CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson has been one of Myles Garrett’s most vocal supporters in the aftermath of his fight with Mason Rudolph, even asserting at one point that Rudolph had “an ass-kicking” coming for starting the fight.
So Richardson, for one, was disappointed to hear that Rudolph might still benched for Sunday’s rematch between the Browns and Steelers at Heinz Field.
Coach Mike Tomlin yanked him midway through Sunday’s 16-10 victory over the Bengals in favor of rookie Devlin Hodges, who promptly threw a 79-yard touchdown pass and engineered the come-from-behind victory to improve the Steelers to 6-5.
“I hope he plays,’’ Richardson said of Rudolph after the Browns’ 41-24 victory over the Dolphins. “I hope he plays.’’
Why?
“Did you see him last game?”
Rudolph, with his top two receivers knocked out of the game with concussions and with his starting running back in James Conner knocked out with a shoulder re-injury, threw four interceptions against the Browns and was sacked four times. He completed just over 50% of his attempts and earned a 36.3 rating.
The game ended of course, with Garrett ripping off Rudolph’s helmet and striking him over the head with hit to earn an indefinite suspension without pay for a minimum of the final six games of the season. Garrett has accused Rudolph of using a racial slur, which the QB has said it “totally untrue.’’ Garrett, conversely, has said “I know what I heard.’’
Did Richardson want another shot at Rudolph because of the alleged racial slur?
“We’re past that,’’ sad Richardson. “We’re moving forward, honestly. And whatever happens at the game happens. It is what it is.’’
Browns coach Freddie Kitchens, who has hinted that Garrett told him about the racial slur from the outset, downplayed the significance of Rudolph possibly sitting out next week.
“We’re going to show up and play on Sunday,’’ he said. “I’m not trying to avoid the question. I just hadn’t heard anything about anything. I’m going to enjoy this one (the win over the Dolphins).’’
Tomlin declined to answer if he’ll start Rudolph for Sunday’s game against the Browns, but given Rudolph’s poor performance against the Bengals and the emotionally charged rematch ahead, it wouldn’t be surprising if he sticks with Hodges.
“I may have already made it as I stand up here right now,’’ Tomlin said of his decision. “I’m just not going to share with you guys.’’
Rudolph acknowledged being distraught during the week when he learned of Garrett’s allegations.
“I think any human would be in one day, when your integrity's attacked and something's said about you that's totally untrue," he said.
But Rudolph declined to blame his poor performance against the now 0-11 Bengals on the events of the week. He completed only 8 of 16 pass attempts for 85 yards, and threw an INT in the red zone. He earned a rating the 30s for the second straight game.
"I think I do a good job of shutting that stuff out," he said. "And this was just purely -- not moving the ball up and down the field."
Hodges completed 5-of-11 attempts for 118 yards, including the 79-yard TD pass to James Washington en route to a 115.0 rating. The Steelers have a game on the 5-6 Browns in the AFC North and in the wild-card race.
“Just felt like our offense needed a spark,” Tomlin said, explaining the decision to turn to Hodges, nicknamed “Duck.”
“Mason wasn’t doing enough; Duck came in and provided us with a spark, made a couple plays. We’ll see what next week holds, next week. But I like the contributions of Duck; I like his readiness; I appreciate the efforts of Mason and also appreciate the support of Mason after we made the change.”
Meanwhile, the Browns are expecting a donnybrook in Pittsburgh.
“Whatever it may be, we’re ready for it,’’ said Richardson.
He insisted the Browns will be just as focused for the Steelers game as they were to beat the Dolphins.
“When you all just come in and meet after practice you’re going to talk about it, and then we’re going to forget about it and then we’re going to get ready for the game,’’ he said. “That’s about it.’’
Richardson played some end with Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi and Olivier Vernon all out and had his two first sacks of the season.
“From my standpoint along, I definitely did (need to be more of a playmaker),’’ he said. “I usually make sure those guys, OV, Myles and Larry O, they’re getting theirs and no leaky yardage. That’s about it, push the pocket and if I get there I don’t. I be rushing, I have my rushes, I just hit home today.’’
It was the least he could do in his continuing, unwavering support of Garrett.
More Browns coverage
Like what you’re reading? You want more? Subscribe to Football Insider for exclusive Browns content, including daily texts from Mary Kay Cabot.
Sports - Latest - Google News
November 24, 2019 at 05:27PM
https://ift.tt/2QIXMXU
Sheldon Richardson hopes Mason Rudolph is reinstated for Sunday’s rematch: ‘Did you see him last game?’ - cleveland.com
Sports - Latest - Google News
https://ift.tt/2Mbsnt7
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
No comments:
Post a Comment