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It started Thursday night, less than two minutes from the first half of Cleveland 's win against the New York Jets, but it' s now official: The Baker Mayfield era is underway.
Browns coach Hue Jackson confirmed Mayfield's promotion at the start when he spoke to reporters Monday after testing. Tyrod Taylor will be the backup, if it is healthy, added Jackson.
"Obviously, Baker worked extremely hard, was positioned to be the substitute and, obviously, in this game he was able to play and play well," Jackson said. "He was successful, very good, helped lead the team to victory, which I thought was very important."
The inclusion of Mayfield in Cleveland's triumph was proof enough for rookie The Guy (TM) to be orange and brown. The quarter quickly changed the mood of the entire stadium, which had to plunge into a more familiar misery before Mayfield became a human adrenaline rush, quickly placing the Browns within range for a goal just before half.
Mayfield identified some passages that served as a sample (very small) of what could be ahead. First, his completion at Jarvis Landry at 1 New York has come up with the match touch; Later, his dart reached Landry's position in a very tight window that marked the score. The two men came after Taylor failed to complete (or for the most part, even attempt) field passes and they pulled out of the veterans' hopes for business as usual for a Browns attack in trouble.
Meanwhile, the rookie was quick in his decisions and precise on most of his throws, seemingly wise beyond his years under duress, as he did by leading Oklahoma to a spot in the playoffs. He left Browns fans in shock beats as they were coming out of FirstEnergy stadium on Thursday night, delighted with the future under the center, which suddenly seemed brighter than ever (jersey sales mirrored the rise in confidence).
"It's humiliating – it's an honor," Mayfield said Monday about his promotion. "That's what I wanted to be, though, I wanted to be the starter, I wanted to play, it's just human nature, I'm happy, but it's only the beginning." "
From where Mayfield left, but after leading the Browns to their first victory in 635 days in front of a packed house on prime time television, the decision was obvious – and perhaps wise to warn tumult. The Cleveland offense is significantly better (the bar was low) with him on the court, which is rather necessary with an immediate tour that includes trips to Oakland and Pittsburgh, and home games against Baltimore and the Chargers from Los Angeles.
"Baker understands that there is still a lot of work to be done," Jackson said. "He has to continue to grow in the National Football League, continue to better understand our system and even to run it more.And now, the extra pressure of being on the ground is first.But I think He showed that he showed me on every occasion that he was working on it to be ready when his time was called, he would make the most of it.
Mayfield plays a role notoriously occupied by 29 men before him. It is officially the 30th quarter starting from Cleveland since 1999. With that, the pressure that these same 29 have already felt: Is this the savior for which Cleveland has been asking for so long?
A reporter could not even finish the question about it until Mayfield rejected the thought of last Monday.
"It's 2018," said Mayfield. "I really do not care."
While typical growth pains of a rookie are expected, the cap is higher with Mayfield, who quickly made the Browns an intriguing team to watch for after three weeks. We will see if he can continue.
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