Back in the 1970s, the brokerage firm EF Hutton launched a successful ad campaign centered on the premise that “When EF Hutton talks, people listen.”
Fifty-plus years later, it may be time to add “When
Myles Garrett talks, the coaching staff of the Cleveland Browns listens.”
With the Browns struggling to find a rhythm on offense and a consistent effort on defense in the midst of a three-game losing streak, Garrett expressed his frustrations in the lead-up to today’s game against the Miami Dolphins.
Garrett called for more runs from the offense, specifically from rookie running back Quinshon Judkins; a more aggressive approach from the defense; and, if it was not too much of a bother, perhaps giving the defense a double-digit lead to protect.
It was only one week, but consider it “message received” after the Browns spent a rainy Sunday afternoon dominating the Dolphins at Huntington Bank Field in a 31-6 victory.
Judkins did his part by scoring Cleveland’s first touchdown of the game on a 46-yard run in the second quarter. That was the first of three rushing touchdowns for Judkins on the day, as he rushed 25 times for 84 yards to help the Browns total 104 rushing yards against the league’s worst rushing defense.
The defense dialed up the pressure on Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and came through with three interceptions, including a pick-6 by cornerback Tyson Campbell to open the second half. Safeties Ronnie Hickman and Rayshawn Jenkins added interceptions on consecutive drives in the fourth quarter.
As for building a double-digit lead, the offense accomplished that in the first half thanks to a 30-yard field goal from Andre Szmyt and a pair of touchdown runs from Judkins. Campbell’s interception return for a touchdown quickly extended the lead in the third quarter to 18 points, and the Browns never looked back.
It was only one game, and it came against a Miami team that is even worse shape than the Browns. Still, for the third consecutive game, quarterback Dillon Gabriel did not commit a turnover, the ground game did its part, and the defense held the Dolphins to their lowest point total of the season and just 219 yards of total offense.
Can’t wait to see what Garrett tells the coaches to do next week against the New England Patriots!