That was the weirdest Browns game I’ve ever watched, and I’ve seen some strange games. First of all, yes, the Browns were trying to win the game. The defense sure looked like it. The offense was, well offensive. If you’re looking to blame someone, then I place the blame on both QB Baker Mayfield and head coach Kevin Stefanski. Why play an injured quarterback if he can’t run the offense because he’s injured? And if your quarterback is injured and you’re going to play him, why not adjust the play calling to what he can do?
Positives & Negatives. The positive was the defense, again. DE Jadeveon Clowney, DT Malik McDowell, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB Malcolm Smith, LB Jacob Phillips, CB Denzel Ward, CB A.J. Green, S/CB M.J. Stewart, Jr., S Grant Delpit and S Richard LeCounte, III all played very well. Defensive coordinator Joe Woods has done an incredible job this year. Remember when Browns fans wanted him fired? Good times. The negatives start with stupid penalties. From lining up offsides by a foot to throwing a shoe that’s all on the coaching staff. It’s been this way all year. Could you start the game off with some play action or rollouts on offense? How about you start a right tackle who could at least slowdown the potential defensive player of the year? Or maybe give some damn help. How about teaching your wide receivers to separate when they run routes? Or instruct your quarterback to throw the ball to the open receiver instead of holding on to it so he can get sacked? Last but not least, run the ball more.
So, what’s going to happen moving forward? I think QB Baker Mayfield has taken his last snap as the Browns quarterback. The team is not going to fire the head coach and one has to go. Watching this front office work, I’m confident GM Andrew Berry has several plans in place for the off-season concerning Mayfield. I think he asks to be traded. He transferred from two schools before going to Oklahoma. Last night after the game, he was asked when he would have the surgery to fix his shoulder, he said he would talk with his family and his representatives. You would think the team might need to be consulted.
So, if the Browns don’t keep Mayfield, who’s the Browns quarterback in 2022? The three big names are Aaron Rogers, Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson. Rogers will either stay in Green Bay or go to the west coast, probably Raiders or 49ers. The ripple effect would be Derek Carr or Jimmy Garoppolo would become available. Carr has already let it be known he wants to play somewhere else. Over the last three games, Carr has thrown four interceptions, but the Raiders have won all three games. Garoppolo is a taller version of Mayfield, which after watching last night might not be a bad thing. Russell Wilson has four teams he wants to be traded to and has a no trade clause in his contract. None of those four teams are Cleveland. The two front runners are the Raiders or the Saints. As for Watson, of the 20+ sexual assault civil cases against him, it looks like four are going to court. They will be tried one after another and while in a criminal case you need a burden of proof for there to be a guilty verdict, in a civil case the proof of guilt only needs to be 51%. He will be found guilty in at least one of those cases and will be suspended by the NFL for at least six games. So, who plays QB while Watson is suspended?
Getting a mid-level quarterback can work in the NFL. Look at the Titans and QB Ryan Tannehill. The Browns have a better offensive line and running game (when they chose to use it) then Tennessee. The Titans gave up a box of rocks for Tannehill because they weren’t sure their number one draft pick quarterback could take them to the next level. The Titans even picked up Marcus Mariota’s fifth year option prior to trading for Tannehill.
I’ve always been a supporter of Baker Mayfield, however after last night, I’m not sure he’s the answer. The Browns are a very talented team and Andrew Berry has done a remarkable job building this roster. Owner Jimmy Haslam has finally hired the right front office and coaching staff and will support them in any decssion they make moving forward as will I. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.