Buffalo’s Dion Dawkins warns against comparing the Cleveland Browns' new pass rusher Jared Verse to his predecessor.
The Myles Garrett era in Cleveland came to an abrupt and stunning end this summer, and Browns fans weren't the only ones sad to see one of the best players in franchise history go.
"I'm sad too, man, because Myles is over there in LA and we got to see him, week what? 5 or 6," Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins said following their joint practice in Cleveland. "So wish Myles was here."
While Dawkins may have to worry about Garrett later, the man who the Browns got in return for Garrett seemed to give him some good work on Thursday in preparation for that showdown.
Jared Verse is a rising star in the league and well on his way to becoming one of the NFL's best pass rushers himself.
After going head-to-head with the 25-year-old for rhe better part of the two-hour joint practice, Dawkins was quick to let everyone know he's a Verse fan.
"I love the kid. He has a bright future as he keeps going, Dawkins said. "His bull rush is insane. So talk about that. His bull rush is definitely good. He's going to rack up sacks all season long. I'm a Verse fan. I'm a Verse fan and he's been playing well."
Training camp has provided the first glimpse into what Verse brings to the table. His game is different than Garrett's but effective, using more power and a relentless motor to get after the quarterback, than finesse.
Verse never seems to waste a rep, which is what Dawkins appreciates about him the most. His 100% all the time effort, makes those around him, like Dawkins, better.
"It's a gladiator battle," said Dawkins. "We're too good of players to not give each other our top rep ability. And I wish I could practice against Verse every single day because we would get so much better. And my guys are just as good and better. But Verse, he's a great player. And understanding that he's coming and moving and pulling, it's a cool thing."
Another thing they have in common, is that they both like to talk. There was plenty of that going on during Thursday's practice as well.
"All day, talking like talk. I like the chirp," said Dawkins. "I'm like, 'Yeah, Verse, get up, get up.' And he'd be, 'Ah, bull rush me. All right. All right, good ride.' A little tap. Next rep, come on. But ball is fun, yo. Ball is fun. So I like to have fun."
Fair or unfair, Verse will be compared to Garrett from here on out. It's par for the course when you're the returning piece of a blockbuster trade for one of the best players in NFL history.
It's already started, as fans have measured them up based on training camp clips, debating Verse's leadership qualities to Garrett's over the previous nine years.
Dawkins wants the comparisons to stop.
"Ima shut that down now," Dawkins asserted. "Verse is not here to fill a hole. You guys got Verse here to be Verse. You can't compare Verse to Myles ans you can't compare Myles to Verse. Verse is a totally different player, and Verse is gonna come here and do what he does. And if you're thinking he's gonna come here and be Myles Garrett, it's not. But if you expect Verse to be Verse, then you guys will be a-okay."
