CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 23: Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens looks on during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)The Cleveland Browns are off to a disastrous start on Monday Night Football vs. the 49ers. San Francisco scored on its first offensive play of the game as Matt Breida took the ball 83 yards to the house.
On the following possession, the 49ers got a quick pass-rush on QB Baker Mayfield causing the Cleveland quarterback to make a horrible decision. Mayfield threw the ball just before getting hit, but Richard Sherman picked him off at midfield.
Upon further review of the play, 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa was the one to pressure Mayfield into the throw. So what happened to the pass protection?
Turns out, Browns tight end Demetrius Harris was responsible for blocking Bosa. A very questionable assignment responsibility to say the least.
A tight end should not be blocking Nick Bosa but that’s just my take.
— Johnny Kinsley (@Brickwallblitz) October 8, 2019
*whispers* Did…Did they try to block Nick Bosa with a tight end? ….Really?
( 📽️ @NFL )pic.twitter.com/twghTNBi1E
— PFF SF 49ers (@PFF_49ers) October 8, 2019
Why are the Browns trying to block Nick Bosa with a tight end? If Baker can step into that throw it’s probably a TD. Instead it’s a pick.
— Yaya Dubin (@JADubin5) October 8, 2019
How man Tight Ends will Cleveland use trying to block Nick Bosa before they realize that…IS NOT GOING TO WORK pic.twitter.com/En7GEXrCTS
— trey wingo (@wingoz) October 8, 2019
[Related Article: Baker Mayfield Got Off To A Nightmare Start Against The 49ers]
While Bosa’s early-season stats don’t show it, he’s been a monster in the trenches. His combination of strength and quickness has given offensive linemen all sorts of trouble this season so far.
Probably not the best decision to have a tight end try and pass-block a really good defensive end. Freddie Kitchens is getting crushed for the boneheaded mistake.
It’s early, but it’s looking like it’s going to be a long night for Kitchens and the Browns.
