/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65212789/usa_today_13330022.0.jpg)
The Cleveland Browns were their own worse enemy on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
The team was never able to get any momentum going thanks to a ridiculous 18 penalties that cost them 182 yards.
As the old saying goes, the Browns have met the enemy and they are us.
Head coach Freddie Kitchens met with the media on Monday and expressed confidence that the situation will be rectified, according to clevelandbrowns.com:
“We talk all the time all throughout training camp that they were put in situations where problems arose so we identify those problems and then we rectify the problems. That is how you get better as a football team. I fully expect that we have the men in the locker room that are going to do that. We understand that problem, and we will work on fixing that problem.”
That sounds like a grand plan and it should be expected that the number of penalties should drop in Week 2, if for no other reason than the Browns should not be on the wrong end of so many bogus calls.
But whether or not offensive tackles Greg Robinson and Chris Hubbard can get their act together remains to be seen.
Speaking of the Browns left tackle ...
Robinson did not kick Kenny Vaccaro on purpose
In one of the bigger highlights in an increasingly bizarre day, left tackle Greg Robinson was ejected late in the first half for kicking Tennessee safety Kenny Vaccaro in the head.
But it is OK, or something, because Robinson said on Monday that he did not do it on purpose.
Robinson recalled the series of events this way, according to clevelandbrowns.com:
“During the play, I was just trying hard but I ended up bumping into a guy, and he braced himself and pushed back on me as I was trying to make sure the pile did not fall on me. As I fell, he was coming forward and I kicked him in his helmet. I had no idea I would be ejected but the referee explained everything to me as he walked me off and that was the case. It is something you hate to see. I hurt the team obviously, and I feel like if I could have it back, I would do things differently. It was basically just a reaction. I could not really help myself.”
According to cleveland.com, Robinson could be facing a fine for the ejection, as well as a fine for the blindside block that he was flagged for on the game’s opening drive, but will likely not be suspended.
#Titans pass rusher Cameron Wake dominated Sunday against the #Browns. Cleveland tackle Chris Hubbard had no answers.
— Marc Sessler (@MarcSessler) September 9, 2019
All-22 and network feed of Wake’s Q1 sack of Mayfield, followed by his safety just before the half. The second hit left Baker shaken up. pic.twitter.com/IFhmXNlh11
That is good news for the Browns, for even as poorly as Robinson played on Sunday, the other options at tackle are even less appealing, especially if Browns fans like the idea of quarterback Baker Mayfield staying in one piece.
Speaking of fines ...
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19182963/1173453849.jpg.jpg)
What time is it, Odell?
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. caused a bit of a kerfuffle on Twitter when someone noticed that he was wearing a watch during the game.
It was not just any watch, naturally, but a limited-edition Richard Mille watch that retails for more than $350,000, according to NFL.com.
#Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr, who took the field with $350K Richard Mille watch, violated a league rule prohibiting hard objects, I’m told. (There is no rule against jewelry.) The league will address it with him and the team, but that’s likely as far as it goes.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 9, 2019
The NFL is OK with players wearing jewelry on the field, but is not as accepting about players wearing “hard objects,” so while Beckham will reportedly not be fined, the league office would like a word with him when the Browns are in New York for next week’s game against the Jets.
Heck of a first week, hey Browns fans?