Latest cryptic Myles Garrett comment makes valid point
By Joel W. Cade
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has been known to make cryptic comments in press conferences. His last quip makes a valid point about the defense.
The Cleveland Browns defense has failed to live up to expectations. The fault can be spread around evenly between poor defensive back play, linebacker play and defensive line play.
The poor play has lost games and frustration is spilling out in press conferences. As was the case this weekend when Myles Garrett spoke on the loss to Miami.
Latest cryptic Myles Garrett comment makes a valid point
Myles Garrett is frustrated, with good reason
Myles Garrett, considered a leader on the Browns defense, has been taking cryptic shots at the coaching staff all season. His most recent quip calls into question the direction, or lack thereof, of the defense.
#Browns Myles Garrett: "Doesn't matter if you're ready to run through a wall if it's in the wrong direction."
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) November 13, 2022
Garrett low key calling out the coaches has become a recognizable pattern in recent weeks. Usually, such remarks can be ignored. But if one should decide to watch the film from their recent game, one starts to see Garrett’s point.
Even though he claims he was not pointing the finger at any one coach or player, he should have been pointing at defensive coordinator Joe Woods.
After watching the end zone view of the defense, one could easily walk away wondering “what is the direction of the defense?” To be honest, the direction is clear. But that direction has problems.
Woods set the direction of the defense when he was hired. When he laid out his defensive philosophy, he described it as one that covers the pass and pressures the quarterback. Given that the NFL is a passing league, it makes sense to build a strong pass defense.
Every year since the Browns hired Kevin Stefanksi as head coach, they have drafted a defensive back in the draft. Most recently Martin Emerson, who is emerging as one of the best rookies in the NFL. They have targeted the back end in free agency as well. The clear emphasis for this defense is to stop the pass.
So, what is going wrong?