Just a couple of quick thoughts on the Garrett situation and the Miami game. As we all know, Garrett’s and Ogunjobi’s suspensions were upheld and Pouncey’s was reduced by one game. I guess Rudolph’s penalty is not having his starting center for the Browns game. Since Garrett’s meeting with the NFL it was leaked that Rudolph called Garrett a racial slur as they were on the ground. First of all, (here comes every Browns fans disclaimer) we all agree what Garrett did with Rudolph’s helmet was wrong and should be punished. However I still have a problem with the swiftness of the NFL in handing downs the punishments without investigations. Hell, when deflate-gate happened, the NFL took months trying to get Tom Brady’s phone. Twelve hours after the incident still seems a little hasty to me.
Concerning the racial slur. I find it interesting that within minutes after it leaked on twitter, Rudolph’s lawyer had a statement posted denying it happened. And the NFL was very quick to say they had no evidence of it happening. First, I have no reason not to believe Myles Garrett. When someone punched Garrett as he sat in his car, he calmly wrote down the guy’s license plate number, instead of jumping out of his vehicle and chasing the idiot down. Doesn’t sound like a guy with a hair trigger temper to me. Now the talking heads are asking why didn’t he mention the slur prior to now? After the game, while standing at his locker, Garrett was asked by a reporter if Rudolph said anything to him and Garrett responded by saying listen to the tape.
Second, the NFL has stated there is no audio of the slur. You’re going to tell me there is no audio of the incident from a prime time game, the only game being played. That the NFL, NFL films or the YouTube show Building the Browns had no audio of the incident? Remember when Ray Rice beat his girlfriend in a hotel elevator and the NFL said there was no video of the incident. Well TMZ investigated and obtained the video. That beeping sound you heard was the NFL back tracking. Third, the NFL claims their officials didn’t hear the slur. I’m supposed to believe that NFL officials have better hearing then eye-site? That’s like asking the get away driver if the other person in the passenger seat robbed the bank. Hopefully in the off season the league will rule time served and let Garrett participate in the off season workouts. Remember when the worst things this team did was when our quarterback supposedly didn’t shake another players hand and stormed off when a Cleveland reporter kept asking a stupid question? Good times.
Now to the game. Miami has a few things going for them. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is 5-1 lifetime verses the Browns, they are the least penalized team in the NFL (I wonder how a rookie head coach manages that) and some experts are calling this a trap game. The only real weapon they have on offense is WR DeVante Parker. Only two wide receivers have more than 80 yards receiving against the Browns, the Rams Copper Kupp and the Titans A.J. Brown. I know the Browns will be short on safeties with Murray being ruled out, but Ward will be all over Parker. Miami’s offensive line is the worst in the NFL against pressure, so the Browns will have to create pressure without Garrett and Vernon. Chad Thomas, Devaroe Lawrence and Bryan Cox are going to have to step up. The Browns just activated DT Brandin Bryant and DE Porter Gustin from the practice squad for depth. The Dolphins are 2-0 when they win the turnover battle and 0-8 when they don’t. So the Browns need to continue the no turnover streak.
As for this being a trap game, I’ve heard the Browns players are mad as hell about the Myles Garrett ruling. I fully expect them to come out firing on all cylinders and take their frustrations with the NFL out on the Dolphins and the win streak continues. Because of the report of the slur, Browns fans again will have to listen to Sunday pregame shows give their expert analysis about Garrett and the Browns. Then after this Sunday’s game, we’ll have another whole week of this prior to the steelers game. Cleveland against the world. GO BROWNS.