Cleveland Browns must change way they protect Baker
By Joel W. Cade
How was Baker protected at Oklahoma?
Baker Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy at the University of Oklahoma. He didn’t do that by accident. Even if one argues that he played with superior talent, he still had to execute as the quarterback to utilize that talent.
One of the main characteristics of Mayfield’s days in college was his accuracy and decision making. In fact, Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus argued that Mayfield should be the number one overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. At the time Mayfield had the two highest season grades since PFF started grading college quarterbacks.
Accuracy and decision making are skills that translate into the NFL. During Mayfield’s rookie season he showed the ability to make good decisions and accurately deliver the ball. If that was the case in college, then what was happening that allowed him to excel?
One of the main differences between college and now is the way Baker is being protected. In college, the Sooners used was is called dish protection or commonly known as short setting. Here are some highlights that demonstrate short setting. Oklahoma also used a lot of play action pass concepts.
The main thing to know about short setting is that it keeps all the action directly in front of Mayfield. When Mayfield drops back to pass, the offensive line sets quickly to engage the defender in at or near the line of scrimmage. This has the effect of creating distance between Mayfield and the rush action.
This is important for Mayfield for a couple of reasons. Both reasons are essential to his success.
The first reason is his height. As a shorter (I used this begrudgingly) quarterback, Baker needs to be able to see over the offensive and defensive line. If the linemen are being pushed back, he will have a harder time seeing the action in front of him.
By engaging at the line of scrimmage, Baker is afforded more distance between him and the action thereby allowing him to see it all unfold. He needs the added distance to effective scan the field. Notice in the video how Baker is almost standing by himself on passing schemes. Also, notice how all the action is at the line of scrimmage.
Play action passes have the same effect. All of the action is at the line of scrimmage. On play action, Baker can also be found standing alone effectively scanning the field and accurately delivering passes.
Second, Mayfield uses his peripheral vision to “feel” or see pressure. If all the action is in front of him, he can clearly see where the pressure is coming from. He also has a second or two to effectively deal with that pressure. By keeping the action in front of him, Baker can see the field and see the pressure when it is coming at him.
When he can see the pressure he is very effective at dealing with it. He makes excellent decisions to bail, roll out or make an accurate throw to the correct target. Keeping the action in front of him has been a key to his college success.
But how is all of this getting at why Baker may be starting to lock on to reads and rushing throws? Is it a pass protection issue? How are the Browns protecting Baker?