The mind-blowing thing is, our team might have the best collection of skill position receivers in the game. It's almost comical when you look at last year (especially after Corey was hurt), and when you look at this year. Will Tyrod have the ability to push the ball down the field, take the necessary chances, hit people in stride, and find ways to get our top playmakers the rock in positions to make things happen? 

Obviously I HOPE so, but I'm not sure. Tyrod is beyond careful as a QB, and that can be a strength as well as a hindrance. I have a vision of our offense kicking A LOT of FG's (scary because I DON'T trust our kicker yet) because Tyrod simply won't take chances in the red zone, and again, that can be a good thing. But how many games does our team lose because we get 3 and give up 7? This is the biggest factor (to me) in Baker Mayfield starting earlier than people expect because he's going to trust his accuracy, take the calculated deep shots, and he's historically been able to hit people in stride for copious amounts of YAC. 

If we're losing games, and the coaches are seeing missed opportunities on game film, the Baker Mayfield train will start warming up at the station ASSUMING he's shown mastery of the playbook, the ability to move the offense in practice, and of course the propensity of finishing off drives. Now, if we're losing games and Baker doesn't appear ready, then I don't think we'll see him. Our coaches and front office are pretty stubborn people, and they don't give a crap about external pressure. 

What do I expect to happen? I expect Tyrod to play like Tyrod. He's now surrounded by the best weapons he's ever had, probably by a giant margin. When you talk about Josh Gordon, Jarvis Landry, Duke Johnson, David Njoku, Corey Coleman, Seth Devalve, and possibly Antonio Callaway as receiving threats, you're talking about guys that create mismatch problems for the defense, and guys that excel at operating at different parts of the field. I expect Tyrod to have similar numbers to the last couple years, but I do expect them to be slightly better because I think we'll be down in the score more often than not, causing us to pass more, and I think Tyrod's numbers will organically improve based on the talent on the field. 

Again, there are several factors that could propel Baker Mayfield onto the field earlier than some might think, and one of the top reasons could be Tyrod's inability to distribute the ball to our vast array of playmakers. If we're punting too much, settling for too many FG's, and our coaches are seeing too many missed opportunities, then I believe the Baker timetable will be moved up exponentially. Even if our team is something like 3-5 through the first 8 games, Baker might be tossed out there if he's demonstrating the ability to move the ball effectively in practice compared to the cautious approach practiced by Tyrod. 

To be honest, I think our entire season comes down to defense. It's fun to discuss offense because we drafted a QB #1 overall, and we somehow now have an embarrassment of riches at skill positions, but defense is going to determine whether or not we actually win some games. We were last or close to it in terms of red zone defense, and teams seemingly scored at will when they got close (I think it got a bit better as the season went on, but not much). Can we pressure the QB WITHOUT blitzing? Can we actually create some freaking turnovers? Those 2 things will determine so much of our success, but we can discuss defense on another thread, as in typical Jiggins fashion I've written another novel. 

@syd said:

nah man you were right from day one when i first starting posting here,hugh is and was a clown

He was actually responding to a call to duty by the Browns!! 

@ghoolie said:

We have to hope that Hue is going to come through in spades now that he really has some talent. I have been hard on Black Uncle Fester, and if he has a tentative team after all this, I will really be relentless. I am one who is not all wte in the poosy over continuity and consistency.... really, these things are useless if one does not have talent to put something together worth being continuous about. However, whatever the Browns do with Baker, hey damned well better stick to it, ride it out, and not abandon ship when the going gets rough. I don't want to see Baker get treated like Kizer did.

nah man you were right from day one when i first starting posting here,hugh is and was a clown

@ghoolie said:

We have to hope that Hue is going to come through in spades now that he really has some talent. I have been hard on Black Uncle Fester, and if he has a tentative team after all this, I will really be relentless. I am one who is not all wte in the poosy over continuity and consistency.... really, these things are useless if one does not have talent to put something together worth being continuous about. However, whatever the Browns do with Baker, hey damned well better stick to it, ride it out, and not abandon ship when the going gets rough. I don't want to see Baker get treated like Kizer did.

Or worse like he did when he took Kessler out of a winning game.

@syd said:

so many different ways to look at this But if they feel he is ready put him in week one and let him build some chemistry with the team and just pray to god we can run the damn ball (hugh you F.ucking idiot)

We have to hope that Hue is going to come through in spades now that he really has some talent. I have been hard on Black Uncle Fester, and if he has a tentative team after all this, I will really be relentless. I am one who is not all wte in the poosy over continuity and consistency.... really, these things are useless if one does not have talent to put something together worth being continuous about. However, whatever the Browns do with Baker, hey damned well better stick to it, ride it out, and not abandon ship when the going gets rough. I don't want to see Baker get treated like Kizer did.

@ghoolie said:

I will say it again. I hope the Browns just put Baker in when THEY, and not the record, the fans or the pundits cry for it. In reality, you can't keep a #1  #1 QB draft on the bench all year. YOu drafted him to play and play he must.

so many different ways to look at this But if they feel he is ready put him in week one and let him build some chemistry with the team and just pray to god we can run the damn ball (hugh you F.ucking idiot)

Mike

Zombo

Jax announced Bortles wouldn't start as a rookie before they named him a starter as a rookie. Pittsburgh announced Tommy Maddox was their starter after giving him a brand new contract heading into Roethlisberger's rookie year.  Maddox got hurt and never started again. 

I've seen guys like Aaron Rodgers, Steve McNair, and Philip Rivers benefit from not starting 1 game their 1st year.  And would the upper 1st round trade for Rivers have been a necessity for SD if Brees didn't have a horrible 3rd season while his team finished with the worst record in the NFL?  QBs all emerge at all different rates.

Even though some rookie QBs have made it look easy early on - NONE of them had to play here on a team coming off 1-31 football.  I'd like to start the season off with an experienced QB that is good at not turning the ball over showing an inexperienced QB the value of that toward our chances of winning.  We've upgraded the depth and talent of our RB position while we've done the same thing to the WR position so efficient QBing will complement that well.  Aside from that, Taylor has some jets when/if needed.  It would be nice to see something shake out similar to 1985.  Has it really been that FREAKIN long? 

@gumby73 said:

Tony Dimwit Grossi first question to Mayfield in his first presser was "Are you done with your internet Life story Documentary"? Baker said he was, but through his facial expression you could read on his face..Nun-ya F'n business  luv'd it..Grossi tries like hell to be blunt like Kosar towards the Browns. but Grossi has not earned that right, not even close..     

@jiggins7919 said:

The media is going crazy on this and I'm just about over it. We're in MAY and I've seen multiple articles discussing Baker taking over the starting job. Gimme a break! And you know who the worst is...Tony Grossi. God that guy. He's such a little pecker, can't stand him. I was watching a presser with Antonio Callaway and Tony asked him, "Did Browns management tell you you're one mistake away from being cut from the team?" WHO ASKS THAT? We already know the kid has a history, why keep bringing it up? God I hate him. 

Anyway, we know our schedule doesn't do us any favors early, and this is another reason why we won't see Baker any time soon. We fans have to be patient, and it's going to be difficult! But remember this:  We have a QB who has won games, and can make plays with his legs and his arm. He's sometimes TOO safe, and he doesn't have tremendous accuracy, but he moves the ball, can play very well under center, has a STRONG supporting cast, and will have every opportunity to keep his job. Tyrod gets screwed by how the season starts, but he's GOT to find a way to win either the Steelers or Saints game to begin our year. We CAN'T start out 0-2 going into our Thursday night game. 

Grossi is just misused. He should be a gossip columnist somewhere (anywhere but Ohio please). He couldn't report fact or ask intelligent questions if his life depended on it.

I have heard Grossi is on Baker's phone (enemy list). I would love to see the kid ignore Grossi in future press conferences. I'd LMAO!!

Mike

@jiggins7919 said:

Tony Grossi. I was watching a presser with Antonio Callaway and Tony asked him, "Did Browns management tell you you're one mistake away from being cut from the team?" WHO ASKS THAT? We already know the kid has a history, why keep bringing it up? God I hate him.  

Tony Dimwit Grossi first question to Mayfield in his first presser was "Are you done with your internet Life story Documentary"? Baker said he was, but through his facial expression you could read on his face..Nun-ya F'n business  luv'd it..Grossi tries like hell to be blunt like Kosar towards the Browns. but Grossi has not earned that right, not even close..     

Anyway, we know our schedule doesn't do us any favors early, and this is another reason why we won't see Baker any time soon. We fans have to be patient, and it's going to be difficult! But remember this:  We have a QB who has won games, and can make plays with his legs and his arm. He's sometimes TOO safe, and he doesn't have tremendous accuracy, but he moves the ball, can play very well under center, has a STRONG supporting cast, and will have every opportunity to keep his job. Tyrod gets screwed by how the season starts, but he's GOT to find a way to win either the Steelers or Saints game to begin our year. We CAN'T start out 0-2 going into our Thursday night game. 

@dutch-oven said:

It did happen in 2007, when Brady Quinn never started in his rookie season after being taken with the 22nd overall pick. 

But history doesn't seem on the side of Mayfield sitting out the season. 

Unless RGIII or similar bad luck suddenly  shows up and it might be in the 3rd quarter.   

But the BROWNS are due for some really good quarterback luck.....right? I mean c'mon since 1999, they're due, please, give us a break.....oh bad word, break. 

@poeticg said:

Taylor has never had a cast around him like he's about to get. Hyde, Chubb, Duke, Njoku, DeValve, Gordon, Landry, Coleman, Callaway... 

Then the Defense is as fierce as ever. DBs all over the place, amazing LBs and one of the best DLs ever put together. 

Ogunjobi is massive, he's only gotten bigger since last year. Garrett and Ogbah are A+ talents and when they have a chance to play together for an extended period of time- they'll wreck havoc! Depth is nice as well, don't sleep on Nassib or Orchard just yet, plus add in CJ to the mix, that's a big bad load of whoop butt...

Yeah, I'm not even going to bother... 

Then the Defense is as fierce as ever. DBs all over the place, amazing LBs and one of the best DLs ever put together. 

Ogunjobi is massive, he's only gotten bigger since last year. Garrett and Ogbah are A+ talents and when they have a chance to play together for an extended period of time- they'll wreck havoc! Depth is nice as well, don't sleep on Nassib or Orchard just yet, plus add in CJ to the mix, that's a big bad load of whoop butt...

@poeticg said:

What if Tyrod Taylor wins the SuperBowl? 

@lionofbuddha said:

Good point. I added it. Didn’t even think of it as an option because this is the Browns we’re talking about

It did happen in 2007, when Brady Quinn never started in his rookie season after being taken with the 22nd overall pick. 

But history doesn't seem on the side of Mayfield sitting out the season. 

@mjp28 said:

You could add 2019 as a choice but due to injuries and other things it will probably be in 2018.

Good point. I added it. Didn’t even think of it as an option because this is the Browns we’re talking about

6 of the last 7 QBs taken first overall have started week 1, so the odds are certainly in favor of Baker starting right away.

What do you guys think? When will Baker make his first start?