Browns' Myles Garrett Doubles Down On Criticism Of NFL Officiating
Myles Garrett really isn't one to back down from things. He certainly wasn't about to back down from the comments he directed at the officials following the Browns' 31-27 win over Jacksonville last weekend.
"Absolutely not," Garrett said when asked if he took back his remarks. "It was [time to get it off my chest]. Some of it had been stoked for a while, last couple weeks. Other rushers have been also dealing with the same thing. I can only speak for myself but once you got a whole position fed up with the way they're being treated you know somethings kind of been off."
Of course, officiating is always the subject of heavy criticism from players and fans around the league. Being one of the most difficult pass rusher in the league to block though, Garrett has seen everything thrown his way. Guys have held him, hooked him, thrown everything but the kitchen sink at him – rarely warrants a flag on the players trying to slow Garrett down.
"The officiating was a travesty today," Garrett said in his postgame presser. "…It was honestly awful. Respect to those, they have a hard job, but we have a hard job as well.
"We get scrutinized for the plays we don’t make, and someone has to hold them accountable for the calls they don’t make. They need to be under the same microscope as we are every single play."
Garrett wouldn't say if those comments cost him in his bank account or not, simply telling reporters Friday to "ask the league." The league makes all of their fines and disciplinary notes public on Saturdays each week.
Whatever financial hit Garrett is likely absorbing, he hopes it ends up worth it for he and his fellow pass rushers.
"It is what it is," Garrett said. "Right now I'm not getting any calls so it can't get much worse than that. But I hope it has a positive effect. I'm not trying to offend anybody, I just want them to do the job to the best of their ability."
While the league may not have been too happy with the 27-year-old's remarks, don't expect him to bite his tongue moving forward. Head coach Kevin Stefanski expressed full support of Garrett expressing his frustrations after the game. The lack of calls against his star edge rusher is not lost on him either.
"I've said it before, we're not the thought police," "Our guys can voice their opinions. He gets a ton of attention. I remind the officials of it every game, just so they're aware that teams are going to be doing everything in their power to slow down 95. When he's being clearly restricted we expect it to be called."
Garrett will find out if his message got through on Sunday when the team hosts the Chicago Bears. The former No. 1 overall pick is hoping to snap a three-game sack-less streak, which won't be easy with the mobile Justin Fields lining up under center.
