The Facts: The hype around Baker Mayfield was obvious as the Browns opened rookie mini-camp and the first pick overall in last week's draft met with reporters. He was surrounded by cameras and microphones, then did individual interviews with ESPN and NFL Network. So Jackson felt the need to double down on his stance that Taylor will be the starter. “I am not going to back off of this and we can keep writing this narrative, Tyrod Taylor is the starting quarterback of this football team,” he said. “That will not change.”
Diehards Line:
Jackson wanted to stop the Baker Train before it really got rumbling but not extinguish the enthusiasm. “Let’s make sure we pump our brakes a little bit because he has a ways to go and a lot to learn,” Jackson said. “I am very excited about him. He has a lot of characteristics that we love. That is why he is here.” Mayfield’s first day on the job featured plenty of pinpoint passes thrown with zip. It also included at least two fumbled snaps, a ball swatted down at the line and an interception on a miscommunication with the receiver. Mayfield stayed after practice to work on taking snaps from center. It’s a big adjustment for a quarterback who was in the shotgun for almost every play at Oklahoma. The dynamic between Taylor and Mayfield could be tricky, with Mayfield trying to establish himself as a leader and his ascension to starter — at some point — a seeming inevitability. Taylor has been a constant presence during the offseason program as Mayfield gets situated in his new surroundings. Still, Mayfield's draft status will keep him on the radar and keep Taylor's grip on the starting job in question. We'll continue watching for more.