Is it accurate to say that Baker Mayfield saved the Cleveland Browns from another season of humiliation and despair? Most would say “yes”, and an emphatic “yes” at that. And while it’s been a magical ride watching this former University of Oklahoma walk-on be Cleveland’s knight in shining armor, there’s been some concern over his unconventional style. However, the former Heisman Trophy winner stands firm. Baker Mayfield will stick to his game.
Baker Mayfield Will Stick to His Game, No Matter What
Mayfield works harder than most. He’s also smarter than most. The rookie quarterback plays as if he’s been doing it since birth. His ability to read a defense and climb out of the pocket, plus his accuracy, are impressive. He has earned the admiration of many and a lot of those who are impressed with Mayfield aren’t even Oklahoma or Cleveland fans.
Mayfield Has Exceeded Expectations
As Thomas Moore of Dawgs By Nature says, Mayfield “has done everything asked of him and everything he promised on draft night.” Mayfield has done nothing short of reigniting a fanbase that has had very little to cheer about for the last 20 years, and even less to be excited about in the last two seasons. He was able to pull his teammates right back into focus in the aftermath of what some call the “Hue Jackson disaster.” And no one else in recent Browns history has managed to incite a level of giddy excitement and anticipation that Mayfield did. And he is still doing it.
But Mayfield Is Very Unconventional
The thing is, Mayfield has accomplished all that he has by doing things his way. He works hard and celebrates in kind when his hard work pays off. And no one dared question it until this week. As he told clevelandbrowns.com:
“Everybody is different. I have said it, I am not a cookie-cutter quarterback. Everybody leads a different way. Everybody is competitive in a different way. I am not trying to be anybody else. I have been who I am. That is what has gotten me here, and I am going to continue to do that because I try to improve every week. I have that same mindset. That is why I said a couple of weeks ago that I am not trying to get anybody’s approval. I am trying to win football games and do this for as long as I can. That is the goal. The guys inside of this locker room know that. They know that I would fight for them. They know that I would take a bullet for them. To me, that is what matters. I do not have to make any friends outside of this locker room. I am not trying to do that. Once they are in here, they know exactly what they are going to get. That is what really matters.”
Some Believe Mayfield’s Mentality Arrogant
If anyone else had said this, it would likely be construed as arrogant. But because this came out of the ever-talented Mayfield’s mouth, it is admired and met with approval by almost everyone. Bucky Brooks is one of a few analysts who aren’t so quick to agree.
It’s all fun and games until the tables are turned.. Just hope that No.6 responds well when opponents bark back.. We’ve never applauded any other QB when they’ve talked trash or celebrated like a “skill player”.. It’s just different from the “presidential” QB approach 👇🏽 https://t.co/IL1CCjmyPJ
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) December 26, 2018
Brooks’ thoughts do make sense though. What happens when Mayfield comes up against someone who tells him he’s doing it all wrong? That his attitude is somewhat questionable? Fans may not want to admit it, but Brooks is correct. We’ve never applauded any other smart-mouthed quarterback. Or any player who has openly stared down his former head coach the way Mayfield did to Hue Jackson. Fans everywhere admired Mayfield for making such a bold move.
As Long as The Browns Win
Right now though, this talented quarterback is going to get away with his ‘antics’. He is too entertaining. He goes out on that field and does whatever it takes to help secure a win for his team, and he does it his way. The Browns are better than they’ve been in years because Baker Mayfield makes them better. And that really is all that matters, for now at least.
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