Cleveland Browns: 3 reasons why Baker Mayfield could struggle in 2020
By Chad Porto
Major acquisitions fail to make major contributions
Free-agent acquisitions fail all the time. Just look at Josh Norman, a one-time “shut-down” cornerback who went to Washington and absolutely tanked his career. Then there’s Albert Haynesworth, a one-time run-stopping god who fell apart after going to…Washington. Then there’s Antwaan Randle El, who left Pittsburgh as a potential Pro Bowl player only to bottom out in, huh, really? Washington again?
Maybe the odds aren’t as against the Browns on this one as previously thought.
Jokes aside, the Browns do have their share of bad signings. Forking over gobs of money to Karlos Dansby, only for him to be part of one of the worst defenses in the league both years he was in Cleveland (10th and 6th worst defenses respectively). Then there’s the amazing Dwayne Bowe contract. Gee, sure glad we overpaid for a broken wideout. Then maybe the “WHAT” on top of the “Were They Thinking” sundae of modern signings was Paul Kruger.
Sure, he had one moderately successful year with the team, but he was signed to be a game-changer and most of his sacks were him accidentally running into the quarterback. Not exactly the stud pass rusher he was supposed to be. Now sure, there are others that make the list to like LeCharles Bentley, but he’s only here because he got hurt before he ever played.
These are all the examples one may need to wonder if Jack Conklin is as good as advertised? Kruger was a similar type of guy, high-upside who had a great season before leaving teams. That’s not a slight on Conklin, only an acknowledgment that signings don’t always pan out for a variety of reasons. Maybe Austin Hooper gets hurt, or Jedrick Wills falls into the Springfield Mystery Spot and is never seen again.
It’s impossible to say what will happen and highly unlikely that every acquisition pans out. Here’s hoping for the best though.