BEREA, Ohio -- Coaches from the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns both made it clear they wanted no more of the back-and-forth chatter that led to Pacman Jones verbally unloading on Terrelle Pryor.
Browns coach Hue Jackson and Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said they have had enough -- of the on-field talk that led to the issue and of Jones' postgame rant.
The question, though, is why players have suddenly taken to calling out Pryor. Janoris Jenkins did it on Twitter after the Giants' game on Nov. 27, and Jones unloaded on Sunday.
"I can't remember a receiver being talked about publicly the way he has," ESPN's Ryan Clark said Tuesday on Mike & Mike.
The question is why.
Jones called Pryor arrogant after the game, and before the game he said Pryor was not that good -- that he pushed off on every catch and wasn't that tough a cover.
Clark, who retired after the 2014 season, said he understands how the skinny on an opponent can get around the league. Something seems to have happened at some point that has caused other players to treat Pryor this way.
"I feel like something has been said on the field that we aren't privy to," Clark said. "Some of the trash talk or some of the dealings between him and the defensive backs we don't get to hear has obviously ruffled these guys' feathers.
"And I think on the other side, guys do not think he's that good. No matter what the numbers are, guys do not fear covering him. So when the battle becomes heated, when the battle becomes personal, in this day and age guys don't keep that to themselves. Whether it's Twitter or interviews or anything like that.
"I don't think he's garnered the respect of those defensive backs, so they are lashing out publicly."
Pryor has done remarkable work this season in transforming himself from a quarterback into the Browns' best receiver. He has done it with work and commitment.
He also has at times been a voice of reason. He refused to answer Jenkins on Twitter, and on Monday he did not talk to the media about Jones. He refused to criticize the officials when he got a bogus taunting call late in the first loss to Baltimore, and he stood up for Jordan Poyer when Antonio Andrews of Tennessee posted a video on Instagram of him giving Poyer a concussion and lacerated kidney.
But Pryor also has rankled some people, and to a point that includes his coach.
Saying a player pushes off to make a catch might sound like whining, especially because some receivers have that down to an art form. But players don't like it when a receiver gloats about his catches if they feel he is getting them illegally.
Pryor also has been caught by TV cameras during games gesturing dramatically and looking like he's complaining. He called out his offensive line after a loss to the Steelers. He got into an argument with Robert Griffin III in the huddle against Cincinnati.
Despite the antics, Clark pointed out that Pryor has made himself into a good receiver.
"Somebody's going to pay him a lot of money to be on their team, whether it's Cleveland or somebody else," Clark said.
Jones, though, obviously feels there is a false sense of bravado that doesn't need to be there.
Some can say that, given Jones' background, he is the last guy who should call out an opposing player. Some might be right. The same could be said of Jenkins.
But players know about other players, and players talk. If Jones said this about Pryor, others have probably thought or said the same thing.
The Browns have a key decision to make with Pryor. He can be a free agent after the season, and he has publicly stated he'd like to stay with the Browns as long as Jackson is the coach.
He has the talent. He has the work ethic. He has big-play ability. He leads the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
But Jackson said Pryor needs to channel his competitiveness and admirable drive to win in a better way.
These are the kind of actions that, if they continue, very well could cause a team to hesitate when pondering a big-money extension.
