Baker Mayfield: Fire The Cannons

[buzzdog]

Everybody calm down, Baker just said that they would correct all their issues and that's just a fact. Other than that, you could replay the press conferences from the last 2 weeks.

 

[Vee-Rex]

Baker Mayfield is the personification of a rollercoaster

He needs elite line play in order to start gaining confidence. And even then… that confidence is brittle as hell. Love his toughness and heart but he has to be better.

Unfortunately for him, we’re getting to the point where even if he balls out for the rest of the year, it’ll still be a giant question mark.

 

[Malacogary]

They're actually quite similar. Short QB's who have huge arms and very good accuracy who because of their college system still lack anticipation and need to see it open before they throw it.

But Murray and Mayfield have two game-changing differences.

1. Kyler is one of the best athletes in the world at the QB position and Baker is a poor athlete. Mayfield has had what... a dozen scrambles this year that have only gone for 2-3 yards because he's so slow? Those are 10 yard gains and first downs for Murray.

2. Because of this athleticism gap, Murray also has a much better ability to calmly navigate chaos around him and thus is significantly better against pressure than Mayfield will likely ever be.

I think this might be the single most perceptive post in the entire thread.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

He needs elite line play in order to start gaining confidence. And even then… that confidence is brittle as hell. Love his toughness and heart but he has to be better.

Unfortunately for him, we’re getting to the point where even if he balls out for the rest of the year, it’ll still be a giant question mark.

It's going to be a problem. After this year, Teller could leave. Are we to assume that Michael Dunn will end up allowing the line to still be elite?

What about when it's Conklin's time? Or JC Tretter? Bitonio? Surely we cannot count on James Hudson. Alex Taylor and Nick Harris seamlessly stepping in and doing a good job

My biggest problem is that, if he were to be paid, Baker Mayfield won't have an elite offensive line. So the Browns are investing big money into a guy that simply will never give them what they want or need if he doesn't have an elite offensive line.

 

[Kiddo]

At this point in Bakers career you’d expect him to be more consistent if he’s an elite QB. I just don’t see it. I’m looking at moving on after this season.

 

[Chris]

It's going to be a problem. After this year, Teller could leave. Are we to assume that Michael Dunn will end up allowing the line to still be elite?

What about when it's Conklin's time? Or JC Tretter? Bitonio? Surely we cannot count on James Hudson. Alex Taylor and Nick Harris seamlessly stepping in and doing a good job

My biggest problem is that, if he were to be paid, Baker Mayfield won't have an elite offensive line. So the Browns are investing big money into a guy that simply will never give them what they want or need if he doesn't have an elite offensive line.

I’m not sure anyone can even argue that we should pay Baker anywhere close to franchise QB money at this point.

 

[redscoon]

Baker doesn’t have elite physical prowess and it’s looking more and more like he doesn’t have elite mental prowess either. If you have a great line and run game, he gets the job done, but what if you don’t? Is today what you get out of him?

He’s tough as hell and has a nice arm, but I’d be shocked if the front office isn’t quietly very nervous about him moving forward.

 

[CBBI]

I think this might be the single most perceptive post in the entire thread.

Short and small QBs can still be great.

Slow and unathletic QBs can still be great

QB's that struggle with their eyes and don't play with great anticipation can still be great.

It's just really difficult to be a great QB if you are all three of those things. And Baker Mayfield, for all the good things he can do, is all three of those things.

 

[bgfalcon]

At the end of the day we are in a potential super bowl window. If baker can win it for us that’s great, but we can’t risk the talent we have to try and win In spite of him.

 

[I'mWithDan]

I’m not sure anyone can even argue that we should pay Baker anywhere close to franchise QB money at this point.

The argument for paying him was based on a late season sample of 8-10 games. Where you could have potentially talked yourself in to it on the premise of there being a likelihood of improvement......given his age and the system. A good faith gesture where a QB can "play his way" in to his contract so to speak.

If nothing else, this year is likely to give the Browns one of two things.

1. They are going to get a discount on a guy they believe in.
2. They are going to have enough data to feel comfortable moving on.

I don't really see any other realistic outcome, relative to what we have seen thus far. He's just far too inconsistent and far too underwhelming in spots for anyone to believe he should be paid remotely close to a franchise guy.

The only large caveat here is, the locker room probably loves this guy. He's like-able, he's out there dragging his fucking arm around and just gutting it out. I'm sure he has a lot of support amongst the team.

I don't think that is a reason to keep a guy that you don't feel is good enough but it is a situation where whoever replaces him, has to have a reputation as an absolute killer.

To me, you aren't carting Deshaun Watson in to that locker room and getting guys to rally around the diddler. I more believe it to be a situation where only a Rodgers-esque acquisition will be rallied around or it is likely you are just trying to just make it work schematically.

 

[raiders91sc]

I agree we can't pay Baker franchise money. But where do we go from here?

1. franchise tag him and pay him 30 million
2. offer a 4 year 100 million
3. go after Watson. baker/2 first/2 second
4. draft a QB

 

[bgfalcon]

I agree we can't pay Baker franchise money. But where do we go from here?

1. franchise tag him and pay him 30 million
2. offer a 4 year 100 million
3. go after Watson. baker/2 first/2 second
4. draft a QB

Does anyone think Wilson might be available if the Seahawks unravel?

 

[buzzdog]

At the end of the day we are in a potential super bowl window. If baker can win it for us that’s great, but we can’t risk the talent we have to try and win In spite of him.

I beg to differ. The players on this team, to date, have done absolutely nothing to indicate that they're in a Super Bowl window. We can't risk "the talent we have"? As a group those guys have shown nothing.

What you are on paper doesn't mean shit. The only thing that matters is what you get done on the field, week in and week out. And so far, this team is nothing if not over-rated. But people are putting all the blame on Mayfield somehow? Saying he's the thing that is holding this team back? Sorry, that simply is not true. There's about half a dozen things holding this team back, from the head coach on down.

Until they prove different, those are the facts.

 

[Chris]

Gonna have to back up the brinks truck of draft picks if you want a QB, sadly. And 2022 aint the draft to do that in.

Only other hope is Wilson, which is probably pie in the sky.

 

[I'mWithDan]

I agree we can't pay Baker franchise money. But where do we go from here?

1. franchise tag him and pay him 30 million
2. offer a 4 year 100 million
3. go after Watson. baker/2 first/2 second
4. draft a QB

I think at this point, you would only hope for these outcomes.......from a Browns perspective.

1. A more up and down year leads to contract talks being shelved. This releases some pressure on the Browns......and also allows them to operate in a shorter term window where it maybe makes sense to prioritize paying a few key pieces instead of QB. Baker wants to play a "bet on me" year and there is no long term money committed to the QB position.

2. Rodgers wants to come here. He sees the team talent. He sees the sudden opening with Baker faltering and we become a preferred destination. We ship Baker to Green Bay or a 3rd team and we mercenary it with Rodgers while grooming someone.

3. The Seahawks tank and Russ wants to move on. Send them Baker and our 1st, maybe something else and let them blow it up.

Watson is just a non starter for me. Too much unknown.