bowieTom Cable isn’t happy (although, it’s worth nothing he hasn’t punched anyone…yet). Why is Tom Cable unhappy? Because the Cleveland Browns violated an “unwritten rule” in the NFL.

Earlier this month, the Seahawks waived right tackle Michael Bowie with an injury distinction. Basically, the Seahawks wanted to put Bowie on IR, but he had to clear waivers first. Bowie didn’t make it through waivers, as the Browns scooped him up.

If this sounds familiar, that’s because it should. Earlier this summer, the Patriots pulled a similar move, quickly snatching Tyler Gaffney off of waivers after the Panthers attempted to stash him on IR.

But, according to Tom Cable, the Browns violated an “unwritten rule” when they claimed Bowie. Appearing on 710 ESPN, Cable had this to say:

Typically when you waive someone injured, they kind of get through (waivers) and you’re going to get them back, fix them and move on. Cleveland chose to take him, and whether you agree with it or not, I guess that’s business.”

And:

It’s kind of an unwritten rule – you just leave each other’s injured players alone and they didn’t. It is what it is.”

The idea of an “unwritten rule” in the NFL is stupid. Just like how unwritten rules in baseball are also stupid. According to Pro Football Talk, three other teams — including the Patriots — put in a waiver claim for Bowie. So yeah, that makes at least four teams that don’t believe in Cable’s “unwritten rule.”

Here’s an idea: If you want to keep a player, don’t put him on waivers.

[Pro Football Talk]

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