Cleveland Browns: Baker Mayfield gives the offense an identity

For the past 20 years, the Cleveland Browns have been a team without an identity. Until now, they’ve either been “that other team” in the AFC North, or the “lovable losers” of the NFL. But rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield lends the team the on-field individuality and purpose that they have craved for years.

Since 1999, the Cleveland Browns have floundered about for all but about two seasons. Their lone playoff season since returning to the league ended in a wild-card loss to the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

In their statistical best season, they became part of the 16 percent of 10-6 teams to not make the playoffs. For two decades, the Browns have sputtered, and while you can argue over the many reasons why, I think one of the biggest ones is that they’ve had no identity.

Every team, every NFL organization, and really every sports team has an immediately identifiable trait. And that’s not to include the logo, the mascot, or the team colors; it’s something about the team as an entity.

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For example, the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are models of consistency. The NBA’s Golden State Warriors are three-point sharpshooters.

In recent years, the Jacksonville Jaguars have become known for their hard-nosed defense. Every team has an identity. But not the Browns.

The Browns have existed in a state of constant, unrecognizable purgatory since 1999. That was, at least, until about last year, when they hired Gregg Williams as a defensive coordinator.

Williams is a fiery guy, and though the argument can be made whether or not he’s a great coach, he certainly knows the schemes he wants to run.

So in 2017, the Browns became a team that, no matter how many strides they made on defense, were an anemic disaster on offense. DeShone Kizer, red zone interceptions, you’ve all heard this before. But hey, at least Cleveland was marginally better on defense.

They still needed a name, and a face, on the offensive side of the ball, and they may have found one in rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield’s personality is, as wide receiver Jarvis Landry might say, contagious, bro. His incredible charisma and never-say-die attitude on the field make him a perfect candidate to inject life into the franchise.

Since taking over just before halftime of week three against the New York Jets, Mayfield has looked poised and led the Browns to 45 total points. Under Tyrod Taylor, the Browns scored 39 points in total, over two and a half games.

The argument can be made that physically, Mayfield was not the “best” quarterback in this draft class. Josh Rosen was seen as the best pure passer, Sam Darnold the media favorite for No. 1 overall pick, and Josh Allen as the most talented arm.

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And yet, Mayfield was by far the best choice for the Browns. He has put life back into what was essentially a dead franchise and given a sense of purpose to the offense.

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