Sorting Out Discipline in the NFL

Like everyone else, I was shocked at the video of the altercation at the end of the Browns-Steelers game on Thursday night. As bad as it was, it could have been much worse. When Myles Garrett swung Mason Rudolph's helmet at the latter's unprotected head, he didn't hit him squarely or with the hardest part of the helmet. So Rudolph has no sign of a head injury that could have been catastrophic. (This by itself should eliminate discussion of the punishment extending into criminal or civil lawsuits.) The melee also didn't extend beyond the players on the field. Kudos to stadium security for keeping order in what must have been a very challenging environment. Garrett has been suspended indefinitely, which is appropriate, as are the lesser suspensions for the Steelers players.

There are two aspects of this unfortunate turn of events that have not received much discussion, and they both pertain to the coaching in this game. These remarks are not intended to lessen the blame on the players involved but to point out that player behavior is shaped by coaching decisions and the environment coaches create and the culture they promote for a team. If the NFL, and the ecosystem of commentators that follow it, want to send a message that this sort of player behavior is unacceptable, then they need to assign blame and discipline as broadly as is appropriate.

First, Mike Tomlin and the rest of the Steelers' offensive coaching staff should be embarrassed at the play call in question. Look at the video. Garrett is unblocked on the play, to free up the lineman to block for the running back who catches the short pass in the backfield. There are under 20 seconds left in the game, victory is beyond reach (and brought no closer by this play call), and your team has had a rough night. Hand off the ball to the running back, let the game clock expire, and get ready for the next one. What on Earth were they thinking to leave their quarterback unprotected like that? Even if the play is successful in terms of yardage, the quarterback is going to take a punishing hit. That's a stupid tradeoff to make, and one that shows little regard for Rudolph's safety.

Second, others have commented that the Browns are a bit of a train wreck this season. This altercation is just the latest and worst manifestation. What is the NFL to do? They have to assign blame, and through that assignment, discourage future behavior of this sort. That means holding coaches accountable for their players' on-field behavior. Were it up to me, I would also suspend Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens, perhaps along with his defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, for several games. The coaches set the tone. They determine which behavior is rewarded and which is not. They failed to do that properly here. Going forward, a policy of suspending coaches for their players' behavior could have the effect of changing the culture and environment, or even personnel decisions, in the interest of avoiding the most egregious behavior on the field.