Browns Send Message on ‘Frustrated’ Myles Garrett After Outburst
As the Browns followed up a promising effort against the Dolphins in Week 7 with an overall disaster in Week 8 against the Patriots, it was clear that Cleveland’s old pal–frustration–had returned with a vengeance. For star edge rusher Myles Garrett, in the midst of a career day with five sacks of budding MVP candidate Drake Maye, the frustration was especially poignant.
Garrett wants to win, badly. At 30 years old and in his ninth season, he has just three games of playoff experience behind him, playing for an organization that has struggled at just about every level. It was only nine months ago that Garrett demanded a trade, seeking a place where he could compete for a Super Bowl. The Browns gave him a whopping new $160 million contract, persuading him to stay.
But the now 2-6 reality of this team has settled in again, and in the final two minutes of Sunday’s loss, Garrett was seen throwing his helmet in frustration and later kneeling by himself on the sideline, away from the rest of the team.
Browns Are ‘All Frustrated’
The outburst was not lost on Browns fans, observers and even coaches. Head coach Kevin Stefasnki was asked about Garrett’s helmet-toss on Monday. His message: It’s time for leaders to show “resolve.”
“We’re all frustrated,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, in those moments, we want to make sure it doesn’t get the best of us. But with that frustration comes a resolve, and I know Myles and I know him as a leader, I know the leaders in this football team will show that mental, will show that resolve.”
Myles Garrett Wanted to be on the Field
Garrett had conceded he was frustrated in that moment. It’s obvious that the losing is wearing on him, though in the end, the decision to return to the Browns and take the major contract was his. Because of their cap and quarterback situation, the Browns are stuck in their mediocrity, and Garrett is bearing that burden.
Garrett indicated that he did not like being on the bench down the stretch, even though the game was out of reach.
“Frustrated,” he said. “I want to win. No matter how much time is on the clock, they got their starters in, there’s a chance we can win, I want to be a part of that. I don’t care how dire the situation looks. I want to try to make something happen, so I hate coming out in a situation, I hate that kind of inevitability. And not being able to do anything about it.”
Browns, Myles Garrett Heading Into Bye Week–And NFL Trade Deadline
Stefanski said the hope is that the Browns can go into the coming week–their bye week–and regroup, with the promise of a better run in the second half of the season. The NFL’s trade deadline is next Tuesday, and it’s not clear whether Cleveland will move any of its players. Certainly, they’re not dealing Garrett.
Yes, there is frustration at 2-6. But he wants players to direct that frustration to improvement.
“I mean, you are what your record says you are, so we got to own it – that’s where we are,” he said. “But we’re excited about the challenge in front of us. Again, guys will take a breath this week, but then you got nine games coming up, five of them at our place. …
“I think it’s really so specific to all of us. We know we have a job to do – the fun in this business is winning, so, there’s the frustration that comes with losing a game, is very real. But how you channel that and how you, like you said, use it as fuel moving forward, I think is really important.”
Vic Fangio Reacts To Defender Coming On Strong During Eagles' Winning Streak
The Eagles had a season-high five sacks against the Giants on Sunday, nearly doubling their season total of 11 coming into the game. Vic Fangio didn’t seem very impressed.
“I think our rush could have been better,” said the defensive coordinator.
Maybe help on the defensive line will come between now and the 4 p.m. trade deadline on Tuesday. If not, well, Fangio didn’t pull any punches there, either, when he was asked if he thinks the makeup of the room will allow him to do what he wants.
“It has to be,” he said.
Help On Edge Expected After Bye
The Eagles will get help in some form. Nolan Smith is expected back after the bye week. He hasn’t played since Week 3, all the way back on Sept. 21. Brandon Graham should be ready for a role after sitting out against the Giants after unretiring just days before the game.
“BG's working his way back into football shape, playing shape,” said Fangio. “Hopefully, we will get Nolan back here soon. So, that's two guys that we haven't had since whenever Nolan went out. So yeah, it's looking to be better, and we're working Jihaad (Campbell) there some. Jalyx (Hunt) has played (well) all year, I think. Obviously, he's had his plays he'd like to have back, but he is a young guy who's progressing, so we're in good shape there.”
General manager Howie Roseman may feel differently and bring another player in via a trade. Fangio was asked what his internal input is in trade discussions.
“Very miniscule,” was his reply.
As you can tell by now, Fangio didn’t put together too many paragraphs in his answers when he met with reporters on Tuesday.
Until the topic of Hunt was approached. The outside linebacker has put together strong back-to-back weeks during the Eagles’ two-game winning streak, notching a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Vikings in a 28-22 win and recording his first sack of the season and that came in a big spot. The second-year third-round draft pick also had a career-high nine pressures on New York rookie Jaxson Dart.
Hunt’s first sack came when the Giants were facing a third-and-10 inside the Eagles' red zone with a minute to go in the third quarter. Trailing 24-10 at the time, a touchdown would’ve put New York within one score, but Hunt’s 3-yard sack forced the Giants to kick a field goal.
“We know it’s hard to get sacks in this league,” said Hunt after the Eagles beat Minnesota. “They get paid, we get paid and sacks take a lot of effort, a lot of scheming. You have to be rushing the right way for when the time comes.”
Despite starting his career in the Ivy League, as a safety at Cornell, Hunt has grown as quickly into being an outside linebacker as he has as a first-year starter.
“We liked him in the draft, obviously … and did like his potential,” said the DC. “In spite of his lack of background, what we saw in the draft process has proven to be true. He's just going to get better and better the more he plays.”
The 24-year-old Hunt has done a good job of holding the fort, playing 66 percent of the defensive snaps as others at his position have fallen by the wayside, such as Za’Darius Smith, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Azeez Ojulari, and Smith
