No criminal charges for Deshaun Watson

[dtgold88]

Dumbass Browns. Had they said this before the draft he probably would have been traded now.

I think the fans might be dumb if they don't think the Browns would have covered that amount before the draft....if the return was what they wanted.

 

[Manster7588]

No, they want Watson to not be out too long and no need for Baker. But I do think if Watson is out a long time and IF they think Baker is a much better alternative to JB they would give serious consideration to playing him.

So you direct answer is NO, but you tap dance around on the issue.

Why? Is it because you think the Browns should get more than the rumors say they'll get?

 

[HaroldSeattle]

His reaction of requesting a trade because he knew Watson would start means it's a lock he'd refuse to be the #1 guy if watson is out?

Correct. Browns will trade him before the season starts IMO.

 

[Manster7588]

Correct. Browns will trade him before the season starts IMO.

Trade or outright release. I think there's a 1% chance Mayfield is a Brown this season.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Trade or outright release. I think there's a 1% chance Mayfield is a Brown this season.

I'd say less than that. Maybe .01%.

The Browns can want to keep him around all they want, but does Baker want to play for the Browns? He could just sit the year out, and I don't think there is a team out there that would bat an eye about that decision considering how all of this has played out.

 

[DJ]

Yep. No disagreement. Was pointing out exactly why Ryan is worth more in a trade than Baker. Some see Ryan as declining, but even on the backside of his career he offers a ton of intangibles for a team like Indy.

Baker really doesn't have any kind of solid track-record. He could still end up being a solid QB, but there's a ton more unknowns, and he hasn't exactly shown himself to be an adept leader, either.

2018 and 2020 Baker disagree with that.

 

[dtgold88]

So you direct answer is NO, but you tap dance around on the issue.

Why? Is it because you think the Browns should get more than the rumors say they'll get?

My direct answer is no for the reason I gave you. No dancing needed....are you not in agreement the Browns want Watson to not miss many games or even none at all? In addition, there is less (or even no need) to have Baker if watson isn't out long?

I think the Browns think whatever they do should help the Browns whether that be trade him, keep and play him, etc.

 

[dtgold88]

Correct. Browns will trade him before the season starts IMO.

My guess, too...only disagree on the notion they wont even consider playing him IF watson is out a long time.

 

[dtgold88]

Trade or outright release. I think there's a 1% chance Mayfield is a Brown this season.

I think better chance he's here than just released. Maybe 25% he's here.

 

[dtgold88]

I'd say less than that. Maybe .01%.

The Browns can want to keep him around all they want, but does Baker want to play for the Browns? He could just sit the year out, and I don't think there is a team out there that would bat an eye about that decision considering how all of this has played out.

Ok, but if he sits the year out after being asked to play the year does not accrue and he's in same position...never mind also doesn't get paid.

 

[Cincyfan78]

2018 and 2020 Baker disagree with that.

Baker was good, not great.

2020 Baker was 18th in passing yards, and 30th in Comp%

2018 Baker was 24th in yards and 25th in Comp%

Those are his BEST years....he showed promise, but when comping the Ryan/Baker trade - it's not even close. Ryan returned more because he has a much more consistent track record, and is a better leader (by all reports on Mayfield having those issues). I mean, in 2020 Joe Burrow was 23rd in yards in a season he blew out his knee in the 10th game of the season....just 5 spots behind a full 16 games from Mayfield.

I don't say this to knock on Mayfield (who I actually really liked coming out of NCAA) - but just pointing out the fact that his "best" years still aren't very great years. They would have been steps in the right direction if the following year(s) would have been even better to show progression. Instead, each of those stepping-stone years were followed by years of even worse play.

 

[DJ]

Baker was good, not great.

2020 Baker was 18th in passing yards, and 30th in Comp%

2018 Baker was 24th in yards and 25th in Comp%

Those are his BEST years....he showed promise, but when comping the Ryan/Baker trade - it's not even close. Ryan returned more because he has a much more consistent track record, and is a better leader (by all reports on Mayfield having those issues). I mean, in 2020 Joe Burrow was 23rd in yards in a season he blew out his knee in the 10th game of the season....just 5 spots behind a full 16 games from Mayfield.

I don't say this to knock on Mayfield (who I actually really liked coming out of NCAA) - but just pointing out the fact that his "best" years still aren't very great years. They would have been steps in the right direction if the following year(s) would have been even better to show progression. Instead, each of those stepping-stone years were followed by years of even worse play.

In 2018 he threw for a rookie record in TD's.....

In 2020 he had a TD to INT ratio of 26 to 8.

 

[DJ]

Ypa were 7.7 and 7.5.

Very good.

 

[DJ]

Mayfield is 27, his best is yet to come.

Smack dab in his prime.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Ok, but if he sits the year out after being asked to play the year does not accrue and he's in same position...never mind also doesn't get paid.

Don't think he has to sit out the year - just sit out long enough, return and can accrue a season - but can return and still not play for the team. Phantom injury, or whatever...but regardless, I don't think this is the route either side wants to go.

They either eat a big chunk of his salary and trade him and get a likely 6th - or cut him outright, each all of his salary (or nearly all of it, as I believe a team would sign him for minimum and then Cleve is on the hook for the rest - but if I am incorrect on that - please advise).

Keeping him around at this point hurts both the Browns and Mayfield...so going their separate ways is the best course of action.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Mayfield is 27, his best is yet to come.

Smack dab in his prime.

I agree - I think his best can yet be infront of him.

The other numbers are good, some numbers are not so good. The issue is - there has been zero consistency. A team has to weigh what the feel is the correct path for Mayfield...but in the end, again, when comping the Ryan trade - I don't think it's close. Ryan has too much positive history compared to Mayfield to use that as a path for a trade, IMO. It's not about knocking Mayfield, it's about responding to those using the Ryan trade as a comp when the players involved are not, IMO, comparable.

 

[Manster7588]

Mayfield is 27, his best is yet to come.

Smack dab in his prime.

So the Raiders gave up on JaMarcus Russell way too soon?

 

[Wamu]

I think the fans might be dumb if they don't think the Browns would have covered that amount before the draft....if the return was what they wanted.

If the team was willing to cover 1/2 of BM's contract before the draft why was that never said publicly? Not until recently has the team said they'd cover 1/2 his contract.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I'm just saying, if the Bengals didn't have Burrow, I would be happy to have Baker Mayfield as our starting QB. I think he was just starting to come into his own in year 3, led the Browns to the playoffs, won a game in the playoffs against the hated division rival, and then started off year 4 with an 81% completion percentage prior to ripping his shoulder off his torso. Then he began compensating for that, started leading to many other small injuries. He is a good leader, he was getting more accurate and I think he was just starting to bud in that offense that always lacked consistent stars at wide out. Cleveland deployed more of a running style offense and it is understandable why with Chubb and Hunt and their oline. However, as limited as the passing game was, Mayfield did above average and was improving I think, even on his sterling rookie season.

 

[Manster7588]

My direct answer is no for the reason I gave you. No dancing needed....are you not in agreement the Browns want Watson to not miss many games or even none at all? In addition, there is less (or even no need) to have Baker if watson isn't out long?

I think the Browns think whatever they do should help the Browns whether that be trade him, keep and play him, etc.

Your answer was NO, but carried on with a but.

What percentage do you give Baker being a Brown in 2022?