Myles Garrett, the defensive monster of the Cleveland Browns, has won his first Defensive Player of the Year award for 2023 according to the Associated Press at the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday.
In the voting, Garrett surpassed T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers, earning 165 points compared to his rival’s 140. Garrett received 23 first-place votes, while Watt had 11.
Third place went to Micah Parsons, linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, who received 89 points and 7 first-place votes. Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders came in fourth with 21 points, followed by DaRon Bland of the Cowboys with 14 points and one first-place vote.
Garrett has long spoken about achieving this moment, making it one of his main goals since the 2019 season. Some fans from other teams will surely express their discontent.
Although Garrett did not finish first in the league in sacks – one of the most important indicators of defensive effectiveness – ranking seventh with 14, he cannot be judged solely by those statistics. During the second half of the season, Garrett played with a shoulder injury that initially seemed to threaten his continued performance. However, he endured the pain and remained a constant presence in the minds of his opponents, drawing the attention of blocking linemen and providing opportunities for his teammates to act. Garrett ranked in the top ten in practically all key statistical categories: sacks, quarterback hits, tackles for loss, quarterback pressures, and forced fumbles.
The Cleveland Browns do not become an elite defensive unit without Garrett. Prior to his injury, he was a nightmare for opponents, recording at least one sack in eight out of the team’s first ten games and single-handedly turning the tide of some matches in favor of the Browns. His block on Gardner Minshew altered the course of the game against the Indianapolis Colts in favor of the Browns. That’s when the whole world took notice of his accomplishments as he leaped over the blocking line to block Matt Gay’s 60-yard field goal attempt.
Garrett has become one of the most popular players on social media, thanks to numerous posts showcasing his spectacular actions and phenomenal athleticism. His basketball-like move before the snap, preceding his pressure on the quarterback and resulting in a sack, became an internet sensation for weeks.
It should not be forgotten that the Cleveland Browns became an elite defensive team under the guidance of Assistant Coach of the Year Jim Schwartz, who skillfully utilized Garrett’s abilities in various positions on defense. Although his statistics may not measure up to some previous winners of the Defensive Player of the Year award (we know that T.J. Watt fans will protest), those who have observed Garrett in action and his crucial impact on the Browns know that he deserves this honor.
FAQ Section – NFL 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Award
The source of the article is from the blog exofeed.nl