Even though the Cleveland Browns were not playing on Thursday Night Football this week, they naturally came up as a conversation topic.
This debacle with Odell Beckham Jr. started on Tuesday and is still unresolved.
Current reporting from ProFootballTalk indicates that the Browns will release OBJ on his 29th birthday on Friday.
With the obvious caveat that plans can change, the Browns currently plan to release Odell Beckham Jr. on Friday. The move hinges on an agreement to reduce the money the Browns would owe him if he's not claimed on waivers. https://t.co/1qrFkRvPrl
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) November 5, 2021
OBJ’s pending release was not discussed on TNF, but former Panthers and Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith certainly had an opinion that he did not hesitate to share.
What Smith Said
Smith stared right into the camera and blamed the entire OBJ situation on Baker Mayfield.
“Focus here, folks. You’re average. You’re not very good, and Odell is moving on because of you, bro.”
He said the reason Beckham is moving on is because Mayfield is not good.
Steve Smith looking in the camera and telling Baker Mayfield he isn’t very good and OBJ is moving on because of that. pic.twitter.com/OKIpiPEkfi
— EJ (@BourbonAndBeer) November 4, 2021
Felt More Personal Than Professional
Former players turned media professionals do have an interesting perspective because they have been in the trenches.
Certainly, Smith played a lot of years in the NFL as a wide receiver so he understands the frustrations of the position and the relationship between WR and QB.
It just seemed like a low blow because Smith has been known to be anti-Mayfield in the past.
Social media had varying opinions on Smith’s take of the situation.
Steve Smith made it work with Jake Delhomme who was average as hell. He should tell Odell his secrets 😂🤣 https://t.co/uh3viyFjKH
— John (@JohnHillbery) November 5, 2021
Steve Smith Sr. is a punk for getting on National Television and saying what he said…Doesn’t matter who he was talking about. Completely unprofessional and ignorant.
— Brandon Wolf (@BrandonWolfCLE) November 5, 2021
Time Will Tell
The thing is that time will prove out where the disconnect was.
If OBJ goes to another team and accumulates amazing stats, the argument is definitely made that the issues were on Mayfield’s end.
The other side of the argument will play out if OBJ joins a team and continues to be injured or a nonfactor.
Conclusion
This OBJ saga just opened the doors for more people to take personal shots at both Mayfield and OBJ.
That is an unfortunate byproduct of this mess and yet another reason the issues between the two players should not have been aired out on social media.
In the confines of the Browns’ locker room or in the head coach’s office is where this entire thing should have played out.
Will my comment be posted??? Hmmm….
Here you are again defending Baker Wendi. Now making Steve Smith, an all pro WR1 to be the villain, as you have OBJ. Mr. Smith who knows better than you and I, is stating what I’ve been stating, and your blind allegiance to Baker doesn’t allow you to see. In the NFL, BAKER IS AVERAGE AT BEST.
Wendi, how is your vision so clouded? Why do you villainize anyone who has a negative opinion about Baker the QB?
Perhaps, it is YOU, that is making it personal.
Thanks Concerned Brown Fan for the spirited comments you always provide with my articles! Baker Mayfield is the QB for 2021; when healthy, he is the best option for this team this season. It is anyone’s guess what happens after this year. Steve Smith, you, and I are not in the Browns locker room or at practice everyday so we do not know with certainty what is going on. I still believe Smith’s sentiment was more personal than professional.
You are welcome, and your response is also appreciated. 👊
Agreed, when healthy, Baker is the best QB on the team for 2021. Since the trade deadline has passed, and no QB’s were added, Cam Newton is the best available option.
Not sure if you noticed Wendi, but I’ve said it before. The other players that are ballers, don’t consider Baker a baller. OBJ being released will divide the locker room even more, than it already was. OBJ wasn’t the only player not impressed with Mr. Mayfield.
OBJ isn’t Randy Moss nor is he even close is good as Moss. Why because receivers cry when he get hit and go right to IR so he can continue to suck up Millions of dollars on the bench wth man it’s the NFL be a Man play the game keep ur mouth shut.
If obj isn’t getting the ball enough or if he feels like he’s being passed over why doesn’t he say something to the coach or the qb instead of sitting in a corner of the locker room and pouting ?
Maybe he thinks the coach should know he is not being targeted. The coach looks at game videos. OBJ seemed, at times. to cringe or prepare to be hit before the ball arrived. He may not have believed the team was running him on routes that protected him physically as well as enhancing his production. The reason perhaps he didn’t believe this was that he had no confidence that Mayfield could get him the ball cleanly in the more complex routes he preferred.
Wish you well Odell, i hoped things would have worked in Cleveland, sometimes players don’t fit certain offenses no matter how good they are, good luck wherever you go
Steve Smith is a diva wide out himself so when obj caused all the diva problems on the Giants its always someone else’s fault. He doesnt stick to running routes correctly just because hes open doesn’t mean hes in the right place, bakers production is way higher without having to cater to obsucks let the diva walk and destroy another team. Steve Smith shut your diva punk a** up
What about his drops this year. Maybe that’s why Baker doesn’t want to throwing the ball!
Baker is not even average and I’m a die hard browns fan but he’s a joke he constantly over throws the ball he constantly under throw the ball he’s a ego getter he wants to have all the spotlight good or bad I don’t think that was a good move getting rid of Odell maybe the coach should get a pair and sit mayfield out for a few and let’s see what our second string can do baker was so thirsty to play Pittsburgh and we lost and we gone keep losing until he learns how to be a team player we fans just want a championship and we don’t care how we get it with him or without him he’s replaceable also he’s not doing anything great but I bet Odell get that ring before baker