Indians’ local viewership drops 35 percent in 2015
October 7, 2015LeBron James takes mid-game selfie, is for the children
October 8, 2015After Sunday’s loss to the San Diego Chargers, Browns head coach Mike Pettine said that Joe Haden “made the decision that he didn’t want to go,” which immediately became the talking point du jour. Was Pettine calling Haden out? Was he questioning the cornerback’s toughness or desire to play? Exactly how much of the sky were we to believe was falling?
Haden’s teammates Craig Robertson and Josh McCown came to his defense, and Pettine clarified his comments on Wednesday. The coach called the criticism directed at Haden “unfair” and took some blame for allowing it to become such a big story.
“Joe made the decision based on he didn’t feel he could be 100 percent and he felt it would hurt the team if he played,” Pettine said at a press conference Wednesday. “It’s something that I’ve talked about with him, and [I’m] comfortable with where we are with it.
“He is [taking heat] and I think a lot of that’s unwarranted,” the coach went on. “Some of that I will bear some of that blame, just in detailing that procedure and how it went.”
Haden has struggled a bit this season, most notably against the New York Jets’ Brandon Marshall and the Oakland Raiders’ Amari Cooper. Still, he’s a five-year veteran, a two-time Pro Bowler, and by all accounts a well-liked leader.
Pettine acknowledged all of that, saying that the criticism was “unfortunate because Joe is one of the faces of our franchise. Nobody questions his toughness, his leadership, how important the Browns are to him, what being a Cleveland Brown means to him and vice-versa, so I think it’s unwarranted and I misspoke.
“Joe wanted to be out there,” Pettine added. “He wanted to play. But just in his assessment, did not want to put the team at risk.”
Pettine also commented on the NFL investigating Haden’s inactivity. Per ESPN, “A league spokesman says it’s customary to check with teams when these instances occur. The Browns are required to submit a written explanation for Haden’s absence.”
“Just presented them with the facts, that he practiced and we listed him that we expected him to play based on how practice went,” said Pettine. “I don’t know how often this happens, but we don’t see this as a big deal. I doubt the league will as well.”
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Okay, Fourth Estate, move along, there’s nothing to see here. It’s time to hyperventilate over something else.
And more reading between non-existent lines to begin in 3, 2, 1 . . .
When you lose 2 of 3 games to teams who drafted higher than the Browns last year (Raiders, Jets, Titans), and then you have to go on the road for 5 of 7 games, 5 games of which are against playoff teams from last year, this team has stories like this. Were the record 3-1, no one would care and this would not be a story. 2015 Browns = 4 Wins. Not much to write about…