Baker Mayfield: Thanks To Stellar Debut, Rookie QB Making It Hard For Browns Fans To Curb Their Enthusiasm Author : Robert D. Cobb Forgive me for going against the universal refrain of it just being preseason, but the Cleveland Browns May have finally struck gold in Baker Mayfield. Thanks to going 11/20 for 212 yards and two touchdowns, Mayfield showed that he may be the future franchise QB the long-suffering Browns--and their fans--have been searching for. It's only preseason. In two quarters of work, Mayfield displayed uncanny poise, pocket presence, accuracy and touch as well as decision-making that validated Cleveland universally lambasted pick of the former Oklahoma Sooner and Heisman Trophy winner. It's only preseason. 1 / 2 All throughout training camp, reports coming out of Berea were that displayed a lot of the traits such as going thru his progressions quickly, sharp decision-making and leadership that helped him go from being a walk-on and transfer from Texas Tech to starting quarterback at one of college football's most storied programs in Norman and winning its most prestigious individual award. It's only preseason. Going into the draft, many--including me--honestly thought that Cleveland would gamble on the likes of Josh Allen or Rosen, Sam Darnold or even RB Saqoun Barkley. Many Browns fans--who are also a large majority are also Ohio State fans--were still collectively butthurt of his so-called immature action of planting a Sooner flag in the middle of The Shoe after Oklahoma's upset win over Ohio State last fall. Many called him the second coming of Johnny Manziel, due to his off the field incidents and crotch-grabbing incident vs. Kansas. Many also decided to prejudge him based on that as well as his height and stature, despite being two inches taller at 6'1 and stockier with a better arm, pocket mobility and accuracy. Did any of them see Johnny Diasaster's ferrago of a debut for Montreal? Yeah. That's what I thought. Let's get one thing clear: Mayfield is NOT Manziel 2.0, nor any where close. Mayfield has a better football IQ, arm talent and most importantly from what has been seen and reported, leadership and drive to succeed. Yes, Mayfield did a lot of his damage against future Walmart stockers and security guards etc, but based on the eye test. Mayfield passed with flying colors. Then again, it's only preseason, right? 2 / 2 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org).