Baker was better in 2020 with Stefanski, his first year in the system, than Cousins was in 2019 with Stefanski, his second year in the system. Comparing the two is fine... except Cousins' career best season is basically Baker's floor.
Credit where credit due.. Cousins had Stefanski in 2018, but very briefly, he didn't implement the Stefanski system until 2019.
I don't get the hate for Baker within our own fanbase, but I think I understand where you Steelers boys' comes from - it's either jealous/envy or fear. And that's fine. We're sitting here looking at the exact same data points where Baker, in his third NFL season and first in the offense, out-performed Cousins in his eighth NFL season and second within the same offense. But sure, go off I guess.
I believe a guy like Baker, who is "in your face", with attitude only works if he's playing well, and he isn't. When he's not playing well and makes press conferences feel like torture, because he's "not feeling it", he looks petulant and defensive. I like a little attitude from my QB, but I get how he is viewed as immature, surly, and selfish when he isn't having flowers thrown at his feet. It was a tough, miserable year for Baker, and the Odell thing split the lockeroom on top of that. It felt like Baker was under siege, and suddenly his mates didn't all have his back anymore. That's a tough road to hoe, and he could have handled it better. Walking off the field, not celebrating the incredible win in Detroit (due to the D playing lights out), underscored the split and made him look petty and selfish. Period. That doesn't win you any points with the media, the fans or your team mates. A more experienced coach, would have cut that off , and sent Baker for surgery, to avoid exactly what happened: his lack of production hurt the team just as the Defense was rising to championship levels, creating an environment for dissention. Odell's dad, pissed gasoline on the fire gave those who questioned Baker playing, a reason to bale, and there's your season. It's forgivable for Stephanski, but a lesson he'd better learn. He as Head Coach is the guy responsible for not reading his team and understanding that it was a toxic brew, and address it. Keenum may not have won any more games, or maybe he would, but in any case leaving Baker out there, curtailing your O, and not seeking to give your key guys a more prominent role undermined the "we're in this together" mentality that must be there. Play calling and scheme are X and O's, people managing is much tougher. Learn and grow
Browns fan, I think I understand how y'all felt when you read posts from TF back when he posted. Cousins' 4th season, 1st as a full time starter, is flat out better than any season Baker has had thus far. This is not me saying Baker sucks, but the delusion is crazy
SAS: "We're sitting here looking at the exact same data points where Baker, in his third NFL season..." 16 games 62.5% passing, 3,563 yards (222.7pg), 26 TDs (5.3%), 8 INTs (1.6%), 95.9 QB rating "out-performed Cousins in his eighth NFL season and second within the same offense..." 15 games 69.1% passing, 3,603 yards (240.2pg), 26 TDs (5.9%), 6 INTs (1.4%), 107.4 QB rating I don't think you know the definition of out-perform.
What about those of us who have spent their lives genuinely rooting for the Browns as a second team, but the posters on this board are so delusional and insufferable that it actually feels good to see the Browns lose, now? You parody of a human being.
QBR Mayfield: 65.5 Cousins: 60.4 Intended Air Yards Mayfield: 4,124 Cousins: 3,603 Intended Air Yards per Attempt Mayfield: 8.5 Cousins: 7.6 Completed Air Yards Mayfield: 2,203 Cousins: 1,818 Completed Air Yards per Completion Mayfield: 7.2 Cousins: 5.9 YAC per Completion Mayfield: 4.5 Cousins: 5.8 Pretty evident from these numbers here who padded completion statistics with high-percentage passes closer to the line of scrimmage and who's receivers contributed more to the overall offense. Of course, if you were at all ingenuous or objective about it, you'd know that.
YAC is a component of both the receiver's running ability and the quarterback's ability to throw an accurate ball so the receiver can catch it in stride, which you know. YPA is a component of time in the pocket. Percentage of Dropbacks Kept Clean Mayfield 73.6% Cousins 63.6% Passing Grade When Kept Clean Mayfield 91.2 Cousins 93.8 YPA in Clean Pocket Mayfield 8.1 Cousins 9.0 Pressure is especially relevant because one guy is really bad under pressure: Passing Grade Under Pressure Mayfield 41.0 Cousins 50.5 TD:INT Under Pressure Mayfield 2 TD, 4 INT Cousins 7 TD, 1 INT
Clearly any talk about Cousins gets the Yinzers excited. (Buh dum bum tss!) I'm here all week. IMO the Browns have done a great job of making Mayfield a bad fit for the offense... Good coaches adapt to the strength of the player. (See Don Shula in the 70's, then see Don after Marino draft). They don't try to jam square pegs into round holes. Clearly Baker Mayfield is better working from the shotgun and spreading out the defense, but the Browns want 1985 style football. So here we are... Had we drafted Lamar instead, there's not a doubt in my mind we would have some coach on staff trying every day to make him into a pocket passer.
I can't remember which NFL head said it the other day, but I believe it to be true, especially in the AFC. If your offense can't deliver 30 points, ya got no chance.
