Bill Belichick addressed Myles Garrett incident with Patriots

FOXBORO, MASS » Like everyone else who watched Thursday Night Football this week, or woke up to the violent highlights of the Browns’ 21-7 win on Friday morning, Bill Belichick has seen the melee that closed Cleveland’s triumph over the Steelers.

Browns defensive end Myles Garrett tussling with Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph on the ground as the final seconds ticked away. Rudolph attempting to rip Garrett’s helmet off. Garrett successfully removing Rudolph’s, swinging it and connecting with the quarterback’s unprotected skull.

Punches, kicks and shoves ensued, courtesy of players from both teams. The league handed down punishments for Browns and Steelers within hours.

Before it was announced Garrett will be indefinitely suspended for the remainder of the season, Belichick spoke about the incident

during a team meeting Friday morning. He likened it to past addresses he’s given following altercations in other league games, while acknowledging Garrett’s helmet swing was unique.

“I mean, every situation’s different. No two are the same. We can go back and look at 50 of these through the years, some type of fighting or ejections. They’re all a little bit different. I wouldn’t say it’s like offsides penalties,” Belichick said.

“Fundamentally, I tell our players what we should do in those situations, how we should handle them. And they’ve done a good job with it.”

In addition to his suspension, Garrett must pay a fine and meet with the commissioner’s office before he is reinstated. Patriots wide receiver Phillip Dorsett was surprised to see Garrett at the center of the incident.

Obviously he made a bad mistake. He just lost it. But he doesn’t really seem like that type of guy.”

Steelers center Mike Pouncey has been suspended three games and fined for kicking and punching an opponent. Browns defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi has been suspended for one game and fined for shoving Rudolph to the ground after Garrett used the quarterback’s helmet as a weapon. Both teams were fined $250,000.

The NFL announced additional discipline for players on both teams will be forthcoming.

Asked Friday why the Patriots never find themselves in such a situation, Dorsett pointed to talks like the one Belichick gave the team during their morning meeting.