NFL Network analyst suggests Rhule needs Mayfield to save his job

[Mr. Scot]

From the article:

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule will be looking for employment if he allows Sam Darnold to quarterback the team this year, says at least one NFL analyst.

That was the sentiment that NFL Total Access’ James Jones recently delivered when asked about the potential to acquire Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.

“I don’t care about the money. You have to go get Baker Mayfield. If you do not win in this league as a head coach, you get fired. If you do not have a good quarterback in this league, you cannot win, that’s been proven. We’ve seen this year after year after year,” said Jones, a former Super Bowl-winning wide receiver who caught an NFL-leading 14 touchdown passes in 2012.

“Baker Mayfield right now coming off the streets, wherever he’s at in Cleveland, makes this team better. He is a better player and a better quarterback. We’ve seen the best of Sam Darnold, we can’t keep giving Darnold more chances. Baker Mayfield led this Cleveland Browns team to the playoffs and won on the road in Pittsburgh... If you do not bring in a quarterback you are going to end up being fired depending on Sam Darnold,” said Jones.

Edited June 20, 2022 by Mr. Scot

[jayboogieman]

[45catfan]

Yup. This game of chicken is ultimately gonna see us flinch first.  It's a matter of getting Cleveland to their best and final offer.  The last report was half of Baker's salary was the most the Browns were willing to eat.  We want less, but if that ends up being Cleveland's best offer, we ultimately take it.

100% Baker is in a Panthers uniform sometime during training camp.  Mark it down.

[Brooklyn 3.0]

Let's get the entire first page all Baker threads. You can do it, guys!

[45catfan]

Just now, Pakmeng said:

These analysts are really on top of things with the fresh ideas.

Weren't we also just told it was Rhule who didn't want to trade for Mayfield?

You don't tell people at the table the cards you are holding in a game of poker.  Rhule also says players are training camp MVPs only later to cut them.

[45catfan]

Don't expect this to happen before training camp is almost upon us.  Depending on how much of hardball we are playing, it may not happen until TC is actually underway.  It's happening none-the-less.  Cleveland can't keep Baker and Rhule can't dig this team out of the cellar with Darnold.

[frankw]

17 minutes ago, Brooklyn 3.0 said:

Let's get the entire first page all Baker threads. You can do it, guys!

And you would still post in every one of them just like anyone else.

[DaveThePanther2008]

 

19 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

Yup. This game of chicken is ultimately gonna see us flinch first.  It's a matter of getting Cleveland to their best and final offer.  The last report was half of Baker's salary was the most the Browns were willing to eat.  We want less, but if that ends up being Cleveland's best offer, we ultimately take it.

100% Baker is in a Panthers uniform sometime during training camp.  Mark it down.

Baker won't be on the Cleveland Roster come opening day.  However, they can hold onto him and keep him from learning our playbook. They've said they'll take half, we want all but 5 Million.

As you said, it's down to who blinks first.

Darnold will sink Rhule if he starts but if Mayfield doesn't get here until the season starts Mayfield will experience the same problems Cam had.  No familiarity and will probably sink Rhule as well. 

Cleveland's gamble is Rhule won't start Corral whatsoever this season.  If Corral comes into camp and really outshines Darnold, Corral could make Baker obsolete. That is providing Rhule doesn't pull the rookie deal he did with Christensen and Brown last season.

The game is on. 

[4Corners]

Mayfield was supposed to be a panther 3 days ago 

 

[Khaki Lackey]

Wait, I thought Rhule had been stripped of any abilty to draft players or sign FAs.

[45catfan]

Just now, Khaki Lackey said:

Wait, I thought Rhule had been stripped of SOLE abilty to draft players or sign FAs.

FIFY.  As I understand it, Rhule has got to actually confer with Fitts and get his stamp of approval as well now before moves are made.

[Khaki Lackey]

4 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

FIFY.  As I understand it, Rhule has got to actually confer with Fitts and get his stamp of approval as well now before moves are made.

Is that the fan fiction we're going with this week? Ok.

Edited June 20, 2022 by Khaki Lackey

[DaveThePanther2008]

2 minutes ago, stbugs said:

I think the point was that you believe this one hook, line and sinker yet there are the same types of reports (from people with more Panther insight) saying different things. That also has zero to do with camp motivational shout outs.

Personally, any article talking purely about Mayfield over Darnold is a pile of poo because it doesn’t even make mention of Corral or the fact that we already know Darnold is keeping the seat warm for Corral or a 2023 rookie. Any analyst saying we should try to win now with a retread hasn’t paid a single ounce of attention to our last two years or our draft. Is Mayfield better than Darnold? Yep, I have no doubt. Is Baker our future, not a chance. Could we release Darnold and get Baker? Sure if the price is way cheap. Is it in our best interest of the future? Nope. Stay the course, let Corral beat Darnold or if he can’t we know 2023 first = QB.

Agreed, but this goes back to Rhules future. 

The only way we chose a QB in 2023 is if Corral get's a chance to play.  Personally, I think with a full training camp and a bit of confidence. Corral can win as many games as Mayfield will.

Our schedule is brutal.  The AFC North has 2 teams that are playoff contenders (Cinn and Balt).  If Pickett shows up make that 3 and Cleveland depending on who's under center could be a 4th.   The NFCW has the Super Bowl Champ and Arizona and SF potential playoff partners.  Not to mention our own division.

Rhule's going to have a tough time fighting these teams off.

Rhule should go with Corral and hopefully shows he can be our future and might convince Tepper we are heading in the right direction, regardless of record.  

[45catfan]

3 minutes ago, stbugs said:

I think the point was that you believe this one hook, line and sinker yet there are the same types of reports (from people with more Panther insight) saying different things. That also has zero to do with camp motivational shout outs.

Personally, any article talking purely about Mayfield over Darnold is a pile of poo because it doesn’t even make mention of Corral or the fact that we already know Darnold is keeping the seat warm for Corral or a 2023 rookie. Any analyst saying we should try to win now with a retread hasn’t paid a single ounce of attention to our last two years or our draft. Is Mayfield better than Darnold? Yep, I have no doubt. Is Baker our future, not a chance. Could we release Darnold and get Baker? Sure if the price is way cheap. Is it in our best interest of the future? Nope. Stay the course, let Corral beat Darnold or if he can’t we know 2023 first = QB.

Knee-jerk reactions are what Rhule does best, so rational, long-term goals for the team are tenuous propositions at best.  What if they think Mayfield would be a better tutor for Corral than Sam?  Sam and Baker are one and done, it's a matter of who can mover the needle this year and be the better mentor (on the field) for Corral.  Corral starting isn't an option for Rhule, period.  It's a guaranteed losing season for us.  Despite Tepper going to bat for Rhule this offseason, I'm not sure he's taking that endorsement to the bank.  Rhule knows he needs a winning season this year to be back in Charlotte in 2023 for certain.