Baker Mayfield, the offensive line and the rest of the good and bad from the Ravens loss

The Conclusion

Kevin Stefanski said it best in the post-game press conference, why would he replace Baker Mayfield? It’s not on him to block. It’s not on him to catch. It’s not on him to call the plays. Stefanski knows that Case Keenum wouldn’t fare any better because the problem isn’t at quarterback. It’s just the easiest position to blame.

The Browns need two tackles, two speedster receivers, and of few of those draft picks back from the last two years. The facts are obvious since Jack Conklin got hurt in Week 5, the Browns offense has taken a hit. Mayfield has looked good at times, really good at other times, and ineffective the rest of the time. We know Mayfield can play quarterback in the NFL. We know he can make all the throws. The question is, can Mayfield play behind an offensive line that has allowed him to get sacked 29 times. Heading into the Ravens game, Mayfield was 7th in the league for most sacks.

Mayfield gets sacked at 9% of the time he drops back to throw, that’s 4th most in the league. Mayfield doesn’t have time to throw anymore. It’s not even a dispute that the offensive line is having issues, look how poorly they did against one of the best run-stopping defenses in the league. They made the running game a non-factor.

Considering Stefanski’s entire offense is conservative by nature and only works with a lead, of course the Browns would be in trouble when they couldn’t establish the run. The offense wasn’t designed to be explosive or fast-paced. That’s something fans don’t get, this offense isn’t built for long gains.

First and 15 for the Browns may as well be 1st and 30 for any other team. The Browns don’t have the talent around Mayfield to make up big chunks of yards in three downs. The team needs to operate on positive forward motion to succeed. Any penalty completely negates the team’s ability to implement their offense.

That’s solely on Stefanski. The players the team needs to help with first and long aren’t on this team. Mayfield can’t go over the top of the Ravens’ nine-in-the-box defense because all of his receivers are slow, and his offensive line can’t give him the three steps he needs to loft one up, let alone the five steps he sometimes has to go through.

The team needs help. They need it fast.