Cleveland Browns all world defensive end Myles Garrett is back and how the Patriots deal with him today will go a long way in determining whether or not they win today’s game.
Garrett has been out the past few weeks but is back today and licking his chops to get a piece of rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe and add him to his quarterback sack list.
The Browns have struggled mightily on defense thus far this season. So much do that defensive coordinator Joe Woods is on the hot seat.
The Browns are riddled with injuries and they have underachieved so that hasn’t helped. This unit is still very talented.
So how do the Patriots solve the problem that is Myles Garrett. Well, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is, Cleveland doesn’t move him around much. He’s the backside 5 technique defensive end. The bad news is, he’s one of the best defensive players in the league and a game wrecker.
Diagram 1: Garrett lines up as a weakside 5 technique exclusively
When I have coached against a player that I know can affect our game plan, I have attacked him in a myriad of ways. The first I am going to do is playing away from him. I am running plays to the other side. That might sound cowardly but why bang my head against the wall. If I know we can’t handle him or he requires attention, my first goal to play away from him.
The other way to attack Garrett is to use his athleticism and explosiveness against him. Screens, reverses, jet flip, belly flip and misdirection are a great way to take advantage of a player’s aggressiveness and to slow him down. Now look, I’m not doing this all the time but if the right situation arises and I can get him moving, especially down the line, I will call plays that use his aggressiveness and speed against him.
Diagrams 2, 3 and 4: Examples of the plays mentioned above that you can use to attack Myles Garrett
The other thing you need to do is to double team him as much as possible. Get a wing over to his and double him in the run game. Zin motion a receiver and crack block him on a toss. In pass pro, keep a wing or back to his side and chip release them into a check down route. You have to get a body on him and a piece of him every time otherwise he will eat you alive on the backside.
Luckily the Patriots have Trent Brown at left tackle so his length can negate the length advantage that Garrett usually has on most left tackles around the league.
Garrett has the potential to impact a game in a variety of ways. If the Patriots can keep him guessing, get the ball out of Bailey Zappe’s hands quick and attack him when the opportunity presents itself, they will be fine.
Great players make great plays, sometimes game altering plays but you can’t be afraid of them. You have to have a sound plan against them. One that involves attacking them and playing away from them. The Patriots will do a little of both today with Garrett.