Myles Garrett should get fewer snaps and other things about him heading into the Ravens game: Mary Kay Cabot

BEREA, Ohio - Myles Garrett is playing almost all of the Browns' defensive snaps this season, and it's time to cut back on those.

In the first quarter of the season, Garrett has played an average of 96 percent of the defensive snaps - way up from his 69.7 percent from last season when he was grinding through a high ankle sprain.

He played 100 percent of the snaps against Pittsburgh, 98 percent against the Saints, 90 percent against the Jets and 95 percent against Oakland.

Two of those games went into overtime, and Garrett played more than 80 snaps in both of those games: 84 against the Steelers and 87 against the Raiders.

Was he fatigued during the 45-42 overtime loss to the Raiders last week?

"You try to tell yourself no until about the 89th play, but we've got to suck it up and gotta go out there and win,'' said Garrett. "That's what it's  all about. Nobody's going to remember how tired you were or how you felt. Just gotta go out there and make that big play. And when you're  off the field you don't have to worry about being tired.''

Garrett  made some big run stops in overtime, but wasn't able to sack Derek Carr in the extra session and help get the Raiders off the field on the game-winning field goal drive.

But keeping him fresh for the end of  the game isn't the reason the Browns should cut back on Garrett's reps.  He worked hard in the offseason to handle a full workload, and the  Browns have challenged him to do so.

It's more to prevent an  injury that could knock him out for an extended period of time. Garrett  has a history of ankle and foot problems, and missed the first four  games of last season with the high ankle sprain. This season, he's been wearing a sleeve on his right knee, which is  precautionary, but still a sign that he could use a blow every once in awhile. He's on the injury  report this week with a wrist injury, but participated fully each day with it taped.

Garrett is off to great start this season  with 4.5 sacks, and his 11.5 in his first 15 career games are the most in franchise history by a player in his first two years. They're also  fourth among active players in the NFL in their first 15 games. The extra snaps are part of the reason his production is high.

But in  order to keep him on the field all season, the Browns should reduce the  reps by about 10 percent and rotate end Chris Smith in a little more. And what  about third-round pick Chad Thomas, who's barely played? With Emmanuel Ogbah back from his ankle injury, the Browns can afford to take Garrett off the field for a few snaps here or there.

Will they do it? Based on defensive coordinator Gregg Williams'  answer Friday about Damarious Randall playing through a badly bruised  heel, they might not.

 

"You are supposed to,'' he said of playing  injured. "He's a competitor. If you are looking for sympathy, you aren't  getting none. That's what a professional football player does.''

Here are some other Garrett notes and news items heading into the Ravens game:

By Mary Kay Cabot

cleveland.com

Garrett has practiced all week with his right wrist taped. (Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com)

1. Here's how Garrett graded his first quarter of the season

Garrett only gave himself "like a B-minus, C-plus."  

What wasn't he happy with?  

"I wasn't happy with zero sacks in the Saints game,'' he said. "Could have been more effective in the Jets game. Got to have a more dominant performance last week (in Oakland). I was there, but pressures don't count as sacks. I've got to get there and complete it. I've got to get my hand on the ball a little bit more and just affect my side of the  field more."

Would he have given himself an A if every game had been like his two-sack effort against the Steelers?  

"No, it's like a B-plus,'' he said. "An A is three [sacks]. Got to have three in the game to get an A."

Garrett was credited with a half-sack on Derek Carr. (D. Ross Cameron, AP)

Sumber: https://bit.ly/2OAqTvV