CB Denzel Ward (10.12.23)
So what makes (George) Kittle unique amongst that elite tier of tight ends?
“Great blocker, I’ll say, first off. Physical player, good route runner as well. Good run after catch guy. Just a great player. Like you said, he’s one of those top-tier tight ends they got in this league, and we got to do a good job of challenging him come game day.”
Some of the pundits want to downplay what Brock Purdy does as a quarterback, and they want to just kind of point to the supporting cast. So as someone who’s watched the film and had to prepare for him, what do you see from him and what makes him such an effective quarterback?
“Yeah, he’s been a great quarterback for their team. Getting the ball, able to get the ball out quick, put the ball where it needs to be, go through his progression. I’d say an accurate quarterback able to make everything on the field and just leading those guys over there. So, he’s definitely coming up in this league and definitely going to have a challenge ahead of him.”
Christian McCaffrey, what’s it like to have to try to deal with him both from a run standpoint and a pass standpoint?
“Yeah, like you said, dynamic player, able to make plays out of the backfield, whether that’s running the ball or catching the ball. So definitely got to see where he’s at all times on the field, whether he’s flexed out in a receiver position or in a running back position. So like a dynamic player and, yeah, he’s good.”
Brock Purdy is really careful with the ball he’s throwing this year. Do you defend a guy like that differently, that taking a chance might not work? So how do you deal with that?
“No, I wouldn’t say taking a chance. We just got to do our job and execute our assignments, and I feel those takeovers will come. He’s done a great, like you said, done a great job of taking care of the ball and not throwing any interceptions. But like I said, we got to just be in a great position and find ways to attack the ball and put ourselves in those positions to take it away.”
Obviously, you’ve mentioned all the playmakers that they have. You guys have gotten off to a good start on defense. So how do you think you guys match up with all their guys?
“Yeah, I think we match up well. They’re a dynamic offense and that will present a great challenge for us. But I think we’re up for a challenge and looking forward to it, going against those guys and kind of seeing where we’re at and trying to find a way to get a win.”
What’s your reaction – did you watch a game Sunday night?
“No, I didn’t.”
So I guess when you’re watching film that, I mean, Dallas had a really good defense going into that game. They give them 42. What do you think when you see that?
“Yeah, like I said, they’re a great team, great offense, put up a lot of points. Dallas is a great team as well. We’re different defenses. They’re Dallas and we’re Cleveland. So we got different personnel, different coaches, different everything. So we just got to be us. Do what we do, go out there and execute and try to find a way not to let them put up all those points and score.”
Coach (Kevin) Stefanski said Monday, the turnover margin has to change. An emphasis on takeaways and keeping the ball, has there been an emphasis on takeaways this week?
“Yeah, I think takeaways has always been the emphasis, and we got to do a great job of continuing to try to play ourselves in position to attack the ball. We get PBUs and breakups and stops but trying to get both hands on the ball and take it away, helps our team. So, there’s definitely been an emphasis, but, yeah, he’s definitely.”
Is that in the meetings or is it on the practice field?
“I think it’s everywhere. They present it in the meetings. Like we need to get takeaways and showing us plays and ways that we could go and take the ball away. And then we go out there on the field like you guys see out at practice, practicing those takeaway drills and trying to get takeaways in practice.”
How do you approach a player like Deebo Samuel who could be used in multiple ways wide out? How do you approach a guy like that? Does that construe the game plan a bit or does it stay the same?
“Just another guy that is dynamic and able to play multiple positions, whether that’s running back or receiver and got to know where he’s at all the time on the field and just do what we do, make plays.”
There seems to be this general vibe that the 49ers are the best team in football and you guys are underdogs in this game at home and that you don’t have much of a chance, you don’t even know if Deshaun Watson is going to play. What is your mindset here just about how you guys are approaching this game?
“Yeah, they are a great team and they deserve that. They’re 5-0. They showed it on tape, but I think every game is a new game. So, I mean, we got to go out there and show it that we’re a great defense and great offense, great team, and just as they got to go show that they’re that number one team out there as well. So, I said they present a great challenge for us, but I think we’re up for it.”
You guys have obviously had a very dominant defense throughout this first part of the season, but what else do you think these guys still need to show as a unit?
“Like Coach has been saying, I think we still got to get those takeaways, and I think that’s been a big emphasis. So definitely getting those takeaways, but I don’t think we need to do anything crazy, just continue to be ourselves and go out there and play our game, play our ball. And I think everything else will take care of itself.”
Is there something about the way Kyle Shanahan calls plays that stands out to you? Because it looks like he gets guys running free a good amount.
“Yeah. Great play caller. Like I said, they got great personnel, great play caller, and we just got to do our job. Being on the same page, I think it’s about us and just executing our call and assignment and trying to prevent guys from running free or getting open like that.”
I know it’s not up to you guys, but were there some positives from having the bye week before the 49ers, extra time to rest or prepare? What did you take away from it?
“Yeah, I think a bye week is always good. Just a time to decompress, get away for a little bit, get your bodies right, and get ready for the next game.”
If PJ Walker starts this game, what impact will that have on you guys as a defense?
“I think as a defense, like I said, we just got to be us and do what we do. If PJ starts, then great. He’s a great quarterback. I think he’d go out there and help us win for sure. And then defense, we just got to do a great job of putting the offense in a great position to make plays. And like I said, getting those takeovers and trying to find a way to win.”
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