Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams talks openly about Marcus Mariota injury

Gregg Williams should be the last guy to talk about a quarterback’s injury, but here he is doing so.

Almost exactly eight years ago, a scandal cleverly called “Bountygate” surfaced around the New Orleans Saints after their defensive performance in the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings. That is to say they were going out of their way to try to injure Brett Favre during the game, and whoever succeeded would get a little extra money for the effort.

Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was captured in recordings issuing directions on injuring opposing quarterbacks, with deplorable catch phrases like “kill the head and the body dies.” Former players were quick to confirm similar bounty programs at Williams’ past coaching stops in the NFL.

Williams managed to rehab his reputation a bit over three seasons as defensive coordinator for the Rams, and he’s now in his first season as Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator. The Browns will face the Tennessee Titans, and quarterback Marcus Mariota , on Sunday.

Mariota missed Week 5 with a hamstring injury, and returned to action last Monday night. He threw for over 300 yards against the Indianapolis Colts, but he was also notably stationary in the pocket and did not run as he typically might with two fully healthy legs.

Williams addressed reporters on Friday, and said the following regarding Mariota (via Pro Football Talk).

"“We will see how healthy he is,” Williams told reporters. “We have played some very mobile quarterbacks. Marcus is extremely mobile. He is very well coached. . . . When we are playing those kinds of guys, we are pretty well versed on making those decisions and trying to make them do what we want them to do, but he is very dangerous when he is out there. I hope his hamstring is hurting a lot.”"

Next: FanDuel NFL Lineup: Week 7

That final line was supposed to be the punch line of a joke, as Williams apparently laughed after it. But it’s no laughing matter coming from someone with his history. If Mariota winds up being injured on a questionable hit that points to intent during Sunday’s game, all eyes will be back on the orchestrator of “Bountygate.”