This week, I thought about diving into free agency or possible draft targets now that the coaching staff and front office has all the main components. However, the Myles Garrett story has got me a little pissed. First let me say, what Myles Garrett did was not only a terrible action for the game of football, but also in everyday life. As you know, everyone has condemned Garrett for his on the field behavior of trying to hit Steeler QB Mason Rudolph in the head with his own helmet. And Garrett has acknowledged his actions were inexcusable and has expressed regret and apologized for those actions. The NFL imposed in essence, a six game suspension, it’s stiffest penalty for on the field behavior. One of the best Browns players sat the final six games of the season, damaging the Browns slim playoff hopes. Now that the season is over, there were reports that Garrett would be reinstated after meeting with the commissioner and that’s what happened. The Browns get their best defensive player back for the 2020 off season and the regular season. End of story right? Nope. As a Browns fan you know what’s coming next…..drama.
Myles Garrett did an interview with ESPN and said Mason Rudolph called him the N word while the fight was happening. Forget the fact that Rudolph was the one who tried to rip Garrett’s helmet off of him as they both lay on the ground and after Garrett grabbed Rudolph’s helmet off of him, Rudolph charged Garrett. This is when Rudolph allegedly uttered the phrase “stupid N……”. Every critic of Garrett, mostly from western Pennsylvania, argues Garrett is injecting race into this situation. Or using what Rudolph said as a justification for his actions. Wrong on both accounts. After the game, Garrett told team mates, the Browns coaching staff and GM John Dorsey what Rudolph said, but not the media. He didn’t want anyone to know. At his suspension hearing with the commissioner, he told them in confidence what happened and again did not offer what Rudolph said as an excuse, but as a reason for his actions. So what happens next? It’s leaked that Mason Rudolph called Myles Garrett a racial slur. Why would the NFL want that leaked out? I have a theory about leaks, they are never unintentional. I think the NFL is so afraid of anything racially inspired, that they wanted to get ahead of the story just in case the public found out about it, i.e. TMZ. Now the story is, Myles Garrett is using race as an excuse. Ban him for life.
First of all, Myles Garrett is a very soft spoken young man, who while being an extremely talented NFL defensive end, writes poetry and is an amateur paleontologist. Not your typical dumb jock. Do I think Rudolph used a racial slur? I have no idea, however if I’m going to believe anyone, it’s Myles Garrett. Not because he’s a member of the Cleveland Browns, but because of his nature. It’s just not in his nature and the Cleveland sports media agrees on this, which would be the first time they agreed on anything. I find it strange that’s there is no audio of this, or should I say no audio has been released. It was a Thursday night game between two bitter rivals, with extra video and audio equipment everywhere. Plus add that NFL Films mics players and the YouTube show “Building The Browns” does as well. Has anyone else besides me noticed that the YouTube show’s last episode was the three games prior to the Steelers game? Now there is word that Mason Rudolph may sue Myles Garrett. Fine, lets hear the audio to settle the case. Rudolph says it’s 1000% untrue he said it. If you have to go more than 100% on anything, you’re not telling the truth. Finally, Mike Tomlin is defending his player and is saying what Garrett said is untrue. Here’s a small list of the players that Tomlin has defended. Ben Roethlisberger ( alleged rape), Antonio Brown (alleged assault) and Santonio Holmes (alleged assault). Fine group of guys right? The result will be Rudolph doesn’t sue and the next Browns/Steeler game will be the home opener or a prime time game.
In other news, the Browns released four players today, CB T.J. Carrie, TE Demetrius Harris, G Eric Kush and LB Adarius Taylor. As I mentioned last week, I thought Carrie, Harris and Kush would be in the first round of cuts. Taylor was a special teams player who was forced into the starting line up against Denver and was exposed almost immediately. Takitaki replaced him and responded very well. Christian Kirksey should be in the next round as could Chris Hubbard, although I think the Browns will try and trade Hubbard. The cap savings from today’s cuts is 12.75 million, bringing the Browns cap up to about 62.25 million. I’ve heard the Browns have contacted the agent for Olivier Vernon. Hopefully it’s for a contract restructure and not to inform Vernon the Browns are cutting him. I still want to keep Vernon, but not at 15.5 million. Finally the combine starts next Monday, which means the Browns front office will in gauge in the non legal tampering period. Or as I call it, the “wink wink, nudge nudge, you know what I mean” period. I fully expect Browns twitter to go into meltdown mode when seeing the pictures of GM Andrew Berry talking to other GM’s. Fun times, can’t wait, really looking forward to it, no not really. On to the combine and Go Browns.