Browns S Tashaun Gipson ‘showed no mercy’ on E.J. Manuel hit

Tashaun Gipson has no remorse for the hit he laid that ended E.J. Manuel’s night against the Browns on Thursday.

Oct 4, 2013, 1:46 PM UTC

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns safety Tashaun Gipson isn't sorry for the hit that took out E.J. Manuel during Thursday night's game against the Buffalo Bills. Manuel was running up the sideline for extra yardage, perhaps foolishly, when he took the shot that injured his knee. Gipson did not hold back on the hit, he told the Willoughby News-Herald:

“I showed no mercy,” Gipson said. “I’m not a dirty player. I didn’t try to hurt him intentionally, but it’s a physical sport. Our quarterback took a shot. Their quarterback took a shot. That’s the way it is.”

Gipson emphasized, again, that he wasn’t trying to hurt Manuel when speaking with ESPN. He even restated a sentiment felt by many Bills fans this morning: Manuel should have ran out of bounds if he wanted to avoid injury.

“Our QB took a shot. Their QB took a shot,” Gipson said. “Not to say that we were trying to go one for one, but it’s the game of football. He’s running around on the sidelines. He could have gotten out of bounds. He didn’t. So it’s my job to bring the ball carrier down.”

Manuel left the game after an up-and-down two-plus quarters, finishing the night 11-for-20 passing for 129 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. There is no word yet on the rookie’s status for Week 6 and beyond. Manuel is set to undergo an MRI on Friday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Bills head coach Doug Marrone defended Manuel when asked whether he thought the quarterback should have ran out of bounds instead trying to extend the play. Via Bills blog Buffalo Rumblings:

“EJ’s a tough kid. He took a shot, he scrambled, he made a first down (and) he was trying to score a touchdown. What do you say? ‘Don’t scramble, don’t score touchdowns.’ What do you think?”
The questioner responded with, “Go out of bounds.”
“‘Go out of bounds?’ I’m sure he was working his way to the sideline,” Marrone concluded.