You can learn a lot from watching, especially when you watch the NFL’s highest-rated quarterbacks.
And in case Baker Mayfield wasn’t paying attention to Aaron Rodgers during the Cleveland Browns‘ last game, ESPN’s Tony Rizzo took notes and directed a solid observation to Mayfield via Instagram:
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During a video of some of the low-lights of the Browns Christmas Day, Rizzo speaks about Mayfield.
He advises the Cleveland quarterback to learn how to be “cool” like Aaron Rodgers is.
In fact, he says,
“Aaron Rodgers is the coolest dude in the room. Before the game, there was a ref. Rodgers just casually walked by and patted him on the butt and turned and gave him a little wink as he kept walking. He was working the room. And when he (Rodgers) is on the field, he’s breathing; he’s relaxed.”
There were times during the game when things were not going Rodgers’ way.
But his demeanor barely changed, and he acted like he was in control of things the whole time.
Does Rizzo Think Baker is Un-Cool?
Back when Tony Rizzo and I were much younger, being called un-cool was fighting words.
Today, it has a more nuanced significance, carrying an air of calmness and control in the midst of chaos and adversity.
Still can't get over this stat.
Baker Mayfield threw 4 INTs in 36 attempts yesterday.
Aaron Rodgers has thrown 4 INTs in his last 475 attempts. pic.twitter.com/f8E8TreJOd
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) December 26, 2021
But Rizzo pulled another old-time word out of his repertoire to describe Mayfield under duress.
“(Mayfield) has to go SPAZ! Every week, 4 years in, and he still hasn’t learned you need to be the coolest dude on the field.”
The long-time host of ESPN-Cleveland’s “The Really Big Show” listed several critiques of Mayfield to make his point.
Rizzo cited Mayfield’s imperfect (“crazy”) footwork and the look in his eyes under pressure.
This is a terrible throw by Baker Mayfield, who was terrible vs GB.
But…do we just not call illegal contact anymore?
That's an illegal chuck at like 15 yards and then 5 yards worth of defensive holding on his intended target pic.twitter.com/yszcTKbblG
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) December 27, 2021
He mentioned how Mayfield fires the ball when some touch is called for.
And he extolled the passer to throw some away instead of forcing throws he shouldn’t make.
Calling it a “Might Mouse mentality,” Rizzo opines that Mayfield can’t win that way in the NFL.
Good Advice Or Just More Baker-Bashing?
Rizzo did not open any new channels of criticism regarding the Browns’ battered quarterback.
After 2 years of working on footwork with Alex Van Pelt, Mayfield regressed noticeably this season.
There are multiple stats that show Mayfield is not good under pressure.
Baker Mayfield on tonight’s game: “It’s frustrating. I thought our defense played great, our skill players played well, same thing with the offensive line. Backs were running their tail off. That’s why it’s frustrating for me. I hurt this team. There’s no excuse.”
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 26, 2021
The Akron Beacon-Journal outlined his 5 failed chances to lead a fourth-quarter comeback this season.
And more than one receiver has been a split-second behind one or more of Mayfield’s “high, hard ones” this year.
Mayfield tried to throw a ball away earlier this season as he was getting tackled, and it resulted in an interception.
#Browns Kevin Stefanski said the quarterback position can get too much credit and too much blame, but that's just how it is and that Baker Mayfield will bounce back from Saturday's performance.
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) December 27, 2021
But he needs to lose that memory, and toss the ball away sooner to avoid key sacks and high-risk passes.
This goes against his personal belief that he can win any game by himself.
And after almost four years in the NFL, he doesn’t seem ready to heed Rizzo’s advice.
Check the O/U. They could not have the Browns score any more points.
Really? I can’t remember what the U/O was. But never considered that. You might be on to something Dog!
Three of the 4 INTs weren’t even Bakers fault. Two were the refs and one was the receiver. I’d even argue the 4th was the receiver as well, but Baker needs to take some blame. I’d put him at 15 of the 32 starting QBs in the NFL. That’s just above average. How quickly we forget our past though. Leave the kid alone and let him keep growing.
How long should we “…let him keep growing…”? It’s already been 4 years.
Not to make excuses for him, because everyone has some sort of adversity to overcome, but the first two years he went through coaching/regime changes and the next two years all the OBJ noise, not to mention this last year tack on all the injuries. Again, I think he’s just above average. He needs players around him (Chubb/Hunt) that are going to contribute to his case. OBJ was zero help. Landry has been inconsistent. The rest of our WRs: Schwartz, DPJ (who has horrible hands but can develop), Higgins…who? Hooper hasn’t helped anything and is overpaid (they all are). I’m not trying to make Mayfield out to be more than he should be but he deserves another chance. Sign him (not at an outrageous $$, but middle of the road $).
How about we give him some running plays so Def’s don’t bum rush him so fast
I have some advice” Stop throwing off your back foot. You have to throw the ball BEFORE the guy is open, not when you see him open. Stop throwing HIGH and LATE to all your receivers, one of them is gonna get killed.
That’s what he did on the last two ints threw before Landry open and cut but he fell down. He wss wide open. The last one helped threw to a spot but receiver was held. So he did what you ssid.
I have some advice; try being hunted by guys weighing 250 lbs. – 325 lbs moving at speeds unimaginable to a person that’s never been on an NFL sideline watching the game in real speed then see if you can be a couch quarterback coach. Baker has taking a pounding this year and is hurt cut the dude some slack unless you want to try out another 29 starting QB’s for another 20 years it’s not all his fault bad calls and patch work offensive line doesn’t help in a year or two you’ll be calling him great when he takes us to the Superbowl
Exactly. I will always have faith in Baker. The Browns won one game in two years before Baker. How many HC’s, OC:s. He looked pretty good first part of GB game. Then he threw int on a no call, clearly illegal contact, 2 nd int was Baker’s fault. Anyway, the Browns are playing the best team in NFL with the best QB, who will be MVP again with a good D.
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Ummmmmm…if you didn’t know; They don’t call DPI or Illegal Contact against the packers in Lambeau!
And the dont call the browns for holding on all those running plays
4 years of excuses 4 mayfield is enough please someone stop the insanity hez to0 arragant and immature to b a qb in the nfl back up at best
Remind me, where did Rizzo play QB?
He played qb on madden 2019 and 2020
Mayfield has got to go now!!!!!
acting and football don’t mix in young quarterbacks, you want to be a janitor quarterback or a super bowl ring, quarterback, Baker, and miles Garrett needs to shut up and do his job, he sucked doing his job in two games, he was nowhere to be found
wow these experts who never played the game sure do have a lot of advice
4 years of excuses? One of the best rookie years for a QB in NFL history on a team that won 7 games after going 1-31 in the previous 2 years. Playing for probably 2 of the worst head coaches in NFL history in his first 2 years and then winning a playoff game against the Steelers in his 3rd season. Only excuses needed is this season. Those excuses are injuries and the cancer at wide receiver. T
Why doesn’t Stefanski ever Protest some of these calls ? Tomlin wouldn’t stand for it. Neither would Bill Cowher. Time to stand up for your Team
I learn a lot advice from Herman Edwards on how he said it play to win the whole football game smart and clean no int or fumbles that’s my comment to my football Cleveland browns stop taking a lot and focus on your game play that comes up every day I been of Cleveland watching im sense they came back in the NFL in 1999 into now im derrick j Carter a die hard fan as well i have gotten tired seeing them lose but stuck with the team hoping the find the right couch QB everything to build a winning team that’s all I have to share
Me Mr Carter Again O Would Like To Cleveland A Successfully Season One Day In This Game U Need Veteran Experience On Each Side Of The Ball No Int Or Fumbles Was Not Allowed Back In The Days. Play Smart Trow To Whoever Was Open Defense Handle The Rest That’s How Championship Is Won im A Sports Fan Never Miss Watching A Browns Game TV Would Love To Watch Em Play In Person It Would Be A Dream Come True.
Rizzo who? Which team is he a QB coach for?
…yeah, that’s what I thought.
Browns need someone that can call plays, not getting it done
First thing Mayfield needs to do is get rid of the fogged up, scratched plastic face shield so he can see what’s going on. Might need prescription eyewear also