Cleveland Browns Rookie Myles Garrett Stands By Promise To Sack Pittsburgh Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger
Cleveland Browns rookie defensive end Myles Garrett has one of his first targets in sight — Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Is Garrett fast enough off the football to get to the Steelers’ star, or any quarterback for that matter? A legendary defensive end does not see the full ability there just yet. Myles Garrett has a lot to prove as the top overall pick from the 2017 NFL draft.
Myles Garrett called out Ben Roethlisberger just moments after the Cleveland Browns made him the No. 1 pick in the draft. According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Garrett’s comments drew an immediate response from the Steelers’ offensive linemen. No bad blood came from it. It was simply just two teams trying to one-up each other, creating what can become an interesting rivalry if the Cleveland Browns can become a competitive team. The first step into that direction is for the Browns to develop an attitude about them. And fans will get a chance to see if Myles Garrett can make good on his wish immediately because the Browns and Steelers meet each other in the first game of the season.
Myles Garrett is one of the best representations of a new era for the Browns. So much has been made about what the Browns are trying to create. If Garrett has a great season, it could translate to the start of a winning culture in Cleveland. Even if that means he has to call out the best quarterback in the division before ever playing an NFL down, the attitude is needed on the Browns.
Most rookies aren't allowed to talk trash.
@MylesLGarrett isn't like most rookies: https://t.co/uzVuyYXtMN pic.twitter.com/ft9mTxthAq
— NFL (@NFL) May 13, 2017
When given a chance to back off his draft night comments at the Browns rookie minicamp, Garrett refused. Instead he doubled down on his desire (courtesy of ESPN) to get Roethlisberger down to the turf. The talk of making Ben Roethlisberger his first sack victim has gained a fair amount of attention as the Browns rookie has already developing a reputation as a trash-talker. It is something that Sashi Brown, the Cleveland Browns’ overseer of football operations embraces and sees it as a highly confident player (courtesy of NFL.com).
“This is a 21-year-old young man who’s wise beyond his years. Just to correct, he didn’t say he’d hurt Ben, he did say he’d take him down, but you have to spend time with him. You have to understand what his values are. He’s very confident in his abilities. He works his tail off. He’s about as hard-working… as any college prospect we’ve had.”
Brown did his best to quell any thoughts that Myles Garrett was being disrespectful. Garrett does not come across as disrespectful either. His confidence is high, but what matters is what happens on the football field. If it can translate into wins for the Cleveland Browns, who are 2-21 versus the Pittsburgh Steelers when Roethlisberger plays. People will remember the Browns’ turnaround, more than Garrett’s trash talk if they win football games. If the Browns fail to win, and Garrett struggles, they will be ridiculed.
.@MylesLGarrett's unexpected critique from @profootballhof-er Bruce Smith drives him to be even better
? » https://t.co/nRxBe9mlhD pic.twitter.com/C2s9ofAbna
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 14, 2017
Not everyone is a fan of Myles Garrett, he already has someone of a detractor in NFL Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith. Smith, while not against the Browns’ rookie, has some strong criticism. In Smith’s eyes, Myles Garrett is too slow off the football to get to opposing quarterbacks with regularity.
If the assessment is accurate, the Cleveland Browns’ coaching staff has time to fine tune some things in order to make Myles Garrett faster. Garrett, for a trash-talker, took the critique in stride (courtesy of Cleveland.com).
“I kind of laughed a little bit. Most people wouldn’t say that, but he’s one of the greatest if not the greatest pass-rushers, so if he thinks so, and I want to be at this level someday, then I’ve got to take his advice – and run with it.”
Myles Garrett has the respect part down to a science. And as long as he can produce by leading the Cleveland Browns to victories, he will get his respect. Garrett sacking Ben Roethlisberger in his first-ever NFL game would be a nice start to his career.
[Featured Image by Jason Miller/Getty Images]
