DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2020 NFL Season Looking Back: Browns 37 Bengals 34 Post Game

Problem is, we get rid of him Landry will probably want out to

Hey hey hey....leave him be. IF IT AINT BROKE DONT FIX IT

Was thinking that earlier.

J/c

One other thing that’s been noticeable: we don’t have AS many penalties. Today we had a few dumb ones, but last year it was like a plague

Haven't read the other posts yet. My thoughts:

- I have been critical of Baker, and the first quarter certainly added fuel to that fire. That pick was pathetic. No accuracy. We were in the 2nd quarter and he completed more passes to Bengals than he did Browns.

- Since that 0-5 and 1 INT start? Completely different player. He was accurate. He was spreading the ball around. He showed glimpses of what we want in our QB.

- Those TD throws to Njoku and #11 (some hyphenated name that escapes me) were where they needed to be. Both were really nice catches by the receivers as well, but the throws were where they needed to be.

- That said, in order for Baker, and this team, to take the next step, we need to beat the good teams. Beating a 1-win team by 3 points does not give me warm and fuzzies about the remainder of the season. Yes we won a game we should have won. This season we have not yet lost a game we should have won and that is progress. It's a good feeling. Next step is to beat good/average teams.

- I can give Baker credit where credit is due. A couple of times we absolutely needed a TD and he delivered. He carried his share of the load this game. 5 TDs, I guess a career best?

- Wondering something. Those of you who excused his play last week (the apologists) and blamed it all on the line. This week the credit for his good play goes to the line, no?

- I really would like to see fewer of the WR runs. It can be a nice play, but I think we run it too much.

- Sandejo, really, needs to go. Every game he has a major negative impact. I am really tired of seeing him chasing TEs from 3 yards behind and then dive on the pile when someone tackles him. That TE from Las Vegas will have a career game next week.

- Takitaki can go as well. He is the LB version of Sandejo.

- I am a fan of Mitchell, but I would not have lost a couple years of my life if he would have held on to that pick. You gotta catch those room-service picks.

- Very glad we did not go into OT. We could not stop their offense to save our lives. They win the toss, it's game. How many 2nd and 10s did they convert?

- Seems like they were getting away with some push offs.

Missed XP.

Anyone see anything about Harrisons injury?

Great post, cap. Made a lot of good observations.

Good game Browns fans. Both of our teams won, kind of lucky for both. Steelers game shouldn't have been that close.

I hadn’t realized he was dinged up?

I did forget that we were missing Joseph too

Those two thoughts are TOTALLY UNFOUNDED,
He's the #1 on the team, the team gave up too much to get him, and he just had a 3 touchdown day against Dallas,
You act like he's in the doghouse,
and you haven't even let the ink dry on his KNEE INJURY.

It's quite possibly the same dynamic that we saw with Brian Hoyer the year Josh Gordon came back from suspension. The mere presence of such an outstanding talent seduced Hoyer out of that rhythm he'd established by spreading the ball around. Chemistry is sometimes more important than individual talent.

I agree that this team has needed to learn how to win games like this- for years and years. A few more like this could help this young team turn a corner in it's learning curve.

I have to admit, I was looking to have Baker benched early in the game - glad I was wrong.

I wish we had a defense.

Same here, Baker rebounded pretty well. It was a pleasent surprise.

THe defense on the other hand....lol The D-line does their job but outside of that no good words can be spoken other than Denzel Ward. He played a hell of a game, otherwise I just want to throw up. But we won, no complaining here,

Janovic or D'Ernest Johnson see the field today ?

A little.

Johnson was in for a couple of plays I believe. Janovic played but didn’t get any touches.

One thing I noticed today about Janovic: he was to the side of Baker in the gun on 2/3 and long ... probably an effective thing

What do we have to do to get you acclimated to the idea of OBJ not being on the team. We need to let him go because it messes with Baker's rhythm. If OBJ didn't get injured we lose this game, 100% guaranteed.

This board is so freaking ridiculous.

I didn't say that brings me joy. I didn't wish a season-ending injury on a very good player. But as I look forward, I see Baker building chemistry with the other receivers. Side-lined OBJ's trade value might look pretty good in the spring.

So, you are blaming Baker's struggles w/reading coverages, not being able to deal w/pressure, and inability to beat the blitz on OBJ?

Again........ridiculous. I have to get off this thread.

Sorry Vers, when and where did I say that?

You have an agenda and this scenario does not fit said agenda. We can all see that much for sure.

OBJ has never been the end all be all of football in Cleveland. He is a good WR but only gives us glimpses of Elite WR. Baker is much the same, good with glimpses of elite. But both can be play bad at times too.

I personally think OBJ can and has been a distraction to Bakers development at times because he obviously tries too hard to get OBJ involved. Higgins outplayed OBJ today IMHO, and looked good as his replacement. I don't know if that is something that can be a regular thing or not but it looks like we will get to see before anybody ever has to consider trading OBJ or cutting him. So we should just all cool our heels and let the season play out IMHO. Give Baker a break and OBJ, while giving Higgins more reps to see if his and Baker's chemistry is real all the time.

We will destroy Vegas.

OBJ had only two plays before he was injured. Of course Higgins outplayed him. I have read enough from Vers to know he doesn’t have an agenda on OBJ. I will say that the quote you posted was completely wrong. Wait til next year didn’t say any of that stuff.

Hopefully from your lips to God’s ears. I’m very worried about our defense.

I expect a high scoring, down to the wire game.

Derek Carr is a slightly better version of Baker. If he outplays Baker they probably win.

They are both unathletic, and it's hilarious watching them try to run for first downs. Carr had one today that made me think of Baker.

Just think only one more game without Chubb ...

Vers doesn't think Baker is a very good QB.

Baker connected on the 1 throw he had to make, the previous 20 didn’t carry the same weight.

He made the 1 throw he had to get right.

Played his best when it mattered most.

That's what you need to get from your star players.

I agree, Vers doesn’t. He also thinks OBJ is great and I’d have to agree.

As to all the talk about Baker being better without OBJ... I think there is something to it. It has nothing to do with OBJ’s play. I just think Baker is better when he spreads the ball around. Baker does fix on his primary receiver a lot and seems slow to me to move onto the next read. I believe OBJ leads in targets and definitely defenses key on him. Now that OBJ is injured we will see how the defenses adjust their coverages and Baker’s reaction to it.

All of these things are true -

1. OBJ is a better football player than Baker.

2. OBJ is a better WR than Baker is a QB.

3. Baker is a better QB without OBJ.

4. That is a Baker problem, not an OBJ problem.

5. Most people would rather Baker play his best even if that means no OBJ because QBs impact wins more than WRs.

There are no victims here, and no one is bashing one or the other.

I agree with all of this, although I reserve the right to change my opinion on if Baker is better in the long term without OBJ.

I don't believe they're all true.

I believe it's more of a Higgins on the field thing not OBJ off of it.

I was one who didn't want OBJ. But now that he's here it would be a shame to see him go.

I neither like nor dislike OBJ the player. I'm not crazy about some of his antics off the field, but he is good on the field most of the time.

Unlike others, I don't see him as great and elite because he has not been that here other than in flashes and practice (one hand grabs). But OBJ and Landry are easily the most talented WRs on the team IMHO. And without being on the team, in daily practices and games, we really have no idea what other dynamics are at play. Higgins should be playing IMHO, but why is he sitting so much? Is it because he is the back up for OBJ? Is it because others outshine him at practice? Is he still in some kind of doghouse over whatever happened last year? We have no idea what all is going on behind the scenes.

You do admit rish, that Baker had an exceptional game throwing the ball and leading a last minute win?

You’ll admit that much, won’t you?