Browns look to defensive line for breakout
“I have in spurts, but we need the consistency there,” Wilks said. “I think we have the talent up front to be able to do that, and this is a perfect game for those guys to step up and be that dominant force up front.”
That’s just what Garrett, tied for the NFL lead in sacks with nine, has in mind.
“Me personally and as a unit, we want to always be the best part of the team,” Garrett said Wednesday. “I guess you could say that’s selfish of us.
But if we put it on our backs and we take control of the game, nobody has to go above and beyond. We can do that. We just have to go out there and prove it.”
Linebacker Joe Schobert said he has seen plays in every game that show the defensive line is on the verge of a breakout. He mentioned Garrett’s sacks, Richardson tying for third on the team in tackles, Vernon throwing a 300-pound tackle or guard to the ground, and Ogunjobi and Devaroe Lawrence blowing up plays against the Baltimore Ravens.
“I like our matchup with our front four against anybody in the NFL, really,” Schobert said. “No matter what, they’re getting after the quarterback, they’re forcing bad throws, they’re getting there quick. If we can cover down, take away the threats and make him double clutch, I think our D-line against anybody in the NFL is going to be getting there and causing havoc.”
Like Wilks, Garrett said he sees opportunity for the defensive line this week.
“It’s definitely a testing ground,” Garrett said. “They’re going to want to run the ball. We’ve been susceptible to that, so we have to show that we can stop it, make (Brady) beat us, not in the pocket. We’ve got to make him scramble, feel uncomfortable, throw off his back leg and … keep him from getting the ball out to his guys 20, 30 yards downfield. I think we should have a good day.”