Browns’ Myles Garrett ‘confused’ by Jadeveon Clowney’s barbs

BEREA, Ohio — Myles Garrett mentioned Friday that he was “upset” and “somewhat bit confused” by feedback from fellow defensive finish Jadeveon Clowney that prompted the Cleveland Browns to ship Clowney dwelling earlier than Friday’s observe.

“I knew he was pissed off. We have all been pissed off; we’re not successful,” Garrett mentioned. “I want we might’ve talked about this man-to-man. … I want he would have dealt with it somewhat bit otherwise.”

On Thursday, Clowney advised Cleveland.com that he was “95 % certain” he wouldn’t be re-signing with the Browns, largely as a result of he believes the staff has favored Garrett over him.

“You are all attempting to get [Garrett] into the Corridor of Fame as an alternative of successful video games,” Clowney mentioned. “I do not even suppose [Garrett] notices. I ain’t attempting to say it is him. I attempt to get together with everyone I play with. Me and him haven’t got an issue. It ain’t his fault, and it is B.S., and I haven’t got time for it.”

Clowney added that the Browns have “obtained their very own guys, and I ain’t one in all them, so it is time for me to get my exit slip.”

After Friday’s observe, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski would not say whether or not he would sit Clowney for Cleveland’s remaining recreation Sunday on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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“I am not going to get into my discussions with any of our gamers all through the course of the season,” mentioned Stefanski, who declined to reply a number of different questions on Clowney. “We’re all human. All of us have issues that come up all through the season that we discuss, however I am not going to get into the specifics on this one.”

Defensive ends coach Chris Kiffin, nevertheless, confirmed later Friday that at one level this season — Week 7 in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens — Clowney refused to play on first or second down. Kiffin mentioned Clowney initially had indicated to him that he could not play on non-third downs due to an harm. However Clowney was upset with how the Browns had deliberate to make use of him within the recreation.

“We practiced all week, and we get within the recreation they usually wish to transfer me. I am not doing that s—. I am outdated. I performed my job. I haven’t got time for that,” Clowney had advised Cleveland.com. “I’ve made my cash. I am doing this as a result of I really like the sport, however maintain [doing things like that] and making me not love the sport.”

Clowney didn’t play on the opening collection the following weekend on “Monday Evening Soccer” in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals, though he entered the sport on Cincinnati’s second possession.

Garrett mentioned he did not even notice Clowney was refusing to play on first or second down in opposition to Baltimore till the following week.

“I assumed he was harm,” Garrett mentioned. “I simply assumed one thing was holding him again.”

Clowney has had a disappointing second season for the 7-9 Browns, who have been eradicated from the AFC playoff image two weeks in the past.

After racking up 9 sacks with the Browns final season, Clowney has solely two sacks this 12 months. He additionally sat 4 video games with ankle and concussion accidents.

Clowney is a free agent once more this offseason, having signed back-to-back one-year offers with the Browns.

Garrett, in the meantime, has a team-high 15 sacks, fourth-most within the NFL, and was named to a fourth Professional Bowl.

Garrett additionally has confronted the very best double-team price (31.3%) of any edge rusher within the league this season. Regardless of that, he is second amongst edge rushers in go rush win price (27.8%); Clowney’s go rush win price is simply 16.5%.

“If I am essentially the most double-teamed man, it is exhausting to say I am getting essentially the most favorable matchups,” Garrett mentioned. “What I’ve performed speaks for itself. In fact they’ll put me in positions to make performs. However they’re additionally going to be positions the place I’ll get double-teamed. I transfer everywhere in the line. [Clowney] has moved, as properly. We’re each moved to be put in favorable matchups. He is getting those self same seems to be, not less than that is what I see. And I want we might have talked about it.”

Garrett mentioned his relationship with Clowney had at all times been “cordial” and that he did not take the feedback personally.

However when requested whether or not he’d welcome Clowney again, Garrett mentioned he needs “volunteers, not hostages” on the Browns.

“In the event you really feel like nobody believes in you right here,” Garrett mentioned, “then go the place you are feeling such as you’re needed and beloved and appreciated.”