The Cleveland Browns were pummeled by the New England Patriots in Week 10.
Everyone played poorly, but as is the case in the NFL, the majority of the attention falls on the quarterback.
As good as Baker Mayfield played in Week 9 against the Bengals, he was equally as bad in Week 10.
Cleveland resident, lifelong Browns fan, and ESPN radio host Tony Rizzo had some interesting observations about the Browns fanbase who act as though they want Mayfield to be bad.
“Do you realize what happens if this kid isn’t the right guy? @TheRealTRizzo via RBS on 850 ESPN Cleveland / The Land on Demand 🎙 pic.twitter.com/IXApjkEnMd
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) November 15, 2021
Here are a few highlights from what could aptly be called Rizzo’s rant.
1. Why Are Fans Rooting Against Their Team’s Quarterback?
Rizzo is baffled by fans who seem to get satisfaction out of Mayfield’s bad performances.
He talked about how they like to say, “I told you so.”
Rizzo wonders how this is helpful to anyone.
In Rizzo’s words, the Browns “will suck again” if Mayfield isn’t the guy.
He said that it took the Browns 20 years to find a guy that could win 11 games.
Finding a new quarterback in NFL Draft is a difficult and time-consuming task.
2. How Hurt Is Mayfield?
Rizzo was bothered by the fact that Mayfield looked as though he could not effectively plant his foot to throw.
He thinks the foot injury that was barely mentioned last week is more significant.
Rizzo also talked about the shoulder and the knee.
He openly wondered if Mayfield can physically play and why the Browns are putting him out there each week.
3. He Won 11 Games Last Year.
Although I still think Tony is a moron, you can really tell he cares about the Browns from this. Baker haters aren't true Browns fans in the slightest and only making the situation worse. The best we've been in over 2 decades and this is how our fanbase acts? We don't deserve it https://t.co/Ep52FcTCvM
— Cory Pierce (@C_Pierce14) November 15, 2021
Rizzo points out that fans are turning against the same guy that won 11 games and a playoff game last year.
He says that Mayfield does need the corresponding pieces around him to make the system work.
Rizzo finds this entire season “sobering” but scolds people who take glee in Mayfield’s failures.
He says they are not Browns fans.
4. Is Mayfield The Man?
The other thing that bothers Rizzo is his own uncertainty as to whether Mayfield is the man for the future of the franchise.
He initially was not a doubter.
Rizzo does not know the answer but is left wondering.
Conclusion
He’s not wrong whatsoever. A true browns fan is like an unconditionally loving mother. No matter what they do you’ll still love em.
— WYZNRD (@Tyler_Patrick90) November 15, 2021
Mayfield has always been a polarizing figure.
Is it the curse of winning the Heisman and being the first overall pick?
It is hard to say.
For the foreseeable future, Mayfield is the quarterback of the Cleveland Browns.
True Browns fans should want the entire team including Mayfield to be at their very best to win games in the second half of the season.
In the offseason, the front office will have difficult decisions to make.
Mayfield has a fifth-year option to play next season with the Browns.
However, GM Andrew Berry is a smart guy so none of us can know what possibly is up his sleeve.
In the meantime, the Browns need to win as many football games as possible going down the stretch.
Though they are a disappointing 5-5, but they are still in the playoff hunt.
This season is not lost…yet.
NEXT: 3 Reasons The Browns Cannot Lose To The Lions
The man is real close to the walking dead. I know he wants to play but if he’s our franchise QB of the future I would be sitting him down now and let him heal. I love the guy because he plays hard and you know he’s tough just because of what he’s playing through now. To me the problem with this team isn’t Mayfield. That should be looking at their defensive strategy because they have the personnel in place. I agree with Garrett because they never adjusted to New England offense
Baker is not the problem…I don’t know if it is our receivers or our scheme, but we seem to get very little separation . patriots go on on one coverage and nobody is open
Baker isn’t the future for the browns. We can love the browns and be against baker. He’s not getting the job done. Rizzo we are suddenly not fans because we don’t think Baker is our guy. I’ve been a fan for 50 years. How much patience are we too have. We have too much talent to be in this position. This is our time. It starts with your quarterback. He’s the captain. He sets the tone for the game. The defense is on the field way to long.
Sorry Bill…. You are clueless! Quit listening to those who get paid to raise their ratings.
Problem #1 is Mayfield.
Problem #2 is Stefancy playing him.
Stefancy can coach, but he’s fearful of cutting Mayfield. A bad coach keeps a bad quarterback out of fear of public backlash. Stefancy needs to cut his losses and begin the search for a good quarterback.
Idiots Browns defense gives up three 90 yard drives and all ESPN etc can do is get on Mayfield
If he is smart he leaves and goes somewhere, where he throws it 35 times instead of 20
Baker isn’t the problem. No Cleveland Brown has given more of himself, worked harder, or played hurt without complaining. There has been allot of questionable play calling on the offensive side this year. The defense has really been the main issue and since we have the capable defensive personnel needed to win regularly, defensive coordinator is where the most adjustments will have to be made. For those of you rooting against Baker, you are rooting against the Brown’s and rooting to SUCK for another 25 years. Shut up. Nobody needs the NFL’s, king of sexual assault, Deshsaun Watson, to replace the great leader and family man we are fortunate enough to have currently heading our Cleveland’s Brown’s. If you are against Baker, you are against the Brown’s, and if you are against the Brown’s, we don’t need, or want, your opinion.
Ops, excuse me for being critical of Mayfield.
It’s my dog’s fault the Browns are such losers.
Bad, Fido, Bad!
Tony lost his job by criticizing the Browns so, perhaps he is snake bitten. I like Baker, but he is not Allen or Lamar Jackson, and he has not been the kind of QB one that can win games coming from behind. I wish he were better and taller. You can’t put the game on his shoulders. And there it is. I also think the same about coach. He condones the DC, he put up with the obj until that exploded, thinks he is smart enough to call plays and coach and now he is going to play a hurt Baker…that is when sometimes players get seriously injured so I would like to see a real coach, not a poser in progress.