Brees also started almost 20 years ago.  Two in twenty years.

 

I definitely think Mayfield is Manziel 2.0.  Short with serious character issues.

 

Aaron Rodgers is 6'1 5/8". So they round it to 6'2". Mayfield is 6' 5/8" so he's rounded to 6'1". Put him on a rack and stretch another inch out of him and no one will say anything.

 

If Mayfield planted the OU flag in the field at Ann Arbor, I'll bet half of the arguments against him among Cleveland fans go away. The other half will quiet when he plants the Browns flag in the middle of Heinz Field.

 

And yes, it looks like Mayfield....

____________

 

"I know this... John Dorsey knew 6-8 weeks ago who he wanted at #1. Basically told owner a month ago, just told Hue Jackson two days ago."

 

"Keeping it a secret was essential for a lot of reasons: what if he gets injured/arrested/something comes out? Also it could have been beneficial to them with their #4 pick."

 

"But we knew Dorsey was very high on Mayfield when he took the job, and Scot McCloughin was on record as being very high on Baker Mayfield. They didn't change their mind, they kept it undercover."

 

--Chris Mortenson

 

I'm not inclined to take any of them at the 1 spot.  I want Barkley there, though Chubb or Fitzpatrick would be fine.  One of them, Ward, or if Darnold or Rosen drops at the 4.  I'm not against trading out of the 4 as long as we stay in the top 10.

 

This is a very good QB draft. Browns have their shot at any of the QBs and QBs always carry a premium value.

 

Barkley is great when there are big holes opened up. He's not going to see that very often in the NFL. He struggles at breaking out of tackles. This is a very deep RB draft and I would not use the #1 overall pick on a guy whose rookie contract represents half of the average career (10 years) of the NFL RB. I like Chubb a lot, but only after we get our QB. If the Giants take Chubb at #2, then the Browns need to go Ward at #4. The Browns are already shopping Jamar Taylor. They're also shopping Telfer, which tells me they're looking at one of the TEs possibly in the second round.

 

Oh, and I'm done trading down. We need dominant playmakers which means QBs and the best of the rest.

 

 

If Mayfield planted the OU flag in the field at Ann Arbor, I'll bet half of the arguments against him among Cleveland fans go away. The other half will quiet when he plants the Browns flag in the middle of Heinz Field.

 

 

I hate OSU

Not to go high brow here... But I ran the same exact offensive set in college as Baker Mayfield did at Oklahoma. It's hand tailored to the Big 12 and beating zone defenses.

 

Ahem....Buckeyes defense.

I'd be happy with the "safe" picks of Darnold and Chubb if he's still on board at 4. There's something about Darnold's personality that resonates with me.

 

I dont' want to see a trade down for more picks. I think we're all sick of the Browns trying to outsmart all the other teams in the league.

I'd be happy with the "safe" picks of Darnold and Chubb if he's still on board at 4. There's something about Darnold's personality that resonates with me.

 

I dont' want to see a trade down for more picks. I think we're all sick of the Browns trying to outsmart all the other teams in the league.

 

But that just underscores the issue...everyone has their opinion of who is the undisputed "best guy."

 

I'm ok with the Browns selecting Rosen, Darnold or Mayfield. We may figure out who the best player is in about 10-20 years. And then again maybe not because who was the best quarterback in the 1983 draft? Was it Elway or Marino or Kelly? Opinions STILL vary.

I've made myself believe that Mayfield will go at 1, and if Chubbs around at 4, we'll take him.  If not, we trade the pick.  There's no way the Browns take Barkley. 

^Vomits

If the Browns make me choose between loyalty to the Buckeyes vs. loyalty to the Browns

[quickly remembers the last 20 years of each program]

Bye Bye Browns

If the Browns make me choose between loyalty to the Buckeyes vs. loyalty to the Browns

[quickly remembers the last 20 years of each program]

Bye Bye Browns

 

Uhhhh... what....

 

 

If pancakes make me choose between loyalty to pancakes or loyalty to old sailing ships...

I'd be happy with the "safe" picks of Darnold and Chubb if he's still on board at 4. There's something about Darnold's personality that resonates with me.

 

I dont' want to see a trade down for more picks. I think we're all sick of the Browns trying to outsmart all the other teams in the league.

 

But that just underscores the issue...everyone has their opinion of who is the undisputed "best guy."

 

I'm ok with the Browns selecting Rosen, Darnold or Mayfield. We may figure out who the best player is in about 10-20 years. And then again maybe not because who was the best quarterback in the 1983 draft? Was it Elway or Marino or Kelly? Opinions STILL vary.

 

If they have a “best” guy at 1 and 4 so be it. All I ask is don’t go crazy with trades,

So we drafted Manziel and Gilbert?  Sweet.

too small for the nfl. you can play over your head in college not so much in nfl. its quite a gamble. also, that yo-yo osu d? i grade these picks a d for desperation. they should have gone for the best athletes not the scrappy guys for their needs. allen and then minkah fitzpatrick or chubb. allen in buffalo will be the constant comparison to baker this season (forget darnold or rosen).

I’m going to love them like they’re my own....

 

Also, the “last time we took a QB and Corner in Round 1” take is lazy and bogus. Don’t be like Tony Grossi

So we drafted Manziel and Gilbert?  Sweet.

 

If you think Mayfield and Ward are like those two f-ck ups, you haven't been watching them. While it remains to be seen whether Mayfield can lead grown men with wives and kids, there's no denying his abilities. He played better under pressure and is a quick study. His accuracy is terrific. I research draft prospects a lot and when Gilbert was drafted, I was like "who?" Denzel Ward isn't a "who?" He's the undisputed best CB in this draft, which is deep with quality corners. Ward is also going to allow Peppers to return from defending the stadium parking lot and play his natural position of hybrid LB/SS/edge protector. I liked Chubb more as the better defender overall, but if it wasn't Chubb, then either Ward or Fitzpatrick were my next choices. And Ward filled the bigger need.

 

Tonight, the choices are endless for the Browns who have two of the first three picks and the last pick in the 2nd (could move up by packaging one of their four later picks). They can address more needs/add depth with any of the following players still on the board.....

 

Courtland Sutton

Derrius Guice

Nick Chubb

Ronald Jones II

Josh Jackson

Isaiah Oliver

Connor Williams

Harold Landry

Maurice Hurst

Austin Corbett

 

My favorites are Landry and Guice (as a pure rusher, I like him better than Barkley). I can get on board with Sutton, Williams, or Hurst.

Mayfield won't be the off-field disaster that Manziel was but I don't see him working out.  No way he should have been #1 overall pick.  He may struggle to win the starting job from Tyrod Taylor who happens to be a little bigger & taller...  His accuracy may be great but small mobile QB's don't work out in the NFL.  Drew Brees is the only "small" QB to have success and he never runs - he gets rid of the ball. 

 

Browns could've taken a number of other positions at #1 (Barkley, Chubb, Fitzpatrick) and still had a top 2 or 3 QB option available at #4 spot.

Mayfield won't be the off-field disaster that Manziel was but I don't see him working out.  No way he should have been #1 overall pick.  He may struggle to win the starting job from Tyrod Taylor who happens to be a little bigger & taller...  His accuracy may be great but small mobile QB's don't work out in the NFL.  Drew Brees is the only "small" QB to have success and he never runs - he gets rid of the ball. 

 

Browns could've taken a number of other positions at #1 (Barkley, Chubb, Fitzpatrick) and still had a top 2 or 3 QB option available at #4 spot.

If Mayfield was 2 inches taller people would be ALL OVER HIM. He has been undersized his entire football career so he knows what he has to do to adjust at each level. As I just said, if he was 2 inches taller he would've been a #1 overall lock based off his skill set as well as stats. The thing is I find what he has done at 6'1 to be more impressive than if he was 6'3, his height doesn't change his accomplishments, talent or stats, imo at his height he is a MORE impressive QB for what he has done at that "disadvantage". Like Dorsey mentioned at the presser, he has had the fewest batted balls at the line of scrimmage that any of the top QB prospects because he adjusted to his small height at dropped back faster from the center to be able to see.

 

Actually when you read his scouting report and watch him, he has some of the best intangibles out of all the prospects. His internal clock is fantastic, he doesn't scramble unless he has to, doesn't panic under pressure, a big deal in the league. He also has great anticipation and ball placement when it comes to his receivers and is able to place the ball in tight windows, a trait that is ABSOLUTELY necessary in the NFL, a league full of tight windows. Plain and simple you can't teach anticipation imo. His pass rankings were #1 or #2 in the most important categories, height aside he simply was the best QB out there. Say what you want about Darnold, his turnover problem worried me too much and coming off a season where our quarterback panicked and forced throws leading to 22 interceptions in the pros, I didn't want a quarterback that threw 22 in college, a level with bigger windows. His 31 turnovers aren't something to overlook and Mayfield had 30 INT's for his career, like Tyrod he doesn't turn the ball over, his football IQ and his decision making on the field is great.

 

Another thing is he performs in big games and against top defenses. The guy is an absolute winner and an amazing on the field leader, his high passion for the game is infectious and he steps up in big games. This type of thing is important when you want someone to get the team to buy in to you and you need to step up in big games. The last two quarterbacks that we were notorious for passing on were Wentz and Watson, two quarterbacks that won and stepped up in big game situations. We simply couldn't pass up on another winner again, you can't teach winning. His FIERY and COMPETITIVE personality is something I absolutely love. In big games against Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cincy, I want a QB that is hungry to win and isn't there to make friends while he is on the field. I want a warrior and that is what Mayfield is.

 

One final point is Tyrod and Mayfield have a much more similar playing style and build that Darnold, Rosen or Allen, meaning when it's Mayfield's turn it won't be a hard adjustment or the offense doesn't need to drastically change. That also means as Tyrod mentors Mayfield he can teach him and Mayfield can learn much faster and better than if he mentored the other QB's that play nothing like him. I feel as if that is an important but overlooked aspect of the Browns draft thinking. Okay I'm done now lol.

Mayfield won't be the off-field disaster that Manziel was but I don't see him working out.  No way he should have been #1 overall pick.  He may struggle to win the starting job from Tyrod Taylor who happens to be a little bigger & taller...  His accuracy may be great but small mobile QB's don't work out in the NFL.  Drew Brees is the only "small" QB to have success and he never runs - he gets rid of the ball. 

 

Browns could've taken a number of other positions at #1 (Barkley, Chubb, Fitzpatrick) and still had a top 2 or 3 QB option available at #4 spot.

 

Tyrod's combine measurements:

 

6'0 3/4'' 216 lbs

 

Baker's: 

 

6'0 3/8" 215 lbs

 

There're the same size.

I’m going to love them like they’re my own....

 

Also, the “last time we took a QB and Corner in Round 1” take is lazy and bogus. Don’t be like Tony Grossi

 

Fair enough...it was an emotional post from being dissatisfied with the draft, but I still don't like Mayfield.  Yes, Ward is a solid CB, but I think he'd have been available much lower than 4.  We could have traded down and still gotten him if that's what we wanted so badly.

 

I really hope Mayfield proves me wrong, but being undersized AND having character issues really worries me.  Yes, he's no Johnny Manziel off the field, but will he be able to handle watching a bad team struggle through the season and having Tyrod start over him?  I have my doubts.  I'd be more willing to give the Browns the benefit of the doubt if they hadn't already been down this path before.

 

Not that this informs my opinion (I actually hadn't read it until just now), but it looks like the guys over at WFNY agree with me.

 

https://waitingfornextyear.com/2018/03/2018-nfl-draft-baker-mayfield-issues/

 

But I think he lacks the maturity and self-discipline needed for the job. It will lead to bad judgment, perhaps on the field, off, or both. He isn’t the face of the franchise, which is what you want with a top pick. He’s, for sure, worth a flyer if we’re talking late first round, but that’s not where we’re at, or want to be in finding Our Guy.

 

Also, I've seen a couple people mention Mayfield's mobility, and I know there's more to it than just raw speed, but this guy is not fast and it will show once he's scrambling against NFL defenders.  He ran the 40 in 4.84, which is average at best for a QB.  Tyrod was 4.51.

Il not going to pretend to know anything about QB prospects but I liked this breakdown

 

http://actasports.com/statoftheweektop-5-qb-prospects-performance-by-throw-location/

^^I'm critical of his 40 too... But remember, mobility doesn't necessarily mean speed.

they drafted the wrong damn chubb lol

Mayfield won't be the off-field disaster that Manziel was but I don't see him working out.  No way he should have been #1 overall pick.  He may struggle to win the starting job from Tyrod Taylor who happens to be a little bigger & taller...  His accuracy may be great but small mobile QB's don't work out in the NFL.  Drew Brees is the only "small" QB to have success and he never runs - he gets rid of the ball. 

 

Browns could've taken a number of other positions at #1 (Barkley, Chubb, Fitzpatrick) and still had a top 2 or 3 QB option available at #4 spot.

 

Tyrod's combine measurements:

 

6'0 3/4'' 216 lbs

 

Baker's: 

 

6'0 3/8" 215 lbs

 

There're the same size.

 

yeah wiki has baker at 6’1” but no way hes 6’ — of the mediocre crop of qb’s allen was the true big man.

1 - Mayfield

- This is the guy Dorsey and company wanted, so I like it. Lots of reports that he was actually #1 for a bunch of the QB needy teams, including NYJ at #3. He's a Brees/Favre/Wilson hybrid who has all-world potential.

 

4 - Ward

- I would have much rather had Chubb here. But I get it. He was the Browns #1 CB and it was a big position of need. I don't hate it...just would have went elite pass rusher here.

 

33 - Corbett

- Versatile and lots of upside. Pick looked even better with the run of OL that went right after him.

 

35 - N. Chubb

- Love it. Great vision; can pound it between the tackles; can take it to the house from anywhere on the field. Really makes a nice 3-some in the backfield.

 

67 - C. Thomas

- Looks like Tarzan; plays like Jane. Really under performed and as the epitome of meh at Miami. Would have rather had a guy like Josh Sweat here.

 

105 - Callaway

- This one is tough. Talent-wise, he's good...really good. However, we are trying to build a culture; so it's very questionable bringing in a guy with his rap sheet. We'll see...boom or bust.

 

150 - Avery

- Really looking for diamonds in the rough here, so we'll see.

 

175 - Ratley

- I watch a lot of CFB; and watch A&M vs SCar every year. No clue who this guy is. That should tell you something. Seems like the 3 cone time was the big predictor here. There were other WR's I would have rather taken a chance on.

 

188 - S. Thomas

- Versatile...again...looking for diamonds in the rough at this point.

 

Overall, I like the draft. But it will be deemed a success or failure on the performance of Mayfield in the coming years.

1- Mayfield is actually growing on me the more I learn about him.  He's a showboat, but passionate and tough.  This and the Ward pick make me think Dorsey is aiming for a "tough and scrappy" type of team.

 

4- Not a fan of this pick, but that's because I agree with you on taking a pass rusher over a corner.  Ward himself seems great, if a little undersized.

 

35- Love the Chubb pick, too.  Really love watching good between the tackles power running, and even with the league moving more towards passing and hybrid RB's, I think a great team needs that sort of weapon.

 

105- The Callaway pick really gets me.  You can't even say his troubles are behind him.  He failed the drug test at the combine! We already have one super talented WR with substance abuse and legal issues and who is susceptible to bad influences.  Bringing in another on that same squad is just asking for trouble.  Truly a terrible decision. 

To me, this article nails what the Browns were trying to do with this draft. Worth reading. ...

 

Solak | Key offensive selections herald culture shift in Cleveland

https://www.ndtscouting.com/solak-key-offensive-selections-herald-culture-shift-in-cleveland/

The list of those who had Mayfield at the top of their big board keeps growing.

 

Browns

Giants

Jets

Broncos

Bills

Cardinals

Patriots

Sean McVay

Adam Gase

Both the NY Giants and NY Jets had Baker Mayfield at the top of their draft boards. So did another team...

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/05/01/agent-says-patriots-considered-trading-up-to-no-2-for-baker-mayfield/

http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/05/nfl_draft_2018_patriots_giants_trade_for_baker_may.html

https://nypost.com/2018/05/01/baker-mayfield-agent-patriots-plotted-stunning-trade-with-giants/

 

 

Here was the proposed Giants/Pats trade:

 

Patriots receive:

- 2nd overall pick, and select Baker Mayfield

 

Giants receive:

- 2018 first round pick

- 2018 first round pick

- 2018 second round pick

- 2019 second round pick

 

When the Browns took Baker, it prompted the Gettleman quote "fine, we'll take Saquon and run the ball."

 

Can you imagine if the Browns would have selected anybody but Baker?

The well-respected, most winning-est franchise of late, goes up and all-in & selects Baker.

 

The media fall-out for the Browns would have been deafening, ie...

 

"The Browns passed on the QB that the Patriots felt so good about, they made a massive trade to get him."

 

The Pats could have offered something similar to the Jets, Browns at 4, the Broncos, etc. But, they didn't call. Didn't feel Darnold, Rosen, Allen, etc were worth it.

^Would've loved to see Tony Grossi pull a complete 180 and say it was a mistake to pass on Baker.

^Would've loved to see Tony Grossi pull a complete 180 and say it was a mistake to pass on Baker.

 

He needs to reverse his latest 180 and retire, as promised.

I still don't think the Baker pick was a great choice, but I know John Dorsey knows his sh*t. Only time will tell... Also, KJP[/member] I wouldn't always trust those post-draft reports. They will linger for a long time, and be used as leverage over a year from now if trades are being offered.

 

The Browns didn't want Rosen because...he had a girlfriend?

 

The Browns didn't want Rosen because...he had a girlfriend?

 

No, the Browns didn't want him because his girlfriend was "like totally pissed" that he played his XBox the night before instead of going with her to the frat party she was all skanked up for.  Hypothetically.

^while not a reasonable offense to not draft someone. I’ve read enough. Good call, we don’t need all this pettiness and child drama on the team

^Would've loved to see Tony Grossi pull a complete 180 and say it was a mistake to pass on Baker.

 

He needs to reverse his latest 180 and retire, as promised.

 

Retire from being a smut fan boy, right? He is a sad excuse for a journalist.  He is clinging the the 80’s when people really cared what he wrote and never really reinvented himself as a writer.  Now he’s just a troll that somehow still covers that team

^He always comes off, to me at least, as someone who is clearly very sad in his own life and genuinely enjoys the fact that the Browns have struggled because it affords him some sort of dominion in which to say, "I'm right".

^that sounds exactly right

^while not a reasonable offense to not draft someone. I’ve read enough. Good call, we don’t need all this pettiness and child drama on the team

 

Lolwut

TG's propensity to block many many people on Twitter who question him shows how petty and insecure he is. In fact, if you haven't been blocked by TG, you're probably either doing something wrong or not following him.

^while not a reasonable offense to not draft someone. I’ve read enough. Good call, we don’t need all this pettiness and child drama on the team

 

Lolwut

 

Cuz girlfriends are only for children?

^He always comes off, to me at least, as someone who is clearly very sad in his own life and genuinely enjoys the fact that the Browns have struggled because it affords him some sort of dominion in which to say, "I'm right".

 

I think you're onto something. He doesn't seem to be very knowledgeable about other players or teams...it's like his entire universe is: The Cleveland Browns.

The best man in my wedding was a teammate of mine in college and a current scout for the Chicago Bears. Part of pre-draft research is listening to the markets of teams drafting before you so that no stone goes unturned. He said Aaron Goldhammer and Tony Grossi are the running joke of the Bears Scouting Dept. They actually had some nice things to say about MKC, though.

^while not a reasonable offense to not draft someone. I’ve read enough. Good call, we don’t need all this pettiness and child drama on the team

 

Lolwut

 

Oh sorry, i thought the Xbox and frat party thing was real.  Reading it again.  Yeah its odd but whatever, Dorsey knows more than we do

^while not a reasonable offense to not draft someone. I’ve read enough. Good call, we don’t need all this pettiness and child drama on the team

 

Lolwut

 

Oh sorry, i thought the Xbox and frat party thing was real.  Reading it again.  Yeah its odd but whatever, Dorsey knows more than we do

 

Dorsey essentially took him off the board because he met the UCLA volleyball team in an airport and he asked the coach about Rosen who told him his girlfriend would know best?

 

I'm skeptical about Dorsey based on that story alone.

^I'm skeptical of you based on your belief in that story...

And now for some real news.....

 

#1 pick Baker Mayfield will be signing a fully guaranteed 4-year, $32,682,980 deal, which includes a $21,849,440 signing bonus. A look at 2018 1st round contracts & issues relating to the deals via @CBSSports. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-heres-a-close-look-at-the-contracts-first-round-picks-are-expected-to-sign/

^I'm skeptical of you based on your belief in that story...

 

It was Highsmith, not Dorsey.  My fault.

Delete

^while not a reasonable offense to not draft someone. I’ve read enough. Good call, we don’t need all this pettiness and child drama on the team

 

Lolwut

 

Oh sorry, i thought the Xbox and frat party thing was real.  Reading it again.  Yeah its odd but whatever, Dorsey knows more than we do

 

Sorry guys, I was being sarcastic.  I guess I like totally needed an emoji.

New England's desired trade with the Giants for Mayfield wasn't going to happen anyway. “Once Cleveland took Baker, I told our guys don’t even waste your time," said Giants GM Dave Gettleman. The Giants wanted Mayfield, and they thought they were getting him....

 

http://m.giants.com/videos/videos/GM-Dave-Gettleman-on-choosing-Barkley/7e3c7ca1-015e-4e0a-8d5e-1cbfaf24fca6