In life there are times that, no matter how you may try to avoid it, you are forced to keep seeing things that make you angry. Maybe it’s a full parking lot at the gym in January, your Ex’s social media popping up on your feed, or just your coworker’s fugly outfits but for Jets fans this is the annual Patriots Superbowl. If you are from another planet, this is where every sports media’s content is dominated by a digital orgy involving New England head coach Bill Belichek and New England QB Tom Brady. The media is aware that the majority of Patriots fans only know one or two players so they try to keep it simple with those two. The same stories from past years are regurgitated such as Tom Brady is mad about insert reason here so watch out! and Belichek isn’t eccentric and that’s why he wins!
If you are understandably at the brink of sanity as a Jets fan your only salve has been the trickle of information about the big four QBs that will be going early in this year’s NFL draft. Esteemed colleague Kevin Lidlow covered the 6’ 5” wonder Josh Allen’s time at the 2018 Senior Bowl but what about HIS colleague the brash Baker Mayfield out of Oklahoma. Shorter and angrier with an anti-hero’s chip, Baker juxtaposes nicely as the Vegeta to Josh Allen’s Goku.
Baker had limited play at the Senior Bowl so how did he fare then at an event where he was judged more for his personality than his play?
Well like usual with Baker the event began memorable when it was rumored he had shown up late to the first day of practice. The media ran wild attacking his character until the story came out he had been with his ill mother in the hospital. Point Baker. The practice itself though was characterized by sloppy play and misfires but this was generally chalked up to travel fatigue Baker experienced rushing from his mother’s bedside to the event. As the week went on Baker looked sharper and teams seemed pleased with his accuracy and poise in the pocket. Criticisms did arise from his footwork and wasted movement but overall he acquitted himself well in practice. Baker, when asked about potentially being taken first overall by the hapless ‘20 QB killing’ Cleveland Browns said, “They’re getting a winner. They’re getting somebody that’s gonna turn that franchise around. They’re getting somebody that no matter what happens, no matter what anybody else on the outside thinks of that franchise, I’m gonna put belief and I’m gonna put new life into that. And I’ll do everything I can to win and everything for my team and the coaching staff. They’re gonna get the biggest competitor they’ve ever seen. That’s what I brought to OU, and that’s always been what I believe in.”
Overall Baker presented himself as right in the mix with fellow top QB prospects Darnold, Rosen, and Allen. He’s shorter and came from a system known for inflated numbers but there is no denying that he has the two most important pro QB traits, accuracy and decision making. His personality could be the type of fire a perennial joke like the New York Jets need to build a winner. Many draft pundits project Josh Allen to go earlier to the Denver Broncos. With Darnold and Rosen potentially going to the Giants and Browns the Jets may have the opportunity to decide if Baker is that guy. Apparently he had extensive meetings with Jets management so it could be possible that the end of the Patriots Dynasty starts with Broadway Baker.
Place any and all sports bets with YouWager