Mayfield says ‘no words’ for ref's explanation of helmet hit
BEREA, OHIO — The explanation didn't make any sense at the time. Days later, Baker Mayfield remains baffled.
After the Browns rookie quarterback was blasted in the helmet on Sunday by Tampa Bay safety Jordan Whitehead, who lowered his head to deliver the blow on Mayfield, referee Shawn Hochuli added a layer of confusion to a controversial play with his reason for not calling a penalty.
"The quarterback is still a runner and therefore is allowed to be hit in the head," Hochuli announced. "He had not yet begun his slide. There is therefore no foul."
Mayfield can't grasp that explanation.
"No words," an incredulous Mayfield said Wednesday. "Honestly. No words."
Mayfield said he didn't initially hear Hochuli's comments, mainly because he was focused on calling the Browns' next play.
Once he found out, Mayfield was dumbfounded.
"I thought that's why they put the rule in," Mayfield said. "But we'll see."
TheNFLisexpectedtofine Whitehead for his helmetto-helmet hit on Mayfield, a person familiar with league discipline told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Mayfield had begun to slide at the end of a 35-yard scramble when he was drilled by Whitehead, who used the crown of his helmet to plaster the No. 1 overall pick.
Whitehead should have been flagged for unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the league has not commented on calls from last week's games.
The league, which has placed an extra emphasis on protecting quarterbacks, has been announcing fines on Saturday. If Whitehead is punished, it will be public confirmation that the play should have been penalized.
However, the Browns aren't looking for another veiled apology from the league. They've had several questionable calls go against them this season, but guard Joel Bitonio doesn't think officials are biased against the Browns (2-4-1), who have played four overtimes games.
"It's a tough job being an NFL ref," said Bitonio said. "Mistakes happen. That's part of the job. We miss things. They miss things. It's part of the business."
And while the league has been proactive in protecting quarterbacks, late hits remain a problem. The one on Mayfield was particularly alarming because he was doing everything correctly, still got whacked and nothing was called.
Mayfield feels the NFL might consider adopting the college "targeting" rule in which players are subject to ejection and suspensions if called for using their helmets to deliver a blow. Mayfield said the rule served as a deterrent when he was at Oklahoma.
Mayfield wasn't injured on the play and he sneered "I'll be all right" when asked if he felt fortunate that he didn't sustain a concussion.
After he got popped by Whitehead, Mayfield jumped to his feet and walked directly at him while yelling that he needs to hit harder. The moment underscored Mayfield's toughness and fire.