No need to go over all the new players and the new system yet again (you're welcome), but Chris dug a little deeper into what Baker himself did wrong and needs to fix.
Citing a number of in-depth PFF stats, Chris illustrates how Mayfield sometimes caused pressure on himself by moving the wrong was (often prematurely). I don't think Chris mentioned it, but Mayfield also held the ball too long too often.
And yes, he was inaccurate on short and intermediate passes---but is still deadly throwing deep.
Certainly, John Dorsey Freddie Kitchens' 2019 offense was a bad fit for Mayfied, but it seemed to have gotten into his head. He took so many hits and sacks early that he started imagining pressure when it wasn't there (and taking his eyes off the secondary).
As I have told you, he also fixated on OBJ in a way he never fixated on any other receiver, and seemed to lose track of his 2nd and 3rd options sometimes.
Trepasso expects the changes around Mayfield and his normal development to have him playing "a little" better than he did in his rookie season (which would be pretty damn good!)
I personally expect a Kirk Cousins-like year out of Mayfield, which it seems clear that Chris does not ("marginal athleticism at best"?)
2019 Vikings O vs 2020 Browns O:
WR is the same (except different): Similar talent level, but Stephon Diggs was taller and a bigger target.
TE is similar too.
RB is different: Dalvin Cook is a bit smaller than our guys, and there was only one of him. He's a little quicker and faster.
Overall, the skill positions are actually a little better with the Browns, as Kareem Hunt is training with the wide receivers.
Kevin Stefanski will have more options with this group, as he can move Hunt around use more 2-back and 3-TE personnel groups than he could with the '19 Vikings.
Those who keep hammering at a lack of WR depth ignore Hunt in that role (not to mention Higgins and Peoples-Jones, and the fact that they don't NEED more depth there oh fk I give up screw it).
I also think that by the 2nd half of 2020, the Browns' Offensive Line will be better than the '19 Vikings.
Mayfield vs Cousins:
Kirk Cousins is bigger and taller. Mayfield is more athletic (Hey Chris is Mahomes like..."slightly" athletic? Is Jackson "above average" maybe but I digress):
Both can throw on the move.
Cousins is a true West Coast Quarterback. He gets the ball out on-time and excels on crossing patterns. He's a little more accurate and has better touch than Mayfied on those throws (so far).
Mayfield has a stronger arm and better accuracy intermediate and deep and on vertical throws.
I need to mention here that Tight End "seam" routes are verticals, and Baker can probably use Tight Ends better than Kirk.
The Browns can probably run even more than the Vikings did. Hunt and Chubb can block for eachother (and are proud to do it), and are harder to take down than Cook.
The '20 Browns will probably use more runs (and dump-offs) and fewer short slants and crosses. Probably more misdirection as well.
Right now, it looks like Baker Mayfield will throw 5% or so fewer passes than Cousins, but should have more yards per-completion (and attempt) and more TDs.
But he's stuck in the same Division with the Steelers and Ravens (and don't sleep on Burrows' revamped Bengals offense either), so there could be some "shootouts", and Baker could top Kirk's stellar 2019 season.
I wish the Browns could extend and keep Kareem Hunt.
I understand the math: Nick Chubb is a beast himself, and no team can afford to keep 2 elite running backs under the cap.
Kareem won't be the "big dog" here, but if he catches 60 or so passes for 600 or so yards and takes 200 or so carries for another thousand, he ought to become the highest paid RB in the NFL.
But, you remember Ebineezer Belle? He did what Hunt and Cook do, and that's why he got so greedy and lost his damn mind: He wanted to get paid like a Wide Receiver.
You have to take his demands seriously, because he did line up at WR and produce there. But he was still mainly a running back and trying to bankrupt his team.
Amyway, can we reconsider keeping Hunt and Chubb longer-term?
I mean, look at this Hunt is training with the Wide Receivers; he's already going to be the third WR and will play there more if Landry or OBJ go down. When I said "60 or so passes for 600 or so yards", you didn't even blink.
Christian McCaffrey signed a record-setting 3-year deal averaging around 17 mil/year.
Julio Jones is the highest paid WR at 22 mil/year.
Obviously, Hunt isn't Jones, but he's...well...he could be like Jarvis Landry, or at least a good #2 or sweet slot guy.
You PAY him as merely just a running back, but you really secure several positions, and he's playing WR at a discount.
Stefanski gets to keep his super-backfield and 2-back offense, so (except for a deep threat X) he doesn't have to worry about WR. As it is, Stefanski will struggle to use more than ONE true WR! He'll have to bench one of the RBs, or a TE to do it!
I know that a Hunt/Chubb backfield beyond 2020 is impossible.
I just don't know why.
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