Will the partnership of Kevin Stefanski and Baker Mayfield extend, or does it hinge on the final five games? (NFL.com)
#HeyTony: What is Baker Mayfield’s future with the Browns?
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Hey Tony: What do you think the Browns should do at QB for the future? Baker [Mayfield] is the best we’ve had by far and I don’t see a way to improve the position immediately. Thoughts?
-- Chris, Cincinnati, OH
Hey Chris: Unlike GM Andrew Berry, I do think the final five games will write a significant chapter in the book about Mayfield as Browns quarterback. Five great games puts the Browns in the playoffs and probably secures a second contract for Mayfield. Five bad games does the opposite. The question is what does a 3-2 or 2-3 finish do? I staunchly believe this: Mayfield’s future should not overshadow the team’s pursuit of the playoffs. Thus, I reserve my thoughts until the playoff issue is resolved. I will say this: Veteran quarterbacks are changing teams at a greater rate than ever. There will be plenty more movement in 2022.
Hey Tony: I love #6 and want him to succeed. But I'm concerned in that the game hasn't “slowed down” for him. He still seems jittery, indecisive, and panicky in the pocket. He's no rook. What's holding up his development there? He seems to work hard enough.
-- Bernie, San Diego, CA
Hey Bernie: When defenses take away Mayfield’s play-action passing game – either by selling out to stop the run (or the Browns voluntarily giving up on it) or scheming to keep him from rolling out – he has to win from the pocket. He’s simply not as good seeing the field and throwing with accuracy from the pocket. Injuries to the tackles, dropped balls, etc., add to the overall ineffectiveness.
Hey Tony: When it comes to Baker’s contract, why does it have to be 35 million+ or find a new QB? This is a forward thinking FO. Why can’t they figure out a creative contract that’s appropriate for the level of QB he is?
-- Chris, Columbus, OH
Hey Chris: I’m sure they could. However, the other side has to agree with that “appropriate level.”
Hey Tony: Do you anticipate an extension for Baker coming any time before the end of the season? Any reason or motivation to do it before the off-season?
-- Dustin, Columbus, OH
Hey Dustin: That ship sailed and was last seen entering the Bermuda Triangle.
Hey Tony: I know all of the AFC North teams are .500 or better, but do you really see this division as one of the best in football? Something about this year seems different than years past.
-- Leonard, Troy, OH
Hey Leonard: All teams this year have been adversely affected by players not available for games – and for PRACTICE – because of rampant soft-tissue injuries and COVID-19 protocols. As a result, teams are dipping deeper into their practice squads for every game and every practice. It’s become a league of 69-player rosters instead of one of 53-player rosters. Nobody has a great 69-player roster. Injuries water down every team’s roster and level the playing field. No team is great this year and the overwhelming are average.
Hey Tony: Do you think we will ever see an XFL-style eye in the sky official? With legal gambling becoming more prevalent it would only make sense for the NFL to do it to protect themselves against any future possible lawsuits over blown calls.
-- Jacob, Parma, OH
Hey Jacob: Good call. Legalized gambling – especially legalized in-game gambling – will require the NFL to do everything possible to reduce blown calls. The eye in the sky official is long overdue. It’s not the total answer, but it would help.
Hey Tony: Kurt Warner did a detailed play by play analysis of the Baltimore game and concluded that most of the problems were nor Baker's fault. Do you concur that route running, protections, and such, point to a bigger problem with the offense?
-- John, Mayfield Heights, OH
Hey John: I was confused by Warner’s analysis. He seemed to be addressing the social media comments of Kareem Hunt Sr. Yet he pointed out some of Mayfield’s inaccuracies, didn’t address the Baltimore dropped interceptions, and didn’t analyze the second half at all. I didn’t think he was all that effective in absolving Mayfield of blame.
Hey Tony: Was OBJ right? Back to back games with TD receptions while Baker flounders?
-- Steve, Seville, OH
Hey Steve: OBJ is going to have his highlight plays every now and then. I think the Browns did the right thing.
Hey Tony: You said before the Baltimore game JOK hasn’t made a play all year you still think that?
-- Jeff, Erie, PA
Hey Jeff: Yes, JOK had a great game in Baltimore and made more plays than he had all year. I actually like him a lot. What I don’t like is the over-hyping of him. But that’s not his fault.
Hey Tony: With [Jack] Conklin injury, [Jedrick] Wills and [Blake] Hance mediocre play it’s obvious the tackles have to be addressed on Offense. How do the Browns address this issue?
- Ken, Berea, OH
Hey Ken: You’re forgetting perhaps the most damaging injury – to sixth man Chris Hubbard. The Browns decided to bring Hubbard back at the age of 30 despite a major knee injury late in the 2020 season. I understand it – Hubbard was a popular teammate, a hard-working guy and a competent sixth man. When he suffered a season-ending triceps injury in October, it thrust Hance into the role of sixth man. He had no experience at tackle. No team has seven real good offensive linemen. Adding to Hubbard’s loss was the slow development of rookie lineman James Hudson. So, like most strong units throughout the league, attrition caught up with the Browns’ offensive line. How do they address it? They have to find another Hubbard – a good veteran lineman capable of filling in at guard and tackle – and continue to develop Hance, Hudson and Michael Dunn.
