2022 NFL kickoff is 11 days away (for Browns, 8 technically, TNF) and amongst all the story lines one intrigues not just the North Coast but also the Mid-Atlantic, and nation; with the showdown between the visiting Cleveland Browns and former Browns starter, Baker Mayfield, placed at the con for the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America stadium, 1pm. The former 1st overall beat out pick 3 that year, Sam Darnold, for the starting job days ago. Not like the Hard Knocks episode where Hue Jackson awarded the back-up roll to Baker, like it was some kind of dubious honor, earned. He showed he was the superior talent with a chip on his shoulder by lighting up the last preseason contest with gamesmanship and banging with the defense; distributing Steve Smith like qualities against scrubs like he’s supposed to. So why did Jimmy Haslam, Andrew Berry, and Kevin Stefanski decide to divorce him; and “for that guy,” in a messy public relations nightmare?
Before we bash a young man under 30yrs old, let us praise his accomplishment. Too me, as a Browns fan, the #1 pick was worth our first playoff win, as time lapsed thousands of grey lakeshore days, numb, I was; until he planted that Browns flag at Heinz Field for 3TD’s, 263 yards passing, and no interceptions, for 60% completion, 21 of 34. His Thursday Night Football debut was that out of an epic, a savior showed off he was “Philly Special.” After he was drafted he engaged with the locals and slammed a beer at the Jake, ordaining him a blue collar Clevelander. Was Mayfield #1 pick worthy, what we’ve seen, I’d say no. But, remember, he had 4 coaches! (If you count Kitchens)
After watching every Baker, Baker, the touchdown-maker, game, I’ve come to the conclusion that head coach, Kevin Stefanski, and #6, were and our enemies. I’m not sure how GM, Andrew Berry, feels; he is smart, poised, and solid in-front of the media. I want to believe in him. But Kevin, C’mon Man, passing on first down again when Baker has a torn shoulder, under center, not his sweet shotgun, when we have two of the top ten RB’s, and the best offensive line? And, secondly, Mayfield showed up to lead, his job, it was Kevin’s job to sit him. Mr. Stefanski knows that back-up, Case Keenum, took the Vikings to a 13-3, 2017 season and NFC Championship; remember the Diggs miracle catch? Kevin was the quarterback’s coach of the purple and gold in 2017. For whatever reason, the “adult” comment feels like it came from him. Why? He’s never shown emotion for Baker, or really at all. He’s harder to read than owner Jimmy Haslam and that’s my educated and gut guess.
I don’t have a problem with the organization wanting an upgrade at quarterback, in all honesty there are better QB’s in the league than the Big BM, but he’s fucking Cleveland! The student, kid, was a walk-on at two of the biggest college programs in the nation and took the starting job through his grit, energy, attitude, and belief. But The Land, C-Town, will humble the hardest “thuggish ruggish” Bone, ask LeBron. This timeline, today, sparks nostalgia of when the “King” went to the Heat. Although Baker was publicly shun, unlike James until the “decision,” adding fire to a Heisman Trophy winner’s next episode, a normal competitor, unlikely; this game feels dangerous. Four years in “The Land,” he thought was insured, (Flow, I need a refill) now, it’s forced upon him, revenge. He doesn’t require a “Big 3,” just that the pressure is “Hot” enough, because he’s dealt with too much cold.
Kevin Stefanski not only doubled down on Baker’s exit with the acquisition of troubled star QB Deshaun Watson, he tripled it on Jacory Brisket, back-up QB, and journeyman for the 11 game suspension, (wow 11 again) on a team that is ready to roll. Even though the buck stops with the Haslam’s, Kevin will be the scapegoat if this season is a disaster. For being the plainest, vanilla, Bill Belichick like coach, Stefanski, is betting like he’s on the Chicago Black-Sox. How’d that turn out?
Mayfield embattles Pete Rose, taking a $3.5 million pay cut but betting on him-self, incentives, to be reborn in the South, with one of the last expansion teams of the NFL, 1995 Carolina Panthers; the only team who wanted him. He’s reunited with Browns rookie roommate. WR, Rashard Higgins, 8 TD’s caught for the Orange and Brown from QB1, #6, now a Panther adds some Creole to the Q for a nice dry rub. Sure, the Panthers were ranked last of 32 teams in the league from ESPN analyst’s but let’s not forget Christian McCaffrey. He occupies a podium in the FBS, bred, chiseled, known, and acknowledged as single season all-purpose yards leader, 3,864. Now that I reside in NC, I tell my Panther blue kin that you’re receiver’s core doesn’t have a true #1. Last year Robbie and D.J., the go to guys for Carolina, had 9, yes, 9, touchdowns caught between them! What, one, every other game, which leads to McCaffrey carrying too much and hurt. Can Baker, “Sooner” than later, lead for a team without a Cam?
Baker denies the, “I’m going to fuck-up the Browns” comment but true Clevelander’s know that’s what we’d say! Although, I know he rides with the Dawg Pound, and it isn’t a FU towards us but one to the front office, the powers that be. Part of me wants him to wax that ass but what happens when they can’t double team Garret, #1 pick before Baker, Clowney, #1 pick, for a the Texans, (more synchronicity) and he coughs the ball up? I read he is either throwing 4TD’s and 350 yards or 2 INT’s with 1 TD with 176 yards passing.
Sunday, on the 11th of September, we are reminded of the worst attack against the Free World by terrorists, uniting us in a United States. This test, contest, matchup, football game, will be war against brothers fighting to wrong rights among like-minded neighbors, (old teammates) there will be dirty play, shit talking, fights, and moxie, “here’s the fastball, can you hit it?” The 184 million NFL fans will indulge in tailgates of Kingsford lit, DK n ESPN fantasy lineups set, parlay bets placed, and day drinking causing emotional outbursts for our representatives diluting the commercialization of something so precious, it purely pierces us, we scream “Baker,” at a ten towards the flat screen, pass goes tall. But the satisfaction for our ball club yields an emotional high, (reminds me of sober gambling) “one more Monday walking tall.” This should emphasize we all need a release but after the slug fest and Romanesque competition that is NFL football, Baker will always be a Brown to start, and I hope I can speak for Cleveland, and say; we loved and love you! After the game that is, that D, Dawg Pound, is underrated. Who can forget the free Bud Light? It takes a weighted and laden BM to free Browns fans from heartburn, digestion, and double ply Angel Soft. Some BM’s stain, then you beat the Steeler’s. It’s like indulging in bidet. We all deserve a fresh start. Godspeed!
