Myles Garrett in his third season with the Cleveland Browns and the Pro Bowl defensive end showed why the expectations this year are so high for him in Monday night’s Week 2 game. Garrett sacked New York Jets quarterback Trevor Siemian three times to help the Browns (1-1) down the Jets (0-2) 23-3.
Laying out the QB didn’t come without a cost for the 23-year-old who was flagged for two roughing-the passer-penalties, including a penalty on one hit which resulted in Siemian suffering ligament damage in his ankle, leaving the quarterback out for the season.
The 2017 NFL Draft first overall selection spent his Wednesday press conference dispelling the idea that he is a dirty player in the aftermath of his pass-rushing.
“(I) want to play aggressive, want to play passionate, you just want to finish the play” Garrett said in a press conference Wednesday which was shared on the Browns’ Twitter account and team website.
“I’m going to keep playing with that same aggression, (I’ve) just got to be smarter, better in the strike zone and try and pull off so I don’t land on them with all my weight.”
Garrett said that when NFL officials discussed their reasoning for flagging his heavy hits, both the location of his body and shoulder placement and the amount of weight he landed on Siemian with were a reason for penalty. Garrett said that referees explained that he had, “scooped (Siemian) and put (his) weight into him.”
“That was the main point of emphasis when the refs talked to me, so I’m just going to be better with that,” Garrett said. “But I’m not going to pull off on a one-step hit on a quarterback like that, I’ll pull off if I’m going two steps or more.”
Even considering the assessment by league officials, Garrett said when he watched the film of his hits Monday, he did not feel that he hit Siemian too high. But the young defender emphasized that most importantly, his intent was not to compromise the integrity of competition with ill will.
“I’m not trying to do anything dirty, I’m not trying to injury anybody,” Garrett said. “You don’t want to put anybody out for the season, it’s their job and something that .. you don’t do it unless you love it and you don’t want to take that from anybody.”
