Cleveland Browns News: Shocker, hit to Baker Mayfield was illegal
By Randy Gurzi
The NFL is reportedly looking at fining Jordan Whitehead for his hit on Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, the hit that refs said was perfectly fine
Full disclosure: I’m not one of those ‘the refs are out to get us’ kind of guys. Bad calls happen all over the NFL and teams have to overcome it. However, after seeing the refs pick up the flag on a hit to Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield’s head, it’s harder to say that something isn’t terribly wrong.
Even worse was the explanation that since Mayfield was a “runner” he was allowed to be hit in the head. Yes, NFL official Shawn Hochuli said it was fine to hit a player in the head. So much for that whole player safety thing they’ve been preaching.
Sadly, as soon as the play was over Browns Twitter took off, saying how an apology from the league was coming. This is the feeling because it seems to be every week that the officials burn Cleveland with a terrible call, only to raise their hands later and say “oops, our bad.”
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Once again, this looks to be the case as league sources have let it slip that Tampa Bay safety Jordan Whitehead should have been penalized. He may even wind up being fined by the league. That doesn’t end frustrations for the team, or fans given the frequency of the bad calls going against Cleveland.
The league’s latest backtrack and more can be found in today’s Daily Dawg Tags.
Cleveland Browns News
NFL knows hit on Browns’ Baker Mayfield should have been flagged — Pat McManamon, ESPN
"The NFL recognizes that Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead should have been penalized for a hit on Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield on Sunday, a source familiar with the league’s thinking said Tuesday."
Again, this gives the Browns and their fans no solace. Between the missed holds and illegal hits week after week, the frustration is mounting. Players keep voicing that aggravation, but the league needs to find a way to be proactive, not reactive. And, officials should never say it’s ok to hit someone in the head.
Cleveland Browns: Coach Hue Jackson can’t play blame game this season — Terry Pluto, Cleveland.com
"This is what happens when you bring back a coach with a 1-31 record.Especially when a new general manager was hired and paired with the old coach who’d won one game in two years.That’s the situation created by Browns owner Jimmy Haslam."
It’s safe to say Pluto is out on Hue Jackson. After years of blaming everyone else, he’s out of excuses. Pluto points out that he has a better quarterback, skill players, etc. And still can’t win enough. That being said, Terry is underselling Jackson’s ability to blame anyone except himself.
Next. Hue Jackson says his job is safe. dark
Hue Jackson and Todd Haley hurting Baker Mayfield?
Dan Justik wonders if the way Hue Jackson and Todd Haley are running things may be hurting Baker Mayfield. The head coach and offensive coordinator appear to struggle with getting along. Now with Jackson all but blaming Haley for the offensive struggles — and saying he needs to be more involved — things could get worse.