Football Margins: Brown may go after Jimmy Garoppolo. Owner Willis’ first appearance; Antonio Brown’s witty response to a meme

This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” contains an update on Cleveland’s midfield plans if Deshaun Watson’s suspension gets longer.

Malik Willis had some highlights in his pre-season debut in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans. Finally, the NFL is doing something right in terms of calling their midfield.

And Antonio Brown actually did something clever.

Plan B is Plan G?

If the Browns are without quarterback Deshaun Watson for more than six games, their backup plan might be San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo.

according to Mary Kay Capote at Cleveland.comif NFL designer Peter C. Harvey rules that the NFL can (or should) extend Deshaun Watson’s suspension beyond the current six-game referee, Brown might try to get Garoppolo out of the 49ers.

Garoppolo’s base salary for 2022 is $24.2 million. However, it is not fully guaranteed until September 10th. As Cabot points out, Browns could sign him to a new deal with a large signing bonus and a lower base salary in an effort to spread the cap.

Either way, Brown It has nearly $49 million in effective cap space, the most in the NFL. They can achieve this if they wish.

Garoppolo was approved to train on August 3 after surgery in March to repair a torn capsule in his right shoulder. He led the 49ers to the NFC Championship game last year, but was dislodged by 2021 with Trey Lance being selected in the first round.

If Cleveland doesn’t make a move to acquire Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett will likely be the team’s primary quarterback until Watson is brought back.

Latest report from Rob Maadi from The Associated Press is that Watson will “accept” an eight-game suspension and pay a $5 million fine to resolve the situation. Based on NFL desire to suspend for a yearwhich – which It hardly looks like a possible settlement.

Totally on the brand

The Sports Memery website Create a funny selling pointt about ex-Stellar Antonio Brown. It has gained a lot of momentum on the internet.

The photo is of a smiling Brown, with a mocking and sarcastic quote that seems to be a self-reflective message in his turbulent career.

“My biggest regrets in my career don’t involve calling my GM a ‘cracker’, going to Camp Raiders late in a hot air balloon with frozen feet, or throwing rocks at that UPS driver, and it certainly doesn’t involve taking off my shirt and taking a ride. Triumph around the Jets in the middle of the match while I was arresting Deuces. My biggest regret is that I won’t be able to see me, Antonio Brown, play a live match. Sure, I can watch the match afterwards, but I can’t imagine what it was like for all of you. To see something like that. Like watching the Beatles or Jesus perform at Red Rocks.”

Brown’s use of social media over the years has become so arrogant and ridiculous that some people thought the post was real. Once Brown got word about it, he decided to head down the slide and endorse the meme on Twitter.

Tweet today https://t.co/l3AXLDqvEv

– NealCoolong August 11, 2022

None of AB’s biggest critics are me. But his decision to skillfully reprimand this matter deserves a warm welcome. Well played, Mr. Big Chest. You won this round.

More from Tim Benz

• Tim Benz: Cordell Stewart discusses his time in Pittsburgh as ‘Slash’, and his view of ‘rebuilding’ the Steelers in 2022
• Are you crazy, brother? Steelers fans mature on the stadium name, safety helmets, and ESPN’s “GOAT” roster; Pirate fans are angry at Hall of Fame
• Given recent precedent, was Diontae Johnson’s Steelers contract made with the long-term future in mind?

Finally discover it

If you weren’t surprised enough by Antonio Brown’s embrace of self-deprecating imitation, this one will do the trick.

The NFL is actually coming to its senses and relaxing its ridiculously harsh rules.

Across New York Post“Accidental contact with the arms in the head and neck area of ​​a midfielder while trying to block a pass will no longer be called as a penalty and defenders who inadvertently hit a player’s head, neck or lower legs will not be penalized. The rule will now also allow players to make a midfield play if they are on the ground, It is a procedure that was previously prohibited.”

What counts as “forced” contact with a midfielder’s head or legs will still be flagged as rough to passersby.

there 154 were the roughness of the calls of passersby In the first 17-game season in the 2021 NFL, up from 127 in the 16-game season of 2020.

TheyJust can’t lose

Nobody takes pre-season more seriously than the Baltimore Ravens. This is evidenced by their impressive undefeated pre-season streak. She made it to 21 games with a 23-10 win over the Tennessee Titans Thursday night. This is the NFL record. It extends to 2015.

In this case, quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, tight end Mark Andrews and linebacker Patrick Quinn didn’t play.

Jackson’s three backups — Tyler Huntley, Anthony Brown and Brett Hundley — combined to hit 28 of 35 for 269 yards, one touchdown without interceptions. This is a collective rating of 108.1.

The next Ravens will play on the road at the Arizona Cardinals on August 21.

Owner’s first moment

If the Steelers didn’t draft Pete quarterback Kenny Beckett, the thinking was that Willis’ Liberty QB owner might be in black and gold for the time being.

Instead, Beckett remained in Pittsburgh, and Willis remained on the draft board until the third round when the Giants took him 86th. In his first preseason game Thursday, Willis scored a touchdown in a stampede during that defeat against the Ravens.

Owner Willis has arrived.

: Stream #TENvsBAL on NFL + https://t.co/AXsI2aWMg0 pic.twitter.com/Namb3PRZIv

– NFL (NFL) August 12 2022

He also had a chance to show off the deep ball, hitting Racey McMath for 48 yards.

.Tweet embed Showing off with that arm

: Stream #TENvsBAL on NFL + https://t.co/AXsI2aWMg0 pic.twitter.com/OGHz4ug5RM

– NFL (NFL) August 12 2022

Willis ended up in 6 of 11 for 107 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions. He measured 38 yards off the ground.