What is Baker Mayfield’s connection to the Buccaneers Is he a potential trade target? What happens if he is injured in 2021 What if Mike Pruitt’s one-yard touchdowns are the key to Mayfield returning? And what about the Bob Wylie connection? These issues and many others will be discussed in this article. Let’s first take a look at Mike Pruitt’s and the Browns.
Baker Mayfield could be traded to the Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are rumored to be in the mix to sign quarterback Baker Mayfield. This move is not uncommon, but it would be a surprise. Although Mayfield is a great quarterback his contract is too low to encourage other teams to sign him. The Buccaneers would have to absorb at least a portion of Mayfield’s $18.8million salary, but this seems unlikely at the moment. However, ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky recently urged the Buccaneers to pursue Mayfield.
Former Browns quarterback Brady Quinn has also suggested Tampa Bay as a potential landing spot for the young star. While Tampa Bay has no other position open on its roster for Mayfield, they have two picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. If they are interested in drafting a franchise QB, they may trade Baker Mayfield. However, Tampa Bay does not fit Mayfield’s needs and would be better off with a team that possesses a proven franchise quarterback.
After Tom Brady’s retirement, the Buccaneers will need a quarterback in 2022. The Bucs currently have Kyle Trask, a 2021 second-round draft pick, as their starting quarterback. However, this might change. The Buccaneers may be willing to consider a trade for Baker Mayfield in order to add depth to their offense. Although the trade will likely cost the Bucs a lot, it will be a great move by the Browns.
The Saints also have a high-priced quarterback, in addition to the Browns and the Buccaneers. They must address their salary-cap situation. That means parting with high-priced veterans. Baker Mayfield is a great candidate to be the NFC’s starter. Baker Mayfield could be a great match for the NFL’s run-oriented offensive scheme.
The Cleveland Browns have been active in the offseason, trading for Amari Cooper from the Cowboys. While this move bolsters the wide receiver room, it remains to be seen if the Browns will trade Mayfield to the Buccaneers for Deshaun Watson. Although it would be risky, it would be necessary if Browns were to acquire a starting quarterback by 2022.
Mike Pruitt’s one-yard touchdown runs are key
The 1970s saw the Cleveland Browns suffer from lean seasons. They won four games in 1974, the lowest total win total in team history. Nick Skorich, the team’s head coach was forced to resign. After the season, the team hired Forrest Gregg. The Browns lost three of their eight remaining games. Despite their poor record, Pruitt managed to contribute to the team’s success in 1976.
Pruitt was a first-round pick but struggled to make an impression before joining the Browns. He only carried the ball 51 times and gained 138 yards. However, his one-yard touchdown runs were crucial to the Browns’ success. He was a strong north-south runner but also had the vision to make long runs between tackles. His 1980 season saw him make nine starts and gain 538 yards. He was nominated for the Pro Bowl.
While Pruitt was expected to be a feature back in the 1990s, he was not used for any of the preseason games. Although he rushed for only 506 yards, he managed to score six touchdowns. His one-yard touchdown runs were important in helping the Browns to reach the playoffs, as he was voted to his first Pro Bowl. Pruitt’s one yard touchdown runs made the difference between losing and winning in the season’s final two games.
The Buccaneers had a record of 0-10 before Thanksgiving, and were heavily impacted by injuries. In the first half, the game was tied 7-7. However, the Buccaneers had four interceptions off of quarterback Derek Anderson, including a 12-yard touchdown pass to RB Essex Johnson. The Buccaneers went on to dominate the game in the second half, outgaining the Buccaneers by a 161-95 margin.
Mayfield’s injury in 2021
Baker Mayfield has been out with a shoulder injury, and he’ll likely need offseason surgery. However, the quarterback hasn’t used that injury as an excuse this year. In his Week 15 game against the Raiders, Mayfield was injured and placed on the COVID-19 Reserve List. He was then activated for the Browns’ Christmas Day match against the Packers. Those two games have been Mayfield’s biggest test this season.
Baker Mayfield was already a Cleveland Browns starter when he injured his left shoulder in 2021. In fact, he was working closely with backup quarterback Case Keenum, so he was aware of Mayfield’s shoulder injury firsthand. Mayfield had a great 2020 season, and most people expected him to continue improving. Instead, Mayfield spent much of the season sitting down and wearing a heavy harness that was too tight around his left arm.
The Browns will be relying on Nick Mullens as their backup quarterback with Mayfield out for the season. In Week 15, Mayfield started the game against Vegas Raiders, and completed 20 of his 30 passes for 147 yards with a touchdown. However, the Browns will not be as fortunate next season. The Browns will miss the NFL Draft and free agency because of a season-ending injury. This could have allowed them to trade for a quarterback.
The first-round pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, Mayfield is expected to undergo offseason surgery after the 2021 season. However, any setbacks during the offseason could change his decision. The Browns may not need to search for a backup quarterback for several years if the surgery is successful. In the meantime, he’s been able to complete 60.5 percent of his passes this season, throwing 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, for a passer rating of 83.1.
While Baker Mayfield has a history of injuries, this may be his worst in terms of time to recover. In the second half of last season, he suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder and was forced to wear a shoulder harness to prevent the injury from dislocating. Although he was able to play all of the fourth quarter against the Patriots, he sustained injuries. Despite the effects of Mayfield’s injury, the quarterback will be able to return to the field within four to six months.
Bob Wylie’s connection with the Buccaneers
It is interesting that Bob Wylie would be associated with someone who is associated with the Cleveland Browns. Wylie, a former NFL offensive-line coach, is still associated with the team. The connections go back further than just his name. His coaching education included working with George Halas, a Hall of Fame coach. In fact, Wylie coached Chicago Bears running backs Frank Maznicki and Bradley Chubb during his time in the NFL.
The Browns Buccaneers have a connection to Wylie, since he was hired as offensive line coach by Hue Jackson in 2011. In 2011, he was fired as the offensive line coach, and the team went from being ranked 29th to fourth. The Browns hope to have similar success under Wylie, and he may be able to do just that. As a former offensive line coach, Wylie has helped turn around several teams and gained the respect of the league as a whole.
One of the ways Wylie is making a positive impact on the team is through his charity work. He has volunteered at local children’s hospitals to help the underprivileged. In addition to playing for the Browns, he has performed magic tricks to cheer up kids. He raised money for a Cleveland school. The organization is making a difference in the lives of many in need.
Wylie was previously an offensive line coach with the Oakland Raiders before joining the Buccaneers. Wylie was hired February 1, 2011, and was part the offensive line’s progress from 29th to 4th place. He was also the team’s leading rusher until an accident sidelined him. The Raiders have been a success since then. The Buccaneers were then in serious trouble.
Wylie, a former offensive coach, was not retained by Browns after they revamped the coaching staff. He said that he attributed the turnaround to former quarterbacks coach Kenny Zampese. The Browns went on to finish the season 5-1, but the team had to move on from Wylie’s coaching. This forced the team to hire former offensive line coach Mike Kitchens, who had a better relationship with the Browns.
