Garrett questions team’s focus as rematch looms
BEREA — All-pro defensive end Myles Garrett has no problem putting people on blast if he believes it can bring out the best in them.
He called out fellow Browns defenders after a Week 2 win over the Houston Texans for failing to capitalize on the opportunities created by doubleteams aimed at him.
He called out Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods after a Week 10 loss to the New England Patriots for what he described as a lack of in-game adjustments.
Now Garrett is calling out Browns players and coaches at the same time.
Coming off their Week 13 bye, the Browns (6-6) will host the AFC Northleading Baltimore Ravens (8-4) on Sunday, and Cleveland needs to win to keep its slim playoff hopes alive.
With so much at stake, Garrett says he has not seen enough of a sense of urgency or attention to detail from the team to satisfy him.
Garrett presented the message as if he were trying to deliver a wake-up call to the team.
“I’m not going to sulk or sink my head,” he said. “I mean, guys go about things differently. It’s not only on us as players, it’s coaches, it’s everyone having a focus on the task at hand. I think we all have to look in the mirror and say,
‘Obviously, if we don’t win this one, there won’t be any postseason for us.’ So we’ve just got to come together tomorrow, today, in meetings and get right.”
The Steelers sacked Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson seven times in a 20-19 win over Baltimore on Dec. 5. Garrett watched the game and took note. Although the Browns intercepted four of Jackson’s passes Nov. 28 in their 16-10 loss in Baltimore, they sacked him just twice, with Garrett bringing him down once.
Garrett said “from what we’ve seen” bringing the house against Jackson the way the Steelers did is the best way to contain the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player.
“We don’t run the same things [the Steelers] do, we don’t blitz as much as they do and it’s just a different style on defense,” Garrett said. “So I don’t know if the same opportunities will be there, just as far as our scheme, but we know how to attack them, and if we play off those weaknesses and use our strengths, I think we can have a lot of success, even more than we did in the last game.”