The Cleveland Browns were able to add an ascending young leader for their defense in Jared Verse, who has looked the part of Myles Garrett's heir apparent over his first two-plus months in Berea.
Verse has taken it on himself to get Spencer Fano up to speed ahead of his rookie season. It's reached a point where they've gotten tangled up in a scuffle, though it's all in good spirits.
That's why, following an impressive preseason debut, the former Los Angeles Rams star had to tip his hat to the rookie. In fact, Verse dismissed the notion that he's the one teaching Fano, revealing that Fano has turned the tables in recent weeks.
“Going against him, he’s gotten so much better in these past couple of weeks," Verse said. "And because he’s getting better, it’s getting to the point where I’m starting to learn things from him. I’m starting to learn a little bit about my tendencies, and what he’s picking up on. So it’s making me a better player as well.”
The Browns needed competitors like Spencer Fano and Jared Verse
If everything goes according to plan, Fano and Verse will anchor the Browns' offensive and defensive lines for the next decade. Having them get in each other's heads is perhaps the best and most important development in the Browns' training camp this year.
Fano entered the league with high praise but also with some question marks. He had to move from the right to left side of the line, and some wondered whether his shorter arms would work against him in the pros.
He's gotten better by the day, beating out veteran Dawand Jones for the starting spot and showing some teeth and barking back at every potential challenge. Granted, it came against backups, but he looked the part in the preseason opener, keeping a clean pocket regardless of who was on the field with him.
As for Verse, we have yet to see him play extensively. He took the field for three snaps in the preseason opener, but there's no doubt that he'll be ready to roll when it actually counts. You can tell he's hungry and eager to make a statement after being traded.
Anointing him as the next Myles Garrett is unfair and a disservice to both players. The Browns just need him to be the first Jared Verse, and they're already reaping the benefits of adding such a high-character competitor to the mix.
This is just the beginning, and there will definitely be many more scuffles between these two in the coming years. At the end of the day, there's nothing but respect between the two. This was clearly a match made in heaven.
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