KC Chiefs vs. Browns: The script is wrong on Baker Mayfield
By Matt Conner
Like most fans paying attention on a national-only level, there are some aspects and angles concerning the Cleveland Browns that we, in Chiefs Kingdom, are likely getting wrong. That’s what Randy Gurzi, the editor Dawg Pound Daily, told us when we asked him to discuss the upcoming season-opening matchup between the Cleveland Browns and K.C. Chiefs.
If that sounds a bit biased, it’s likely not. Who knows if what he has to correct is true or not, but a lot of us in Chiefs Kingdom would like to correct the record on a few things related to K.C. often stated at the national level. How about Harrison Butker‘s PAT yips overshadowing his accuracy? What about correcting the record on Tyreek Hill‘s allegations from a couple offseasons ago? You get the picture.
In order to get a better perspective on the Chiefs first opponent of a new season, we thought we’d ask Mr. Gurzi to help us out with a Q&A.
Coming into the new year, what was the single most important issue for the Browns to address this offseason?
Easy, the defense. Cleveland had a tough time stopping a nosebleed last season and while a myriad of injuries attributed to that, they just didn’t have enough talent or depth on that side of the ball.
How do you think they did addressing that?
General manager Andrew Berry did about as good of a job as Browns fans could have hoped for. Greg Newsome and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the draft were huge additions as were Jadeveon Clowney and Anthony Walker.
However, the top two additions in my opinion will be John Johnson III and Troy Hill. Both come over from the Rams and they’re legit defenders. Johnson is the deep safety they were missing in 2021 and Hill is a beast in the slot.
Do you think they’re going to need time to gel?
For sure. I love absolutely every signing and draft pick Berry made on defense but you have roughly eight new starters who will need to learn how to communicate and work together. Still, I’ve cautioned against expecting them to be elite from day one. By the end of the season, they can be very good, but it’s going to take a minute.
With Clowney looking healthy, what are your realistic predictions for what he has to offer the Browns up front?
He’s not a player who can be judged by statistics. He’s recorded just three sacks in the past two seasons (although he only played eight games last year) but that doesn’t tell the whole story. He’s about as disruptive as they come. He’ll push the pocket, slow down the run game, and mess things up for the quarterback.
I understand the argument that he doesn’t get sacks because that’s how defensive ends are paid. Having said that, he wasn’t paid to be an elite defender. He got a modest contract and will more than live up to that. And even though his sack numbers might not be astronomical, it should be better just due to the lack of double-teams thanks to the presence of Myles Garrett.
What’s the biggest thing going for Cleveland that is being overlooked on a national level?
That’s the quarterback and his maturation. Since Baker Mayfield didn’t throw for 4,000-yards and the Browns running game is so dominant, Baker gets unfairly labeled as a game manager. That’s such a short-sighted and, frankly, lazy take.
Mayfield has overcome a lot of dysfunction already. Remember, this guy had Hue Jackson, Gregg Williams, and Freddie Kitchens as his head coaches in his first two seasons in the NFL. Talk about a collection of characters to try and work with.
In 2020, he finally was paired with a good coach who understood how to maximize his talent. Rather than praise the cohesiveness of Kevin Stefanski and Baker, the narrative seems to be that he’s being carried by his coach—much like Jared Goff with Sean McVay
Some fans in Cleveland get irritated by the disrespect but they should embrace it. Let him fly under the radar and be doubted, that usually only makes him better.
What about a weakness or concern in the same vein?
The concern in Cleveland is their speed on offense. Kansas City exposed that in the Divisional Round last year. For all the good Jarvis Landry has done in his career, 20 yards on seven receptions in the biggest game of his career is concerning.
There’s hope that OBJ and Anthony Schwartz can rectify this. It’s possible but you’re relying on a guy who is several years from his best days and a developmental rookie. Sure, it could work but we need to see it first.
Next. Predicting how the AFC will play out. dark