CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 09: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns runs upfield during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images/Jason Miller
On if not being able to finish a game is getting difficult:
“It would be tough for any team. It is tough in any situation when you lose, but when everything is going your way and you can’t put it away, especially in our case when we had a lot of these types of games this season, it wears on you. We have to put it away, watch the film, see how we can get better and move on. It is one of those games that you have to learn from it and use it as fuel to prepare for the next team.”
On the issues with the Browns run defense today:
“A couple of misalignments. Just not being where you are supposed to be. Normally, it wouldn’t cost us, but they were able to take advantage of some of those mis-lineups. It is hard to say that it is one guy’s fault or another, but we have to communicate. If one guy is out of place and normally another guy fills that same gap but it doesn’t always work like that. We weren’t able to see it when it happened. We are trying to make it better and get better on that side of the ball. We have to fix up some of those leaky lines.”
On if he was surprised that the Chargers ran as much as they did today:
“No. Once they cracked that 75-80-yarder, I knew they were definitely going to lean on it. They felt like they had an advantage on us, being able to attack some of the soft spots on our defense, and that is what they did. They were able to get over 200 yards rushing, and that is completely on us. That is on us the D line, making sure the edges are set and not getting knocked off the ball.”
On how to help turn around the season after the three games slipped away from the Browns and resulted in losses:
“Slipped away or lost, it is the same thing. When you lose, there are always circumstances behind it. Whether it is early or late, it is all in the minor details. That is always what it has been for us. Making sure we are in the right spot, communicating and executing. That is what we have to take care of. That is what we have to get ahead of. We have to take pride in doing our job. Right now, we have to have some more pride.”
On how much it hurts sending Browns fans home disappointed after the loss:
“It hurts more that I have to see the faces of my teammates disappointed that we lost. I don’t have to look all of the fans in the face, but I have to look every one of those guys in the locker room, every one of those players, all of the coaches and those staff members that work so hard and I see every day. The fans, I love the hell out of them and appreciate them. They are reacting to the display that we are putting on. I want to hear them clap and cheer when we do our best for them, but those guys I’m fighting with and for, that is what makes me disappointed.”
On how disappointing it is that the Browns defense doesn’t seem to be taking the desired steps forward in recent weeks:
“We are just up and down right now. We have certain drives and quarters where we are all over it, but then we let off the gas and they take advantage of miscommunication or lack of effort or misalignment. When we are not on the same page as a defense, teams like that and teams that are very talented and have a very competent quarterback who able to make every throw on the field, they are going to take advantage of that. Ekeler played a hell of a game, as well.”
On QB Jacoby Brissett’s no-quit mentality:
“I don’t know a lot of quitters in any sport. I don’t think there are any quitters in that locker room.”
On if he said anything to K Cade York after the final missed FG:
“I saw him once in passing. I gave him a dap and a slap on the back. At the end of the day, I will see him tomorrow, and we will talk about it then. Most guys don’t want to hear about anything after something happens. You are in your own head, going through your own thoughts about the situation and how you could have played it better – everyone is – but just letting him process it and go through his steps in the game and how he can do better and then talk about it tomorrow. He is a competent kicker, a great kicker, I think he will definitely let this pass and move on from it.”
On confidence in Brissett despite the late interception:
“He is better than that. He has shown such awareness and playmaking ability throughout this season. He had one mistake. We got the ball back. We got in position to win, but we didn’t. That is just how it goes sometimes. We were able to do what we could to rectify those mistakes on defense, but we made mistakes on defense and they corrected ours. We are not going to be holding him down because he made one mistake. We all individually made a mistake here or there. It is part of the game, picking each other up and making sure that we are ready to go when time comes.”
On if he thought the 54-yard FG was 100 percent guaranteed to be a make:
“No. I don’t think anything is a sure-fire. Whether it is us making a stop or offense scoring, nothing is 100 percent. There is no guarantee in anything. I have faith in him, and I have faith that he will make the kick. I am sure as hell hoping that he will. At the end of the day, there is a process to it, and anything can happen.”
On how he felt playing in today during his first game following the one-car accident:
“I felt a lot better. I am getting better. It is a process to return to 100 percent. I am just glad to be out there. I don’t want anyone feeling bad for me. I am going out there and giving 100 percent of what I have. I am just glad to be playing football. As long as I am able to move and fight, I will be out there.”
On how close he thought he was to taking down Chargers QB Justin Herbert on a few occasions:
“Within half a step, a half-second. Right there in the red zone, I almost knocked the ball out. There were a couple times I got a hit or was able to pressure. He was able to step up and move out of the pocket so it is hard to make a play on it. We have to find a way to get it done. We as a defensive line have to find a way to get it done.”
On if he believed Emerson set the team up to win with his big play to stop the Chargers on fourth down late in the game:
“Yeah, I think he put us in a good position to win. It was a short field, and the offense had been firing all day so I was definitely thinking that we were going to make it happen one way or another, whether we scored a touchdown or a field goal. IT is the NFL. They get paid to show up and play at a high level as well. Sometimes it goes our way, and sometimes it goes the other way.”
On his reaction when the Chargers went for it on that fourth down:
“I expect him to go for it, but it is still disrespectful towards us. I know he has an offense that was doing well all day and he expects them to get the first down, but to us, that is telling us that he is trying to take advantage of us and we don’t take that very kindly. It is disrespectful to both sides of the ball. He is playing the numbers game. He is thinking analytics wise, like we are far enough to make the stop on defense and get the ball back or get a first down that is two yards away, we have been rushing the ball pretty well and throwing the ball pretty well. At the end of the day, we got the stop, but we have to get the win.”
On what was wrong with the Browns run defense today:
“I couldn’t tell you until I watch the film. There are a couple of things. Same as on the pass defense. You have to be able to be in the right spot at the right time and communicate. Simple stuff. The little things are really killing us and showing up every time we are playing.”