[ad_1]
CLEVELAND, Ohio – I wonder if Baker Mayfield has had enough of going to class with Josh Allen. I compared these two members of the 2018 NFL Draft Class again on Sunday morning, before the Week 9 games, and pointed out that the inconsistency is not unusual for young quarterbacks. Allen, for example, had started the first four games of the season hot and then calmed down in weeks 5-8.
So in Week 9 he turned it on by beating Russell Wilson and the Seahawks, leading Buffalo to a 44-34 win over Seattle while completing 31 of 38 passes for 415 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to run for another score.
That’s an A for week 9, Josh. In fact, it’s an A +.
But we’re not here to rate Buffalo quarterbacks. We’re here to rate the Cleveland quarters. Mayfield is done with his first semester of freshman year, and several of us have given grades in various subjects. Find out how other Browns editors rated Mayfield, then see what you think of this newsletter.
Scott Patsko’s Notes for Mayfield
Dan Labbe’s Notes for Mayfield
Precision: B-
Mayfield tears up throws in moments, especially when he’s comfortable against an area, but too often his throws are staggered or a bit staggered. Some of the hiccups, I think, are communication issues, and rookie tight end Harrison Bryant explained that about a failure earlier this year. Is Mayfield throwing where he thinks the receivers will be, and that’s not where they are? Some of that is obviously on him too. This is an area in which he should and must be good at, and he is not yet.
Great moments: B
Returning to the wall, when he doesn’t have a chance to hesitate, can bring out the best in Mayfield. Too often, great moments are how we view them afterwards, and we forget about situations that don’t fit our definition after the fact. But nothing stands out like the winning final race against the Bengals, so the Week 7 touchdown walk carries that category on my mind.
Face of the franchise: B-
It’s hard to understand this when his performance is so high and low. The comeback against the Bengals appeared to reverse Mayfield five-year-old – he looked like an enthusiastic 20-something after that win, having looked more like a worn-out middle-aged QB during that week. Mayfield clearly has that in him, but while he’s still looking for who he is as a quarterback, it’s harder to assess him as the face of the franchise. He’s a really good commercial actor … but sometimes fans don’t want to see a Mayfield commercial when the pre-break play was a choice.
Leadership / intangible assets: A-
It doesn’t appear that Mayfield’s bumpy ride in his three seasons has ever shaken him out of his tenure here. Quarterbacks lead in very different ways and Mayfield has his style. Some QBs sprint on the pitch to celebrate touchdowns with their teammates, others don’t. We know Mayfield knows it, and while he’s not perfect at it, he’s genuine for who he is, and his teammates know what it’s about now. He projects the idea he wants to win for this city and this franchise.
Make all the throws: B-
Next-gen stats show Mayfield solidly in the middle of the field among starting quarterbacks when it comes to overhead yards on his passes and how often he makes those types of passes. So it’s not a dinker and dunker. But it would have been nice to see him hit Odell Beckham Jr. with a few more shots before OBJ got injured. Mayfield’s inability to consistently hit those shots, or even try them, delayed this attack a bit, although that’s not the main thing Kevin Stefanski asks him to do.
Reading defenses: VS-
Mayfield’s biggest problem comes before he lets go of the ball. Whether it is to settle in the pocket, to see hovering securities or to imagine defenders who are not there, it is too often uncertain. When he feels totally comfortable against covering men and zones, he will take the next step as a quarterback. Protection is usually there this season, so when Mayfield locks in to the right to avoid mistakes and correctly seize opportunities, that rating will improve.
Global mark: B-
I’ve ranked Mayfield against his peers all season, because that’s part of the point – quarterbacks can be noted on a curve. There are plenty of established veteran quarterback stars in this league, but tossing Mayfield into a conversation with Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger is unsuccessful. And it’s not Patrick Mahomes. But there are more mid-size and youthful quarterbacks in the league than you might think. This is not to excuse Mayfield or to lower expectations. The Browns need a quarterback they can win with, and sometimes they can win with.
Mayfield did not graduate. But he’s still studying. So a B- for now, with the conviction that he can still raise those notes.
New Browns face masks for sale: Here’s where you can purchase Cleveland Browns-themed face coverings for coronavirus protection for adults and youth, including a single mask ($ 14.99) and a 3-pack ($ 24.99). All NFL profits have been donated to the CDC Foundation.
–
More Browns Blanket
Baker Mayfield was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list after close contact with a staff member who tested positive
As Baker Mayfield battles for progress, other young quarterbacks like Josh Allen struggle: NFL Young QB rankings, week 9
When will Nick Chubb come back from his sprained knee? Hey, Mary Kay!
Are you noticing Baker Mayfield on the week off? Dan Labbe’s Take
What I hear about team goals and how the front office sees the team this season – Terry’s Talkin ‘Browns
How did Baker Mayfield score for the first half of the season? The take of Scott Patsko
Unanimous Myles Garrett Browns MVP at cleveland.com Half-Season Awards
[ad_2]
Source link