A strong training camp by Baker Mayfield shows the Cleveland Browns the rookie could be ready to take over soon.
ABOUT BAKER MAYFIELD
The answer is...yes.
The question is...have the Browns found a quarterback in Baker Mayfield?
The other answer is...no.
The question is...how about playing Mayfield right now?
If the Browns didn't have Tyrod Taylor or another veteran with a clue of how to win games in the NFL, then Mayfield has shown enough in the preseason to start for a team that is willing to be patient.
But Browns fans are tired of the P-word - patience.
And they are trapped by the D-word - desperation.
When a team is 1-31 and saddled with a 17-game losing streak headed into the regular season, something has to change...
And change fast.
It's why General Manager John Dorsey traded for Taylor, who had a 22-20 record in three seasons with Buffalo.
Dorsey was reasonably sure he was going to draft Mayfield when trading for Taylor in March.
His judgment of Mayfield's poise, accuracy and quick feet all appear to be correct.
But Dorsey also knows most rookie quarterbacks have a hard time making a fast adjustment to the NFL.
That's why he quickly traded for veteran Alex Smith in 2013 when Dorsey wanted to set up Kansas City for a fast turnaround from a 2-14 season.
And it's why he made the Taylor deal to help drag the Browns out of their 0-16 Grand Canyon of last season...or 4-44 in the last three seasons.
The fans, the players, the coaching staff and the entire franchise have been devastated by losing at a record-breaking rate.
This is not the time for a rookie quarterback.
WHAT ABOUT BAKER?
As I praise Mayfield, it's not about wanting him to open the season against the Steelers.
Mayfield has been a revelation.
He has quickly adapted to the pro game. He's learned to work out of the huddle and take snaps under center, something he never did in 46 college starts at Oklahoma and Texas Tech.
His progress is admirable. He went from seeming somewhat overwhelmed in the spring to looking confident with the offense and the coaching staff in the summer. It shows Mayfield did his homework.
Not only did he learn from his coaches, he has been respectful and listening to veteran quarterbacks Drew Stanton and Taylor.
Dorsey has surrounded Mayfield with two no-nonsense quarterbacks who know how the NFL works and have worked very hard to keep their jobs in the NFL.
Mayfield has no signs of the entitlement that often sticks to the first pick in the NFL draft.
In the preseason, the 6-foot Mayfield showed the wisdom and confidence to stay in the pocket. He moves around just a bit to evade the pass rush and find an open throwing lane.
It's important that he's willing just to heave the ball out-of-bounds rather than make a risky throw in the red zone.
He does a good job of keeping his eyes focused downfield, searching for the right receiver.
He is an accurate passer, especially in the mid-range area of 5-to-15 yards. About 80 percent of passes are thrown in that area in most games.
Of course, a pass can be 8 yards beyond the line of scrimmage, but it's thrown 25 yards. That takes into consideration how far the quarterback sets up in the pocket -- and if the receiver is on sidelines.
I loved how Mayfield connected with rookie Damion Ratley for a 21-yard pass, perfectly timed with some juice behind it.
Mayfield was 35-of-61 passing (57 percent) with two TD passes and one interception.
If the Browns have an early season disaster such as 2016, when starting quarterback Robert Griffin III was injured in the opener, Mayfield probably can play and do a decent job.
My theory has long been this: A rookie quarterback can be hurt by having to play too soon. He won't be set back by perhaps waiting longer than necessary to start.
So the Browns are in good shape either way with Mayfield. And it appears Dorsey made a wise choice with Mayfield, a pick I didn't like when it was announced.
ABOUT KHALIL MACK & MYCHAL KENDRICKS
1. The Oakland Raiders supposedly want at least two first-round picks for Mack, their elite linebacker, and that's apparently what they got from the Chicago Bears.
2. Mack has a $14 million salary in the final season of his contract, but he was holding out for a contract extension. The Bears will probably have to make Mack the highest paid defensive player in the NFL.
3. The Rams just gave defensive lineman Aaron Donald a $135 million deal for six years, with $87 million guaranteed. So that would be the floor in talks with Mack.
4. The Browns have the salary cap room to handle that salary. Assuming Mayfield takes over as the starter by 2019, they don't have to pay a quarterback big money for a few seasons.
5. The question was if the Browns were willing to part with their first-rounders in 2019 and 2020. They no longer have multiple first-round or second-round picks, just their own selections. I was for keeping the picks. This team is not that close to being a playoff contender yet.
6. I was trying to figure out why the Browns immediately cut Mychal Kendricks when he was indicted on insider trading. They have been patient with Josh Gordon and others who have had legal problems.
7. I was told the Browns didn't believe Kendricks was a major target of the investigation. But it appears he could do some jail time...soon. I don't know all the facts, so it's hard to have a strong opinion.
8. I do know not having Kendricks is a significant loss. He could make a major impact as a pass-rushing linebacker. Suddenly, the Browns don't have the same deep depth at the position as they did a week ago.
ABOUT THE BROWNS
1. The rise of undrafted rookie Desmond Harrison finished Shon Coleman with the Browns. Harrison has shown some potential to play left tackle. The new Browns front office lost faith in Coleman, who started 16 games at right tackle in 2017. The Browns signed veteran Chris Hubbard to start at right tackle, and Coleman struggled when trying to play left tackle.
2. Coleman was shipped to San Francisco for a seventh-round pick in 2019. He was a third-round pick in 2016.
3. The 2016 first-round pick (Corey Coleman) was traded to Buffalo for a 2020 seventh-rounder. The Bills cut him. Another third-round pick in 2016 (Cody Kessler), was traded to Jacksonville for a future seventh-rounder.
4. The Browns had five picks in the top three rounds of 2016. The only players left with the team are Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib. Also left from that draft are Pro Bowl linebacker Joe Schobert (fourth round), safety Derrick Kindred (fourth round), tight end Seth DeValve (fourth round) and Rashard Higgins (fifth round).
5. Kessler had a strong preseason with Jacksonville. He won the backup quarterback job behind Blake Bortles. Kessler completed 36-of-46 passes with one TD. The Jags rely on a strong running game and want a backup who doesn't turn the ball over. That's why they brought in Kessler.
6. DeShone Kizer has made the Green Bay Packers as the backup after they traded Brett Hundley (last year's backup) to Seattle. Kizer completed 53 percent of his passes in the preseason, three TDs compared to one interception. The Packers said they liked Kizer in the 2017 draft. They believe playing behind veteran Aaron Rodgers and with an established coaching staff and offense will help the 22-year-old adapt to the NFL.
7. I will be speaking at the Lorain-South Library on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. My other appearance will be Sept. 13 at the Ashland Library at 5:30 p.m. Both events are free as we talk sports, sign books and have a good time.