Baker better than Eli
BAKER BETTER THAN ELI EVER WAS?
By STEVE KING
Because of having had to endure all the misery that has been their team’s fitful, nightmarish two-decade trip through the expansion era, especially in the 2016 and ’17 seasons, Browns fans deserve the right to hear every single bit of good news now that things have improved so dramatically, do suddenly.
Oh, sure, I’ll still tell you about the bad and so-so news because you need to stay current, and balanced. In fact, I’ve got something setting on my desk right now that will give you some pause. But more often than not – at least for a while, and perhaps longer; we’ll just have to wait and see – I’ll provide things you’ve not heard or thought about the Browns for some time.
Such was the case early afternoon on Sunday on ESPN Radio’s national broadcast, as heard locally on Cleveland’s WKNR-AM (850). The co-hosts talked partly about the Browns for an entire segment, and then wholly about the club in the next segment.
First and foremost, they said what many other people are saying, thst the Browns are now the favorites in the AFC North because of how Cleveland has added a lot of major pieces while the other teams have lost such.
“What about the Pittsburgh Steelers?” one of the hosts asked the other.
“Nah, nah,” he replied.
But here are some thoughts from the hosts that haven’t gotten as much, if any, in some cases, run:
*“The Browns have it all – a great quarterback, two great wide receivers, an offensive line, a good running game and a great defense.”
*“Odell Beckham Jr. is going to a team with a quarterback who can make all throws and get the ball where it needs to be. Eli Manning can’t make those throws anymore. Baker Mayfield is a better quarterback than Eli right now. In fact, he could end up being better than Eli ever was, and that’s saying something because Eli is a two-time Super Bowl MVP who has two Super Bowl rings.”
Yes, that really, truly is saying something, and so it goes with these new-look Browns.
IT WAS DORSEY WHO GOT BECKHAM TRADE TALKS GOING
The more I learn about Browns General Manager John Dorsey, the more I like him.
The more I realize he is just what the Browns needed to get them out of the muck they’ve been mired in for 20 years in this horrific expansion era.
Related to Baker better than Eli
The more I realize that if the Browns are ever going to get to where they want to go in the foreseeable future – eventually not just to the Super Bowl, but to win it and be crowned champions – it’s going to be with that guy running the show.
The more I realize that the Kansas City Chiefs’ mistake – how could they fire him? – has been the best blessing in the world for the Browns.
The more I realize that, every day, Browns fans need to thank God – or whatever supreme being in whom they believe – that John Dorsey is here.
I came to this understanding – this epiphany, this realization, actually, but it’s just that I didn’t want to use that word once again – when I read something on sportsillustrated.com on Monday.
According to the website, Newsday’s Tom Rock reported that New York Giants General Manager Dave Gettleman told reporters that the only call he initiated in regards to trading wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was to the Buffalo Bills.
OK. Considering that, then, after talks between the Giants and Bills never really amounted to anything, Dorey took the initiative – seized upon the incredible opportunity – and initiated talks with Gettleman. That took savvy and smarts, and it even more of the same to craft a deal that would work for both Cleveland and New York.
Without Dorsey, the deal would have never gotten done. No way Beckham would have ended up here. Can you imagine Sashi Brown doing anything like this?
And without the deal, then the Browns would still be, at least on paper, just a good team and not one whose stock has skyrocketed now thsat they have one of the best overall players in the league in Beckham.
Dorsey was the right man at the right time on that deal, and just about everything else he’s touched in his 15 months on the job.
Better yet, this is probably just the start. More – many more – good things are likely on the way.
Unbelievable.
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