Is Baker Mayfield a Bust?

[dtgold88]

It's fairly easy to call the #1 overall pick a bust because the standard for success is so high that most will never accomplish it. He had a very good rookie season, but I was still on the let's wait another year soapbox.

Now that we're into that 2nd season and he's struggling some...that was to be expected on some level so I"m not ready to call him a bust, but year 3 is when we should see the young franchise QB turn the corner and become that consistent performer.

My guess is he does bring his game back up next year, but not to the level of a franchise QB...probably will be a 2nd contract player in CLE, I'm seeing an Andy Daltonish like career for him.

I think we'll know if he cannot bring it up sooner against the weaker comp. in the 2nd half of season.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Well said....my issue is too many fans are what I'd call 100%ers. Everything 100% on one person or one situation. Never an in between.

Not crazy to think Baker has had his issues, but there have been times the line, WRs and scheme have done him no favors.

Yeah and I can point out two plays inparticular. Makes his play and stats look much worse than they really are (even though they still aren't good):

The pick he had at Baltimore on the slant to Landry. Mayfield anticpated Landry would keep running on the slant and he just stopped for no reason.

Last week, Callaway drops a wide open TD and then not only that he gives it to the other team. That is one TD taken away from Baker and one INT given to him.

So right there with two plays we are talking about a 5-6 TD-INT ratio going to a 4-8 ratio on SIMPLE plays where the WR messed up. Like I said, Baker hasn't been good but you are right when you say there are a lot of issues with the Browns right now. But the thing is....we are used to it LOL

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Have to say the fact you called him a bust due to any type of inaccuracy BEFORE he ever threw a pass for the Browns seems absurd.

Fair to say there was an overreaction after last year, though.

Also something I've noticed about many teams/QBs this season....play bad Ds and they play well. Good ones and they struggle. Baker hasn't faced his Miami yet this year.

I called him a bust well before he was drafted by the Browns. Baker Mayday did not impress me in College.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I don't think it's fair to say they're that poorly run now. I think they've properly addressed certain positions and have foundation pieces to build from. Despite a sophomore slump - and my personal opinions aside - the QB looks to be the part. They have an elite pass rusher, a solid corner and some offensive weapons to be wary of. You have to remember that it wasn't long ago that this team won 1 game over a two year span...Cleveland has come a long way in a short time.

I had my reservations about the overwhelming hype coming into this season. I didn't like the Beckham trade, and the HC choice was baffling....I don't think I'd ever heard of the guy until he became interim HC. Certainly there must of been legit candidates with quality resumes that would've been interested in the Browns resurgence. Maybe the best thing for them is an underwhelming season, so they can come back to reality.

I think CLE is on the right track also....they waited a yr too long to get rid of Hue Jackson, and some of their moves were not ideal, but they have a lot of high draft picks on that team.

The media was mostly responding to the big offseason moves and got a little bit ahead of themselves with the resurgence, but I think they're going in the right direction...they were just hyped too early. I think Mayfield is the guy, but I'm not sure if he's really going to deliver any significant wins on his own, but imo he can be a winning QB with the right pcs around him....coaching I don't think Kitchens is the long term answer, but I didn't think Greg Williams was the answer either.

 

[dtgold88]

Imagine if you will if they had gone after Trent Williams......instead of OBJ......

Could have gone after OBJ AND found a solid LT in FA as they had plenty of cap space.

 

[dtgold88]

I think this depends on the player. Some mature faster than others. There is no question Mayfield is immature so the decision to throw him into the fire could be questioned, although I don't know what other choice they had.

I am obviously closer to the Kyler Murray situation and in his case, he seems to be mature beyond his years. And, as you said, the coach and system fit his skill set.

Also, look at Russell Wilson. He turned out pretty good after being thrown into the fire. Again, it depends on the player. The front office is responsible for knowing what they have in a young player.

Baker also did well being thrown into the fire last year....with little to no time with the 1s in camp.

 

[DJ]

Could have gone after OBJ AND found a solid LT in FA as they had plenty of cap space.

Yet....they didn't.....LOL.

 

[dtgold88]

I called him a bust well before he was drafted by the Browns. Baker Mayday did not impress me in College.

which is what I find absurd...he has everything a FO wanted in a college QB. Played and won a lot of games. Incredibly high completion % along with an exceptional TD/INT ratio.

 

[dtgold88]

Yet....they didn't.....LOL.

Agree....which is why I am blaming the FO, but not for going after OBJ.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Yet....they didn't.....LOL.

You have to give young OL a chance though...they have depth, it's just turning out it's not good depth. A mid-season trade to grab an OT would be an excellent move at this point.

 

[Chewbaccer]

Cannot say I did. Also thought we were talking about his NFL career. But what did he say/do?

When he was up by 17 in the first half he was dancing around, doing the throat slash gesture, then when he lost in OT he cried like Nancy Kerrigan

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

which is what I find absurd...he has everything a FO wanted in a college QB. Played and won a lot of games. Incredibly high completion % along with an exceptional TD/INT ratio.

A lot of his 'great throws' in College were fed from on the run throws, improvising, etc. You generally can't sustain that in the NFL. The only QBs that have done it successfully is Tarkenton and Wilson. The percent chance of success is extremely low.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

When he was up by 17 in the first half he was dancing around, doing the throat slash gesture, then when he lost in OT he cried like Nancy Kerrigan

The conference I've seen is more along him reflecting on his time at OU. But emotional people tend to wear both the good and the bad.

Clearly it rubs people and I get it but the Browns needed some kind of spark...he's trying to provide that.

 

[Chewbaccer]

The conference I've seen is more along him reflecting on his time at OU. But emotional people tend to wear both the good and the bad.

Clearly it rubs people and I get it but the Browns needed some kind of spark...he's trying to provide that.

Doesn’t both me, Davin Bellamy told him what’s up, but I do see it as a maturity issue

 

[dtgold88]

Nice try, Russell only played in 4 games his rookie year.

And 2 in 4 games is not bad?

 

[dtgold88]

They likely don't beat the Ravens without OBJ. not sure why Trent would be an either or in this scenario. They need to get it done.

Hoping they make a move next week with the bye coming

do you think it could be as simple as he's like many QBs this year? Play well against bad teams, not as well against the good Ds?

 

[Scooby-Doo]

....then they finish 7-2 when the sched. gets easier with a sweep of Bmore and win the division?

I'm sure that's what you meant, right?

Exactly

 

[dtgold88]

He needs to get the ball outta his hands as fast as possible. When he holds onto it he gets himself in trouble.

Agree and thought this was an issue in first 4 games. Last game seemed like they were on him instantly.

 

[dtgold88]

Nailed it right there.

Freddie Kitchens hire at Cleveland still blows my mind. Zero HC experience, was a running backs coach last year.

Baker thrived in Greg Williams offense.

Totally different mindset and system this season.

Gregg williams' offense? Greggggggg ran the D and the D was awful.

 

[dtgold88]

From a talent standpoint Dorsey has taken an 0-16 team and made it relevant in two seasons so the top down comment isn't accurate

He appears to have made a bad call with Kitchens albeit it's early and they have played a tough schedule. If the team is 2-5 then I think it's hot seat time early in Freddie's reign

His 2 biggest decisions were Baker and Kitchens. If he failed one or both (and not saying he has yet) then he has not been very good. If he failed on Baker that's worse.