BEREA — New Browns defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg has yet to get a chance to work with the full collection of defensive players during the offseason program. Not only that, but it’s been the biggest names on that defense who have been the ones absent the most.
No two-time reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. No five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward. No problem for Rutenberg, who was hired in mid-February to be new head coach Todd Monken’s defensive coordinator.
“It is voluntary and we respect the voluntary aspect of it,” Rutenbeger said after the Browns wrapped up their fifth OTA May 27. “And whatever team you’re on, your team, my daughter’s softball team, love everybody to be around. But also understand people that have different things. Had great communication with different people. Had great communication and excited for when everyone’s here to put it together.”
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The Browns’ offseason program is voluntary through OTAs, with only the minicamp June 9-11 mandatory to attend. Garrett, Ward and defensive tackle Maliek Collins ― who’s returning from a November quad injury ― are the only players who have not been on the field throughout the offseason.
The change in coaches has made some wonder if there’s more to it than just veterans choosing not to attend. Garrett’s done that for multiple years, yet there’s never been any issue with his performance once he does arrive.
The part that has led to some concern was the lack of face-to-face interactions between Garrett and Monken, although Monken has acknowledged that the two have texted. Rutenberg, though, shot those concerns down Wednesday, saying that he had been in contact with Garrett this offseason.
“Knew that would be a question,” Rutenberg said. “I’m going to leave a lot of that interaction between me and Myles.”
Garrett’s absence is nothing new from this stage of the offseason program. Ward has raised some eyebrows, even though the cornerback has spoken highly of Monken in various interviews he’s done since the hire was made.
Rutenberg’s feelings on Ward’s absence mirrored his on Garrett’s. It was the same for other players who have been absent during the offseason like safety Grant Delpit, although he was in attendance but not participating in drills Wednesday.
“My interaction with all the players has been unbelievable,” Rutenberg said. “You ask about Denzel, it’s been great. I’m really excited having gotten to know him and continue to get to know him. All the players, whether they’re here or not, has been great. Just getting to know guys and investing each other, sharing our stories and just learning who they are.”
While a lot of attention has been placed on the names not present, the ones who have been around have given hope for a seamless transition from former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz ― who resigned after he was passed over for the head-coaching job that went to Monken ― to Rutenberg. The drills may not be full-contact, but the defense has been flying around full-go whenever it’s been allowed.
The results have included a lot of hands in passing lanes, which has created all sorts of problems for all of the quarterbacks. Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel each were intercepted once during this open OTA, after Sanders, Gabriel and Taylen Green combined for seven interceptions in the previous week’s open workout.
“The ball’s oxygen,” Rutenberg said. “You need oxygen to live. So the ball is our oxygen. We need it for our football lives. So anytime that ball is in the air or somebody’s running it, we’re attacking it. If it’s on the ball, if it’s on the ground, we’re scooping it and we are scoring with it. So it just has to do with our mindset that that is our livelihood and it’s our oxygen.”
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Oxygen is obviously a necessity for human survival in general. Garrett and Ward are necessary for the Browns defense to achieve a third top-five finish in the last four seasons.
They’ll be around soon enough for Rutenberg. Until then, he’s just going to enjoy what he’s watching in the moment.
“I’m super excited, but I’m also super excited today,” Rutenberg said. “Just being out here with our guys, our whole team, our whole coaching staff is awesome. The more that we’re all together, the better we’re going to be at the long run.”
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Mike Rutenberg unfazed by Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward OTA absences
Reporting by Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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