Never mind, Robinson's value just changed with Christian Kirk's signing... $21M/year WHATTTT?????!!!!!!!
Never mind, Robinson's value just changed with Christian Kirk's signing... $21M/year WHATTTT?????!!!!!!!
#sillySZN Mayfield isn't going anywhere. The Browns never had interest in Deshaun Watson, despite all the Twitter GMs blaring that alarm for the last three days. Watson is a 26-time accused sexual predator facing a multi-game suspension in 2022 with a $156 million contract who has a weak arm and has reportedly refused to play in cold weather cities. Derek Carr is a step backwards from Baker and is looking to cash in on a new deal. All of these trades would invovle significant draft capital. In no world does an analytics-heavy front office look to part ways with multiple, high round draft picks and/or impact players for a QB like Watson that quit on his previous team, is facing suspensions, and doesn't want to be in the city or a guy like Carr who is going to come with a hefty price tag and who's not a clear upgrade over the current guy. Browns have already made a move for Amari Cooper and are probably going to add another wide receiver even before the draft. They are looking to go all-in and find out if Baker's 2018 and 2020 seasons are the real Baker or if 2019 is the ceiling and 2021 was a regression to the norm. Although I also have to think the team is throwing out 2021 knowing the injuries and internal strife involved all season.
I know I said I would like to see Kirk in Cleveland but that was at the estimated $10 million a season. Giving $21 million (which will for sure come down once the real numbers are put out there) a year to a WR2 has to be on par with some of Sam Bradford's or Albert Haynesworth's all-time worst free agency moves, right? Especially in an upcoming draft when no fewer than eight of the top guys are better talents than Kirk. I am all for being in on the Allen Robinson sweeptakes but if the price for wide receivers keeps climbing, I'm going to be more keen on drafting one at #13 and again at #44.
Yeah, that's max contract, but the real numbers are looking like $18M per season, still silly money imho.
How about instead of over paying a WR, we try to get Za'Darius Smith and take care of the LDE spot that is now vacant. Then we can draft one at #13.
Amari Cooper hasn't tweeted sine 2016. Feels refreshing after the OBJ Saga. I've read multiple places about his "reserved personality" and "quite demeanor". Again... refreshing. He's sounding like the Nick Chubb of wide receivers and I'm warming up to the trade more and more. "I compare him to Marvin Harison." -- Phil Savage
My mind is blown. Holy shit maybe Landry will get something close to what he believes his worth to be.. He is a 2 time Dodgeball MVP I guess...
Plus he holds the ball too long and takes crushing hits, but that's not why I don't want Deshaun Watson. I just can't get behind the idea of "pervert freak QB" being the face of the franchise...That's it. I have two young adult daughters and I grew up with two sisters, and FUCK Deshaun Watson! My take.
Yet everyone and his brother (pun intended) tells me how much better he is than Mayfield. IMO it's laughable. Clearly most aren't seeing the big picture, but it's all debatable and I don't really care anymore. It's time for Baker Mayfield to prove his worth, plain and simple. Has Baker proved worthy of #1 overall? No. Is he the best QB this franchise has had since rebirth? By far. And that's why I'm kind of surprised that so many CLE fans are ready to kick him to the curb. Flag plant not withstanding, it's ridiculous IMO.
Now this I don't get. The insider who's been most plugged into the whole Watson situation (Ben Allbright) has laid down his reputation and money that Cleveland has no shot of landing Deshaun, so why meet with him? What is there to gain? Watson has repeatedly indicated he won't play for a cold weather team. That Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski are still meeting with him only can end poorly for the team. 1 - what does this mean for their whole "smart, tough, accountable" tenets they preach? Especially that last one? 2 - what does this do for the relationship with Baker and the team? I can't imagine it's going to go over well hearing how the F/O and head coach are trying to woo another QB after his side already told them they had "no shot". 3 - from a purely football perspective, what does Deshaun Watson offer? He's 29-27 in his career, including 1-2 in the postseason, quit on his team, hasn't played football in over a year, is facing discipline from the League and looking at some level of suspension in 2022 -- all for a modest upgrade (maybe)? Watson had a very strong statistical season in 2020 (the last time he played) and the team went 4-12. 2020 (Watson): 4,823 yards (8.9 YPA), 33 TD (6.1%), 7 INT (1.3%), 112.4 QB rating, 63.7 QBR, 49 sacks 2020 (Mayfield): 3,568 yards (7.3 YPA), 26 TD (5.3%), 8 INT (1.6%), 95.9 QB rating, 65.6 QBR, 26 sacks
It It's going to save us about $1.6M on the cap this season. Wilson $2.54M Winovich $965k Probably similar output on our part.. Mack may do more in the Patriots defense, I don't know where they stand. I know a Mack replacement will be easier to find in the 3rd-6th round of this draft as that caliber of LB depth is there.
It could drive up his cost by having more than one suitor involved. Maybe Dee Haslem is pals with Janice McNair and they are doing her a favor. Let's face it, the Texans are possibly the worst team in the NFL, trading Watson will weaken them even more, but taking away assets from a team trading for Watson sure as hell won't hurt the Browns. EVERY indication is that the Browns are not even in the running to get Watson, even if they truly want him The Browns are the only AFC team the Texans have given permission to speak to Watson... This isn't happening, but tin foil hat or not, it could be worth while for the Browns to send a team there for a similar purpose above.
I'm not a fan of the Browns meeting with Ben Rothlisberger... oops DeShaun Watson. I just don't like having to hitch my fandom to a guy with that kind of history. Do I believe from a pure QB perspective he's better than Baker? Begrudgingly yes I do, but how much better, I'm not so sure, which I think is where the Browns brain trust is too. They're not sure what Baker is either, and are doing all their homework to "be sure". Baker's hurt feelings aside, they are just doing their due diligence, and should things end up with Baker as their guy for 2022, then they'll have thrown down the gauntlet. An approach which historically has motivated Baker to excel. My hope is Baker stays and lights up the scoreboard. We'll be happy to deal with a "Franchise QB" who wants his money in that case. If they go with DeShaun, I'll try to get behind him, but it feels "icky".
Some random thoughts. Baker is a "personality" and Stephanski is not. I think he'd like a Nick Chubb at QB. It may be a weakness in his coaching skillset. IMO a head coach has to be able to partner with his team's personalities. Having lost Beckham, turning Jarvis loose, I believe much of the anti Baker front lines have been cleared, giving Baker the oppty to pull the team together again. Being a Cowboy hater, I was initially not pleased to get Amari Cooper, but I'm warming to the idea. He's not the mirror of the fan base, loud and bragadocious ( of course that's just the "out loud" fans). I'm sad to lose Jarvis, but at the same time think his heart stopped being in Cleveland once Odel was released. Just some purely personal thoughts without any backup, cause that's just what it is in my mind.
Obviously the Browns do not care about Baker's feelings. My prediction is we will make a trade offer for Watson that will include Mayfield plus two first round picks at minimum. .. This is assuming DW waives the "no trade" after meeting with Browns brass. I don't like it, but I think it's very possible. And if it does, we will get the deal, because of all the teams offering trades, we are the only one that can offer them back a QB....
