DE Myles Garrett (12.6.24)
Myles, what did you think of George Pickens’ comments on Greg Newsome saying he didn’t know who he was? You happen to see those comments?
“No, I don’t read all that. I think he had an idea who he was last time they played. I think they did a great job containing him and looking forward to the matchup with him on the outside again. He’s definitely a competitor, he’s good at what he does and so are we on the back end. And they look forward to matching up with their wide receivers every time.”
What did you think about his comments about you guys maybe not being a good team and the snow kind of pushing you guys towards that win?
“We played in the same snow. So, I mean, I don’t see how it was to any benefit to us more than them. But we could be a better team on record. We were good enough on that day, we have to be good enough on Sunday. That’s all that matters.”
Can you repeat what you did against them on that Thursday night game? If so, what would it take to have that kind of same performance?
“I mean, we got to stop the run, we got to put him in a passing situation to hold the ball. We didn’t do enough of that last week. Bo (Nix) was able to get the ball off quickly and on this timing, and the week before that we were able to do that with Russell (Wilson) and them. So, we have to go back two weeks ago and perform that same caliber, first and second down, and make them hold the ball on third down and later in the game.”
Did they do anything to you in that second half or was it more. Kevin (Stefanski) mentioned the snow and the footing. Was that the difference between first half, second half Thursday night?
“A bit of the footing, for sure. But they started – running back was on my side, tight end was on my side, and they were sometimes sliding as well that way. So, they were kind of throwing the kitchen sink at me. At the end of the day, we have schemes around that. We just have to get in positions where, or down in distance where we can call that without putting ourselves in bad situations if they were to run a draw or just run the ball.”
When you’re seeing somebody a second time, whether it’s in a season or whenever, do you sort of go through your mind what potential counters they may have to try to play out in your mind how they could counter what happened the first time you played them?
“Absolutely. I mean, we talk about that all week about the counters for what we did especially going over things we were weak against during that first matchup. So just trying to show up anything we weren’t as successful on. So, you want to create those counters, but you don’t want to go away from the game plan that worked the first time too much. They’ve got to show that they really have a concerted effort to change things up. If they haven’t, then go with what worked the first time, but have those counters ready when the time calls.”
I’m guessing you don’t hear a lot of trash talk when you’re out there. When you do hear a guy chirping on the other side, Pickens, whoever, do you get involved?
“Only in grabbing my guy. Like, whoever he’s talking to, I try to just get him out of the situation. But I don’t talk much. So usually, the other guys don’t really talk to me and… I just like playing the game. So, there’s not much talking unless it’s to help each other up or maybe it was a good move by him or myself and then just little compliments here and there. You leave me and Joe Burrow to ‘Hey Joe.’, ‘Hey Myles.’ You know, something like that.”
Myles, in a season that obviously hasn’t gone the way you guys hoped, there’s this sort of historic thing being thrown around about this organization hasn’t swept the (Pittsburgh) Steelers in a season since 1988. How much would that mean to you guys? At least the smallest little feather in the cap, given how things have kind of been going this year?
“You got to take the wins you can get. That is a little bit of history that we haven’t accomplished in quite a long time. So, if there’s something you can fight for, you got to go out and find it. Like I said, you got to find a reason why. You got to start to build your legacy, and that’s part of our legacy. If we want it, we can go out there and achieve it. But it is going to be tough. They’re a really good team and we have to respect them, but it’s out there if we really do want it.”
How have you seen this rivalry grow over the past couple years or has it felt the same for you across the board in your time here?
“It’s always felt the same. You have veterans from the rivalry when I was starting up with Big Ben (Ben Roethlisberger), AB (Antonio Brown), Le’Veon (Bell) – so it’s really just evolved, but I wouldn’t say it’s gotten any bigger. It’s just different characters playing the roles now.”
How important would it be for you to sweep this team?
“Important? I think it’s always important to win. So regardless of the history of sweeping the team, like I said, a nice feather in the cap. But I think it’s important to win every game you can.”
TJ (Watt) didn’t exactly apologize, but I saw him over there in Pittsburgh saying that it wasn’t personal against you. That thing that he tweeted that night and that he really respects your name and you as a player. Does that smooth over anything or do you take that as sort of like an apology?
“I mean, it was a joke when I said I would make him apologize. But, I mean, I take the games against the Steelers personal because they’re our rivalry game. Everyone in the division is a rivalry game. Whether it’s the Battle of Ohio, whether it’s the (Baltimore) Ravens, whoever it is, you have to create added motivation because it means more to the organization, it means more to the fans, and ultimately it means more to the players. All that stuff, all that history, all that tradition, it gets flown into you over time. So, I don’t take anything from that situation. I have a lot of respect for TJ, what he does, and how talented he is – but our teams are matched up, and I want to be the best player on the field just like he does. So, look forward to doing that.”
Do you expect a kitchen sink from snap one?
“Absolutely. We’ll be ready.”