Three quick thoughts about the situation involving Browns rookie defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr.:

*The Browns have a serious image problem right now. Two of their best-known players, Hall, who was their top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft only 3-1/2 months ago, and quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is in the midst of a fully-guaranteed $230 million contract, have the reputation of being abusers of women. In the court of public opinion, that might be worse than if they were murderers. Somewhere Paul Brown is turning over in his grave.

*Hall had it all and is on the verge of losing it. He’s a local guy — he went to Streetsboro high school in Ohio State — who is getting to play for his hometown team. And he is being paid a king’s ransom to do so. Ladies and gentlemen, it doesn’t get any better than that.

*While no one wants to see anyone get hurt, wasn’t it a little bit — or a lot — of justice being served when he got knocked out of the joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings the other day with a stinger? That’s the best thing that could’ve happened to the Browns right now, for as long as he is with the team in a real and visible sense, practicing with the other players, he is a sideshow and a huge distraction. Now that sideshow and distraction has gone away, at least for the time being.

Steve King