Gid, you're really comical at times. In your mind, every offensive player for Pittsburgh with a green dot on the back of his helmet is the next Joe Montana , Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Terry Bradshaw. The fact is, these two guys are a lot closer to the next Bubby Brister.
As of late . . . Yep, he sure is. But even Johnny Football is better than those two stiffs you trotted out there this year. (And so is Mayfield.)
I firmly believe Baker will be our franchise QB, but he's sucking air now. Is it the coaching changes? Maybe, and if it is that has to be addressed yesterday. I've seen the checkdown ignored numerous times this year, and seen WRs open while Baker chooses to try to squeeze one into a guy who's in tight coverage. I love that he's willing to take shots, but it appears as if he's really not reading the defenses correctly. Again, coaching? Sure seems like there's an issue there. With Baker playing poorly, we cannot hope to make progress.
That is, I think, the same issue most of us Browns fans had to begin the season -- that simply talent alone would elevate the play of everyone. Naively, I thought that. But here's the facts: Odell didn't participate any offseason activity besides training camp, when he was limited with a 'hip' which we now know is his sports hernia. Baker's throwing to Demetrius Harris, KhaDarel Hodge, Tayway Taylor, Ricky Seals-Jones, and Jarvis Landry. Only Landry was around and had a previous season of experience with Baker. Antonio Callaway? Suspended, then ineffective, then cut. Rashard Higgins? Good offseason, injured early, rushed back from injury and refused to enter the game due to business decision, in the coaches' dog house for the rest of the season (and initially never really added to game plans since he lacks the downfield speed that Monken covets). Njoku? Good offseason, injured early. Just reactivated last week. Njoku's only full game at full health? Four catches on six targets for 37 yards and a touchdown. Maybe part of Landry's success is the same as Baker's struggles... outside of Landry, Baker's working with guys on the fly. It takes time on task to get used to different receivers, especially entering his second season with a new playbook and offensive coordinator. This isn't so much making excuses for Bake... he's been pathetic this year and his offseason tells that story too... adverts, marriage, down-time. If he weren't playing with so many guys off the street or that he had a chance to work with, maybe the offense would look a little sharper.
^^^^^ Damion Ratley is our third-leading wide receiver (behind Landry and Beckham). That is easily 1/3 of the reason the passing offense has looked downright awful at times.
I can't understand why your offense isn't tearing up the league since Hunt has been active. I thought he was the best back in the league when he was in KC. I haven't seen anything that makes me think differently since he became active for Cleveland. Chubb is a great back too, probably the second best in the league behind Hunt. Hunt is better because he has WR #2 skills as LeVeon Bell pointed out in his contract demands. If Hunt didn't screw up he would be the highest paid back in the league come contract time. I would offer Hunt 10 million a year if I was the Steelers front office. Let the Browns pony up or lose him.
I would probably tender him as a 2nd and see what comes in. You could either lock him up long term (a positive) or take the 2nd and make Chubb your Bell cow long term (also a positive).
I know he's your ride or die but opponents also had film on Baker this year and a true game plan to defend him. That has to factor some and it hasn't been just a team here or there. Every opponent has pretty much made him perform poor to average. Hard to do over 14 weeks.
