Broncos LT Garett Bolles Explains How he Shut Down Myles Garrett
If the Denver Broncos were going to beat a very good Cleveland Browns squad, they'd have to find a way to neutralize All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett. Denver prevailed in limiting Garrett and subsequently, defeated Cleveland, 29-12.
A lot of credit should go to Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles for Garrett's relatively quiet afternoon. Garrett was seen wincing in pain and left the game late in the second half for a time, but Bolles' performance might have something to do with it. It's just a theory.
Post-game, Bolles reflected on his day at the office, shutting down the most feared pass rusher in the NFL currently.
"If I play my game, this team can go as far as we need it to go," Bolles said via Denver7's Troy Renck. "I just believed in myself. I just believed in what I needed to do and my technique. And to beat Myles Garrett—to beat a juggernaut like that—first off, that dude's a freak of nature, so my shout-out to him. I think he's one of the best—not one of the best—I think he is the best defensive player in the NFL, especially as a pass rusher. My respect goes to him."
In a classy show of sportsmanship, a victorious Bolles tipped his cap to Garrett, who finished the day with just two tackles and zero sacks. But it was Bolles' preparation, "dog" mentality, and commitment to his technique that he feels helped him succeed on Sunday.
"I think he's literally one of the greatest pass rushers that we're going to see in a long time," Bolles said of Garrett. "Just studying him and doing the things I need to do. Just technique. Sometimes, when you go against a juggernaut, it's a heavyweight title fight. And sometimes you've just got to keep swinging and keep swinging until that clock hits zero and that's what I did."
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Bolles credits his friendship with Broncos legend Von Miller, and the four-plus years he had to practice against the Super Bowl 50 MVP daily, for helping him develop into a bonafide franchise left tackle. Bolles also credits the future Hall-of-Famer for helping him cultivate that "dog" mentality, which serves him so well on the gridiron.
"I had one on our team for a long time in Von Miller," Bolles said. "Going against guys like that just makes you a dog."
Bolles has been very good this season. His penalties have been few and far between, and he's been excellent, for the most part, in protecting Russell Wilson's blindside.
The Broncos demolished the Browns' heretofore No. 1 rushing defense on Sunday, totaling 169 yards on the ground and a pair of rushing touchdowns. Bolles was a big reason for that, and has been a massive asset in head coach Sean Payton's pursuit of establishing a physical, dominant rushing attack.
Bolles' earned a second-team All-Pro nod back in 2020. If the Broncos stay on this red-hot winning streak and blaze a trail all the way to the playoffs, he might be in line to garner the first Pro Bowl selection of his career.
The Broncos now sit at 6-5 on the season with a three-game road trip on deck. Next up, the Houston Texans.
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