Meriweather targets knees, Marshall
After saying he’s going to “take peoples’ knees out” to avoid another suspension for hits to the head, Washington Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather struck another blow – declaring that “people who beat their girlfriends should be kicked out of the league.”
Meriweather’s comments were a retort referencing the checkered domestic violence past of Chicago Bears receiver Brandon Marshall, who last week suggested that players such as Meriweather should perhaps be “taken out of the game completely” to make the game safer.
“Everybody got their opinion,” Meriweather said Monday. “If he feel like, you know, I need to be kicked out of the league, I feel like people who beat their girlfriends should be kicked out of the league, too. You tell me who you’d rather have – somebody who plays aggressive on the field, or somebody who beat up their girlfriend?”
Marshall declined comment when approached by reporters in the Bears’ locker room on Monday. Shortly after Meriweather’s comments, he tweeted: “There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”
Monday was Meriweather’s first day back with the Redskins following a one-game suspension for multiple helmet-first hits against defenseless receivers, including two in the Redskins’ win over the Bears last week. One of the hits was against Marshall in the end zone on an incomplete pass in the fourth quarter.
Asked if he plans to change how he plays, Meriweather said: “I guess I’ve just got to take people’s knees out. I’d hate to end a guy’s career over a rule, but I guess it’s better (for something to happen to) other people than me getting suspended for longer.”
Panthers’ Mitchell claims he’s a target
Panthers free safety Mike Mitchell said he’s being “targeted” by commissioner Roger Goodell after receiving his fifth fine of the season from the NFL.
Mitchell was fined $7,875 last week by the league for taunting after he shoved Rams quarterback Sam Bradford out of bounds during a game on Oct. 20. Bradford suffered a season-ending knee injury on the play.
Mitchell wasn’t penalized in the game.
“I’m being targeted because I play football physical, but I’m not out here cheap-shotting guys and doing dirty plays like I’ve seen people from Detroit do,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell went on to say that the fine money “goes right in Roger’s pockets – right in his pocket.”
Around the league
Houston coach Gary Kubiak has decided Case Keenum will get his second straight start at QB in place of a healthy Matt Schaub when the Texans try to end a five-game losing streak when they take on division foe Indianapolis Sunday night. … Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator Jason Tarver has apologized for making an obscene gesture directed at the officials and will be disciplined by the team. Tarver was caught on TV using the one-finger gesture toward the officials after a flag was thrown on cornerback Mike Jenkins for a hit to the head of Pittsburgh running back Le’Veon Bell in Sunday’s win. The flag was eventually picked up. … Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said wide receiver Ryan Broyles suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the Lions’ win over Dallas on Sunday and and miss the rest of the season following surgery today.