CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns have had the talent the last two years to make the playoffs, yet they were unable to.
The inability to put it together is puzzling, even to four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett who can’t figure out what is holding the Browns back.
“If I knew I, I'd tell Kevin and AB at that the end of the year,” Garrett said. “We’re trying to figure it out all together and right now we don't really have the recipe to get wins consistently as we’d like, but I think most of the pieces are here and we just have to tighten a couple of screws.”
Garrett’s first season in 2017 saw the Browns go winless – 0-16. The Browns have gone 38-41-1 in the five seasons since, including 11-5 in Kevin Stefanski’s first year as head coach amid a pandemic that included a playoff win over the Steelers.
Although the team has regressed, Garrett doesn’t blame the organization for the shortcomings on the field and in the win-loss column.
“I try not to put it on them. I try to put it on myself,” Garrett said. “How can I get better? How can I figure it out? I consider myself a good enough player where if games aren't going our way, what was the difference and how can I make that difference? How can I be the difference to win these games? I can't put it on all on the coaches or scheme or getting more players in next year. I can't worry about that. That’s not on me and that's not my job. I can only control what I control. I’ve got to make more plays however I can.”
On Thursday, left guard Joel Bitonio admitted that the lack of playoff berths since he was drafted in 2014 has taken a toll on him.
A day later, Garrett admitted his own frustration.
“It's a frustrating thing,” Garrett said.
Clearing Clowney – Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is questionable Sunday at Washington because he has yet to be cleared from the concussion protocol.
“It is so hard to say with the concussion protocol. Really just have to wait for the doctors,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said when asked about Clowney’s status this weekend.
Clowney, who missed last week’s loss to the Saints after suffering the head injury a week earlier in a win over the Ravens, was limited Wednesday and Friday at practice.
Clowney has two sacks, three QB hits, and a fumble recovery in 11 games this season. He can be a free agent again in the offseason and it sounds like Garrett would like to see him back for a third year.
“I mean when he’s out there, you can feel his presence,” Garrett said. “He’s setting the edge, he's making TFLs. He’s making big plays. He may not always have the most upbeat personality, but most of the time, he’s out there. He’s excited, he’s a joy to be around. He’s talking, chatting it up, getting the guys ready to go. That's what you're supposed to do. Does it in a timely manner. That's all you can ask for.”
Bad back – Left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. expects to play against the Commanders despite dealing with a bulging disc in his back which has caused some inflammation.
Wills revealed he played last week’s game against the Saints with the injury.
“It was hurting like hell,” Wills said.
“I played in the game with it like that. I just woke up and had that chronic pain down there. I don't know what it came from, but I'm better now.”
Wills took two days off from practice this week to rest and receive treatment for the injury before returning on Friday but was limited.
Wills will have to contend with Chase Young and a talented and physical Washington defensive front.
“They're really good, especially in pass pro,” Wills said. “They create a lot of pressures, a lot of QB hits. It's a great challenge for us this week.”
Cold critics – Browns quarterbacks coach Drew Petzing feels Deshaun Watson answered questions about his ability to play in the cold weather the last two weeks, but specially against the Saints.
“I thought he handled it really well,” Petzing said. “That was one of the big takeaways for me and for him coming out of the game is that he can handle that weather and he can play at a high level in that weather. He made some really impressive plays and some really impressive throws throughout the game and certainly late in the game that put us in a position to potentially score there at the end that are difficult at best in those conditions. Very encouraged by that.”
Injury report – QUESTIONABLE: DE Jadeveon Clowney (concussion, illness); EXPECTED TO PLAY: LT Jedrick Wills Jr. (back), RB Demetric Felton (illness), WR Amari Cooper (rest/hip), S John Johnson III (thigh), DT Jordan Elliott (elbow), RB Kareem Hunt (shoulder), RG Wyatt Teller (ankle), CB Denzel Ward (shoulder)
Up next – Walk through and travel to Washington Saturday; at Commanders Sunday.