Baker Mayfield: Fire The Cannons

[AZ_]

So you're saying we need a better QB coach? My sense is he is being hamstrung a bit by a handful of small things that are adding up to a much larger problem but read progression is mainly coaching. It doesn't involve arm talent or physical ability to a large extent.....it is pre-snap read, post-snap read and move through each option. You need processing talent but I just remember how fast Baker's eyes moved in college and in that first year, so I don't think it is a lack of that. There seems to be something that has caused him to really regress his eye activity. Maybe it is a new offensive install and a bit of him not quite being comfortable with the new route combinations.

The big culprit to me, which I think is illustrated in many of those examples, is it appears Baker's initial read is many times a longer developing route.....which by nature, makes progression harder, especially with constant protection break downs. He can obviously bail early on that read but I would imagine he's being coached to stick with it, because that is the only thing that makes any sense, given his previous film and performance.

I also think protection stands out in many of those examples as well.....where the pocket is just generally a mess and the pressure is coming from different areas it seems on any given play. I'm not sure how a QB is going to consistently succeed with longer initial reads and a random assortment of protection breakdowns. Baker isn't completely absolved here, as a few of those examples show a clean pocket but I think this is a long form analysis on a single topic when there seem to be a lot of things wrong with those diagramed plays.

Also, someone get this guy an editor for christ sake.

He certainly looks less prepared to adjust and react, whether that falls on the QB Coach or Baker's IQ, anyone's guess.

 

[I'mWithDan]

He's trying to look off the opposite safety, so it seems like the initial read here is the wheel post combo.

This specific throw was actually really good, it was just a better defensive play. I'd imagine a safety only makes that play 2 out of 10 times on a throw that good. Just a bit unlucky.

Again, I don't want to just stan for Baker but twitter people are picking many plays where it probably isn't even a "miss" given field position, post snap defensive movement and initial read. In the above play, he threads that throw to his initial route combo read and it's just an amazing defensive play in space by a safety. I can understand if he's forcing that throw in to triple coverage with a secondary route breaking open but he catches the LB not getting deep enough and puts a high percentage td opportunity on target, it just gets broken up. That level of critique is absurd to me.

EDIT: Also, looking at the all-22, that near hash safety is just sitting on that route. We are talking about a throw that, with that angle needs to cover 25-30 yards. I honestly don't think it can be made unless Baker throws it when OBJ is at the 6-7 yard line, which is impossible given the initial read. At the point this analysis stops, it's way, way too late.

 

[Jordan]

He's trying to look off the opposite safety, so it seems like the initial read here is the wheel post combo.

This specific throw was actually really good, it was just a better defensive play. I'd imagine a safety only makes that play 2 out of 10 times on a throw that good. Just a bit unlucky.

Again, I don't want to just stan for Baker but twitter people are picking many plays where it probably isn't even a "miss" given field position, post snap defensive movement and initial read. In the above play, he threads that throw to his initial route combo read and it's just an amazing defensive play in space by a safety. I can understand if he's forcing that throw in to triple coverage with a secondary route breaking open but he catches the LB not getting deep enough and puts a high percentage td opportunity on target, it just gets broken up. That level of critique is absurd to me.

EDIT: Also, looking at the all-22, that near hash safety is just sitting on that route. We are talking about a throw that, with that angle needs to cover 25-30 yards. I honestly don't think it can be made unless Baker throws it when OBJ is at the 6-7 yard line, which is impossible given the initial read. At the point this analysis stops, it's way, way too late.

I said this in another thread, but the Browns are congesting the middle of the field, which can lead to huge plays, but it requires Baker make an extra read and the slot receiver getting in position quickly.

Ultimately, the concerning bit is that Baker could make that read last year, and Browns dominated teams because of it. My guess is it is a lot of little factors adding up into a bigger problem (new playbook, new offensive strategy, worse offensive line, new receiving core, etc.) that is contributing to Baker’s poor play. To boil it down, Baker has to take the majority of the blame, but I don’t believe he’s the entirety of the problem. Things run much deeper.

 

[AZ_]

 

[Cassity14]

That article was a really good read.

Through the examples posted, I came to my own conclusion that Baker's feel of the line's struggles is much greater than what they are in actuality. There were plenty of throws in that article where Baker bailed on his pocket the moment he felt any pressure at all rather than simply taking a couple steps, resetting, and delivering the ball.

This behavior has been mentioned by telecasters throughout the seasons, and becomes easier to see when they show slowed down replays.

 

[I'mWithDan]

That article was a really good read.

Through the examples posted, I came to my own conclusion that Baker's feel of the line's struggles is much greater than what they are in actuality. There were plenty of throws in that article where Baker bailed on his pocket the moment he felt any pressure at all rather than simply taking a couple steps, resetting, and delivering the ball.

This behavior has been mentioned by telecasters throughout the seasons, and becomes easier to see when they show slowed down replays.

It's harder to blame him entirely when you consider how the pressure seems to be coming from different places.

It's one thing to scheme for pressure from one side, or to mitigate pressure from the edges, or to mitigate pressure from the interior......it's a lot harder to scheme from pressure that can come from anywhere at anytime.

I thought a majority of those examples underscored how bad the pocket has been on obvious passing downs. Which in itself is bad but is made far, far worse with how we have been getting behind the chains, via penalties, poor 1st down play calling, etc.

The more confounding thing to me is (in the small sample size) how bad Baker's quicker hitting / shorter route concept accuracy has been.

 

[AZ_]

It's harder to blame him entirely when you consider how the pressure seems to be coming from different places.

It's one thing to scheme for pressure from one side, or to mitigate pressure from the edges, or to mitigate pressure from the interior......it's a lot harder to scheme from pressure that can come from anywhere at anytime.

I thought a majority of those examples underscored how bad the pocket has been on obvious passing downs. Which in itself is bad but is made far, far worse with how we have been getting behind the chains, via penalties, poor 1st down play calling, etc.

The more confounding thing to me is (in the small sample size) how bad Baker's quicker hitting / shorter route concept accuracy has been.

Its been BIZARRELY bad.

Like, it was at worst passable last season and showed signs of being so good. And its gone...

Wholly inconsistent, mostly terrible. Receivers are stopping their momentum, losing stride, losing yards because of placement.

 

[daddywags]

My take - One of the things that surprised and impressed me most about Baker last year was how well he navigated inside a messy pocket. (No, I didn't watch him much in college.) It seemed he could step up and slide slightly left or right to avoid pressure while keeping his eyes downfield. So many times this season it seems (to me) that when he can and should step up in the pocket he bails instead. Once he does that all the routes are pretty much busted and progressions are meaningless. So, yes, he's getting quite a bit of pressure but he's also not reacting to it well.

As an aside, because I have no idea what, if any, impact this has, it seems obvious to me that he put on about 10-15 pounds of bad weight over the offseason. Every time I saw a picture of him this winter and spring he looked doughy and he still does IMO.

 

[Kbiz]

My take - One of the things that surprised and impressed me most about Baker last year was how well he navigated inside a messy pocket. (No, I didn't watch him much in college.) It seemed he could step up and slide slightly left or right to avoid pressure while keeping his eyes downfield. So many times this season it seems (to me) that when he can and should step up in the pocket he bails instead. Once he does that all the routes are pretty much busted and progressions are meaningless. So, yes, he's getting quite a bit of pressure but he's also not reacting to it well.

As an aside, because I have no idea what, if any, impact this has, it seems obvious to me that he put on about 10-15 pounds of bad weight over the offseason. Every time I saw a picture of him this winter and spring he looked doughy and he still does IMO.

He does look a bit fatter this year for whatever reason. He did get married this off-season but still frustrating. Granted, this is completely just an eye test thing and should have little effect on his decision-making in the pocket and arm accuracy but perhaps it illustrates that not enough work was put in this off-season, which is troubling if that's the case.

 

[BlessEm]

My take - One of the things that surprised and impressed me most about Baker last year was how well he navigated inside a messy pocket. (No, I didn't watch him much in college.) It seemed he could step up and slide slightly left or right to avoid pressure while keeping his eyes downfield. So many times this season it seems (to me) that when he can and should step up in the pocket he bails instead. Once he does that all the routes are pretty much busted and progressions are meaningless. So, yes, he's getting quite a bit of pressure but he's also not reacting to it well.

As an aside, because I have no idea what, if any, impact this has, it seems obvious to me that he put on about 10-15 pounds of bad weight over the offseason. Every time I saw a picture of him this winter and spring he looked doughy and he still does IMO.

This 100%. Last year, I feel most here, including myself, were amazed how well he could sense the pocket and pressure while never flinching and maintaining looking downfield. I remember that's the first thing that stuck out to me, how calm he was and how effortless it seemed to him. This year is the exact opposite. Skittish, bailing out early even in clean pockets. Throwing off his back foot, like a deer in headlights. Scaring me alittle.
Not sure a mental issue is easier to fix than just a mechanic or play type/calling issue.

 

[Surge]

This 100%. Last year, I feel most here, including myself, were amazed how well he could sense the pocket and pressure while never flinching and maintaining looking downfield. I remember that's the first thing that stuck out to me, how calm he was and how effortless it seemed to him. This year is the exact opposite. Skittish, bailing out early even in clean pockets. Throwing off his back foot, like a deer in headlights. Scaring me alittle.
Not sure a mental issue is easier to fix than just a mechanic or play type/calling issue.

Sounds like when Wild Thing was just a wide-eyed flamethrower:

Then turned into the Season 2, established career man:

 

[bob2the2nd]

This 100%. Last year, I feel most here, including myself, were amazed how well he could sense the pocket and pressure while never flinching and maintaining looking downfield. I remember that's the first thing that stuck out to me, how calm he was and how effortless it seemed to him. This year is the exact opposite. Skittish, bailing out early even in clean pockets. Throwing off his back foot, like a deer in headlights. Scaring me alittle.
Not sure a mental issue is easier to fix than just a mechanic or play type/calling issue.

This goes back to OU. His final season at OU, and maybe more? he lead the NCAA in passing while under pressure. Like he DESTROYED teams when he was under pressure. What the hell happened to that QB?

 

[BlessEm]

This goes back to OU. His final season at OU, and maybe more? he lead the NCAA in passing while under pressure. Like he DESTROYED teams when he was under pressure. What the hell happened to that QB?

I'm literally the biggest Mayfield supporter, and I have no idea. Scary. Looks like a completely different qb this year. Have not once yet this year seen a "Damn, that boy Baker can play" type play yet.

 

[BlessEm]

I just want the dude to take a break from talking, or responding to people, and just put the work in again and let that do the talking. Because it's starting to get embarrassing. I dont think we can sit here and call what needs to change. Baker has to do that...Baker has to change something or find the old him.

Instead of responding back about a fucking handshake or planting a flag, why not just ignore it and move on, maybe tell the fans that are still behind you sorry for playing like trash and how you are going to do everything you can to change that. Not be outworked. Idk.

 

[The Oi]

He has lost his moxie.