Tag Archives: Case Keenum

Baker Mayfield confident he’ll play Sunday

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The Cleveland Browns quarterback is confident he will be able to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers after being injured last Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

The question about whether or not Baker Mayfield would be playing this week appears to have an answer. Mayfield stated that he is confident that he will face the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday.

Mayfield has settled into a game manager type role this season which is perfectly fine. In 5 games Mayfield has completed 61.2% of his passes for 976 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. These are not eye-popping numbers, just enough to get the job to win games. Cleveland’s failure or success it not dependent on Mayfield, it is on the rushing attack.

If for some reason a setback occurs and Mayfield is unable to go or has to leave the game with an injury the Browns have a competent backup in Case Keenum. Keenum previously played under Kevin Stefanski in Minnesota and excelled in this offensive scheme. Cleveland’s rushing offense is the best in the NFL currently and is the focus of their game plan. Asking Keenum to hand the ball off frequently doesn’t seem to be that big of an ask. The Browns would be able to whether the storm if Baker Mayfield is not on the field. Whether they win or not would be a different story entirely.

Five Bold Predictions for the Cleveland Browns

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The NFL season is about to begin and there is nothing like some bold predictions to get things started. The Cleveland Browns are sure to be an interesting team and there is a greater chance that things go wrong rather than right in 2020. The combination of roster turnover, a new coaching staff, limited practice time, and no preseason games will have a negative effect on the roster as a whole. Here are five bold predictions for the Cleveland Browns in 2020.

1. The offense will struggle early

This prediction is almost too easy, of course the offense will struggle early. Cleveland faces Baltimore Week 1 and they are in the process of installing a new offensive system. A new offense combined with facing an elite defensive unit is a recipe for disaster. Add in the unknown status of center JC Tretter and things look bleak.

2. The defense will be a bottom five unit

Deep is not a word used to describe the defense of the Cleveland Browns. There is very little depth at any position and the philosophy of the front office is essentially ignore the linebacker position. Questions in the secondary in regards to health and performance will cause issues in what should be a good defensive line. The problem is that if the defensive backs can’t cover the defensive line play is irrelevant.

3. Baker Mayfield will get benched in favor of Case Keenum

Let’s start at the beginning here. There’s a reason the Browns signed Case Keenum to a three-year deal and it is not related to his future financial security. There are concerns with the performance of Baker Mayfield and whether or not he is truly the answer at the quarterback position. Any success the offense has this season will not be related to the quarterback position, it will be because Nick Chubb is a good running back. Teams will do what they can to make Chubb a non-factor, forcing Mayfield to throw the ball. As we have seen outside of what seems like a fluke run at the end of his rookie season, a high number of pass attempts from Baker Mayfield is the best way for the opponent to come out with a win.

4. Jarvis Landry leads the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns

While Odell Beckham Jr. is the higher profile of the Browns wide receivers, it is Jarvis Landry who will lead the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Landry is someone who is more adaptable and versatile which will allow him to thrive in any offense. Considering the fact that opposing defenses will key in on Beckham to try and take away a target in the passing game, it will set up Landry for success on a routine basis.

5. The Cleveland Browns only win one game against a division opponent

Will the Cleveland Browns defeat the Baltimore Ravens? No. How about the Pittsburgh Steelers? Also no. Their best chance at winning a game against an AFC North opponent is one of their two games against the Cincinnati Bengals. That being said it is probably not their Week 2 matchup which is a quick turnaround after facing Baltimore in Week 1. An offense which needs time to generate chemistry after facing a great Ravens defense will have a tough time finding it on a short week. Cleveland going 1-5 in the division is very much a possibility.

Cam Newton spoke with Browns

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There is one other team that spoke with Cam Newton before he ended up signing with the New England Patriots. The Cleveland Browns. 

Adam Schefter said on his own podcast that Cleveland talked to Newton but they really didn’t go anywhere. Newton would end up signing with New England this past Sunday.

Obviously Cleveland didn’t sign Cam Newton as they wound up agreeing to terms with Case Keenum to be Baker Mayfield’s backup and possible replacement if he struggles. Keenum previously played under new head coach Kevin Stefanski in Minnesota. Having this experience gave him a bit of an advantage as he is familiar with the offense and can step in if necessary.

Signing Cam Newton could have been interesting. There would have been some real competition for Baker Mayfield and Newton could have easily supplanted him as the starter with relatively average play. Instead, Andrew Berry and Co. is giving Mayfield one more go around for him to prove himself before deciding on his long term future with the Browns. This particular regime was not who drafted Mayfield and do not the attachment to him that the previous regime did. If there comes a time to move on from Baker Mayfield this group very well could if he is unable to bounce back from his lackluster sophomore season.

Browns sign Case Keenum to three-year deal

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The Cleveland Browns have signed quarterback Case Keenum to a three-year deal worth $18 million with $10 million guaranteed.

There is now a competent backup quarterback in Cleveland. The Cleveland Browns have signed Case Keenum to a three-year deal to backup Baker Mayfield.

Case Keenum was just one quarterback the team was interested in when it came to finding a backup. Colt McCoy was another name mentioned when it came to finding Baker Mayfield’s backup.

This deal makes a ton of sense, Keenum knows the offense and was quite successful under Kevin Stefanski in Minnesota. Keenum can help guide Mayfield when it comes to learning the ins and outs. Keenum is also of similar size and stature so there will not be a dramatic shift in concepts when it comes to where the quarterback lines up and how the blocking schemes are utilized. Mayfield and Keenum also have similar strengths and weaknesses which would result in a less dramatic shift in philosophy if a quarterback change is made for one reason or another.

The three-year contract term is interesting and is quite noteworthy.

Why does it matter?

Baker Mayfield is entering his third season and Cleveland will have to decide whether or not they pick up his fifth-year option prior to year four. If Mayfield struggles again or the wheels fall off they may be inclined to decline the option.

With Keenum’s deal being three years it provides them with a quarterback for years three and four of Mayfield and a possible bridge quarterback for a rookie if they move on after year four. This is a contingency plan in case things do not work out with their current quarterback.

Colt McCoy to back up Baker Mayfield?

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There is a veteran quarterback who the Cleveland Browns could target to back up Baker Mayfield. Colt McCoy.

There is no debating it, the Cleveland Browns need a competent backup quarterback. Baker Mayfield needs that veteran presence behind him to help guide him through the journey that is the NFL. Former Browns Colt McCoy certainly fits that description.

Case Keenum is also mentioned as a possibility and that would make a ton of sense due to his familiarity with Kevin Stefanski. This has been discussed previously, but for now the focus is on Colt McCoy.

There is a common trait among all three quarterbacks. All three are of similar size and are better when the outcome of the game is not dependent on a large volume of pass attempts. The size part is important so adjustments are not as drastic if a quarterback change is made for one reason or another. Some aspects of the offense may have to change due to the height of the quarterback that could stay the same with a taller quarterback. The offensive will be relatively the same if all the quarterbacks are of similar size.

An advantage that McCoy has over Keenum is that he has experience playing in Cleveland. McCoy is familiar with how certain things work and may be able to provide some advice in that regard. Some advice that Mayfield should take under serious consideration.

What type of backup quarterback the Browns decide to go with will be telling in regards to how they feel about the future of Baker Mayfield. If it is a veteran who has been around the block for awhile his future is safe. If the Browns sign someone to “push him”, that’s not necessarily a glowing endorsement. The fact it is two veterans and not a younger option should provide some optimism about Mayfield’s future. Although the opinion about the quarterback changes just as frequently as the weather in Cleveland.

Case Keenum as a backup to Baker Mayfield?

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The Cleveland Browns need a new backup quarterback going into next season and there is one who makes a ton of sense. Case Keenum. 

Keenum is familiar with the offense of Kevin Stefanski and helped lead the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC Championship game just two seasons ago. Keenum could be the veteran that Baker Mayfield needs on the sideline. Having someone who knows the ins and outs of a new offense is a valuable asset to any quarterback. It’s safe to say Keenum knows them pretty well. 

There is also another aspect to this. Perhaps the presence of a veteran who knows the offense could help Baker Mayfield limit his turnovers. The 32-year old quarterback doesn’t take many risks, while Baker takes many. This is quite the contrast in playing styles. Maybe this leads to Mayfield being a bit more careful with the ball. Last season Mayfield was a turnover machine and Cleveland can not afford for that to happen for the second year in a row. 

One final thing about the dynamic with Keenum and Mayfield. Keenum isn’t someone who should push Baker for the starting job, but can step in if necessary. Bringing in someone who can challenge him to be the starter is basically admitting a lack of faith in their quarterback. If that is the case, the Browns would be looking for yet another quarterback sooner rather than later.