DE Myles Garrett (9.10.23)
Did the defensive scheme and plan go as well as you could have hoped?
“Absolutely. There were some things they threw at us that we weren’t particularly expecting, but we adapted on the fly and executed when we needed to. They had a couple of explosive plays, but we kept it to a minimum and for the most part, kept these guys packed up.”
Knowing the talent you have, also having a new system and new defensive coordinator, what does it mean for you guys to actually put it on the field in week one against this opponent?
“It was a hell of a dress rehearsal with these guys. They have a very explosive offense, and they have very skilled players in each position. So, this was a big one for us to see where we’re at and we really showed what we can do and we set the bar high, and this is the standard we got to continue to improve from here.”
What do you think of the way you guys executed Jim’s (Schwartz) scheme?
“I mean, just a variety of things were able to do, especially up front. Kept on sending different looks at them and kept them off balance. And the back end always had our back. They were able to make big plays on 50-50 balls on second long, third long and get us off the field.”
How much fun was that? Playing a game like that?
“It was a bit muggy, but no it was fun. And you can’t always expect the quarterback to hold the ball so you can get there. But as long as you’re getting off the field, you’re getting the ball to your offense and they’re putting points on the board, you’re a happy camper.”
Did the disrespectful elves’ comment have any impact on you guys as you headed out in this game?
“Impact? No. I mean, I guess it gives you a little chip on your shoulder, something in the back of your mind. But I wouldn’t say it had too much of an impact.”
Did you talk to (Ja’Marr) Chase about it?
“I only saw him once, and that was in passing. So, if I saw him after the game, I would have said something. I only saw Joe (Burrow).”
Myles, there was so much hype about this defense coming into this game. You guys seem to even surpass it. I mean, what does that say about you guys?
“Means we look good on week one. We got many more to go to prove that this hype is real, and we got to continue to do what we put on film and put our best foot forward.”
This was the highest that Joe Burrow did blitz in a game in his career. What is it about this defense that allows you to put that much pressure on quarterbacks week in and week out?
“I mean, you just have so many athletic and talented guys, skilled rushers coming at them from different angles. From the edge, inside. The mix-up between D tackles outside. Me and Ogbo (Okoronkwo) and Z (Za’Darius Smith) on the inside. It’s just a lot of different points of attack and guys with different skill sets. It’s just a lot for any offense.”
I don’t remember you coming from the inside and standing up as often as you did today, is that the most you’ve done that? And how much do you like that?
“I fairly enjoy it, depending on what the offense does. When I get that lucky, and I’m on the right side, it’s not too great. But when they give that five-oh action, I get to see a guard or a center by themselves. I’m licking my chops.”
You guys on the front with Coach (Jim) Schwartz’s and the way he calls defense. Do you feel like it’s going to be a really positive match for you guys going forward?
“Yeah, I think he has a great feel for what our capabilities are and what we’re excelling at. And I think we have a whole bunch of things we can do very well, and he’s going to play to our strengths down the road.”
When you had that sack, were you surprised that they went for it on fourth down? And then what did you see?
“I was a bit surprised just because it seemed a little bit early in the game to go for it in that situation, but just got to make the most of the opportunity. When that big moment arrives, big stars have to show up. And I knew the chip was coming, and I was just trying to get them a bit off balance so I could get some separation between the tackle and the chip. And I was able to chop the hand down and slip the chip, and I saw (Joe) Burrow trying to roll out. So just been in as much as I could.”
How gratifying is it for you to essentially close the game? You get to make the play to clinch it?
“Wouldn’t exactly call it the play to clinch it, but it was definitely a big moment in the game, and just try to do your best to show up in those moments, and I couldn’t do it without those guys rushing hard and being dominant in their individual positions. Dalvin (Tomlinson), Jordan (Elliott), Z (Za’Darius Smith) and O (Ogbo Okoronkwo), all those guys were applying pressure and they had to account for them, and I was just able to make the play with them out.”
Did you guys notice today who you are and who you’re going to be this season as a defense?
“No. You find that out every single day, you step into the office and how you treat your work. This is just one game, just one day. It’s behind us now. We’ll put it to bed tomorrow at the film, and like I said, it’s the standard, and we got to jump up from there. We got to use this as a leap.”
Myles, (Kevin) Stefanski said before the game, you guys did not anticipate as much rain, the weather. Did that change the defensive game plan for you at all? Do you feel it changed maybe the game plan for Cincinnati?
“It didn’t particularly change our game plan. It may have changed theirs a little bit as far as their passing game kind of arsenal, and they might have taken away a couple of things they wanted to do, but I can’t be particularly sure, that’s just what we’ve seen previously from them. But we stuck to our game plan and it worked well for us.”
Can you talk about how Z (Za’Darius Smith) came out and just set the tone on that very first play of the game?
“Looked great. I mean, the guy is no short on the edge. Made the hit on him early. And I was bending edge myself. And I see (Joe) Burrow on the ground thinking, who the hell? I see Z. And he got that big grin. I’m like, oh, I can’t wait to get there myself, because he’s already set the tempo for the game. So I’m excited for all these guys who are chomping at the bit to beat me to it.”
The guys in the back end. You guys always talk about rushing coverage. How important was it?
“I mean, it was monumental. There weren’t a lot of long developing plays where he just sat in a pocket. He was trying to get it out quick Majority of those plays and they came up big because their number was called a lot today, especially out on the edges where he’s kind of one Mississippi, two Mississippi. You know getting it out, throwing it up, 50-50 ball and expecting these guys to make those plays and guess most guys and most teams they have in the past. But our guys came up and made those big plays to keep them off the field.”
Myles, Kevin (Stefanski), told us that it doesn’t look good at all for Jack Conklin. Kind of hinted that he could be out for the season. Just how good is Jack? How much does he mean to this football team? And how much do you feel right now?
“Jack is a great player. He’s a great guy. I love seeing him day in and day out, whether it’s on the field or off the field. He comes in with a great personality, ready to work, and my heart breaks for him just because he’s been dealing with injuries and aches and pains for a while now. And made the decision to come back and continue playing. I know it was kind of up in the air for him for a while and for a setback like this, I know it doesn’t just hurt him, it hurts our team as a team because we feel for him. And regardless of what his plans are, what the road recovery looks like, we’ll be with him.”
# # #
***Visit the Browns Media Center for materials provided by the Browns communications department, including media schedules, press releases, quotes, photos, media guides, rosters, depth charts and more.***