Tag: Browns

James Harrison says Mike Tomlin gave him ‘an envelope’ after being fined for hard hit on Georgia great Mohamed Massaquoi

NFL LB James Harrison talked 2010 hit on Cleveland Browns Mohamed Massaquoi, a UGA football great. Not a good look for Pittsburgh Steelers.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison was one of the hardest hitting players in the game during his 15 year NFL career.

He delivered a number of cringe-worthy hits, but maybe none worse than his 2010 helmet-to-helmet one on former Georgia wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who was playing for the Cleveland Browns at the time.

You can watch a replay of it here.

That hit resulted in a $75,000 fine from the NFL.

On May 6, Harrison told Barstool’s “Going Deep” podcast that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin handed him an envelope following the hit.

“Listen, everything I love, on my daddy’s grave, I hit that man with about, max, 50 percent of what I had, and I just hit because I wanted him to let loose of the ball. If I had known they were going to fine me $75,000, I would have tried to kill him. Dude, I’m telling you, 75?

“I ain’t going to lie to you. When that happened, right? The G-est thing Mike Tomlin ever did, he handed me an envelope after that. I ain’t going to say what, but he handed me an envelope after that.”

The comment led to plenty of speculation from NFL fans that Tomlin had a system similar to the Saints’ “Bountygate” in place.

The hit actually did not get flagged in that game and the $75k fine was eventually reduced to $50k. As for Massaquoi, he suffered a concussion on that play.

On Friday, Harrison posted on Instagram to clarify that Tomlin never paid him for that hit.

“Wow y’all really comparing what I said to BOUNTYGATE?!?,” Harrison wrote. “Mike T. Has NEVER paid me for hurting someone or TRYING to hurt someone or put a bounty on ANYBODY! If you knew the full story of what happened back then you’d know that BS fine for a Legal Play wasn’t even penalized during the game.”

In response to the story, Steelers president Art Rooney II disputed Harrison’s initial claim.

Massaquoi is one of the greatest receivers in Georgia history. From Charlotte, North Carolina, he came to UGA in 2005. By the time he left in 2008, he had 158 catches for 2,282 yards and 16 touchdowns, which ranks seventh best in school history.

Picked in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft, Massaquoi played four seasons with Browns. He left Cleveland after the 2012 season, and in August of 2013, he was released by two teams – the Jaguars and the Jets.

He finished his NFL career with 118 receptions for 1,745 yards and seven touchdowns.

Every prime time NFL game featuring former Georgia football players

After the release of the 2020 NFL schedule, here’s a look at every prime-time game that former Georgia football players will appear in.

On Thursday, the NFL released its 2020 schedule, providing more optimism that a football season will take place come September.

With Georgia having added seven new players into the league via the NFL Draft, there’s going to be a number of UGA fans hoping for a chance to watch some former Dawgs play on prime-time television.

The Patriots, Cowboys, Chiefs, Packers, 49ers, Rams and Buccaneers will be featured most in prime time during the 2020 NFL season with five games apiece.

Georgia players on those teams:

Cowboys, Packers and Bucs do not have any Bulldogs.

Patriots: C David Andrews, RB Sony Michel, OL Isaiah Wynn

Chiefs: WR Mecole Hardman

49ers: TE Charlie Woerner

Rams: OLB Leonard Floyd, ILB Natrez Patrick, DB Tyrique McGhee.

Here is a list of every nationally televised NFL game featuring Georgia Bulldogs.

Some of these game are subject to a time change and some of the players signed as undrafted free agents. As of right now, these are the teams they are on.

For a full list of Georgia players and their NFL teams, click here.

Thursday Night Football:

  • Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: Fox, NFL Network
  • Live stream: Amazon Prime

Thursday Sept. 17: Browns at Bengals

Georgia players on Browns: RB Nick Chubb, RB Brian Herrien

Georgia players on Bengals: DT Geno Atkins, WR AJ Green, DT Tyler Clark, DB Shawn Williams

Thursday Sept. 24: Dolphins at Jaguars

Georgia players on Dolphins: OG Solomon Kindley

Georgia players on Jags: WR Chris Conley, WR Terry Godwin, DT Abry Jones, S J.R. Reed

Thursday Oct. 1: Broncos at Jets

Georgia players on Broncos: N/A

Georgia players on Jets: WR Lawrence Cager, OLB Jordan Jenkins

Thursday Oct. 8: Buccaneers at Bears

Georgia players on Bucs: N/A

Georgia players on Bears: WR Reggie Davis, DT John Jenkins, WR Riley Ridley, LB Roquan Smith, WR Javon Wims

Thursday Oct. 15: Chiefs at Bills

Georgia players on Chiefs: WR Mecole Hardman

Georgia players on Bills: QB Jake Fromm, WR Isaiah McKenzie

Thursday Oct. 22: Giants at Eagles

Georgia players on Giants: OT Andrew Thomas, LB Tae Crowder, OLB Lorenzo Carter

Georgia players on Eagles: RB Elijah Holyfield

Thursday Oct. 29: Falcons at Panthers

Georgia players on Falcons: RB Todd Gurley

Georgia players on Panthers: N/A

Thursday Nov. 5: Packers at 49ers

Georgia players on Packers: N/A

Georgia players on 49ers: TE Charlie Woerner

Thursday Nov. 12: Colts at Titans

Georgia players on Colts: K Rodrigo Blankenship, OLB Justin Houston

Georgia players on Titans: C Ben Jones, OT Isaiah Wilson, OLB D’Andre Walker

Thursday Nov. 19: Cardinals at Seahawks

Georgia players on Cardinals: OL Lamont Gaillard

Georgia players on Seahawks: DB Jayson Stanley

THANKSGIVING

Thursday Nov. 26: Texans at Lions (12:30 p.m. CBS)

Georgia players on Texans: OLB Davin Bellamy, WR Tyler Simmons

Georgia players on Lions: RB D’Andre Swift, QB Matt Stafford, DT John Atkins, TE Isaac Nauta

Thursday Nov. 26: Redskins at Cowboys (4:30 p.m. Fox)

Georgia players on Redskins: OLB Thomas Davis, S Maurice Smith

Georgia players on Cowboys: N/A

Thursday Nov. 26: Ravens at Steelers (8:20 p.m. NBC)

Georgia players on Ravens: LS Nick Moore, TE Eli Wolf

Georgia players on Steelers: N/A

Thursday Dec. 3: Cowboys at Ravens 

Georgia players on Cowboys: N/A

Georgia players on Ravens: LS Nick Moore, TE Eli Wolf

Thursday Dec. 10: Patriots at Rams

Georgia players on Patriots: C David Andrews, RB Sony Michel, OL Isaiah Wynn

Georgia players on Rams: OLB Leonard Floyd, ILB Natrez Patrick, DB Tyrique McGhee

Thursday Dec. 17: Chargers at Ravens 

Georgia players on Chargers: N/A

Georgia players on Ravens: LS Nick Moore, TE Eli Wolf

Friday Dec. 25: Vikings at Saints

No Georgia players in this game

Next: Sunday Night Football

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Nick Chubb wants to show small-town kids that you CAN make it big time

Cedartown native and Georgia football RB Nick Chubb, now of the Cleveland Browns, wants to show small-town kids that you can make it to NFL.

Nick Chubb came to Georgia as a five-star recruit in the class of 2015 out of Cedartown, Georgia, a small town with a population of around 10,000.

Chubb wasted no time putting his hometown on the map, rushing for 1,547 yards during his freshman year at UGA. Within months, Cedartown was featured in ESPN segments, was written about in nearly every article discussing Chubb and was receiving plenty of recognition.

Chubb’s stellar career continued, and eventually he finished as the school’s second all-time leading rusher. Trailing only Herschel Walker.

He went on to become the 35th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. After a solid rookie season in which he did not receive nearly enough touches, Chubb again put Cedartown in the national spotlight, tallying 1,494 rushing yards during the 2019 NFL season. He came 46 yards shy of leading the league in rushing.

Chubb wants to be an example for kids not only from Cedartown, but from small towns all across the country.

“Now, I use myself as an example for the kids who still go there. No matter if we do come from a small town, you can still fulfill your dreams. You can still play college at a D-1, and you can still go to the NFL,” Chubb said to CBS Sports’ Jim Rome.

Chubb also mentioned that growing up in Cedartown, people would tell him that he needed to move to a bigger city where he can garner more national recognition.

But Chubb stayed put and perfected his craft in his hometown.

“Just coming from the small town I came from, older guys that lived there said I should move away,” Chubb said. “I’d never get attention there. College coaches never come looking in this small town. I’d never make it. That just motivated me to go harder in high school.”

So he stayed, and he signed with Georgia as the fifth ranked running back in his class.

“So, I’m using myself as an example for them to keep their head on straight and not listen to the outside world. Just keep focusing on what’s important.”

NFL team win total best bets: How many games will the Cleveland Browns win in 2020?

Assessing the Cleveland Browns’ projected win total for the 2020 NFL season, with best bets for their Over/Under.

How many games will the Cleveland Browns win in the 2020 NFL season? We look at BetMGM‘s projected win total and the Over/Under odds, while looking back at the 2019 season and key offseason roster changes.

Cleveland Browns’ 2019 season

The Browns entered the season with high expectations. They were considered a sleeper pick for the Super Bowl after adding WR Odell Beckham Jr. – WR Jarvis Landry was acquired the offseason before, in 2018.

However, their defense struggled, first-time head coach Freddie Kitchens was in over his head – he was fired after the season – and QB Baker Mayfield regressed after a promising rookie campaign. They finished 6-10 straight up, losing their final three games, and ended up third in the NFC North Division.

As for gambling trends, they were 5-10-1 against the spread with an 8-8 Over/Under record.

Cleveland Browns’ 2020 offseason changes

The Browns have made big offensive additions. They signed OT Jack Conklin and drafted OT Jedrick Wills Jr. (Alabama) in the first round to protect Mayfield. They signed TE Austin Hooper and re-signed RB Kareem Hunt. On defense, they signed FS Andrew Sendejo and SS Karl Joseph.

They replaced Kitchens with Kevin Stefanski, who will be a head coach for the first time in his career. They also hired San Francisco 49ers DB coach Joe Woods to be their defensive coordinator.

However, they lost LBs Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey in free agency.

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Cleveland Browns’ 2020 opponents

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Ravens Away
Bengals Away
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Dallas Cowboys Away
Jacksonville Jaguars Away
New York Giants Away
New York Jets Away
Tennessee Titans Away

Cleveland Browns’ 2020 win total: Best bet

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Odds last updated Monday, May 4 at 7:30 a.m. ET.

Projected wins: 8.5 / OVER: -105 / UNDER: -115

The Browns are even more talented than last season when they were expected to be a playoff team. With a first-year coach for the second consecutive season, they play in a traditionally tough division, but have many winnable games on their schedule. With better protection for Mayfield and more weapons, the Browns should be in the mix for a playoff spot. Though the 8.5 wins leave little room for error, this Browns team appears to be able to win between 9-11 games. Take the OVER 8.5 (-105).

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Top 5 landing spots for Reuben Foster if he gets released

AJ Spurr explores which five NFL teams would be the best fit for the former standout Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster after Washington de…

Former Alabama standout linebacker Reuben Foster has had a hard time landing a stable role on a team since entering the NFL through a first round selection by the San Francisco 49ers in 2017.

He was most recently a member of the Washington Redskins, but did not play after suffering a knee injury in his first practice with the team in 2019.

Washington decided to not pick up Foster’s fifth-year option, which will make him a free agent heading into the 2021 season, assuming they don’t release him before then.

There is a chance Foster is on a roster that is not Washington’s for the upcoming 2020 season.

Let’s take a look at five teams where Foster’s presence may be needed:

5.  New York Giants

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Football Giants did sign Blake Martinez to a healthy sized contract. However, those around him don’t assemble the best supporting cast. Whether it be a lack of experience or a lack of stats to back up their starting role on the team, the linebacker group for the Giants could be a lot stronger. It did not get any better in the 2020 NFL draft when they drafted four – yes, four (4) – linebackers in rounds six and seven. By adding Foster on a deal for one or two years they can either improve their group or be forced to cut him after year No. 1, but at least Dave Gettleman showed effort.

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2021 NFL Draft dates announced

The dates for the 2021 NFL Draft that is taking place in Cleveland, Ohio have been released.

The 2020 NFL Draft was supposed to take place in Las Vegas but due to COVID-19 plans changed. Instead the draft took a more virtual approach much like the WNBA Draft. However Vegas will get their opportunity in 2022. As for the 2021 NFL Draft, the dates have been announced.

On April 29th-May 1st, the 2021 NFL Draft will take place in Cleveland, Ohio. A spot where we could see two Texas Longhorns take the stage for the awkward photo opportunity with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and holding their new team’s jersey.

It remains to be seen if they will use some of the virtual ideas from this past draft to incorporate with the traditional draft when it returns in 2021. Hopefully this is a step in the right direction as we hope to see sporting events return after this pandemic.

2021 NFL Draft Gets a Home

Fun times in Cleveland, indeed as the Mistake by the Lake will host the 2021 NFL Draft.

The 2021 NFL Draft is set and will hopefully be held under much better circumstances than the 2020 edition that came and went this past weekend.  Instead of Las Vegas like it was supposed to be this year before everything had to be done the next edition of the NFL Draft will be held in…

CLEVELAND!

What NFL city would be the furthest thing from the Vegas feel that they were planning to have in 2020?

Well, Green Bay is probably the first and correct answer to that question but after that it’s got to be Cleveland, right?

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpr_KaaRjW0&w=560&h=315]

In all seriousness, for a team that goes to the playoffs once every twenty years (and this is coming from a Bears fan, mind you) it’ll be nice for a change to have something meaningful in regards to professional football happen in a city with such passionate fans.

Georgia RB Brian Herrien, a fan favorite, signs UDFA deal

Georgia football RB Brian Herrien has signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Cleveland Browns following the NFL Draft.

Georgia running back Brian Herrien, a fan favorite during his four years as a Bulldog, has signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Cleveland Browns, WSB-TV’s Zach Klein reports.

During his time at Georgia, Herrien served as a backup to NFL backs Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, D’Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield, but always made the most of his opportunities when on the field.

As Klein said in his tweet, Herrien runs angry. And when he does, he has no issue running over you.

Herrien accumulated 1,413 rushing yards in four seasons at Georgia, adding 15 total touchdowns.