Getty Image / Kevin Sabitus
The Cincinnati Bengals took it to the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. Especially Ja’Marr Chase who had a spectacular performance.
Cincinnati still played well despite Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd falling to injuries. Now, the Browns’ pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach explains why they still couldn’t slow down the passing attack.
According to Scott Petrak, the coaching question, Jeff Howard, comes up with the worst excuse possible. He claims it was a “tough adjustment vs. Bengals when Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd left early.” The reason being, the Browns “had planned all week to face all three wide receivers, not just Ja’Marr Chase.”
#Browns pass game coordinator/DB coach Jeff Howard acknowledges it was tough adjustment vs. Bengals when WRs Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd left early. Weren’t sure if they would come back, had planned all week to face all three WRs, not just Ja’Marr Chase.
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) December 15, 2022
I don’t coach football, but wouldn’t logic suggest that transitioning from having to guard one player instead of three be easier? Look, we know Ja’Marr Chase is a stud, but it sounds like Howard is claiming the Browns would have been better off if the Bengals were at full strength.
In what world does that even make sense? As you can imagine, Browns fans are pretty angry with Jeff Howard’s take.
They should be fired on this basis alone
— Mark 🧩🏌️🎸🥃🚬⚖️🧟♂️ (@bogiesnrobustos) December 15, 2022
Jeff Howard has lost his mind, right?
They should be fired on this basis alone
— Mark 🧩🏌️🎸🥃🚬⚖️🧟♂️ (@bogiesnrobustos) December 15, 2022
Exactly what I was saying.
If you find it difficult to adjust to a team that just got significantly worse, and that’s why they beat you, then you really shouldn’t be coaching at this level. What an absurd excuse.
— Cleveland Browns Kennel Club (@browns_club) December 15, 2022
Overall, this is a terrible look for Jeff Howard and the Browns coaching staff.