Film study: What makes Texas A&M phenom Myles Garrett unstoppable
One offseason narrative that extremely bothered me was the disrespect of Texas A&M pass-rushing phenom Myles Garrett.
If I had a stack for how many times I heard that all his accomplishments were made against Division I-AA schools, I’d probably own that new 2016 BMW 7-series I have my eye on instead of one about decade older. (I know; woah is me.) But that’s what we tend to do as a society: instead of celebrating greatness, we try our best to figure out a way to diminish it.
Imagine this: An 18-year old true freshman broke the sack record previously held by the biggest athletic freak football has seen in former South Carolina edge-defender Jadeveon Clowney, who at 6-foot-6, 255 pounds ran a 4.5 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, and all most could do is throw shade on his 11.5 sacks by analyzing it in a negative manner.
You rarely heard that he was by far the best player on a defensive front, and overall defensive unit, that was extremely porous, which made it easier for offensive coordinators to scheme solely against him.
But what better way to quiet the naysayers than to return with a follow-up season that’s making his initial look like child’s play? That’s right, Garrett is quietly trumping his freshman totals while his team looks like a legit contender for an SEC crown, and he’s making clutch plays against elite competition.
I couldn’t go a full season without analyzing the clutch play he made against Arkansas, when it appeared the Hogs were driving for a game-winning score. Matched up against highly touted offensive lineman Denver Kirkland, who was moved to the exterior by Arkansas coach Bret Bielema because he said he’s the most talented lineman he’s ever coached, Garrett exploded from his 7-technique alignment so fast Kirkland was unable to get into any semblance of a kick-step phase.
Kirkland had to turn and run with Garrett, which took away the advantage of keeping his body square to his target and thus shortening his base. From there, Garrett, a 6-foot-4, 262-pound freak, was able to run the arc on his way to a strip sack while Kirkland held onto his jersey for dear life.
The majority of the tilt, Garrett was schemed against by the Hogs aligning a “Y” or H-back to his side or simply chipping him while he was engaged with Kirkland, which was not lost on Garrett.
“Players make big plays and that’s what I’m out here to do,” Garrett said in the post-game presser. “I got my one on one finally, and I went out there and made a big play and we got off the field.”
With another sack in the last game against Mississippi State, Garret increased his total to 7.5 on the season. He’s good against the run and has shown the ability to drop down to a 3- or 5-technique and still be highly effective.
Let’s give this kid his proper due, haters. He’s one of the best the SEC has seen.
Hall and Garrett are both mugged pretty much every play. Amazing ability. Hope he sticks around all 4 years, but I don’t see it happening.
Well remember the kid loves his dinosaurs haha, I honestly think he will stay, he is a smart kid and wants his schooling
Imagine what he could do if he wasn’t held almost every play…
Imagine what could have happened in the game if A&M wrs didn’t hold every bubble screen….
Imagine what could have happened if we got three more touchdowns, instead of 2 made field goals and a miss…….
;)
Don’t get me wrong because garrett is a great player but denver Kirkland dominated him for four quarters that game. He looked absolutely defeated in he fourth quarter. This was just the one play everyone remembered.
It’s pretty memorable. A “defeated” player wouldn’t have made that play. That’s a kid who leaves everything on the field and gives 110% every play. Kudos to the Hogs. They played a good game. Knew that one would be a nail biter.
I want whatever drugs you’re on.
Lol Dominated? Kirkland was holding, had to have a TE and running back chip Garrett the whole game!
Far from domination if you ask me.
The funny thing about fans who fabricate game film is their failure to remember we can view it anytime……
DVR much?
They took an impact player in myles garrett and made him a nonfactor all night minus one play. Undebatable. He wasn’t putting pressure on the quarterback he had the one sack I’m not sure if he had a tackle for loss ( could be mistaken) and they didn’t have a problem running to that side.
Man I love to hear how different sides see things completely different. Almost ever play I looked at Garrett got doubled or chipped, but if Arkansas fans want to say he was “dominated” okay. Most everyone else sees it differently though lol…
Now that’s just funny. WPS got jokes.
If by Denver Kirkland you mean: Chip, force, doubles and having extra edge-blockers all night against him, you’re right. You think Myles Garrett said the quote I put in this piece just to say it? He was totally accurate — he rarely received solo blocking.
“Players make big plays and that’s what I’m out here to do,” Garrett said in the post-game presser. “I got my one on one finally, and I went out there and made a big play and we got off the field.” — Myles Garrett
Did you read the article? He was chipped and double teamed the whole game! Just saying
One play, 1:12 to go in the 4th quarter…someone might want to look at the rest of the film and brag a little bit about Denver Kirkland keeping such a “freak” out of the backfield! But, congrats to the Aggies! They got the W and made the plays when they counted! We didn’t! WPS!
He gets doubled up most plays. It even says in the article that this was the one time he got the one-on-one matchup and he took advantage.
And that one play equals more sacks than Arkansas had allowed from all other teams combined all season. There’s a lot of beef in that Hog front.
Kirkland had help! Don’t lie!
With a HB behind him & a TE outside helping most of the time. Yeah. Y’all kept flash in check some of the time. Aggies have the Hogs’ number. Deal with it. Better yet knock off Bama Saturday JHC. Whip TN and y’all are right back to swagging.