Prominent figure in the media industry, Nick Wright, joins Colin to discuss the Pac-12 getting cherry picked. Colin also gives his pre preseason Herd Hierarchy. Other topics include Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC, unique qualities of left tackles in the NFL, the importance of quarterbacks and left tackles in football, speculation on the Big Ten adding Notre Dame and Stanford, and analyzing Baker Mayfield's performance and mechanics.
Baker Mayfield's accuracy has significantly dropped in the NFL, leading to concerns about his ability to lead an NFL franchise.
Injuries, rushed comebacks, and potentially a loss of confidence have affected Baker Mayfield's mechanics and accuracy, contributing to his struggles in performance.
Deep dives
Baker Mayfield struggling in preseason practices
Baker Mayfield has had a rough preseason camp, throwing seven interceptions in nine practices, leading to concerns about his accuracy and performance. His completion percentage in the NFL has significantly dropped compared to his college days, and his numbers over his last 17 starts have been subpar. Many believed that Mayfield's accuracy was his biggest strength, but it seems to have evaporated in recent years. It's unclear whether it's due to a lack of confidence, coaching changes, or lingering effects of previous injuries. Regardless, Mayfield's struggles have raised questions about his ability to lead an NFL franchise.
Potential reasons for Mayfield's decline
Many factors could be contributing to Baker Mayfield's decline in performance. During his college career, accuracy was one of his defining traits, but that has changed in the NFL. Some speculate that Mayfield's confidence and swagger may have been affected by the overall struggles and history of the Browns organization. Additionally, injuries and rushed comebacks may have negatively impacted his mechanics and ability to throw accurately. While he has had offensive-minded coaches throughout his career, including Sean McVay and Kevin Stefanski, the decline in his numbers persists. Overall, it is a combination of these factors that may be contributing to Mayfield's struggles.
Transition from strength to weakness
Baker Mayfield's journey from being known for his accuracy and confidence to struggling with accuracy and performance is a rare and unusual progression for a quarterback. It is often expected that a player's strengths will remain consistent throughout their career. However, this has not been the case for Mayfield. While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause, it is evident that injuries, rushed comebacks, and potentially a loss of confidence have affected his mechanics and accuracy. This transition has presented challenges for Mayfield, as he has had difficulties overcoming poor mechanics and playing at a high level.
Speculation about Mayfield's future
With Baker Mayfield's recent struggles, speculation about his future as a franchise quarterback has arisen. Many believed he had the potential to become a top-tier quarterback, drawing comparisons to Drew Brees during his college career. However, his decline in performance and accuracy has raised doubts. While he has had the support of offensive-minded coaches and opportunities to succeed, his numbers have fallen significantly. It remains to be seen whether Mayfield can regain his accuracy and rediscover his strengths, but for now, concerns linger about his ability to lead an NFL team.