challenged him to man up and be a disciplined game manager and make the reads and not screw it up. It’s a phenomenal challenge and he has done great so far.

He will open it up when they think he is ready to open it up, and that must occur with the right timing and the right attitude to know when to say no.

The missed throws and happy feet to me show that it’s still moving too fast for him. It’s slowing down but we arent there yet, and I don’t know why anyone would expect us to be.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

It took Cousins 6 games, give Baker 8 before rushing to judgement.

This is a reprogramming of a dude who had it ingrained that he was going to HAVE to be the guy and make the throws for us to win. They have challenged him to not turn it over. It’s the opposite: they have challenged him to man up and be a disciplined game manager and make the reads and not screw it up. It’s a phenomenal challenge and he has done great so far.

He will open it up when they think he is ready to open it up, and that must occur with the right timing and the right attitude to know when to say no.

The missed throws and happy feet to me show that it’s still moving too fast for him. It’s slowing down but we arent there yet, and I don’t know why anyone would expect us to be.

In general I tend to agree, but that missed throw to OBJ was really, really bad especially given the stage of the game and situation. Those are the types of throws good QBs make to ice games.

Definitely all for giving him time, but we will know a lot more about him the next few weeks. Colts and Steelers defenses are much better than what we’ve played the last few weeks. Bengals appear to be improving and it’s generally tougher facing a team the second time around. Not sure what to think of the Raiders, but I don’t think they’ll be a pushover.

Really need to see him progress these next four weeks in terms of comfort in the pocket and completion percentage. Otherwise, can’t complain too much as he’s just not being asked to do awhile lot.

 

[Binkster]

In general I tend to agree, but that missed throw to OBJ was really, really bad especially given the stage of the game and situation. Those are the types of throws good QBs make to ice games.

What stood out to me is that it wasn't even close. It was like 6-7 yards over Odell's head out-of-bounds. You have to at least give your guy a chance - especially given the dire situation we were in.

Overall, he did what we needed yesterday and he's making incremental progress. But I really want to see his accuracy, footwork, and decisiveness improve to feel comfortable labeling him the FQB for years to come.

 

[Chris]

Any chance we still need to see more after this season on Baker? From the FO’s perspective, I mean. They aren’t married to this guy. But they also have a million other areas of need they’d rather invest resources in rather than going back to square one at QB.

 

[Binkster]

Any chance we still need to see more after this season on Baker? From the FO’s perspective, I mean. They aren’t married to this guy. But they also have a million other areas of need they’d rather invest resources in rather than going back to square one at QB.

I hope we roll with Baker unless a clear cut upgrade becomes available (e.g. Stafford).

 

[Kbiz]

Any chance we still need to see more after this season on Baker? From the FO’s perspective, I mean. They aren’t married to this guy. But they also have a million other areas of need they’d rather invest resources in rather than going back to square one at QB.

I guess it depends on how his progression goes. He’s a good fit for this system. He just needs to be good in the system.

He looks like he’s getting more comfortable and it’s apparent Stefanski isn’t going to rely on him to win games with his arm this year.

I do hope some people get off OBJ’s case now because it is becoming more apparent to me that Mayfield misses him on a wide open TD about once a game. He’s got to get through his reads quicker and cut the happy feet crap. I’d have him watch tape of Wilson. The guy scrambles about as much but always sets his feet before throwing. No reason Mayfield can’t improve his accuracy on scrambles.

 

[col63onel]

Any chance we still need to see more after this season on Baker? From the FO’s perspective, I mean. They aren’t married to this guy. But they also have a million other areas of need they’d rather invest resources in rather than going back to square one at QB.

Who you going to get?

We aren't going to be able to draft Lawrence or Fields (hopefully). We could sign a vet, but if a vet is available, he's probably not going to be any better than a game manager. Baker is already filling that role on rookie scale contract (for the next 2 seasons, too).

I'd be fine drafting a day 3 developmental guy. But I don't see how guy who either a) has more upside or b) can do what Baker is doing now for less, is available.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

Any chance we still need to see more after this season on Baker? From the FO’s perspective, I mean. They aren’t married to this guy. But they also have a million other areas of need they’d rather invest resources in rather than going back to square one at QB.

Dak’s one of the few guys that could be available that I’d get excited about. I think he’d be pretty killer in Stefanski’s offense. That being said, Dallas will likely franchise him again if they can’t reach an agreement on a contract so the cost would be high.

Otherwise, I don’t see too many guys I’d take that could actually be available. I’d rather give Baker another year than the vast majority of potential offseason options.

 

[Huber.]

Who you going to get?

We aren't going to be able to draft Lawrence or Fields (hopefully). We could sign a vet, but if a vet is available, he's probably not going to be any better than a game manager. Baker is already filling that role on rookie scale contract (for the next 2 seasons, too).

I'd be fine drafting a day 3 developmental guy. But I don't see how guy who either a) has more upside or b) can do what Baker is doing now for less, is available.

Matt Ryan and Mathew Stafford seem to be the vet names thrown around that could be available via trade.

 

[SanduskyCav]

Wasnt Baker like the most accurate downfield passer while he was in college as well as his first year in the NFL? Baker has the tools and talent, I think he just needs time to settle into another new system and get comfortable. Give it time, Baker will start making those throws like he’s shown he capable of.

 

[MGMT]

I guess it depends on how his progression goes. He’s a good fit for this system. He just needs to be good in the system.

He looks like he’s getting more comfortable and it’s apparent Stefanski isn’t going to rely on him to win games with his arm this year.

I do hope some people get off OBJ’s case now because it is becoming more apparent to me that Mayfield misses him on a wide open TD about once a game. He’s got to get through his reads quicker and cut the happy feet crap. I’d have him watch tape of Wilson. The guy scrambles about as much but always sets his feet before throwing. No reason Mayfield can’t improve his accuracy on scrambles.

Matt Ryan and Mathew Stafford seems to be the vet names thrown around that could be available via trade.

id gun for Stafford.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

I honestly don't understand you guys in here stanning for Dak, Matt Ryan, or Matt Stafford.

I'm one of the people most critical of Baker, but he's a better option than either Stafford or Ryan... well, at least has a higher ceiling. If you want to cap this team's potential at "good team that makes the playoffs" instead of a championship contender, then go for it.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

I honestly don't understand you guys in here stanning for Dak, Matt Ryan, or Matt Stafford.

I'm one of the people most critical of Baker, but he's a better option than either Stafford or Ryan... well, at least has a higher ceiling. If you want to cap this team's potential at "good team that makes the playoffs" instead of a championship contender, then go for it.

Don’t see anyone “stanning” for another QB. My preference is for Baker to be the man. The question was if he doesn’t progress this year, who do you look to replace him with. If he flops the rest of the year, I’d absolutely see what it took to get Dak because he would be a phenomenal fit for this personnel group and offense.

My true hope is Baker balls out the rest of the year and we just focus everything on improving the defense in the offseason.

 

[Chris]

Who you going to get?

We aren't going to be able to draft Lawrence or Fields (hopefully). We could sign a vet, but if a vet is available, he's probably not going to be any better than a game manager. Baker is already filling that role on rookie scale contract (for the next 2 seasons, too).

I'd be fine drafting a day 3 developmental guy. But I don't see how guy who either a) has more upside or b) can do what Baker is doing now for less, is available.

Yeah, I agree. I just don’t want to reach the point where QB play is holding this team back. But I do think we can be a playoff team with Baker. And this offseason, don’t see us being able to upgrade.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Don’t see anyone “stanning” for another QB. My preference is for Baker to be the man. The question was if he doesn’t progress this year, who do you look to replace him with. If he flops the rest of the year, I’d absolutely see what it took to get Dak because he would be a phenomenal fit for this personnel group and offense.

My true hope is Baker balls out the rest of the year and we just focus everything on improving the defense in the offseason.

Dak isn't good enough to win you a championship after considering the amount of cap room you have to dedicate to him.

I see no reason to move on from Baker.

If you do, it's for someone you draft.