If I hear another talking head say "game manager" I may hurl.

What are all quarterbacks? Game Managers. That's the job description. Distribute the ball. Nobody is Johnny Unitas calling their own game.

The game is scripted. Plays are drawn up each week for each opponent.

I am not going to go all out on stats. However, there is enough out there to make a good case that Baker was damn near as good as anybody after Thanksgiving.

Yet again as a new season approaches what is the narrative? Baker has to be a game manager and not turn the ball over. From Nov.1st through the post season Baker threw 15 TD's 2 int's.

When Stafanski and AVP drew up the Browns offense is was based upon the run game and play action.

This year there will be changes but they will built upon last season.

Anyone who doubts Baker's ability to throw the ball anywhere on the field accurately may be eating crow.

I for one expect Baker to shine this year. In fact, IMO he will be in the running for MVP.

Baker can spin it. In college he was super accurate. This year under the same coaches and system and with covid fading out; no limit.

First we have the OL. Without that no quaterback looks good. Then we have Chubb/Hunt. That has become a real word Chubbhunt. The best duo in the NFL. Then look at the depth of catching TE's. Then add our receivers. Jarvis and Odell are pro bowl talents and we have good depth.

The other thing to keep in mind is Kevin and AVP. This will be their second year together. They will be able to find the groove early.

Baker has had fan and media MRI's since he came into the league. Opinions about him are all over the place. And frankly they mean little to me.

My goal is to win games. IMO Baker has become the leader of the team and winning games is king.

I have no idea how the stats will go in the end but I believe the team will win a lot of games.

Let the bobbleheads bobble. What they say has absolutely zero effect on anything, and when they say stupid things like this, they'll just have to backtrack and eat crow later. Win-Win.

Being disrespected is only further cause for motivation. I consider that a good thing. I have seen far too many times what happens when a team gets hyped and buys into it. No thanks.

I agree. I feel the same when people say "he is a system player".

LOL....all players play in some system.

Peyton Manning would have sucked running a heavy dose of option calls.

The NFL today is fish bowl. 24/7/365.

Anything to talk about will be a topic - endlessly.

The coverage of the NFL is out of this world. I mean they made a media even about the schedule. Really. Not just here is and post it. Wall to wall coverage.

Baker is a good quarterback in a great position with a good team and good coaches.

All that is left for this year is to go out there and do it.

Kevin Stefanski and the entire staff are fully motivated to succeed. I have no doubt that every bit of work that can be done; will be done.

There is that part of me though that really wants to rub it in some faces. I loved Ali trash talking because he backed it up.

Not news that the NFL is a passing league and as such, passing the ball is glorified as the ultimate measure of a QB. In year one of the Stefanski offense Baker was not expected to or asked to air out the ball to win games. Instead, the Browns took a contrarian approach and made the run game the foundation and identity of the team. Anyone with an eye for the game could see that this allowed Baker to grow as a passer without carrying to load of offensively. Over the course of the season, his production in the pocket grew more evident. There were times that he was able to exert his will on opposing defenses with the air attack. I think the offense will continue to expand this season. I don't expect the team to abandon its foundation of the wide zone. I do think the team will use a more varied passing attack. I expect Baker to be more efficient. I don't think his numbers will be gaudy. I do think his completion percentage will increase, his passer rating will increase and the win total to increase.

After that, let the haters hate.

I agree.

The goal is to win games. Within that goal is the how to.

The Browns best method is to maximise the talent. When you have the players we have. You have to get them the ball. Not using the strength of Cubbhunt would be sinful.

We have the line to get those yards and the backs.

Our passing attack includes the backs and the TE's. We have the ability to attack any teams weakness with our strength.

That is what formulates the game plans.

We will do what will work best.

I can understand a bit of disrespect because of the team's history. However, there is disrespect, and then there the crap that Cowherd spews.

He has taken it on a personal level to belittle Baker every chance he gets, and many of his criticisms are vague and obviously made up.

The best thing to do with the disrespect is use it as motivation. I am looking forward to this season but am always cautious of a letdown.

I wonder what Rodney Dangerfield thinks.

Actually I wonder if the Vikings, with Kirk Cousins are going to improve on their 7-9 record from last year, or remain the same, or have a worse record, I'm leaning toward improve.

He's thinking "Why's all this dirt on top of me!"

Rodney was left wondering when he told his Dr., Dr. Vinny Boombatz, he had swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills and didn't know what to do. Dr. Boombatz told him to have 2-3 stiff drinks and go get some rest.

Well then, just load the box and stop our vaunted running game. I.Dare.You.

I went to see the surgeon general. He offered me a smoke.

"I know my wife cheats on me;
every time I come home the parrot says "quick out the door."

I feel like I see this every year. When the NFL lets us win a Super Bowl we will get "respect" from the talking heads until we start losing again. They're not actually using their brains, they just repeat obvious statemens and what everyone else is saying.

People have to realize that they don't talk about you, period, unless they are either building you up bigger than you are or beating you down.

Their purpose isn't to be fair, or accurate, or meaningful... it's to generate buzz, excitement, and ratings -- for themselves, not the NFL. They say and do what they say and do to keep you tuning in again next time. Their only interest is self-interest and as such, what they say has little to no real value.

Precisely.

That is why I never listen to people like Cowherd.

I don't mind listening to a discussion regarding a sports topic. Because it is just various opinions.

News. I quit entirely because there is little to none actual reporting of the news. It is forced pre-canned dialog backed by network allegiance and funding.

Precisely - and it is all media whether "news" - entertainment - sport ... I have been using the same expression for 2 decades: Contrived Controversy.

Exactly, the talking heads have to earn their money, have to create stuff.
No Respect- I hope we keep the clock running, shorten games, and if Chub/Hunt score TDs so be it. I'm hoping our LT makes a leap and plays like our RT, WOW, then it's good night Irene. Go Browns

It seems you've got it all figured out,it makes one wonder why you started this thread with all the whining about getting no respect.

The reason is that on NFL network and NFL Live it seems that every time Baker name comes up. The narrative is that the Browns are loaded in talent.

Then the comments go to well Baker needs to step up. Or, Baker just needs to be a game manager.

He did step up. And really all quarterbacks are game managers.

Mike Tannenbaum made the comment that Baker's skills "were replaceable."

Really? Like what counts is how far you can throw the ball or, if you can run like Lamar.

Well there is much more to being a franchise quarterback than that.

No respect is about the common misconception about Baker.

IMO he can be as good a quaterback in the NFL as Drew Brees was.

His career is in front of him. And his skill set can win a Super Bowl.

Mahomes has unique abilities. There is no disputing that.

Outside of Mahomes. If a quaterback can win a Super Bowl.
Nothing else matters.

JMHO, if Trent Dilfer can win a Super Bowl almost any QB can. I'm just amazed a guy like Kurt Warner, bagging groceries, existed and wasn't found thru the process. Go Browns!!!

My current favorite narrative is that Baker isn't "Clutch" enough for the NFL. Specifically because of the 3 and out that happened against the Chiefs.

Nevermind the fact that he's one of those guys where if adversity came his way. He'd stare right back

Honestly in the Chiefs game when we got the int. in the endzone. I thought we would win the game.

However, lot of things go into a series and the success of a single play.

It is not always accurate to blame the quarterback and make a statement like "he is not clutch enough."

That is not to say that Baker is or is not clutch.

I think time will tell. You have to have the opportunities and then look at each case separately.

Speaking of the Chiefs:

j/c:

Seems like a decent amount of KC starters in that brief clip.