10/28 Opening Drive: Trying To Keep Appreciation for this Defensive Line Talent
Despite the numerous things going wrong, the defensive line continues to wreck havoc.
I think it’s important in the midst of a disappointing NFL season to still try to find those silver linings. Unfortunately, this is a hobby those who follow the Browns are all too familiar with. Following the blowout loss to the Patriots, the review of the offense left me drained, and the defense review is far from perfect, but you have to find the positives where you can. Myles Garrett’s performance was one of those rare NFL feats that you just can’t ignore. You just have to highlight it, even when you don’t feel like being positive.
Kevin Stefanski echoed this sentiment in his time with the media on Monday. “Well, you know, that’s the frustrating, well, among the many frustrating things, is you want to celebrate a performance like that. And I told him that he should be very proud, and I know we win as a team, we lose as a team, and it’s hard to think about that right now, but that’s pretty special to be able to do that.”
Even Mike Vrabel had to answer some questions about what Garrett did against his team on Sunday. The game planning for his impact is about as tough as it comes.
“Just size, speed, athleticism, and having watched him last year, it’s impressive, and it’s hard” Vrabel continued. “We’re trying to chip him, and he Gumbys around one guy and then speed bursts the other guy. He’s just an elite athlete with a tremendous skill set. I’m glad that we don’t play him twice every year unless we’re both in the playoffs. He’s just a dynamic player, and they do a nice job with him. He certainly impacts a lot of football games.”
You just wish Garrett had more opportunities to impact close games where teams were chasing the scoreboard. Then you could see him reach levels the league hasn’t seen before. Alas.
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Garrett won from a variety of positions on Sunday. Jim Schwartz was more than willing to move him inside and let him rush against guards and then swap him left and right side according to need and weakness. Never letting the Patriots get comfortable with where he was aligned at any given moment. He certainly made rookie Will Campbell’s life tough when rushing off the offense’s left side.
His array of speed and power moves, and general ability make offensive tackles fear his ability to quickly bend the edge cannot be taken for granted. We can get desensitize to it at times but the array of speed to power is wild. He’s also defending the run better than ever this year. Peak of his powers.
Maliek Collins continues to flash on pass rush reps and is making more plays against the run than he’s given credit. The right team should be calling for his services if the Browns are willing to listen.
Mason Graham has flashes. He’s far from consistent and I’ll write on his midpoint rookie season in the course of the next week, but there’s no denying he belongs and is doing his part with an extremely high volume of snaps.
With the curious direction of the Browns season coming after the bye week, it will be interesting to see if they get aggressive in some trades or extensions. Decisions loom here for a talented group. We cannot deny they have been doing their part.
Browns Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh All-22 content.
