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Eagles LB Zach Brown roasted (and released) after ripping Kirk Cousins then dodging questions

Zach Brown made headlines last week for calling Kirk Cousins the "weakest part" of the Vikings offense. He made headlines Monday for being released by the Eagles.

By Michael Rand

October 14, 2019 at 3:51PM

Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker Zach Brown (52) got a hand on Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) as he ran the ball in the first quarter. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

(Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

When it comes to selective memory recall, the late former Vikings head coach Dennis Green apparently has an equal: current Eagles linebacker Zach Brown.

Green was famous for many things, including an ability to treat a recently completed loss as "the past" and quickly move on from it during a news conference just minutes after the game ended.

Brown, who made headlines last week for calling Kirk Cousins the "weakest part" of the Vikings offense after being teammates with Cousins in Washington, decided Sunday postgame to quickly move on after the 38-20 drubbing at the hands of the Vikings. (The Eagles later helped Brown move on by releasing him Monday.)

Per the Philadelphia Inquirer, the second question postgame for Brown was about Cousins and he wasn't happy about it.

The quote and tone per the paper: "I'm here to talk about the game. Any other questions, besides about Kirk Cousins?" Brown demanded.

ESPN's Mike Greenberg, not immune to over-the-top reactions, said Monday morning on First Take that Brown's response postgame after "running his mouth" last week "might be the weakest thing I've seen a football player do in years. … Yes, in the game, Zach, Kirk Cousins annihilated your defense."

To be fair, the Inquirer did have a second quote from Brown after more prodding about Cousins: "He did a great job today. He played good, you know? Hats off to him."

Martin Frank of the Delaware News Journal wrote: "The Eagles did not give a reason for releasing Brown. He had started all six games for the Eagles. He had five tackles Sunday, giving him 27 for the season, which ranked sixth on the team. He also had three tackles for losse."

Brown had signed a one-year contract with the Eagles in May.

Frank did point out that Brown's dismissal comes at an odd time because the Eagles are short of linebackers due to injuries.

For his part, Cousins said he didn't know about the slight from Brown until after the game Sunday — as detailed by our Andrew Krammer. Cousins threw for four TD passes, a 138.4 passer rating and a 91.4 total QBR that is tops in Week 6 so far.

ESPN's Tim McManus had a helpful suggestion for Brown: Maybe don't provide bulletin board material to an opponent when your own defense has massive injuries in the secondary.

Eagles blog Inside the Iggles, meanwhile, noted that: As they have their own handful of issues to deal with, it's probably best if their players tone down the trash talk for a bit as they continue to clean up their own problems.

about the writer

Michael Rand

Columnist / Reporter

Michael Rand is the Minnesota Star Tribune's Digital Sports Senior Writer and host/creator of the Daily Delivery podcast. In 25 years covering Minnesota sports at the Minnesota Star Tribune, he has seen just about everything (except, of course, a Vikings Super Bowl).