Cleveland Browns: Defensive takeaways from the Week 5 loss
The man, the myth, the legend. Myles Garrett lived up to the hype.
The Texas A&M star had Browns fans going wild after his first career play resulted in a rare sack for the defense. Getting to the quarterback has been a continuous issue for the Browns and Garrett without a doubt helps them.
NFL Research added Garrett is the first No. 1 pick to record a sack in his first game since 1992.
Myles Garrett is the first #1 overall pick with a sack in his first NFL game since Steve Emtman in 1992 pic.twitter.com/emNn8eLUPN
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 8, 2017
His presence made a difference for the Browns and he instantly jolted the defense when on the field. Considering he is still recovering from a high ankle sprain, Garrett’s performance was as good as it could get.
Head coach Hue Jackson made it clear he had him on a pitch-count and it proved true as Garrett played just 19 snaps. However, he converted those 19 snaps into two sacks and two tackles.
The Browns have lacked in the pass-rushing department thus far but it appears they have a special player worthy of changing a game on defense. It’s unclear how much more he will play in Week 6 against the Houston Texans, although it’s easy to assume he’ll see the field much more next Sunday.
Cleveland takes on the Houston Texans who are led by No. 12 pick Deshaun Watson – the pick the Browns traded out of on draft night. Watson has displayed his intelligence through his first few games, even throwing five touchdowns on Sunday Night Football against a tough Kansas City Chiefs defense.
Seeing Garrett aim for Watson next week will be exciting as it gives fans the best offensive and defensive players from the last two college seasons.
The pure disruptiveness and explosion the former Texas A&M Aggie provides the Browns is something the team has long searched for. The fact fans got to see Garrett succeed on the field finally gives them a glimmer of hope as they begin the 2017 season 0-5.