45catfan

One line hit the nail on the head. Baker never had to deal with losing and how he would handle that adversity was an unknown; then that portion of the article goes on to cite Ryan Leaf. Leaf admitted the losing ruined his career; that he couldn't handle those rigors mentally. Pressures from the coaching staff, teammates, fans and media scrutiny...particularly media scrutiny, plagued his mind. Prolonged losing does screw with people's heads and some people, especially if that is something they never had to deal with, scars them permanently. Let's hope Baker chalks his time as a Brown to being in the wrong place...Cleveland and he rebounds nicely.

This would be a perfect scenario, IMO. Mind you, I don't wish injury on anyone, but if it happens...it happens. Baker starts the season, but ends up getting hurt giving way to Sam. Darnold takes over and proves who we all think he is. Darnold gets benched in favor of Corral the last few games. Corral show promise but still needs time. We let Darnold walk in FA, Baker can't get any traction in FA and we re-sign him on like a 2-3 year deal (3rd year voidable) on the cheap (for a starter) and draft a potential QB1 in the 2023 draft. In two years we let Baker walk if he is indeed a JAG and we have two guys waiting in the wings learning from the sideline soaking up the nuances of the game at the NFL level. Best case scenario is we have not 1, not 2, but potentially 3 guys that can be QB1s. At that point the team holds many favorable cards and can retain, trade or get comp picks in FA later down the road. My point, there would actually be options in this scenario and none of them are bad.

I think Baker will play decent this year, decent enough that it will yet again make our offseason QB circus front and center. Darnold is history, that part is easy...he walks unless he's willing to take a huge pay cut and be a backup. Baker, Corral and a loaded 2023 QB class is what this team will be looking at. Unless Baker turns in a MVP type season, I don't think it's wise to hang on to him. In his mind he's still a #1 overall draft pick. Things will get sticky if he turns in an above average season and he's looking for a solid, long-term new deal. My trepidation is we would probably consider it.

Didn't someone in the Texans organization book some of these women for Watson's massage sessions? If so, they were enabling his behavior. To the extent the organization knew how he conducting himself during these massages is the part they probably didn't want out in public. If, and this is a big IF, Watson had these scheduled for him and he was expecting certain things, then the Texans were definitely culpable...even if it was just a few people in the organization that knew.

McCall we be there end of round 1 early round 2. We can get him if we chose to take another stab at QB.

I have gone to camp Wofford for almost two decades, but I think I'll skip this year. I may have a change of heart, but not likely. I bet it pains Tepper to know that it's one of the last remaining strong bonds to Jerry Richardson. I went last year and it was honesty boring.

Ever heard of the name Jeff George? Baker reminds me of him. Dude had tons of talent, but was just a headcase. He literally threw his career away because he couldn't learn to be an adult and a professional. Heck, there is even shades of our own Kerry Collins. I heard of stories of him out late on Saturday nights (early Sunday morning) clubbing in Charlotte before a 1:00 kickoff. If, and this is a BIG IF, Baker takes a long look in the mirror and realizes this season will likely be the make or break year for his NFL career then he should rebound nicely and I predict around .500 for our Panthers. If he insists on maintaining his status as Cleveland Baker, a couple more wins for us over last year, but we let him walk and take a QB in the 2023 draft. Baker ends up as back up at that point until he washes out of the League.

And you all thought the Browns Week 1 match up was coincidence? The same with the Jets last year with Darnold. The schedule makers knew this deal was inevitable.

And yes, the BBQ was off the freaking chain! Enough leftovers for more in a day or two.

Speedy recovery my friend. If it makes you feel any better, my household had it over Christmas and couldn't visit with friends and family.

I got a Boston butt smoking currently. I lit the grill about 9:30 this morning and plan on smoking it until dinner time. Just chilling at the house this year kicking back with a few cold ones. The wife and I had a some invites to places, but we both have to work in the morning. Staying out late drinking and having to drive home--plus having to get up early in the morning nixed those plans. I settled for relaxing at house and having some homemade BBQ sandwiches out of a pork shoulder for dinner instead. Happy 4th!

Probably a better salary, too. It seems like a lateral move to cover an even bigger circus that the Panthers. There had to be a lure. Either better money or he was complete done working at the Observer. If it's the later, that's pretty damning. Again, I doubt people were lining up to be the beat reporter of the Texans.

Oh, I get it's a reflection on the Observer...but how bad does it get where taking a job to cover the Texans is a seen a better career choice? Pretty bad obviously.

I think everyone missed the forest for the trees. Dude is leaving to cover the TEXANS! How big of a poo show do you have to be to take a job to cover the biggest poo show in the entire NFL (okay, maybe second outside of the DC Commandos).

I think my run at training camp will end this year. I've been going every year since 2000 with exception to the Covid seasons. They are seemingly not as intense, shorter duration and overall not as interesting.

But 'Jeans Friday' guys. Am I right? Richardson sold the Panthers to Tepper to what amounts to jaywalking in comparison to what has happen with players and owners since then.

I prepared myself when Rhule wasn't released as soon as last season was over.

Panthers' future, possibly. Rhule's future? Not remotely. Corral starting '22=losing season and Rhule fired.

You are talking about a Shula. There is no Rhule coaching legacy. Granted, Shula's sons never turned out to be like their dad but, they didn't know that in the 90's.

Baker likely gives us ~3 more wins over Darnold's total. Is it worth it? That's the question I think the staff and a lot of us fans are wrestling with.

Exactly. It may seem I'm a Baker fanboy, however I'm just trying to put myself in Matt Rhule's shoes or rather, his hot seat. Even if Baker signs here, he's not the solution beyond this season. My ultimate goal for QB lies in next year's draft. Let that be put on the record amid all this Baker Mayfield discussion.

Again, the one factor you are not considering is does RHULE feel this way? Despite what he says, does he feel he can survive with another losing season? You are playing the long game and Rhule looking at 2022. It's not complicated. If Rhule thinks he HAS to provide a winning product this season, the answer at QB is not on our roster currently. If Rhule is actually playing the long game like he should and is taking Tepper at his word that this is a minimum 5-year rebuild, then we don't need and won't acquire Baker Mayfield.

And if Corral flops like most rookie QBs? It seems you have the assumption that Corral performing adequte-to-decent is a given. History has shown otherwise for rookie QBs, especially 3rd rounders. I like Corral, but I'm going to err on the side of history in this case. Just an aside, this roster is nowhere near the level that Dak Prescott and Russel Wilson found themselves in their rookie seasons.

Rhule is no longer the gatekeeper over this roster. That's not fiction.

Jake was a seasoned veteran. Corral, despite his potential is a rookie QB. Rookie QBs struggle, period. Sure, there a few outliers, but as a general rule of thumb, it's usually a rough road for them. This ALL boils down to how comfortable Rhule will be with another losing season. I have zero argument about the long-term trajectory for this team and how we should handle the QB situation. That's being practical, but again, will Rhule be practical given another losing season is staring him right in the face with Darnold/Corral as QB1 and QB2?