We have to many weapons to be as bad as we are
Hopefully they can get it together this week,it would be a great win.
Whilst I completely agree that we have too many weapons to be this bad, that offers my best understanding of why we're struggling as much as we are.
Fascinatingly, Baker Mayfield has been at his worst when he's targeting Odell and Jarvis. No easy way to put it. Combined, Landry and Odell have 54 receptions on 98 targets for 875 yards and 1 TD.
That's not good.
Baker has been much better off targeting Chubb, Seals-Jones, Ratley, Hilliard and Johnson. To the tune of 46 receptions on 68 targets for 503 yards and 2 TD.
That's much better.
The problem, obviously, is that he's forcing it to his leading receivers at a volume that is much too high for such a struggling connection.
Let this sink in, after six games:
Beckham: 54 targets.
Landry: 44 targets.
Ratley: 15 targets.
Callaway: 7 targets.
Higgins: 3 targets.
In fact, 124 of Mayfield's 201 attempts have gone to Odell, Landry or Chubb. Key in on those three, you doom Baker Mayfield on nearly 62% of his passing attempts. Keep in mind, a further 8.4% of his passes go to Higgins (1 game), Callaway (2 games) and Njoku (2 games). So, it's actually nearly 70% of his passes divided amongst three targets.
Compare that to Baker's success last year. 149 targets for Landry. 88 for Njoku. 79 for Callaway. 53 for Higgins. 62 for Duke. Between 20/29 targets for Ratley, Chubb and Perriman. SEVEN more receivers with at least three targets.
2018 Baker Mayfield spread the ball around a fucking lot more than 2019 Mayfield. It isn't even close.
Higgins and Callaway returning, and now having the bye week to get back in to their groove, is a blessing. Baker's undoubtedly rising confidence in Ricky Seals-Jones, who already has experience with Kitchens, is a blessing. In this we'll certainly see a greater spread of targets being divided amongst a wider range of receivers.
That's when Baker Mayfield is at his best, in my opinion. When he spreads the ball around. Especially when the offense moves quickly - no huddle, or even just not chewing up the entire play clock. Keeps him in a rhythm, keeps the defenders off their toes, allows less thinking against an unpredictable offense: and good luck if you guess wrong because Callaway and Odell can take it from anywhere, Landry and Higgins lack the breakaway but they'll run it 50 if they pull your pants down and Chubb is averaging 5 YPA and he consistently proves he can take it from anywhere.
When you think about it, the Patriots game is going to be our first game of the season in which we boast all or receivers. We're missing Njoku but Seals-Jones is stepping up. This is the first time we'll even be almost full strength since - well, the opening drive when we punched Tennessee in the face after a 35 yarder to Higgins.
I agree we've got too many weapons to be this bad - but this week might actually be the first time since the season began in which we actually have those weapons all on the field.
