3 Cleveland Browns to watch in Week 11 against Buffalo
By John Suchan
No. 1: Myles Garrett, DE
We discuss Myles Garrett almost every week because he is the face of the Browns defense and as he goes so does the defense. He’s been criticized on and off this season due to what some have deemed a lack of effort.
In this past game on Sunday against Miami, the Cleveland defense was bulldozed by them on the ground as the Dolphins ran the ball for 195 yards. After the game, Garrett seemed to take a shot at the coaching staff or maybe other teammates when he discussed the team’s struggles on 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 comes across more and more as a very up-and-down type of player. He often will say things that are critical of things with his team. When Garrett was drafted as the No. 1 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Browns, many critics of the defensive end out of Texas A&M questioned his motor and his ultimate desire to play football and that view of him continues quietly among skeptics.
While Garrett has played tough at times in his career and even more aggressive than necessary like when he got suspended by the NFL for his helmet throwing at Pittsburgh Steeler quarterback Mason Rudolph back in 2019, he’s been a bit of a continuous mystery with his play and effort. While he has been gifted with some amazing talent, he hasn’t done enough to help his team win games.
Yes, he’s often getting double-teamed but even with that, there are plays he makes which show a player that isn’t always fully engaged and interested in the game in front of him.
If on Sunday, we see Garrett energized and showing that off then we might see an excellent defensive effort by him and his teammates, but if he loses interest in the battle early, it could be another long day for the team.
