Dawgs By Nature
Browns star defender talked on Day 1 of mandatory minicamp
While a few teams, including two in the AFC North, deal with contract issues, the Cleveland Browns avoided the biggest one of the offseason with DE Myles Garrett. When Garrett requested a trade, most believed it would be the end of their relationship and the Browns roster would lose, by far, its best player. Instead, an extension was agreed upon and Garrett was at mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.
During his conversation with the media, the former Defensive Player of the Year noted that, while he may have missed some OTAs, he is around more than the media is aware. “Feels good. I mean, I’ve been back here a couple of times. Don’t really make my presence aware until you all are here,” Garrett said.
When discussing his role as a leader, the hulking defender made it clear that he plans on holding his teammates accountable. “Seeing how guys attack the practice field, how they come in and prepare from day to day. And if they don’t get it, you make them get it. Like I said, being that leader, setting that standard and showing guys how it’s done instead of expecting them to know it,” said Garrett Tuesday afternoon.
“You have to guide them.”
Speaking just days after RB Nick Chubb departed the team for the Houston Texans, Garrett noted that he tried to get the veteran back to return when talking with GM Andrew Berry. Garrett noted why he wanted Chubb back, “because I know he means a lot to the fans, but he means a lot to us as well on the team. So, you know, it’s an emotional blow to not have him here, but we got to keep on moving, keep on trucking.”
Garrett also noted he had a clear idea that Joe Flacco would be returning to the team when he talked earlier this offseason about Cleveland needing a quarterback they can have “faith in”.
Finally, in what has already been taken out of context by the Pittsburgh Steelers and national media, Garrett talked about putting new Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers in his graveyard. Garrett famously had his house decorated for Halloween with a QB graveyard with headstones of all of those he has sacked:
For now, the Browns have two more days of mandatory minicamp before a last OTA session. Then training camp begins and Garrett will have a real shot at leading as he described before taking on Rodgers in Pittsburgh in Week 6.
