raleigh-panther

The Panthers should trade for Browns’ Baker Mayfield sooner than later. Here’s why BY ELLIS L. WILLIAMS [email protected] 1 day ago It’s time for the Carolina Panthers to trade for Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. Training camp is five weeks away. If the Panthers are going to add a veteran, which neither coach Matt Rhule nor general manager Scott Fitterer has ruled out, Mayfield and the team would benefit from placing a Ben McAdoo playbook in Mayfield’s lap as soon as possible. There should also be newfound urgency from Carolina after recent reports suggest Seattle is still highly interested in acquiring the former 2018 No. 1 pick. Behind the scenes, not much has changed between Carolina and Cleveland. The Charlotte Observer reported in April, and again in May, that the Panthers want the Browns to take on the majority of Mayfield’s contract in a trade. There is still about a $4.5 million gap between Carolina and Cleveland as the Browns are willing to pay up to half of Mayfield’s fully-guaranteed $18.9 million. The Browns are seeking a mid-to-late round pick for Mayfield according to a league source. That value is based on what Cleveland would receive for him via a compensatory pick. Though highly unlikely, the Browns could hold Mayfield out this season — pay him to not show up to practice or games — then he’d sign as a free agent elsewhere next spring, earning Cleveland a compensatory pick. Mayfield will not play another snap for the Browns regardless of how embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson’s looming suspension rules. Even if the league suspends him indefinitely, or for a season, do not expect Mayfield to fill in, even if it makes sense on paper. Tough QB situation Both Carolina and Seattle could use Mayfield. Seattle’s quarterback room features Drew Lock, an up-and-down thrower entering his fourth season, and veteran Geno Smith who hasn’t started double-digit games since 2014. Carolina’s quarterback situation is not much better. The team drafted Matt Corral, but he’s being integrated slowly with no expectation to be the Week 1 starter. Sam Darnold, who Rhule said would start if the team had games to play in June, has a career record of 17-32. Compared to Mayfield’s 29-30 career record, Darnold is not nearly the winner Mayfield is. Darnold’s best season came in 2019. He threw for 3,024 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He posted a 45.6 QBR that season and a career-best 6.9 yards per attempt. Last season, Darnold reverted to his New York self, throwing nine touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a league-worse 33.2 QBR. Excuses can be (and are) made for Darnold: He’s had five different offensive coordinators in as many seasons, and has never been sacked fewer than 30 times in a year. Mayfield has endured similar hardships. His next offensive coordinator will also be his fifth. In 2019 and 2021, Mayfield was sacked 40 or more times. Yet in 2019, he posted 3,827 passing yards, a career-high. Mayfield’s career-worst seasons are comparable to Darnold’s best years. The case for Baker Mayfield In 2020 Mayfield posted career bests in interceptions (8), QBR (65.5), and yards per attempt (7.7). A closer look reveals he was one of the best quarterbacks in the league over his last six games of the 2020 season. Mayfield threw for 1,713 yards, 11 touchdowns, one interception, and a 103.4 rating. The Browns went 4-2 before beating the Steelers on wild-card weekend, giving Cleveland its first postseason victory since 1993. To put those numbers in perspective, project them over 16 games and it translates to 4,568 yards, which would have ranked fifth in the league. His rating over that time would have ranked ninth. Pro Football Focus graded only Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes higher than Mayfield during that stretch. Six games are not enough of a sample size to define Mayfield as a top 15 quarterback, but after the 2020 season, many around the league were. He’s been chasing those highs ever since, even while playing through a torn labrum in 2021 which he suffered while trying to make a tackle in Week 2. Mayfield supporters argue his 2020 self is representative of who is: a quarterback capable of leading an offense to the playoffs while protecting the football and capitalizing on explosive plays. Because of injury, he never got the opportunity to build upon his 2020 momentum. Instead, he regressed, lost confidence, and the Browns moved on with Watson. Both the resume and eye test reveal Mayfield (who is fully recovered from off-season labrum surgery) is a better quarterback than Darnold. If not Mayfield, who? Mayfield is not the only veteran available. 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who is owed $26.9 million in 2022 if San Francisco does not cut him, is on target to start throwing soon after having successful right shoulder surgery in March. Garoppolo will be 31 years old in November. He provides both unquestioned maturity and consistency compared to the 27-year-old Mayfield or 25-year-old Darnold. But there are concerns within the Panthers about Garoppolo’s injury history. During his five years in San Francisco, Garoppolo missed 35 games, including two games last year that were unrelated to his offseason shoulder surgery. Garoppolo dealt with ankle, calf, and thumb injuries all year before hurting his shoulder in the playoffs. He started five games in 2017, three in 2018, and six in 2020. In 2019 and 2021 he started 16 and 15 games, respectively. What good is acquiring a quarterback who isn’t routinely available? In contrast, Mayfield has only missed two games over his four-year career, both last season when the Browns dropped out of playoff contention and he was shut down to focus on healing his shoulder. Yet, most evaluators prefer Garoppolo to Mayfield when asked. “I like Garoppolo. I think he’s become somewhat underrated. He’s been productive,” former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum told The Charlotte Observer. “That’s the guy I would go after. If they can get him then I think they’ve improved themselves at the position.” Garoppolo has a career completion percentage of 68%, while Mayfield completes 61% of his passes. They have nearly identical touchdown and interception percentages around 4.6% and 2.8%, respectively. Garoppolo’s career yards per attempt (8.4) are more than a yard greater than Mayfield’s 7.3 yards-per-attempt average. Despite positive reviews from OTAs and minicamp, both Garoppolo and Mayfield provide Carolina an upgrade at quarterback. Because of Garoppolo’s injury history, Mayfield is the safer option. It’s time Carolina finds a way to acquire Mayfield before another team beats them to it.

I loved Artie grieing up in Fredericksburg, Va…either followed the Baltimore Colts or the wretched Redskins Artie was an old school, tough guy…stand up guy. Loved him

Per Adam Schfeter

Teams win, typically, on the HC and QB tandem in the new NFL Rhule plus Sam equals ? im hoping for at least competent given the NFL coaches on staff …that hope is good as it gets

And, that is probably why ole Sam is doing so well……..

The thought of an opening game mayfield vs Watson At least it would be interesting

You and I have a similar background and in IT Delivery Management, I best have a very strong bullshit meter… …and I think you hit my issue with the guy, besides not knowing what he is doing, my bullshit meter with him, never, ever shuts off . Ever I just don’t know what anyone in the nfl sees in this guy…not even sure about ncaa, I mean it’s not like he was lights out there either He and Tepper ruined something I loved. Life goes on and there are greater tragedies in life…but they sure knew how to ruin a good thing

I know, right I spend part of the year on the West coast and have Sunday ticket to watch the games when I’m out here. 10am is just too early on a Sunday morning for a sports bar

That’s probably why JR called him back the second time….he did know Most likely Gettleman knew too as did Ron, things like that don’t stay quiet in a small workplace I sometimes wonder with JR if it was old age dementia or if he had always been a lecherous piece of crap

Thanks. I guess we will never know what goes on behind close doors but probably our only hope for a non embarrassing season is that the more Nfl experienced staff helps

Not sure what point you are trying to make with this

Well you know, I’ve had great experiences in the stadium with my friends. Sometimes, it’s about that too and not just the team but grant you, a pro team led by the likes Weinke. Clausen, Darnold, and dead armed Jake, pretty hard to take I have no regrets as watching Steve smith, Luke, Cam, Sam Mills back in the day, and all the great players from other teams is pretty priceless Mistake I made was thinking Rhule was going to draft a qb last year never in my wildest dreams did I think I would wake up to Sam Darnold ‘you pay your money and take your chances ‘ as the old quote goes

Yeah. They send out surveys game day has taken a nose dive with covid, Rhule, Tepper magic etc

Well, I’m in section 342 and usually the opposite is true, the giveaways and all those things seldom come from the 300 level I mean, hey, I like to have fun too. Winning games at home would help lol

Exactly right

Yep. No argument there I have two more seasons left past this one so that should be attractive to someone who wants to try it and not be tied to it forever. I’m selling individual tickets this year on Ticketmaster By end of this year, some other priorities will clear and I’ll deal with the license older I get, one major thing at a time lol

Received in my email today …putting the body in Post if a PSL owner is interested and didn’t get the email, msg me and I’ll provide the rest of it they are trying I guess The Carolina Panthers are excited to launch a new benefit for PSL Owners! We are looking for PSL Owners to participate as inaugural members of the PSL Owner Advisory Team. In collaboration with Panthers front-office personnel, the Advisory Team will help tackle issues related to the year-round fan experience. Advisory Team discussions can include topics such as game day operations, database marketing, PSL Owner benefits and the in-stadium fan experience. Are you interested in joining the Advisory Team? The application period is now open for the inaugural 2022 class. Apply at the link below!

Yep read colts are interested

I wouldn’t cry I doubt any of us would …read something awhile ago about soccer being a buffer for Tepper should cte ultimately end the nfl in the future

Thanks for sharing. Takes time to share these things on this site Always good to have differing opinions and guys who have them and have played the game and they have merit’ they have their prejudices too and even though if they are right, many times players succeed in the right system have them anyway simple examine is Kurt himself. …Jake Delhomme and cam Newton. Drew Brees as I recall sent but in many evaluators either to be fair, the rules of the game has changed so much, it’s his prejudice or preference looking at take mostly from his time of playing

Absolute truth

I’m having a really hard time picturing Darnold trot out in front of the home crowd opening day against a decent Browns defense 1. They best introduce the defense first or come out the ‘Patriots way’ as a team 2. The first mistake he makes…and yes he will make many….oh boy my opinion, bring in Foles. Cheap. No physical issues. Not the answer but a decent placeholder Not stuck with Jimmy g or Baker and all that baggage Then, Just cut Darnold and be done with it. End his suffering…and ours

Truth. I used to go to all games, all the time. This year, only two and that’s only because two friends want to go I’d rather not

Raleigh…,has nothing else to do….come on man ..

I just saw it again quoting joe person but who knows might be doctored