I'm happy to continue talking about "The Whack-a-Mole" moment, but should we talk a bit about the actual game? The first 59 minutes and 52 seconds that weren't embarrassing for both franchises and its players/fans? Nick Chubb: first running back in the NFL to hit 1,000 and only second running back in Browns history to hit that mark in 10 games (behind the GOAT - Jim Brown) Baker Mayfield: third-straight game without a turnover and playing better, if not yet inspired, football. 63% comp, 6 TD to 1 INT, 225 YPG, 6.8 AYPA over the last four games Joe Schobert: very strong outing, cementing himself as likely the top free agency linebacker available (hopefully retained by the Browns) Stephen Carlson: epic first ever NFL-catch and a huge play to put the game out of reach - not an understatement to say that guys like Carlson and Hodge are out-performing supremely more-talented guys like Beckham and Njoku Mason Rudolph: so, so bad at the sport of football Injuries: the doming notwithstanding, there were several big hits and bad injuries in this game to both sides - JuJu Smith-Schuster took a brutal hit that knocked him out of the game; Morgan Burnett (likely) ruptured his Achilles and will miss the season; James Conner re-injures his shoulder... the list goes on and on
Oh definitely - two shots to the pills via kick, another via punch as he's rushing Garrett after losing his helmet.
Agreed so then by calling for a suspension for Mason you are calling for one only because Garrett received one?
I don’t see a problem with the foot in the crotch at this point in time because Garrett is in the act of ripping the helmet off of Rudolph when Rudolph is kicking him
Wrong. Rudolph kicked Garrett in the nuts BEFORE the two of them ended up on the ground and the helmet tugging ensued.
Not at all, Chief. You gave me a much more reasonable scenario: scuffle after the play where one player attempts to remove another players' helmet and that player retaliates and removes the helmet of the instigator. Personal fouls on each guy, offsetting penalties, replay the down. What instead happened was (a, twice), (b), and (c) of the Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Prohibited Acts section of the rule book by Player A (Rudolph) and an (h) by Player B (Garrett). Followed by Player A continuing to confront Player B, looking like another (b) and (c) before finally getting into the very bad optics by Player B, going full Article 17: You may think it's not suspension worthy, but this lunatic who started the scrum and continued it until he realized he picked the wrong fight most definitely deserved to be suspended and if you present the full facts of the case, I continue to support two games - at a minimum - for the conduct.
Potentially another (a) - to the groin, no less. And although not conclusive, on the video, it appears to be more of a grab and tug versus a punch.
Which happened after Garrett took Rudolph down in a game that the ending had already bend decided and there were mere seconds on the clock. A takedown that would earn a flag a majority of the time in the NFL today. At the end of a game that featured a lot of contact the entire Steelers team is probably upset about. Context always helps.
Everything you state is true. Were the Steelers pissed off? Most certainly. Were they embarrassed? Highly likely. Was there a lot of contact? Yep - both ways. But it has zero to do with the order in which the specific events occured leading up to Garrett's inexcusable act.
I think it has a lot to do with it. Rudolph’s mindset and temperament at that time is gonna have a lot to do with his reaction. In my opinion he went into self defense mode. Not condoning a kick to the groin at all. It’s wrong. But in the context of everything going on...it’s not unsurprising.
Not aiming this towards you Lyman but there’s some spin going on in this thread as to what actually happened. I’ve seen the comment made that Rudolph “lost his helmet”. He didn’t lose it....it was ripped off his head. Yes he attempted to do the same but he did it to a guy that was on top of him after an unnecessary takedown. Pretty big difference there. What Rudolph did was wrong. What Garrett did was disgusting.
Garrett deserves to be punished severely. That said the NFL's reaction was too quick IMO to have truly gotten all the facts and information. What I'm saying is the NFL took swift decisive action to protect their brand, primarily, because it was the only game on, and had the entire NFL audience. Not something that leads to well thought out, measured action, which again IMO is lacking here. Perhaps the appeals will shed additional light, include more facts, etc..... Garret's helmet swing is indefensible, in and of itself, but I too find it hard to relieve Rudolph of all blame. IMO Garrett should not have taken him to the ground, first off. Then Rudolph shouldn't have tried to rip Garret's helmet off. It simply escalated from there and neither is blameless, but using a helmet to assault a guy without one goes way beyond "boys will be boys". As a Cleveland fan it sucks to lose Garret, but it is interesting "if the CPD" made a visit to the locker room. Possible drug search? It could explain why this generally mild mannered guy went ape shit. If that were the case, it makes the idea of him being let go a possibility. Counseling is in his future if he is to make any appeal for re-instatement.
Now all you have to do is find proof that Rudolph did any of that. The still shots are used for a reason - to promote something false that is easily disproved by just watching the video.
