Baker Mayfield: Fire The Cannons

[godfather]

The Steelers are a pretty a damn good defense. And he's not turning the ball over. Two weeks back to back, no turnovers.

Not great football, but yeah, I think it is efficient to a degree where he's at least cleaning up one part of his game that's been a significant problem for him.

 

[buzzdog]

I do think he takes much of the blame for timing (agreed, two way street), but you just said they were “safe” throws and now you’re saying they were timing throws.

He was largely ineffective in the game.

This point doesn’t seem arguable.

Did enough to win, as the defense accumulated four turnovers. But that was not efficient, and it was not good.

Just wondering, do you give Mayfield any credit whatsoever for the way he moved in the pocket, extending plays while keeping his eyes downfield? Because from what I saw (and apparently Baldinger saw it too) Mayfield was masterful in that regard. That Steeler pass rush is no joke. Yet time and time again Mayfield moved where he needed to go in order to avoid the rush without bailing completely, and when he had to bail he did so with good results. You apparently don't think that rates any consideration as improvement? Because I sure as hell do.

 

[bob2the2nd]

Can we talk about that Mayfield against a top 5 defense ( especially with Fitzpatrick) threw 2 touchdowns, 200 yards, only gave up 1 sack, had no turnovers, to secure a win against a rival and people are bitching about how he could have played better.

Including complaining about a touchdown pass.

 

[CPK]

Can we talk about that Mayfield against a top 5 defense ( especially with Fitzpatrick) threw 2 touchdowns, 200 yards, only gave up 1 sack, had no turnovers, to secure a win against a rival and people are bitching about how he could have played better.

Including complaining about a touchdown pass.

For real. Baker has definitely, in my opinion, not be leading guys well like I think he did last year. It's strange. Regardless, I was worried about that game with how hyped up the Squeelers turnover game was going into it. Big props to Baker and the team overall for getting the win and not giving up a single takeaway.

 

[AZ_]

Just wondering, do you give Mayfield any credit whatsoever for the way he moved in the pocket, extending plays while keeping his eyes downfield?

He's very good at this, generally.

Because from what I saw (and apparently Baldinger saw it too) Mayfield was masterful in that regard. That Steeler pass rush is no joke. Yet time and time again Mayfield moved where he needed to go in order to avoid the rush without bailing completely, and when he had to bail he did so with good results. You apparently don't think that rates any consideration as improvement? Because I sure as hell do.

He's never NOT been good at this.

I don't know what the actually statement is here?

Mayfield is wildly inconsistent and inefficient.

I'm thrilled he did enough to win on Thursday. But I don't necessarily anticipate 4 turnover days every week, and if this team wants to do anything than Mayfield is going to HAVE to be better.


I don't really see why this is so contentious here. His last four weeks are a good step, you folks don't have to demand apologies every time Mayfield doesn't go out there and suck.

 

[godfather]

Can we talk about that Mayfield against a top 5 defense ( especially with Fitzpatrick) threw 2 touchdowns, 200 yards, only gave up 1 sack, had no turnovers, to secure a win against a rival and people are bitching about how he could have played better.

Including complaining about a touchdown pass.

It wasn't a great throw, but I don't even know why we're complaining about it. He threw it where the guy's back is turned. At worst, it just hits off his helmet.

We're really nitpicking at this point. Baker still had the right idea, it wasn't going to be picked because the guy's head was turned. He just needed to throw it a little higher. But hey, it was a TD.

So why are going to split hairs over something so ridiculous.

Baker played good against the Steelers. Wasn't dominant or great, but definitely good. We're winning these last two games because he's not turning the ball over. That's impressive against two very good defenses that can generate turnovers.

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

Can we talk about that Mayfield against a top 5 defense ( especially with Fitzpatrick) threw 2 touchdowns, 200 yards, only gave up 1 sack, had no turnovers, to secure a win against a rival and people are bitching about how he could have played better.

Including complaining about a touchdown pass.

Good God why do you people take it so personally

it was a risky throw at a time when risks couldn’t be taken. And he got bailed out by a rookie TE

it’s not a personal affront against Mayfield

 

[Vee-Rex]

Good God why do you people take it so personally

it was a risky throw at a time when risks couldn’t be taken. And he got bailed out by a rookie TE

it’s not a personal affront against Mayfield

Just gonna chime in: Baker's always going to do this. He did it a ton last year too. He's gonna make passes that make us facepalm and then the receiver makes a nice catch and we're cheering. And other times, it'll result in an incompletion or turnover.

That's just how it's gonna be so if you're not used to it by now I'm not sure what to say. Defenses are going to challenge him by covering OBJ and Landry and so there will be times he's gonna HAVE to take a risk. While the situation wasn't ideal on that Carlson catch, Baker's gonna Baker. You're gonna be pulling your hair out if you can't get used to that.

The important thing is that he didn't get TOO crazy with these kind of plays and make a bunch of these type of plays in the game. He was pretty conservative throughout the game which was great. And we got the win.

 

[Los216]

The Progressive commercials are actually funny

 

[Kiddo]

That Carlson throw was pretty stupid. He got bailed out hard my an acrobatic catch, but that throw had a pretty decent chance of resulting in a turnover which is pretty much the only outcome you can’t have there up 7 against an anemic offense

If you think that throw is stupid then every single back shoulder throw is also stupid.

 

[AZ_]

If you think that throw is stupid then every single back shoulder throw is also stupid.

Wait...what?

No...

 

[I'mWithDan]

All you can really hang your hat on with Baker is improvement.....I'd also argue that is the main thing people should care about until next year, where you would hope everything comes together.

There's still something weird going on with his general accuracy, that doesn't make any sense but he has shown marked improvement in his results and some but not as significant improvement in decision making. I will say this about the latter......I think it is just the odds swinging his way a bit. He was incredibly unlucky earlier in the year and mid year, he's started to have a few more 50/50 plays go his way.

The one truly encouraging thing to me is this......just set everything else aside......it SEEMS like he is starting to understand this isn't college....meaning, the NFL is about manufacturing results many times. That can be really, really ugly week to week......sometimes it means checking down, eating the football, taking FG's, etc. I think Baker is starting to understand that and play within himself a lot more.....based on time, score, how advantageous it is to take a chance, etc.

He still needs to sort through his accuracy issues and get to the crux of whatever that is.....I personally think it is some lazy mechanical things that can be cleaned up but what is truly holding him back (save awful play calling) is he's just missing too many of the money throws he made last year and in college. He's made improvements elsewhere but the last notch here is timing / sync, especially with Beckham. If you can mix is some of the big plays we are leaving out there, with the improvements above, he starts to look a lot more like the player he was last year.

 

[Soda]

The Progressive commercials are actually funny

I haven't been crazy about most of them, but the smoke alarm battery one is so freaking relateable that it's hilarious to me.

 

[natedagg]

All you can really hang your hat on with Baker is improvement.....I'd also argue that is the main thing people should care about until next year, where you would hope everything comes together.

There's still something weird going on with his general accuracy, that doesn't make any sense but he has shown marked improvement in his results and some but not as significant improvement in decision making. I will say this about the latter......I think it is just the odds swinging his way a bit. He was incredibly unlucky earlier in the year and mid year, he's started to have a few more 50/50 plays go his way.

The one truly encouraging thing to me is this......just set everything else aside......it SEEMS like he is starting to understand this isn't college....meaning, the NFL is about manufacturing results many times. That can be really, really ugly week to week......sometimes it means checking down, eating the football, taking FG's, etc. I think Baker is starting to understand that and play within himself a lot more.....based on time, score, how advantageous it is to take a chance, etc.

He still needs to sort through his accuracy issues and get to the crux of whatever that is.....I personally think it is some lazy mechanical things that can be cleaned up but what is truly holding him back (save awful play calling) is he's just missing too many of the money throws he made last year and in college. He's made improvements elsewhere but the last notch here is timing / sync, especially with Beckham. If you can mix is some of the big plays we are leaving out there, with the improvements above, he starts to look a lot more like the player he was last year.

Well said I just wanted to add that the biggest issue that I had was Kitchens taking forever to get the plays in. That seems to have helped everyone and I still don’t understand how this took like 6 weeks to correct.

 

[natedagg]

It was reported that Baker is friends with Rudolph. I now think less of Baker because of this. Maybe they aren’t really friends. They can’t be. Mason sucks.