Garrett plays like No. 1 pick on first day

Defensive end looks crisp during pass-rush drills in training camp

Things worked out pretty well for the Browns the last time a first-round draft choice approached his first training camp in Berea with the kind of lofty ambitions Myles Garrett has.

In 2007, left tackle Joe Thomas, the third overall pick, announced his goal was to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame some day. Thomas seems to be well on the road to Canton with 10 Pro Bowl appearances in 10 years.

Garrett did not mention the Hall of Fame when the Browns opened training camp on July 27 in Berea. For now he will settle for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

“Defensive Rookie of the Year would be a nice way to go,” Garrett said. “But first I’ve got to get to the first team. I’ve got to put some work in. But until then, I’m just keeping my head down, keeping my mouth closed and listening.

“I have to listen to Gregg (defensive coordinator Gregg Williams). If I do that and give my full maximum effort out here and listen to the plays and try to master the playbook and listen to guys like (linebacker Chris) Kirksey and Joe (Thomas) and their criticisms, I think I’ll be fine.”

The Browns, by virtue of

finishing an NFL-worst 1-15 last seasons, got the first crack at Garrett in the 2017 draft. He was their first first overall pick since they selected Courtney Brown in 2000.

Players were not in pads for the first practice. That won’t happen until the third day of training camp on July 29.

During a pass-rush drill midway through practice, Garrett flashed the raw speed that made college scouts drool for two years. He beat rookie tackle Rod Johnson twice on plays

that would have resulted in sacks.

“I was over there in that ring,” said head coach Hue Jackson, referring to the pass rush drill. “Obviously, he is a good player. As I told Myles, he has to do it every day, keep his head down, stay humble and keep working. I think the young man will do that.

“I give credit to our executive team because we drafted the right one in my opinion. Not only is he a great football player, but he is a great person, a great young man who loves football and wants to be great and is willing to do whatever it takes to be really good. I am glad he is a part of our organization.”

Garrett suffered a sprained left foot when he inadvertently stepped on quarterback Brock Osweiler’s foot in a pass rush drill on the second day of minicamp last month. Garrett ended up in a walking boot. During the July 27 interview, he said he was in the boot for about a week.

One thing is beyond debate: Garrett’s left foot is strong. So is his right foot. And both legs.

Garrett on July 7 posted a video of him working out on a leg press machine. A friend, a former basketball teammate, hopped on the press plate to increase the total weight to 1,450 pounds.

“He asked if he could

jump on and I said, ‘Sure,’” Garrett said. “I thought he was kidding. I needed to go up in weight and there’s not much more room on the top so go ahead and get on. So I did him about four or five times and kept on going.”

Garrett fills a huge need, but quarterback is a bigger need. The Browns passed on quarterback Mitchell Trubisky to take Garrett with the first overall pick, instead waiting until pick 52 late in the second round to pick DeShone Kizer as their latest quarterback of the future.

Trubisky was taken by Chicago with the second pick after the Bears traded up with the 49ers from the third pick to draft him.

TIM PHILLIS — THE NEWS-HERALD No. 1 pick Myles Garrett says his goal this year is to be Defensive Rookie of the Year.