Browns get strong games from Myles Garrett, DeShone Kizer in win vs. Saints
After a brief, brutal and breathtaking NFL exhibition debut, Myles Garrett was asked what he didn’t do well.
“Nothing,” he said.
Finally, the beleaguered Browns may have something.
Garrett showed flashes of dominance in his first preseason game, and Cleveland rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer threw a late touchdown pass and the Browns rallied to beat New Orleans 20-14 on Thursday night while Saints stars Drew Brees and Adrian Peterson watched.
The No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, Garrett had a tackle for loss and blazed off the edge to pressure Saints backup QB Garrett Grayson in the first half.
“I played my game,” Garrett said. “I got to where I wanted to go, hustled hard and made the plays I’m supposed to make.”
The Browns haven’t solved their endless QB dilemma, but Garrett appears to be a long-term answer at defensive end.
“I thought he held his own,” Browns coach Hue Jackson said. “I thought when he had an opportunity to rush, he rushed well. Thought there was a little pressure here and there, he made one play in the backfield.”
Garrett vowed to “send a message” in his first preseason game as a pro, and he did just that in limited time. On one play, Garrett timed the snap perfectly and pushed past third-string tackle Khalif Barnes to hit Grayson.
“I could have got a sack, but it is what it is,” Garrett said.
Kizer was the most impressive of Cleveland’s three quarterbacks and completed a 45-yard TD pass to Jordan Payton with 1:52 left as the Browns rallied for their first preseason win in two seasons under Jackson.
Kizer finished 11 of 18 for 184 yards and had two long throws — the 45-yarder to Payton and 52-yarder to Richard Mullaney.
With his performance, Kizer may have closed the gap on Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler. The trio have been competing throughout training camp, but Jackson isn’t ready to make one of them his starter.
“It’s way too early,” he said.
The Saints lost their 10th straight preseason game.
As expected, Brees didn’t play and neither did Peterson, New Orleans’ new addition who signed with the club as a free agent in April after 10 seasons in Minnesota.
Coach Sean Payton was disappointed with his team’s overall effort.
“I’m sure we’re going to have a lot of things to correct in that film,” said Payton, who did not address any injuries.
“There are a handful of things penalty-wise, kind of sloppy. There are some plays at the end that were foolish, some substitutions that were troubling.”
And while New Orleans can count on the 38-year-old Brees to lead them, the Browns’ QB search is still stalled.
With his performance, Kizer may have closed the gap on Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler. The trio have been competing throughout training camp, but Jackson isn’t ready to make one of them his starter.
“It’s way too early,” he said.
The Saints lost their 10th straight preseason game.
As expected, Brees didn’t play and neither did Peterson, New Orleans’ new addition who signed with the club as a free agent in April after 10 seasons in Minnesota.
Coach Sean Payton was disappointed with his team’s overall effort.
“I’m sure we’re going to have a lot of things to correct in that film,” said Payton, who did not address any injuries.
“There are a handful of things penalty-wise, kind of sloppy. There are some plays at the end that were foolish, some substitutions that were troubling.”
And while New Orleans can count on the 38-year-old Brees to lead them, the Browns’ QB search is still stalled.
Source- https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/08/10/garrett-struts-stuff-in-debut-as-browns-beat-saints-20-14/104491244/
