BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Baker Mayfield isn’t the only Panther Myles Garett plans to chase Sunday in Charlotte.
While all the attention is on the Browns squaring off against their former quarterback, Garrett has his sights on everyone and anyone on Carolina’s offense.
“I don't think I'm going after one man in particular,” Garrett said Friday. “I’m supposed to take more than a couple down. They have receivers, tight ends, wide receivers, I mean, running backs and the quarterback, so there are a lot of guys we’ve got the bull’s eye on. It's not a matter of just going after one guy.” Ff’s
The Browns dumped Mayfield this offseason, trading him to Carolina in July – four months after acquiring Deshaun Watson, who is suspended for 11 games, from Houston.
Like Mayfield, Garrett was drafted No. 1 overall, but a year earlier in 2017 and he has not disappointed.
Garrett is coming off a 16-sack season – a new franchise record for a single season, and he’s a three-time Pro Bowler and also named first-team All-Pro in back-to-back years. He ranks second on the Browns all-time sack list just 3.5 behind Clay Matthews, who has 62.0 career sacks.
“I want to be the most dominant force on the field whenever I play,” Garrett said. “No matter if it’s offense, defense, doesn’t matter, so I’m glad to be recognized but it takes these next 17 games and hopefully some more for that to actually mean something.”
Garrett could pass Matthews with a big afternoon Sunday as he squares off with Panthers rookie left tackle Ikem Ekwonu.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for me and him, being able to play against a young guy, get to learn him as we go,” Garrett said. “He’s got a lot of tape on me, but he doesn’t have a lot of experience with edge rushers around the league, but I also it’s my first so I don’t have a lot of tape on him as far as how he’s handling a pass rusher on this level and what he can do so it’s going to be a little bit new for both of us and I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
Behind Mayfield, Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey, who has scored 47 touchdowns and totaled over 6,600 scrimmage yards in five seasons despite being limited by injuries, may be second on Garrett’s most wanted list.
“He’s as dynamic as they come,” Garrett said. “He’s been a very special player, has played with some injuries, but when he's on the field, you always know he's there. You're always aware. You have to keep a guy or two with your eye on him, just because he’s a special athlete and he’s able to make some plays that not a lot of players in this league can make.
“So, we're definitely watching him, turning our scheme a little bit towards him just because we know how dominant he could be once he gets a real rhythm out there.”
Garrett is one of three active players – Aaron Donald and T.J. Watt the other two – to tally at least 10.0 sacks in each of the past four seasons.
What’s even scarier is that according to his coaches and teammates, Garrett has yet to reach his full potential.
“I feel like he’s gotten way better than he has last year, and he was already one of the best defensive players in the NFL,” left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. said. “So I’m excited for him. I feel he’s going to have a really, really big year.”
Wills, entering his third season, would know. He’s had to bear the brunt of Garrett every day in practice.
“Oh it’s horrible,” Wills joked. “It’s every single play. But it helps me a lot so by the time I get to the game [and] I go against somebody else, it’s a big drop off. Myles is a really good player. I feel like he’s preparing me a lot.”
Defensive coordinator Joe Woods remains in awe of Garrett’s strength, speed, athleticism and continued development.
“He is playing at another level in practice,” Woods said. “This guy is coming off the edge two feet from the ground. It is impressive, and he looks like a running back playing defensive end.
“I definitely feel like his mindset is to be a dominant player this year. I know it always is, but it just feels different from what I saw so far in practice.”
Garrett, named one of five team captains this week, joked Friday after watching Thursday night’s Bills blowout of the Rams, he needs to add to his repertoire.
“I've got to start mixing it up,” Garrett said. “I just saw Von [Miller] do two moves where no one touched him, so I need to start doing some stuff like that.”
For Garrett, improvement and development of his game is just part of the job.
The great ones never stop working.
“That’s always the goal of what I’m trying to do, get 1% better each day, even if it’s .01%,” Garrett said. “Whatever I can do to work on my craft and perfect something that I didn’t yesterday, that’s every day with what I’m trying to do after practice and while I’m in practice and I think it’s been paying off a little bit. But I’m glad these guys are noticing.”
As for Mayfield, Garrett didn’t slam the door on chasing him down for a postgame handshake.
“I mean, if the opportunity arises, then sure,” Garrett said. “After the heat of battle, whatever happens happens. But we'll see after the game. I know it may be a good day after seeing me, it may not, so we’ll see.”