Kevin Stefanski has the Cleveland Browns running on all cylinders in training camp this week.
Jadeveon Clowney, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Mack Wilson provide daily social media highlights.
Everyone seems healthy, excited, and engaged, and we’d be hard-pressed to find as much as a negative thought.
QB Baker Mayfield to RB Nick Chubb
(Via #Browns) pic.twitter.com/IF3IN31bpW— Brad Stainbrook (@BrownsByBrad) August 2, 2021
But detracting from the Cleveland Browns’ resurgence still makes good radio.
And so it was that former NFL linebacker and ESPN personality Bart Scott took aim at a familiar target.
“The reason why they haven’t gave(sic) Baker Mayfield a contract is they don’t really believe… in him. I don’t think they think he is on the Josh Allen level.”
Never mind Mayfield’s 60-yard in-stride pass delivery for a Peoples-Jones touchdown later that day.
Baker Mayfield has been throwing with Odell for the last 10 minutes or so. OBJ looks as healthy as ever. #Browns pic.twitter.com/TSI5wJztBb
— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) July 28, 2021
Or the much-publicized lack of urgency on either Mayfield’s or the team’s part to re-sign their quarterback.
Disregard the notion that Mayfield, Allen, and Lamar Jackson remaining unsigned indicates a less sinister plan.
Scott says the real issue is a lack of faith in the passer who led the Browns to a playoff victory just last season.
Scott Doubled Down on Mayfield Criticism
Scott’s comments were part of a KJZ Morning Show discussion about why Nick Chubb was extended before Mayfield.
He first argued that Chubb is a more important player in Stefanski’s run-first attack.
But when asked if the signing was a signal to Mayfield, Scott offered his “lack of trust” explanation.
#Browns Baker Mayfield to Donovan Peoples-Jones. pic.twitter.com/93PqL6NzI8
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) July 31, 2021
Scott didn’t stop the Mayfield bashing there, however.
Starting at the 4:46 mark of the video below, he makes more disparaging remarks like this:
“(Mayfield) is a guy who is unproven. He has a lot to prove this year. He’s not Lamar Jackson. He hasn’t won an MVP where his peers feel he is the best guy in the NFL.”
Apparently, bouncing back under better coaching and a consistent game plan to make the playoffs means nothing.
Baker Mayfield ➡️ Jarvis Landry snag. #Browns pic.twitter.com/yec4N1xoH1
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) July 29, 2021
But Scott’s next line explains why he shrugs off Mayfield’s 2020 season.
“He’s a guy who has 2 of everything… 2 great tackles, 2 great tight ends, 2 great receivers, and probably one of the best centers in the game. And it took all that for Baker to at least be able to compete. But when you pay him… which one of those teammates do you want to cut? Because you’re not going to have elite players at every position.”
Could Scott Have a Point?
Everyone from Dee and Jimmy Haslam to Berry and Stefanski calls Baker Mayfield their franchise quarterback.
There is virtually no doubt Mayfield will be with the Browns for many years on a worthwhile extension.
Mayfield admits he “lost himself” during the 2019 season as he struggled to find the success he is used to.
Teammates and coaches say Mayfield matured last year, indicating he learned not to take success for granted.
And that might have been the final piece in the building of a franchise quarterback.
QB Baker Mayfield finds WR Rashard Higgins deep
(Via #Browns) pic.twitter.com/6PiqKJhYWH— Brad Stainbrook (@BrownsByBrad) August 2, 2021
Analysts and fans alike can dispute the wisdom of holding off on a Mayfield extension.
Until the Browns sign their franchise passer to a new deal, speculation about the delay will proliferate.
Andrew Berry, Mayfield, or even a mutual desire to not complete the first of the big 3 passer deals could be a reason.
But few people not looking for clicks or comments will say the Browns don’t believe in Baker Mayfield.
Below is the full ESPN Radio’s KJZ Morning Show segment of Scott’s conversation:
Baker did not “lead” the browns to the playoffs or any of their victories. As a matter of fact, in the early part of the season, he was the main reason other teams were able to get back in the game.
Some of you want to make Baker the “man” and he isn’t.
The Browns could get the same, if not better production from Casey Keenum.
Your an uninformed idiot!
We are finally getting there and you make this point
Bart Scott is nobody, never was and never will be. The only reason his name was mentioned is because he said something bad about Baker. Mayfield is at least ten thousand times better than bert shot go hang out with Bradshaw you Jack-ass. Your lucky I’m in a good mood
you’re
Bart snot always hating stay hating on the browns he a fan foreal
Were you watching the same season as the rest of us he had 20 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions the second half of the season your an idiot.
Are you serious? Look at the mans stats. You telln me CK throws a dime on a rope to DPJ in the Cinnci game. Again again last year he made smart plays and grew up right before our eyes. Man I dont know if your vision is blurred or your just that far out of touch of the game. But your shook if you think Bake ain’t the future Qb for the Dawgs!
Casey Keenum?? Really??
Bart Scott and concerned browns fan as a Browns Fan I think you both don’t have a clue what you are talking about. As for Bart Scott I think he makes these comments for attention!
Mayfield is the only quarterback of the 3 drafted that year that has been in a different each season. Of the three none have been extended.. as for Bart Scott I guess he was just trying to outdo colin cowers but at least Bart played football
Tisk tisk tisk. How soon they forget. Baker has broken some kind of record every year he has played. We would have been in the AFC Championship game if Stefanski would have ran Chubb and Hunt more (or at all) in the first half against the Chiefs. Not to mention Baker has that it factor. Now when I look at the Browns offense on every play I think we have a chance. I haven’t felt that way in a looooooooong time. They will always move the goal post on Baker. I really do not know why. Man I cannot WAIT for or first game against Kansas City.
Who is Bart Scott and why does he have two first names?
Best comment on here…👍🤣🤣🤣
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
A former Jet standout who’s real claim to fame was calling out the Steelers in the playoffs right after advancing before summarily getting manhandled in that ensuing playoff game.🙄
#CantWait
Absolutely. Baker has always walked into situations as an under-dawg, and succeeded. BAKER HAS “IT”. You can’t coach “IT”. You have it or you don’t – plain & simple. As for Fart Scott, keep on hating. What a way to live……
Bart scott is an idiot.
Who the f is Bart Scott? Another ratbird blowhard without real credibility. Rode on Ray Lewis’ coattails anyway.
Absolutely no body
I am tired of everyone bashing Baker. Tell me a QB that is good without an offensive line. Hell take big Ben. Is he carrying the Steelers. no he just cried on the bench after the game. I wanted Baker as he does have that it factor. Where we have been with Tyrod? I think Mayfield went through all those coaches and still survived. NOW LIKE ALL THE OTHER QB’S, they have a coach that knows how to use his qb’s strengths. We can always go back and look for another quarterback for another 14 gears.
Never trust anybody with two first names
Chubb was extended first because he would’ve become a free agent after this season. He was a second round pick (35th overall) in 2018. Second rounders don’t have 5th year options
I couldn’t agree with you anymore. Absolutely correct.
BART SCOTT IS CLUELESS, HE WILL BE EATING HIS WORDS WHEN WE WIN THE AFC NORTH AND GO ON TO THE SUPERBOWL ,ALL BECAUSE OF BAKERS GREAT PERFORMANCES ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE OFFENSIVE PLAY!!!
They won’t win any AFC Championship
So I have never heard of Bart Scott, but we all have now because of these BS comments about Baker Mayfield. Sorry Mr Scott your 15 seconds is over. You can go back to obscurity now , and stay there.
I have been a Browns fan all my life. Bill Nelson was QB back then.
We have a QB in Baker that we haven’t had since the Kosar days.
I for one CANNOT WAIT for this season. And I will support them no matter what the outcome , because simply put that team has heart and we haven’t seen that for a long time.
Mayfield should be offered 3 million a year to wear white pants, an orange sweater, and lead the cheers from the sidelines with his megaphone. He’s a good cheerleader, he’s not a good quarterback. He’ll be gone by next year.
Its obvious you no nothing about football. One of the most accurate passers. Just like all the other Quarterbacks, it takes all 11 players on the team to win. Take away Brady’s offensive line and see what he does. People making these stupid comments will be the first in line talking when we are in the Super Bowl.. GO BAKER
Wow, you have some kinky fantasies!
I don’t care what some washed up retired bum has to say. I go by stats. Baker statistically in his first 3 years has better numbers than any other QB in Browns history. I don’t get the bashing. As long as this franchise has been around, no other QB ever for the organization has matches or even contended with his numbers. Kosar as much as he is praised numbers look like trash through 3 years compared to Bakers. He isn’t perfect, he isn’t the best in the game, but he can be and is very consistent and makes huge plays. Let the man play and get those Ws.
How many playoff wins does the great Lamar Jackson have?
Wow! What a great conversation. Thank you all for the replies. This discussion will go on until Mayfield wins a couple of Super Bowls, and even then some folks will delight in pointing to some perceived faults over his accomplishments.
I am not always Baker’s biggest backer, but he’s our quarterback. He fits here, and hopefully, he will be the franchise QB for a long time while Bart Scott remains a retired Raven/Jet trying to stay relevant.
Thanks again for reading the Browns Nation piece and all your comments!
Times are changing, as for Mr. Scott you need to pull your head out and look around, Browns fan all my life and seen some good and a lot of bad and what I’m seeing is very good Baker wouldn’t be there if they didn’t believe in him, it takes a team and we have the team and the tools, so watch and be amazed!!!!!!
Two things I know to be true:
1. Haters are everywhere
2. Baker is and will be our QB, and I for one am damn glad about it.
Go Browns
Who are these guys. A bunch of nerds trying to make such outlandish statements JUST to get their forlorn name mentioned someplace Why does the news give him any space????????????????
It takes continuity for any team to be successful. We finally have a system in place that allows for growth and stability. There is a real foundation for winning our division this year.
Lamar Jackson will not last long in this league running with the football. If he wants to run the rock, he should switch to wideout. Once he loses a step or a team zeros in on the Ravens schemes with the right personnel and game plan, he is going to get pummeled and that will be it. If the Ravens add a few great wideouts and he can stand in the pocket and deliver the ball accurately, then he could become the next John Elway or Fran Tarkenton, but so far he has not shown to have that type of arm or patience in the pocket.
PAPA SAYS ,
KEEP “”YO HEAD Up !
Rome was not built in a Day.
Keep on Pushing !!
Baker is fine. You can win with Baker. Is he elite? Probably not. Could he be? Maybe. He does not have a ton of special tools or spectacular throws but he is a good leader, has a good hard count, seems to lead well, can run all of the play action stuff and he does have a strong enough arm. There are only a handful of transcendent QBs at any time, and you know Baker is only a step below that. They are probably scared they will sign him and get stuck with a middle of the road Goff situation. He is definitely better than that.
Steeler fan trolling. People can say what they want, I think 98 percent of the fans know what Baker has brought to the Browns.