Reports: Cassius Marsh Threw Tantrum Over Playing Time Days Before Patriots Release
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Cassius Marsh made headlines in recent days, when he harshly criticized the Patriots based on his brief time in New England. Now, he’s making more headlines – and it’s an even worse look.
As part of Albert Breer’s Monday column for SI, Marsh “pitched a fit over playing time” in the locker room during halftime of the Patriots’ 33-8 win over the Oakland Raiders in Mexico City last season. Jeff Howe of The Athletic added later on Monday that Marsh threw a Gatorade jug as part of his “tirade.”
The Pats were winning 17-0 at haltime of the game, during which Marsh played just two defensive snaps and another six on special teams. Marsh was cut two days later, and his tantrum was reportedly a catalyst for the move.
Defensively, the Patriots surrendered just 236 passing yards to Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who finished the afternoon with a 68.2 passer rating. Marsh played fewer snaps than linebackers Kyle Van Noy (64), Elandon Roberts (39), Marquis Flowers (32), David Harris (28), and Trevor Reilly (13). The Pats also employed more big interior defensive linemen in the game, fielding Alan Branch for 27 snaps and Ricky Jean-Francois for 25.
As he often did during his Patriots tenure, which lasted just nine games with one start, Marsh also found himself behind Trey Flowers, Deatrich Wise Jr., and Lawrence Guy on the defensive end depth chart in the game against the Raiders.
No Fun
Dec 17, 2017, Santa Clara, CA, USA: San Francisco 49ers defensive end Cassius Marsh during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium. (Photo Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports)
Marsh, now with the 49ers, ripped the Patriots’ team culture in a recent interview with the San Francisco Chronicle. He complained that “there’s nothing fun” and “there’s nothing happy” about playing in Foxboro. He also admitted that he confronted Bill Belichick about “B.S. things they were doing” and “kind of asked to get cut” without directly asking. Of course, Marsh got his wish, pretty much immediately.
It certainly appears that Marsh’s bold decision to confront the head coach came soon after the incident in Mexico City. For a player to put his own interests above the team’s during a game, especially to that degree, is never a good look. Throwing a fit over playing time when you’re up 17 on the way to a 25-point victory is as selfish as it gets.
Marsh was clearly a bad fit for the Patriots’ team approach, which preaches doing your job for the greater good of the group and playing with versatility. The organization whiffed on that aspect of his personality. But considering Marsh’s lack of accountability and fixation on being “appreciated” that bleeds through in the Chronicle interview, the news of his locker room outburst is hardly surprising.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
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