Getty Bengals linebacker Carl Lawson.
The Cincinnati Bengals have won just one game, but that didn’t stop them from throwing some shade at their AFC North rival Cleveland Browns after their matchup on Sunday.
The Browns won 27-19, but Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson had sharp criticism for Cleveland.
“They’re not really a connected team,” said Lawson who had a sack in the loss. “That’s the only thing I’d say about them. Not connected.
“They’ve got a lot of star power, but they just don’t … fighting and bickering, all that kind of stuff,” Lawson added. “That doesn’t win football games, no matter how talented you are.”
What’s the cause for the disconnect? Lawson said it’s too many guys thinking they’re bigger than the team.
“A lot of guys with egos,” he said.
Browns Center JC Tretter Responds to Bengals
Browns veteran center JC Tretter had a classic reaction to the comments from the hapless Bengals.
“I don’t get too caught up in talking about what other people think they saw,” Tretter told reporters on Monday. “A. lot of people can say a lot of things. I try not to waste too much of my time time worrying about what kind of a random guy’s opinion is when he doesn’t know what’s going on on this team.
“He should probably worry about what’s going on with his team at this point.”
C JC Tretter at the podium.
Tretter also took some of his time talking to the media to defend the team’s medical staff, who came under fire after comments from quarterback Baker Mayfield on the injury to Odell Beckham Jr., saying it was mishandled.
“I can speak to my experiences, and I’ve obviously worked with them quite a bit in the last year or so now,” said Tretter, who has played through injury on a few occasions during his time with the Browns. “They are great trainers, great people, as well, and they always are looking out for your best interests and what’s going to make it the best for you and keep you healthy and keep you on the field. So I can’t say enough good things about the guys in there, from top to bottom.
“I’ve never had a bad experience, I don’t know anybody who has had a bad experience with them. I think they always try to do what’s best for the player. That, as a player, is all you can ever ask is that those guys are always looking out for you, and it’s always delicate, but I have full confidence in them, what they do, the way they approach the team and the players individually. Again, there’s not enough good things I can say about our training staff.”
Browns Offensive Line Draws Praise
Tretter has been a steady piece on the offensive line, but the team has utilized multiple combination to get through the season due to injuries and simply trying to find a spark. Kendall Lamm made his first start of the season at right tackle in place of an injured Chris Hubbard.
Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens had huge praise for the unit, calling the performance against the Bengals their “best game yet.”
Freddie Kitchens says the offensive line played its best game of the season Sunday. Interesting since Kendall Lamm started at right tackle for injured Chris Robinson.
“We were on those guys in the run game as far as maintaining blocks and things like that down the field,” Kitchens said. “Did an excellent job on a critical screen pass that we had late in the game on 3rd and 10. Did an excellent job down the field. Just overall, I think those guys played one of their best games across the board.”
Next up for the Browns is a game against the 3-7 Arizona Cardinals. After that, it’s another AFC North tilt against the Ravens, who have already qualified for the playoffs with their win against the Bills on Sunday. The Browns are the last team to beat Baltimore, walloping their rival 40-25 back on Sept. 29.
READ NEXT: Browns RB Nick Chubb Sends Message With Epic Quote