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By Tom Withers
CLEVELAND — Baker Mayfield’s likelihood to alter the narrative — about him, concerning the Browns and about his future — is staring him within the face.
He’s acquired 5 video games to indicate he’s both a franchise quarterback or one other Cleveland miss.
Pushing via a number of accidents for weeks, Mayfield spent the bye week therapeutic up and getting ready himself for a dastardly December stretch of vital video games that can outline this season for the Browns (6-6) — and maybe decide the place he performs the remainder of his NFL profession.
The quarterback, who has lengthy embraced taking part in like a cornered cat, is up towards it.
The stress’s on for him to ship after not doing so but in 2021.
“We have now seen Baker play loads of good soccer right here,” normal supervisor Andrew Berry stated throughout Cleveland’s late and much-welcomed break. “We have now seen Baker play good soccer this season. I do know he’s excited and we’re excited for the chance forward of us. We count on him to play his greatest soccer shifting ahead over the following 5 weeks.”
He’ll should.
What was speculated to be a season during which Mayfield and the Browns took one other step towards a Tremendous Bowl title after making the playoffs and successful a postseason sport a 12 months in the past, has been a step again and dissolved into desperation.
Cleveland can’t afford one other loss or threat lacking the event. And, it’s a tough highway forward with video games towards Baltimore (8-3), Las Vegas (6-5), Inexperienced Bay (9-3), Pittsburgh (5-5-1) and Cincinnati (7-4) — all playoff contenders.
Realistically, the Browns will doubtless want no less than 4 wins to have a shot.
With the give attention to successful, Berry stated the span will reveal far more than Cleveland’s won-loss file.
“The subsequent 5 video games actually present us with a very invaluable alternative,” Berry stated this week. “Oftentimes individuals speak about adversity or challenges actually when it’s handy, however the actuality is it’s actually vital to us as a staff and group as a result of No. 1, you be taught lots about individuals, whether or not it’s on the sector, publicly or privately.
“But additionally, adversity is universally vital for progress.”
Mayfield has had his share of hardship in 2021.
A self-inflicted torn labrum in his shoulder suffered whereas making a sort out in Week 2 worsened when he fractured his humerus bone in Week 6. Mayfield additionally has been taking part in with a banged-up knee and bruised heel, limiting his mobility and making performs together with his ft.
The accidents, nonetheless, don’t excuse the instances he has missed open receivers or did not mount a comeback drive. He’s 1-5 towards groups with successful data, going 0-4 with an opportunity to steer a successful drive.
Most lately, Mayfield couldn’t do something on the finish of Sunday’s 16-10 loss to the Ravens. He couldn’t decide up a primary down on the final possession because the Browns let a sport during which they intercepted Lamar Jackson 4 instances slip away.
Mayfield’s statistics don’t replicate progress in his fourth 12 months. He’s ranked twenty sixth in QBR and has thrown simply 11 TD passes, placing him twenty fourth within the league.
Cleveland’s passing assault, so explosive and unpredictable final 12 months, has been a dud. Positive, there are extenuating circumstances, however a lot of the blame has to land on Mayfield, who triggers each play.
Making performs and elevating the extent of your teammates is a part of a franchise QB’s job description.
Berry was fast to level out that there’s extra going flawed than simply Mayfield. It’s concerning the play name, safety, receivers working right routes, not dropping balls, all of it.
“We have now simply not been constant sufficient within the passing sport,” Berry stated. “I need to be clear right here. That isn’t essentially a one-player or a one-person drawback.”
True, however the Browns’ most vital individual is Mayfield.
The 26-year-old as soon as appeared assured of getting a long-term extension from Cleveland, however that appears as unsure because the staff’s playoff probabilities. The Browns did train his $18.9 million fifth-year choice for 2022.
Berry wouldn’t draw a direct line between Mayfield’s erratic play and a future pay day.
“There are loads of gamers throughout the league which are in comparable boats, whether or not they’re free brokers or extension eligible,” he stated. “It comes with the territory by way of being knowledgeable athlete, however I do know this: Baker is each bodily and mentally resilient, and he’s hyper-focused on successful and controlling the offense’s play shifting ahead.”
Whether or not the Browns transfer ahead with Mayfield as their starter might hinge on how he finishes this season.
Berry insists Mayfield doesn’t should show something to him over the following month, however it positive feels that means.
“I don’t know if it’s a lot about exhibiting me something,’ Berry stated. “Actually, our focus is on successful video games and taking part in at a excessive sufficient degree that enables us to be in a powerful spot in December.
“Baker has proven lots over the previous three-plus seasons, so I don’t essentially subscribe to this notion that there’s one thing in these subsequent 5 video games that’s of explicit focus, so to talk.”
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