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'Bountygate' architect Williams hopes Mariota's hamstring is hurting 'a lot'

Ken Blaze / USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Marcus Mariota was far from his usual self in the Tennessee Titans' Week 6 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He essentially played on one leg and worked almost exclusively from the pocket as he attempts to get back to full health following a hamstring injury.

And the man tasked with stopping him Sunday, Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams - who infamously ran a bounty scheme while with the New Orleans Saints - joked Friday that he hopes Mariota remains immobile.

"We will see how healthy he is," Williams said, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "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."

While the comment would likely be viewed as innocuous if it came from another coach, it's a questionable choice of words from someone with Williams' history.

The Browns' defense has given up an average of 26.2 points per game this season, the sixth-worst mark in the league.

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