![]() "I was made to be able to kind of handle these types of situations," he said. The young quarterback is unfazed by the hype. But the Browns, who went 0-16 two years ago and have been a disgrace for much of their expansion era, are the league's trendy pick in the AFC North, at least. ![]() That may seem a little farfetched, a lot premature. Some of his actions have not played well outside of the area, but the same also could have been said for Tom Brady, Brett Favre and Jim McMahon.īecause of Mayfield, and a roster injected with new talented players including star receiver Odell Beckham Jr., the Browns are viewed as legitimate contenders this season. "Yeah, first time," Mayfield says chuckling about his now-famous guzzle. Mayfield further endeared himself to Cleveland fans this summer by biting into a beer can and chugging the contents while being shown on the scoreboard at an Indians game. He did it with pinpoint accuracy and a fearless style that included trash-talking opponents giving a cold shoulder to former Browns coach Hue Jackson and following a three-TD performance by saying, "I woke up feeling real dangerous," a catch phrase that's now part of the local lexicon. ![]() Last season, Mayfield broke Peyton Manning's rookie record with 27 touchdown passes in just 14 games. He's already given glimpses of potential greatness. "People here want their football team to be great and it's a football town, and I want my team to be great." I relate to the people here on a lot of facets: the blue-collar work ethic mentality and just embracing it. "I think all natural relationships happen very quickly because it's meant to be, and I think this is one of those things where it was just meant to be. "There are characteristics and values that I have that go hand in hand with what the people of Cleveland have," Mayfield tells The Associated Press. ![]() The kid from Texas with the Texas-sized chip on his shoulder believes his passion meshes perfectly in a city where football's more than a game. 6 jerseys or headbands like the one he wears under his orange, logo-less helmet.įrom the moment he came off the bench in Week 3 and led a comeback win over the New York Jets, ending Cleveland's 19-game winless streak, Mayfield has felt at home. In whirlwind fashion, Mayfield has captured Cleveland's heart: "Baker 2:16" T-shirts are for sale around town, and there's no shortage of No. Sometimes arrogant, always assured, the 24-year-old quarterback is being hailed as the franchise's savior, the one to finally lead the Browns from the gutter to glory. Around here, the Browns, so bad for so long, are back. 1 overall pick in 2018 drew a mixed reaction here and around the league, has Cleveland's football pulse racing. Only 13 starts into his career, Mayfield, whose selection as the No. A few blocks south, just past construction cranes symbolizing the city's rise, the Indians push toward a possible playoff spot in the early innings of a day/night doubleheader.Īs Mayfield looks toward FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Browns, the empty orange seats seem to glow. On this clear August afternoon, sailboats slice across Lake Erie's blue-green waters just beyond the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, while sun bathers dot the grassy mall where LeBron James and the Cavaliers paraded following their NBA championship three years ago.
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