I got news for ya Lym...It started the second that John Dorsey picked up that phone and called Baker Mayfield and said, "Hey buddy boy, how'd ya like to be the first pick of the draft?"
I know they wouldn't show a wounded duck, but watching the clips that came out yesterday, both QB1 and QB2 throw nice balls and each have a live arm. I know it's in shorts and against air, but the Cody and Kevin show didn't look like this. (that sounds like an afternoon drive sports talk show with constant bad takes)
Was anyone truly expecting "no competition" for the #1 QB job, as master flip-flopper Hue Jackson, had originally suggested? It was ridiculous when Jackson first said that, and he's been steadily back-pedaling ever since. Who know's what Hue was thinking? Now he says that "of course this is a competition. Tyrod is our veteran and Mayfield is QB of the future."....So let's face it. Hue is the Pied Piper of flip-floppers, and that's all there is too it.... The great thing about this Browns QB competition is that we will be in very capable hands. Tyrod is a solid NFL QB. When Mayfield get's to #1 on Taylor's team, it'll speak for itself.
It's not just Mayfield either.....I'm a believer in some of these young QB's. But we will see them all play... I think Rosen will do great when he gets in, probably mid 3rd quarter of week 1, after the Bradford injury that we know is coming....Also I expect to see Lamar Jackson taking over the Ravens offense before the midway point. It won't necessarily be because he's ready though. It'll be more because Flacco isn't very good..... Darnold will get in early, and I'm not sure what he will do, but I don't doubt we'll see him sooner than later....Allen is the true wildcard, and I expect we will see him as well, though I truly don't expect it to be pretty for him. Hopefully I'm wrong about him, because I wouldn't mind seeing Buffalo take over that division. Point being, in today's NFL, these guys play. None of those mentioned have a "star" QB in front of them. Especially the high first rounders. That's just how it is....The one we probably won't see (unless injury) is Rudolph, and the reason is obvious. Though he wasn't a first rounder anyway, so not the same pressure to get him in... The Browns are saying all the right things about Taylor, but they expect Mayfield to take over....I imagine Dorsey expects it to happen in training camp.
Have to disagree with that......From Dorsey's FA acquisitions at QB to just his old-school style when it comes to football. Dorsey went and got a low turnover, smart but unspectacular QB to start in Taylor and then added average journeyman Stanton, who is probably better than any of the other QB's we've witnessed in the last decade, as a backup. This is all before knowing full well he was going to select Mayfield. I don't think they would have bothered to get Stanton if they thought they would start Mayfield sooner. Throw in Dorsey's old-school ways (where a rookie QB sits on the bench) and I truly believe he's going to have Baker ride the pine as long as possible, until he "gets it". And in the end Dorsey is going to have the last say on when the kid starts...not Hue and not Hayley. Mayfield may come along sooner than expected, but I unfortunately doubt that. I'm glad you guys are so enthused about Mayfield and believe in his talent. I do too, I just think it'll take him awhile. He'll get there sooner or later. Now Mayfield may get in there earlier if we have two injuries at QB. But as of now, Mayfield is #3 and it is going to stay that way. I truly believe that's Dorsey's plan. Let the kid come along at an un-rushed pace and it also adds to that personal drive to succeed as an underdog that Mayfield has. Not to say that he won't come in to play some garbage time or later in the season if the Browns' record is pretty bad.
The only thing I disagree with Duff is where the pecking order will be come week one. I do think Baker would "start" in the case of a Tyrod injury...and I also think Drew Stanton would enter the game in which Tyrod is hurt. So, they are more 2a nd 2b, than 2 and 3. I think they are going to maximize Baker's chances of success. Tyrod has an injury free year, then Baker's debut is 2019.
I can agree with that. But one exception to that last part. I can see Dorsey giving the okay late in the season to start Mayfield if the team record is poor.....just to see how the kid is coming along and to see how he would fare against another team's starters to gauge his progress. Then next year's training camp is/should be a wide open battle between Baker and Tyrod, IF Mayfield can show that he truly has the ability (crossing my fingers).
OK, first and foremost, Tyrod is hitting free agency, he won't be back. Tyrod will finally get to choose his destiny after the roller coaster that the Bills and now Browns have him on. He's going to a QB needy team that finishes with 6-7 wins and doesn't have a chance at getting a franchise guy in the draft. The only thing that changes that ending is if the Browns go to the playoffs on his arm, which I really don't see happening just yet. I really think the Browns will be competitive in nearly every game. If they are sniffing .500 at the bye week, I don't think they upset the balance. Baker is learning every day, I hope they finish with 7-10 wins..regardless Baker takes over in 2019 I believe, but personally, I hope it's 2019 when he begins his career...He will be very ready with a FULL off season behind him.
Forgot he was going to be a FA. Although, the Browns might be wise to sign him for reasonable money during the season, if possible, either as insurance at QB if Mayfield needs another year, or as trade-bait.
There may come a time when I don't have to preface this, but... Me: *is biggest Baker bro out there* I hope Tyrod plays so well and the Browns win so many games that not only does Baker not see the field (minus clean-up duty, Week 17 game if playoffs are locked up, etc.) but that we also franchise Tyrod and bring him back next season. Baker starting this year means either (1) Taylor got hurt, or (2) the team isn't playing very well. And yes, technically there is a (3) in that Baker is so much better than a proven, veteran, playoff-caliber QB that he simply *must* start. While I believe Baker has the talent, there's a ton more than just the talent level required to play the position. And Baker isn't a Charlie Frye, Colt McCoy, or DeShone Kizer where we absolutely need to see sparks from him early on in order to make sure we have something worth developing and hanging on. He's a first overall pick. He's going to be with the team for 3-5 seasons at a minimum so we'll be hanging on to him.
I think we all "hope" Tyrod wins... This isn't Brett Favre we are talking about. It's Tyrod Taylor. The Bills tried to replace him with Nathan Peterman last year, for crying out loud... Browns fans are SO beaten down...If you really don't think the #1 pick of the draft can take the job from Taylor, then I just don't know what to say...That's sad. #3, even behind Stanton, Duff? lol! You gotta be kidding me....
Would be worth it and then trade him if possible. Brees will be a FA after this season, if he isn't re-signed. He'll make Taylor look like a bargain on the FA market. Guess it kind of depends on what Taylor does this year.
No, I'm not. Until the kid "gets it," they aren't going to pressure him or rush him. It's not Mayfield's talent level/ability I'm talking about/debating. It's Dorsey's old-school approach and plan for his new QB. At this point, the other guys have played in the NFL while Mayfield still needs to transition to a faster paced, tougher game. Dorsey would not have signed Stanton in the off-season if he didn't mean for the rookie to ride the pine and learn. They would have kept one of last year's bums as the emergency #3 QB if they were planning on getting Mayfield in there ASAP.
That was before they got Cousins and Ryan and possibly Rogers signed to $30,000,000.00 contracts. They only figure the top five at your position to figure out your franchise tag amount. Just looking at those three it figures to be around $28-29,000,000.00 for the QBs tag next season.
Not at all. In fact, I said: ... that's also why I said I hope to one day not have to preface me being Baker's biggest fan outside of his own mother. I had Baker as the highest-graded QB I've seen since I started (2011). I think he has legitimate Hall of Fame potential - like Dorsey and McCloughan, I see a lot of Favre in him. I have no doubt he could start day one and have success. But I think long-term his prospects would improve if he had a chance to go through it watching a vet like Tyrod and discussing with another vet like Stanton.
I get what @TopDawg is saying, though. That was almost three decades ago. The last first round quarterback to not start at some point in his rookie season was Jake Locker (2011). The first #1 overall pick to not start at some point in his rookie season was Carson Palmer (2003). Franchise and league history are both on the side of Mayfield starting at some point in his rookie season. I'm not calling for (looking at you, @Lyman)... I'm just saying we shouldn't be surprised if and/or when it happens.
