Cleveland Browns: Will Myles Garrett’s appeal help reduce suspension?

A labor attorney weighed in on what Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett may focus on as he appeals is indefinite suspension before the NFL.

Myles Garrett will appeal his indefinite suspension on Wednesday before the NFL, as the Cleveland Browns defense end wants to state his case after being kicked out of the league, for at least the remainder of the 2019 season.

But will it work? By missing the final six games of the regular season, Garrett’s suspension figures to be the toughest for an in-game infraction.

If the former No. 1 pick is to get any leniency, he’s likely to argue “precedent,” according to a Jim Verdi, a northeast Ohio based labor attorney.

As egregious as Garrett’s actions were last Thursday night, this is not the first time someone’s tried to hit another player with a helmet. Antonio Smith ripped off Richie Incognito‘s helmet back in 2013, took a swing and missed. He sentence: Two preseason games and then the regular season home opener.

There was of course, the time Albert Haynesworth tried to step on a player’s head back in 2006. He was given a five-game suspension. Current Fox rules analyst Mike Peieira was a part of that decision and with that in mind, the former official believes Garrett could be in store for a 12-game suspension.

"“Precedent is critical, especially in labor relations, where every penalty that you issue is going to have an impact on the penalty that you issue next time,” Verdi said, via WKYC, “First thing you’re going to argue is that yes, there has never been an indefinite suspension for on-the-field conduct and it hasn’t been allowed before and it isn’t explicitly in the CBA.”"

The attorney, who specializes in collective bargaining, added that Garrett faces in a challenge in that the league was trying so hard to put a good foot forward regarding player safety back in 2013. Now a days, the league has put player safety at the top of it’s PR priorities.

Additionally, Garrett could bring up the topic of provocation. Being kicked in the groin and having his helmet ripped off by Mason Rudolph doesn’t make what he did any better, but the league may be more lenient when it comes to finalizing a finite number of games for Garrett to miss.

• Was surprised to see Garrett criticized for appealing his suspension. This is why the process exists. Not utilizing the process makes not sense. Perhaps it works out for Garrett, maybe it doesn’t.

• Joe Schobert is being heralded for playing the game of his life against the Steelers and he seems like a logical choice to be the next player given a contract extension.

Schobert’s agents and the Browns have talked extension, however, with six games remaining, the pressure is on to get a deal done. At some point, Schobert’s agents will convince him the money is greener in free agency and the Browns will have missed their chance.