DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Vets Talk to Baker

Just wondering,, has anyone actually confirmed that the Vets talked to Baker about this?

I mean, I don't want to read the entire thread so if it's in there, can someone point it out to me.... Thanks in advance

Only if you consider hearsay from one of Silver's unnamed sources as confirmation. Some folks around here get upset if you question it, though.

Confirmation is that a reputable reporter stated it and nobody disputed it. Mike Silver did himself no favors when he used tricky language in the story by saying "one of the vets may have been Jarvis Landry", and Landry, when asked, said he had no discussion with Baker. I don't think any of that changes the facts as reported.

You'll seldom have confirmation of stories like this, that would require a player or coach to go on record... not gonna happen. The problem with today's media is that we as fans have no idea who is telling the truth. Mike Silver has no history of throwing crap at a wall to see if it sticks, he's usually pretty fair in reporting whether something is fact or hearsay.

Beyond that, I've reached a point where I just judge the media on whether I think what is being reported is believable. I think it would be somewhat absurd to assume that veterans didn't talk to Baker. He pushed an envelope, he's a rookie, and there are plenty of vets to speak up and share experience and point out consequences. I'd be more concerned if they didn't say something.

Sometimes it's just ambiguous language that tells the real story - reading between the lines. In the story (I keep saying "his story", but any printed version was actually a transcript from an interview) about the incident we read this:
"While Silver says that Mayfield “may not have agreed” with what the veterans said, their viewpoints have been heard."
Kind of makes it sound like there was disagreement but the vets shut him up (maybe it's just me).

In his original tweet pimping the story he says this:
"As I just stated on @nflnetwork: According to multiple sources, several veteran Browns players approached Baker Mayfield in the locker room after the young QB's critical comments about RB Duke Johnson to register their displeasure, and they hashed out their differences."

Somehow, no transcripts ever included his statement that they "hashed out their differences". I guess that statement provides too much closure and wouldn't feed the rumor mill very well.

You're saying that Duke called his own PC and told the world that he wanted traded and then the reporters questioned him?

A better question would be: If the vets did not talk to Baker, why the hell not?

He was out of bounds on his remarks. I get that isn't how some of our board members see it, but multiple former players have come out and said Baker was wrong to say what he did.

I don't think the vets got on Baker's case. I don't think there was any animosity. I just think they gave him a "heads-up" about keeping those type of things "in-house" and out of the media.

I don't care if they talked to him or not, or what they talked about. I only care that all things are good with everyone moving forward.

8 Days.
Only 8 more days and it is time to Do Work. The silly offseason is coming to a close and the real, tangible work begins.

It's not so much the things Baker says or does that makes me upset. It's the interpretation of his words and actions. It's a fact that Baker said things, but the interpretation of what he said is different across the board. And some will take their interpretation as fact.

I don't know Baker, but what I keep hearing as the interpretation for what he said I don't believe to be true. As I read his words, all he said was join us or...don't. It doesn't matter because although you're a good player, one player isn't going to hold us back from winning and we're going to win.

In all honesty, I see the part about questioning Duke's career, but Duke made it known he wanted out. Imagine someone on your team saying he wanted to go play for someone else...

I don't think Baker's words were meant in the manner people are taking them. Therefore I don't think he really cares what we think and he'd probably say the same thing again.

Is there a documented apology from Baker on this matter? If the vets talked to him and let him know what he did was wrong, wouldn't you think he'd make a public apology? If there is an apology, then I apologize because I haven't seen it.

I'm sure these are the incidents that have fueled Baker since he was born.

Baker is the future, the heart, and the soul of this team. I hope some are able to stomach that...

I think everyone is happy Baker is here. We've needed a great QB for a very long time.

Just because some of us hopes he matures to the level that he doesn't make such comments about the career decisions of other players is no reason for you to have a melt down.

Like I said. I know some who are not happy he's here and still wish we had drafted someone else.

I also think the term is PC, not mature. I understand the desire to have your quarterback say "nice" things. I want our team to be the most hated team in the NFL because we win. And it's not necessarily about revenge and being vindictive, it's more like "Hi, remember me?"

Baker is 23. He made a comment he shouldn't have made, I think we can all agree on that. I believe he was attempting to show leadership by identifying that no one player is bigger than the team or should be a distraction. It backfired and I'm sure he would tell you he shouldn't of said it if you asked him behind closed doors.

He is firery and ultra competitive and I love that about him but you are going to get issues similar to this from time to time with people who are wired the way he is.

I'm not a homer but I think he is destined for greatness.

We want the exact same thing. We just see his comments differently. It's really not that big of a deal to me. And I don't see it as a PC thing.

Players just don't comment about other players negotiations and careers. That's all. That's just the way it is around the league and the NFLPA expects players to support each other in negotiations. The players are more like a brotherhood.

But like I said, looking at it big picture it isn't a big deal. It's just something I'm pretty sure that other players pointed out to him and something I hope he has learned from.

I know you may see that as a bad way to look at it. But it's really not. I was his age at one time. I'm fully aware that I didn't often think big picture before I said things. It's all a part of the maturation process.

That's not knocking him per say but pointing out that when considering his age and time in the league, it's something that can be expected.

Hasn't this topic run its natural course by now?

And u accuse me of mis-representing u ... i couldn’t look in my mirror EVER if i pulled the crap u did ...

Vers don’t like him but he’s thrilled he’s here ... you prove what a joke u are when u post things like that ...

We can read ya know ... *L* ...

U new to the board ...

I hope y'all find that funny rather than insulting. It's meant to be humorous.

I don't think he was taking about Vers.

But you guys are sure quick to run to each other's defense.

You guys remind me of that movie Last Vegas...without, you know, being famous and successful.

LOL

Who do u think he was talking about? ..

I defend anyone against BS like device posts ... i’d Defend device against the crap he pulls ...

The fact u don’t think he was talking about Vers tells me your not on enough to really know .. that’s CLEARLY who he was talking about ...

Now get back in your own lane .... wherever the heck that is ... *LOL* ..

It's on the I15.

Well, to be fair to Rish and his comments..............look at all the other posters who have been talking negatively about Baker in the recent history of this thread. LOL

Also, to be even more fair..........think about how those guys never gang up on another poster. I mean....they never do it. It's just you, Pit, and I who are guilty of it.

Yes.

Their main concern is to find a post of mine and jump all over it.

Seriously, search for one of my posts where one of them hasn't responded with a personal insult. Doubt you'll find one.

Yeesh.

I honestly have better things to do than come here and post about you.

Stop being so vain. You're the trolls. Not me. Ask anyone (beside yourselves).

Also, for the record, Vers has never said he wishes we had drafted someone else, at least since the 2018 season. I challenge you to find a post where he says this... or did you just make that up?

Vers doesn't like the guy's character but he has hope that he's the guy and so far he likes what he sees from him.

That's the gist. But it's amazing what you'll make up to try to slander someone's name.

By the way, how do you look in that mirror?

When Diam looks in a mirror he looks like a Picasso cubism figure because all mirrors crack when he looks at them.

Ok ... who were u reffering too then? ...

Vers has been by far the biggest critic of Bake’s behavior and even said once when pushed he didn’t like him ...

Its BLATANTLY CLEAR who u were referring too with that statement ...

Pretending u were referring to someone else is mind boggling to me ...

U can go ahead and get the last lie in ... i’m out ...

Just to be clear for other readers who have been reading this exchange.

I do not like Baker's character. I never have. I didn't like it while he was in college and I'm not going to change those feelings just because he is on my team. I have also never tried to hide my feelings about how he handles himself. Thus, I find it surprising when posters say "you don't like Baker, ...." LOL, that is not some sort of revelation.

My perceptions of his character are my opinions and I don't expect others to agree w/them. I'm okay if others think he is a great guy. What I don't like is when posters attack my character for expressing my opinions on the subject.

As a player, I was not high on Baker in college. I was wrong. I have admitted that multiple times. I think he had a fantastic rookie season and he played far better than I ever expected. Did I say I was wrong, yet? If not, I was wrong.

I PMed bonefish during the season and said something like "Isn't nice not to have to worry about drafting a qb this year?" I said that before that kind of talk became the norm on the board. I also am fairly confident that he is going to continue to improve and be a good qb in this league. I do think it is too early to anoint him as a franchise qb because it was only one year, but I am pretty confident that he has what it takes.

My only concerns are that it is still possible that someone figures him out. The Charger game was a bit scary. They had a good plan. But, I don't think that will happen. It could, but I don't think it will. My bigger concern is his character. I was watching NFL Network while working out a few weeks ago and a couple of the former players were saying that there were guys in the Browns locker room that don't like Baker. I can see [even if others can't] how his personality could rub players the wrong way. I think he would be wise to shut his mouth instead of criticizing players, coaches, and analysts in the media.

With all of that said, I am rooting for Baker because he is a Brown. I don't have to like him as a person in order to root for the team I love. I've been a Brown's fan for longer than many of you have been alive. I'm not leaving now. I haven't liked Jimmy Haslam for years and I didn't like Junior [that's Randy Lerner] when he owned the team. But, I still chose to root for the Browns.

The Browns are bigger than any one personality. They are my team in the good and bad times. Lord knows there have been more bad times than good, but there are a lot of folks like me that have loved the Browns for a long-ass time.

I felt compelled to relate how I felt about Baker and the Browns because there are a lot of folks telling me--and the rest of the board--about what I think about the situation. Thankfully, the refs have deleted a lot of those posts, but I can speak for my own feelings and don't need others to do so.

Checkmate .... *L* ... i’ve got no retort, thats not easy to do ... well played my friend ... well played ...

Thanks for posting all of that. I think sometimes conversations benefit when someone takes the time to recalibrate/re-center. Sometimes these conversations have an element of the telephone game. What you/others say can morph and change, and that doesn't require mal-intent. It can just sometimes happen because we read things differently, remember thing differently, etc. Hopefully clearing things up can cut out some of the less than constructive elements of this thread.

re: your mention of the NFL Network convo where Browns locker room guys may or may not like Baker. For discussion's sake, let's just assume there is some truth to this (and honestly, we all work with people we don't like and we make it work... an NFL locker room isn't a reality TV show). How is Baker any worse than at least a handful of other guys in the league? Do they have issues with their locker room? Philip Rivers (since you mentioned the Chargers in a different context in your post) is a guy that can similarly rub people the wrong way (more on the field than off, I think). Cam is also outspoken in a different way. These guys seem to have it figured out while also having loud personalities mixed with that sorta "I'm sorry you got your feelings hurt" way of dealing with blowback.
Is it just because those guys are established and have had success, that their personalities become more acceptable? Does Baker only have to show that he can ball in this league and the chatter about his personality and its effect on the locker room will go away?

Good questions. I don't know the answers to them and I am not real comfortable guessing about it. Typically when I make my points, I draw evidence from multiple sources and events before I open my mouth about it.

Hell, I don't even know if what those guys said is true. It was done very quickly and in an exchange about what he said about Duke.

I think Rivers might rub some people the wrong way, but I don't know enough about their dynamics to say more than that. I think Cam may rub people the wrong way because he boasts a lot and pouts a lot. I don't know if either call other people out the way Baker does. I don't think they do.

I just think it would behoove Baker to stop dissing people in the media. He did it in college and he did it last year. Hell, he even goes on the radio and criticizes a college qb. He criticizes draft analysts by saying they aren't athletic enough to play checkers.

Dude, just shut up! LOL......seriously. Why alienate people like that?

Again, these are just my opinions and I'm okay if people disagree. Let's just stay on topic instead of making it about me or other posters.

I want to get back to Duke for a moment. A poster said that Duke made his comments about wanting to be traded before the reporters asked him about it.

Is that true?

I don't remember it that way, but I could be wrong. I thought that there were reports that the Browns were looking to trade him and the reporters questioned Duke about it and he then expressed his desire to be traded.

I don't remember Duke calling a PC to say he wanted to be traded and then later addressing questions from reporters.

Does anyone know the truth?

Baker Mayfield isn't afraid of the hype

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27203212/cleveland-browns-quarterback-baker-mayfield-afraid-hype

All I need to know about players feelings about Baker - watch a game.

I think it was the Chargers game, possible another last year, but I remember a DLineman hitting Bake a little late on the sideline.

I instantly noticed Jarvis (whos what - 185-190 lbs.) instantly getting in between the Dlineman and Baker, and shoving the Dlineman followed by MULTIPLE players coming to his aid.

Are there guys that may not like him personally, of course there are. There are 53 guys on the roster. He probably doesn't even communicate with some of them. But the fact is, you can tell they RESPECT Baker and want him on the field - and love him as a player. That's all that matters.

Some are still just made he mad baby huey look like the idiot he really is.

Excellent article.

I kinda thought that was Adam Sandler at first.

I had a feeling y'all would leave Duke twisting in the wind.

The truth is not as important as perceptions. Nice job, y'all.

j/c

Baker recently defended OBJ, which is fine as they are teammates. But in doing so he calls out Giants fans.

IMO - that was not necessary. You can defend OBJ's work ethic and commitment without putting down another team's fan base. Just because Baker thinks of something to say does not mean that he has to say it.

And in reading it, I did not get the sense that a reporter asked him to comment on the Giants fans. That commentary was unsolicited.

link

Sounds like the Pats were going to trade up for Baker at #2 if we didn't take him. At least he was convinced of it.

He is always running his mouth and bad-mouthing someone.

I'm telling you guys.........there is a decent probability of it catching up to him.

For example.............how the hell can you call out a guy who has been fired for taking another job while defending your own transfer because you didn't get a scholarship?

LMAO.............that's amazing. And again, if you read the comments from most folks, other than some Brown's fans who chipped in, almost all acted like he was a freaking idiot for making those comments.

That may be true. I remember reading an article that said the Pats were interested in trading up for Baker. I don't remember the details of that article, but it was out there.