Ben McAdoo Thought Baker Mayfield Stunk Coming Into The Draft
The Panthers traded for Baker and his new offensive coordinator hates him. I’d say we’re off to a great start! If you gave Ben McAdoo some truth serum right now, he may admit that he doesn’t love Baker Mayfield. At least his predraft comments indicate so.
“I didn’t see a lot of pro-style football in his college tape,” McAdoo said. “And if you’re short you have to be able to make up for it some way, somehow, and personality doesn’t do that. I didn’t think he was a great athlete. This guy is kinda like a pocket quarterback that is short and with small hands, that’s what I worry about.”
Want to hear the best part? During that 2018 NFL Draft, McAdoo ranked him 6th behind Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, and Mason Rudolph. You can’t even make this up. I get maybe having interest in Baker but how are you going to make this move with a play caller that doesn’t like him? Better yet, to potentially replace him on the roster with a guy in Darnold that he thinks is better? It’s CRAZY.
Is there a shot Darnold still starts? He’s been there the longest and all indications have been that he is the favorite to start. It’s gotta mean something, right? Baker could easily start the year on the sidelines and take over if Darnold flops. At this point, I do think it’s safe to say Matt Corral will have a redshirt year unless things really go south late in the year (very possible).
I don’t have a clue what to expect from the Panthers this year. Not a clue. I believe in Matt Rhule but he’s somehow found himself in what appears to be an unwinnable position. I don’t envy him (or wish to be attached to some of his decision making personnel wise). Then again, the NFC South is as bad as it gets. Maybe there is reason for optimism?
