Cleveland Browns: Baker Mayfield has new grudge in writer Tony Grossi

Cleveland Browns quarterback is taking on doubters again, this time in the form of ESPN Cleveland writer Tony Grossi, over former teammate Kyler Murray.

Around Cleveland Browns town, Baker Mayfield has been busy, first burning Hue Jackson, yet again, on national television. Now, he using ESPN Cleveland analyst Tony Grossi to add another chip to his well populated right shoulder.

Grossi’s history with Mayfield goes back to last year, when it was clear the Browns were going to have the first pick in the draft.

More from Factory of Sadness

The longtime scribe favored Sam Darnold to be Cleveland’s choice.

So when the idea of Mayfield was mentioned, Grossi resisted, comparing the Oklahoma product to Johnny Manziel.

In short, Grossi thought Mayfield was like Manziel in that he was the product of a high-powered college offense who was more about himself than the team.

Fast forward to the present and Grossi is using the Manziel comparison again, but this time for former Mayfield teammate Kyler Murray.

He’s only talking about physical attributes, but it was enough to catch Mayfield’s attention.

Mayfield responded to a tweet made by Grossi’s employer, ESPN Cleveland, which paraphrased what their analyst said about the reigning Heisman winner on the radio waves last week.

Mayfield must’ve noticed, because he didn’t just reply to ESPN Cleveland, he tagged Grossi, in addition to adding a subtweet that ensures the longtime writer could see his response.

Most notably, Mayfield makes it clear he heard, and hasn’t forgotten Mayfield’s pre-draft talk.

He also said he would retire if the Browns drafted me. So does anything he say have truth to it? Couldn’t be more any more wrong. There is no comparison to even be made about Kyler. He’s a winner and if you don’t see that, something is wrong with you.
— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) January 21, 2019

Grossi replied, defending and bringing context to what he said on the radio.

Even if Baker reacted to the tweet and never heard the actual show, the biggest thing to come out of this is that Grossi is on the list of doubters.

This is so funny. 1. Never said retire. Said ‘I’m done.’ Purposely vague. 2. Said the other guy physically was closer to Johnny (ht & wt) than you. All good. Use it how you want. Happy New Year. https://t.co/S3C3jMuQn7
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) January 21, 2019

At the combine, Mayfield was listed as 6-1, 215 pounds, according to his NFL.com draft profile. Murray is listed as 5-foot-10, 195 pounds. Manziel’s profile had him at 6-foot, 207 pounds.

This isn’t the first time Mayfield’s clashed with Grossi. He was pretty blunt with the writer following the season when Grossi was asking questions about potential coaching hires.

It’s also no surprise Mayfield carries a chip on his shoulder against Grossi. This is the same individual who continues to embarrass Hue Jackson on national TV, despite the fact the coach is currently out of a job and will probably have a hard time even receiving interview to be a coordinator.

As the the Manziel-Murray comparison. If you’re only talking about size and weight, what’s so wrong about it.

I thought Murray was a great college quarterback and have read he’s nothing like Manziel as a person.

With that said, how many sub 6-foot quarterbacks make it in the NFL.

Grossi can be a polarizing figure for those who live and breathe the Browns. I find his work to be a part of my daily reads.

Next. 5 Browns who must show most improvement in 2019. dark

But he’s apparently become just another brick on the bridge of doubters Mayfield is marching across toward the Vince Lombardi trophy. If that’s the way it has to be, so be it.

Home/Cleveland Browns