Thomas31873

There should be fewer calls overall. I think it's better to err on the side of too few calls than too many. That looked like holding... don't throw a flag unless you saw holding. If you didn't see a grab or a jersey hold let it go, for both teams. The worst part is when they assume a penalty or seem to force calls late in games, it gives the fans reason to suspect something is up. The other team will always say we got a bad call earlier in the game but that isn't the same as getting screwed over at the end of the game. That does determine games. The Panthers didn't play well enough to win. Neither did the Browns, if you let a team back in it by giving up 17 points in three 4th quarter drives to take the lead you should have to earn the win back and not be given anything.

Actually the biggest complaints were his height and reading a defense. Last year there were numerous complaints and rightfully so, he didn't look like himself. He was much worse last year than 2019 in which he was statistically worse but a lot of that was out of his control. Last year things weren't great but while wearing the sling he just lost accuracy. Instead of an occasional high ball he was all over the place. It had to be injury related.

It is easily replaced but it has to be immediate. You'll give a rookie a few years but you expect a vet to fix a broken offense right away. Fair or not.

In 58 starts with the Chargers Brees had a 62.2 completion percentage, 12k yards, 80 TDs and 53 interceptions. In 59 starts for the Browns Baker had a 61.6% completion percentage, 14k yards, 92 TDs and 56 interceptions. They both hurt their shoulders and were sent to the NFL south. That certainly doesn't mean Baker's career will equal Brees, that is unlikely. What it does say is that there isn't any reason to lose faith in Baker being like Brees because the beginning of their careers are almost identical. Well, Bress was replaced with a sex addict that stayed home while Baker was replaced with a sex addict that went after dozens of women who had to try to fight him off.

Same as week 1. Last week it seemed both teams should be run heavy and whichever team that stopped running first would lose. I didn't have much faith in either team being smart. Neither team was. Both teams seemed to come out pass heavy and overall the Browns were 1-1 passing and running though and the Panthers passed 3 times for every run. Panthers were more stupid. I have no idea what the Giants defensive strength is so I don't know the smart game plan this week

His catch percentage went from an awful 50% with the Browns to a bad 56% with the Rams. It wasn't a big turn around. His yards per catch also dropped by more than 2 yards per catch so his percentage should go up. He averaged .6 more catches for the Rams and .6 less yards. He did have a good run in the playoffs, he likes the spotlight. He also had more TDs with the Rams ands that is very important to him. He turned his back on the offense after Njoku caught a TD pass and Baker ran over to him and said he was sorry and to be patient his will come and he just sulked away instead of joining in celebrating with his team mates. He is beloved by most players. An icon. He isn't a good team player. As far as his career drop off, that started after his rookie season. His catch percentage never came close to that again. His ypc fell after his second season. Statistically he has been nothing special since 2015. With enough targets he still puts up numbers but many WRs can do that with enough targets. Good job, 130 targets, 70 catches for 1000 yards.

Are you claiming he had less targets per game with the Rams? He didn't.

It is sorta an old school vs new school. OBJ is about OBJ. Garrett goes over and hugs Lamar after Lamar makes a 1st down to pretty much seal a win. They just don't have the winning is the most important thing mentality. Baker is the opposite. Same with Chubb. Same with Clowney. While Garrett was hugging Lamar and laughing Clowney was pounding his fist in the ground in anger. Difference between Baker and Chubb is Baker is a leader and makes his thoughts known. Chubb doesn't say much ever.

He will need to miss the flight Well for him to get negative yards he will have to tear his ACL on his first carry. He seems like a great guy so no one should hope for that. I would certainly bet the over on Chubb, He averages about the league average ypc after his first contact.

Agree with most of this. Wills is pretty good in the running game but I'd say below average at pass protection, I think this is his make or break year as a LT. He might need moved back to RT (which would work out because this is the last year Conklin is under contract). Conklin struggled a bit before his injury and may or may not be ready for week 1 but he is light years better than Hudson so the Browns will need him to suit up. You're higher on Walker than I am. Delpit hasn't proven much, he is still potential at this time. Johnson is okay, not special. Corners are very good and very deep. Garrett is a beast but ever since he got covid he has worn down quickly, another season may get that out of his system. He also jumps offside a lot and Baker has one of the best hard counts in the league so as long as his lineman don't jump I could see 4 or 5 off sides for the Browns, mostly by Garrett. It will be interesting to see if the Browns end up with more sacks or off sides penalties in this game.

It wasn't a DWI they were just questioning him about an incident that wasn't related to him and he ran. He didn't run far, he was tackled rather quickly. He had been drinking and that hurt his decision making that prompted him to run and his ability to get away. Mostly just funny though, had he not ran they would have just asked if he saw anything and moved on. Instead he picked up a charge.

Odds are the second string RB relies more on the OL than the starter. Odds are CMC breaks a tackle that most backs in the league wouldn't, if that's the difference between a win and punting the ball to the other team it seems like an easy choice. Now there are times to rest your starter. It depends on the time in the game and the score. There is a good chance fresh legs late can be an advantage. Then again, a player can have 40 touches and not get injured and the next game have 6 and get injured so it's really a crap shoot. A lot of luck involved. Certainly fewer opportunities to get injured the better but I don't think you can play scared in this league.

I never cared about the flag planting. It's sorta like TD celebrations, if you don't like it don't let it happen.

Yeah, F the Ravens. I had to go 4 years without a team and just watched my favorite Ohio State players on Sundays like Eddie George and Joey Galloway. I'm in a similar place now not wanting to root for a sexual predator at QB. So I'll root for Baker and Ohio State players when I watch games but I won't watch the Browns games because I don't want to go to a place that I can't turn back from in case I ever get the opportunity to turn back. I think Baker will play well if the offensive scheme is smart. I'm not real confident in that since he hasn't been there long and coaches usually make players adapt to their system and don't adapt their system to suit their QB but I guess we'll see.

I am. I'm taking the season off though so this week is entertaining for me even though I won't be watching the game. I can't watch the Browns and root for them so I'm just not going to watch. So I'm a casual fan this year and just take rooting interest in players like Baker and Hollywood. Then next year I'll see where my head is and go from there. Kinda hoping Watson just goes away somehow and I can get back to normal but it seems unlikely.

It will get easier but it's still a good time to have them on the schedule. They are talented, although they should be susceptible against the run as the DTs aren't special and only JOK is an NFL quality LB. I expect them to play 2 QBs. Dobbs with get a handful of plays in which he will mostly run with the ball. Just a hunch to try to mix things up with a non-starter at QB.

Agree unless you need to run out the clock. If two first downs seal the win that is as important as a game winning score.

Well just give Baker a 5 year 200 million dollar deal now and cut him if he doesn't pan out... If the cap isn't real and all.

I think most will assume he listened to his agent and took the most money offered. Unless he talks about wanting out which isn't realistic, just wouldn't be a smart move.

Franchise tag option is pretty much not possible. However, If Baker starts strong and the franchise feels they can make an informed decision they could attempt to extend him during the season and give him a small base salary for 23. He would have to be willing to discuss an extension which is unknown but if they feel confident they could at least attempt it. Otherwise you pretty much sit back and collect a comp pick. Unless you sign him as a free agent with that same low base salary for 2023 idea.

I said... vsBrowns 45% chance of winning @Giants 55% chance of winning vsSaints 55% chance of winning vsCardinals 40% chance of winning vs49ers 35% chance of winning @Rams 30% chance of winning vsBuccaneers 45% chance of winning @Falcons 55% chance of winning @Bengals 40% chance of winning vsFalcons 60% chance of winning @Ravens 40% chance of winning vsBroncos 45% chance of winning @Seahawks 55% chance of winning vsSteelers 55% chance of winning vsLions 60% chance of winning @Buccaneers 35% chance of winning @Saints 50% chance of winning No real theory with my percentages just my thought as I looked at the matchup. With that being said, if the Panthers win all of the 45% or better games that is 11-6 and what I would predict the ceiling is. If they lose all of the 55% or lower games they would be 2-15 and would be my floor. Realistically they are 8 or 9 wins unless things go great or really bad. Hope that clears it up.

vsBrowns 45% chance of winning @Giants 55% chance of winning vsSaints 55% chance of winning vsCardinals 40% chance of winning vs49ers 35% chance of winning @Rams 30% chance of winning vsBuccaneers 45% chance of winning @Falcons 55% chance of winning @Bengals 40% chance of winning vsFalcons 60% chance of winning @Ravens 40% chance of winning vsBroncos 45% chance of winning @Seahawks 55% chance of winning vsSteelers 55% chance of winning vsLions 60% chance of winning @Buccaneers 35% chance of winning @Saints 50% chance of winning No real theory with my percentages just my thought as I looked at the matchup. With that being said, if the Panthers win all of the 45% or better games that is 11-6 and what I would predict the ceiling is. If they lose all of the 55% or lower games they would be 2-15 and would be my floor. Realistically they are 8 or 9 wins unless things go great or really bad.

Only if you don't draft well at your position. You can draft 15th-18th and get a really good player. Also you can draft #3 and get Sam Darnold.

2004 so not over 20 years but still a good point.

The only way this is a story in any way (besides in the world because Baker is a story for some reason) is if it seen as him calling his shot or guaranteeing a win. Every player (at least those with any passion for the game) go into the game with that same mindset. I'm sure it's pretty much said in every pregame speech. For some reason, Baker equals story. I don't think he ever really did anything wrong while in Cleveland. Yeah he would go back and forth with reporters who trolled him but who cares, sometimes trolls need called out. He told a team mate who demanded to be traded that he didn't matter if he wasn't part of the team. Maybe a little harsh but entirely true. He felt betrayed that his former head coach went to a division rival the same week he was fired, not sure why he cared but I see no issue treating the enemy like the enemy. Obviously some media people and people in general don't like him just because he rubs them the wrong way. I guess it happens and it seems to happen to him significantly more than other players so maybe that's why most of the league is extremely bland and only gives coach speak. Baker is bland with his comments but not quite as much as some so I guess by comparison he may seem like an extreme case. 40 years ago he would be considered a QB introvert.