Brandon Meriweather will reportedly be suspended
Matt Forte (22) carries the ball past Washington Redskins strong safety Brandon Meriweather (31) to score a touchdown in the third quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 44-41. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Redskins starting strong safety Brandon Meriweather is one of the league’s most undisciplined players, and it’s been the same story with him since his days as an overrated starter on the New England Patriots. Meriweather is a huge detriment to his team, and it goes beyond his constant, costly personal foul penalties. He is one of those safeties who seems more content with trying to hit the ball-carrier as hard as he can and taking unnecessary gambles, as opposed to playing disciplined, solid run defense and showing up well in coverage. There are worse players than Meriweather, but his propensity for risky tackle attempts, penalties, and blown coverage assignments make him a liability; he’s one of the reasons why the Redskins are having issues in pass coverage.
Meriweather has been at it again this season, and he continues to make undisciplined plays. We all remember the concussion he dealt to Green Bay Packers rookie running back Eddie Lacy earlier this year, and Meriweather managed to rack up two personal foul penalties in yesterday’s win over the Chicago Bears. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall wants Meriweather to be suspended, and it sounds like Marshall is going to get his wish.
CBS Sports’s Jason La Canfora reports that “based on everything” he’s hearing, the league will suspend Brandon Meriweather, who swears neither of his hits were illegal. Meriweather said earlier this season that he has made an effort to become a more disciplined player, but it doesn’t seem to be working. We’ll see if this suspension is able to go through the appeals, because I am sure Meriweather will try to do everything he can to get out of this one. I do feel for Meriweather in one sense, and that’s that it is difficult for hard-hitting safeties to adapt to a league that is placing paramount importance on player safety. But other than that, I don’t sympathize with him.
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