Eric Metcalf Breaks Down Why Myles Garrett and Joe Flacco Earned Their NFL Honors
The Cleveland Browns had three players awarded at the NFL Honors this season, with Kevin Stefanski winning Coach of the Year, Myles Garrett earning Defensive Player of the Year, and Joe Flacco winning Comeback Player of the Year.
There was some debate regarding Garrett winning DPOY, largely due to the amount of strong candidates there were across the NFL this season.
Garrett trailed other DPOY candidates — most notably Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt — in sacks. Garrett recorded 14 sacks in 2023, five short of Watt's 19.
Despite this, Eric Metcalf broke down on the latest episode of Dawg Check why these sack numbers don't mean Garrett wasn't deserving of the award.
"I always say to people, just because your numbers might not be good as someone else, that doesn't mean you're not better."
via Eric Metcalf, The Dawg Check
Even without the top sack statistics, Garrett was instrumental in several of the Browns' wins. His best performance was against the Indianapolis Colts, helping the Browns earn a narrow one-point win thanks to Garrett forcing two fumbles and blocking a field goal.
"I liked the fact that Myles was given the award because he went out there and made plays and led that defense, that was a top three defense all year."
via Eric Metcalf, The Dawg Check
Meanwhile, Flacco joined the Browns late in the year and helped them keep their make the playoffs after the team started three different quarterbacks earlier in the season.
"Joe Flacco, I mean, he was just you know, he was at home playing Monopoly with his kids and everything," Metcalf said. "So when you're talking about him coming in off his couch, leading this team to the playoffs, the numbers he had during the course of the games that he played. He was throwing it down the field and it wasn't like he was just throwing it six, seven yards and guys were breaking for 78. He was throwing it down the fields for guys. And guys felt strongly about him getting Comeback Player of the Year."
via Eric Metcalf, The Dawg Check
Overall, Flacco came in and completed 60.9% of his passes for 1,616 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
The most impressive feat was his ability to lead the Browns to the playoffs, which is worthy enough for CPOTY honors.
