CB Denzel Ward (10.26.23)
Denzel, what is tough about that Seattle offense, especially at passing?
“Yeah, they got a lot of dynamic players on that side of the ball, not just the passing game. On the running game you see, they got a very dominant run game. Got a good player back there in (Kenenth) Walker and try to get the run game going, and then also got players like (DK) Metcalf and (Tyler) Lockett and Jaxon (Smith-Njigba) on outside. So, like I said, dynamic players that they could get the ball to and make plays.”
I don’t think you’ve played in Seattle yet. Any curiosity? Does it matter or is it mostly concern about the team?
“Mostly just focused on the team. Not really concerned about the atmosphere. It’s still just a game of football and the game I enjoy playing, so I’m not too concerned about what’s going to go on out there.”
It’s got a reputation, though. Are you curious to see if it lives up to it?
“Yeah, I’m definitely interested in seeing all the hype and everyone’s always talking about it gets real loud and stuff like that. So, looking forward to playing there and just seeing the atmosphere and being able to play in their stadium.”
What makes Geno Smith another one of those dynamic running backs that you have to worry about?
“Yeah, he’s been a facilitator out there. Just control the game, get the ball to his playmakers, like I said earlier, not make too many bad throws out there, but just controlling the game out there.”
Do you guys have to be wary of the free play situation like what happened a couple of times in Indy or was that sort of an isolate incident? Do you think can happen again like that?
“Yeah, we do. Got to better. In the Colts game that was on me. I relaxed for a minute and went in and squeezed down on (Michael) Pittman on the inside. I should have stayed on the outside and covered that guy, so that play was on me. I got to be better. Yeah. Just finishing a play and executing our job and assignment. I don’t think it should be too big of an issue in the future.”
You guys were top defense, best in the league then got thrown on for a lot of yards. What happened? What do you think attributed to kind of the points and scoring?
“Yeah, I think it’s football. Those guys on the other side get paid, too. They’re great players as well, so they did a good job putting points on the board, making plays out there. And at the end of the day, the most important thing is getting to win. So were able to do that and execute that. So just had to focus on what we got to fix and get better at and fix that for the next game.”
What did you see on your pick? How did you see that whole thing unfold right there?
“Yeah, so at first I’ve seen the play action. I was about to come down at first, but I kind of saw it play out. (Michael) Pittman was kind of leaking out. I was able to flip my hips and get back out, and I don’t think (Gardner) Minshew had seen me coming back out, so I was able to step in front of it and take the ball away.”
How cool was I mean, you guys give us 38 points, but get four, takeaways that’s kind of unusual. What was that like?
“Yeah, that’s the emphasis. Trying to get takeaways and help our team win. It may not have been the prettiest win, but the most important thing is getting that W in that column. So just find ways to win week in and week out. That’s the goal.”
How close are you with JSN (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) and how excited are you to face off?
“Yeah, I haven’t met him personally yet, but looking forward to the matchup and going against those guys.”
With the uncertainty, with Deshaun (Watson) being hurt, I guess pressure is the wrong word, but on your side of the ball, you guys say, okay you know, we got to try and help carry this thing until he’s able to get back?
“I think we got a lot of capable guys here. PJ (Walker), DTR (Dorian Thompson-Robinson), all those guys are capable of making plays and as you’ve seen PJ led us to a win, a victory last couple of weeks. Yeah, we still have to step up and do our job and assignment on the defensive side as well, but it’s just going out there and playing. So once DWat is ready, then cool, welcome him back. But we’re going to be out there just playing the game that we’ve been playing and focusing on how we could get a win.”
What did you see when you guys watched film from the Colts game about the missed tackle? I guess how do you guys fix that?
“Just like today, just going out and practicing, doing drills where we could focus on tackling, focus on where our eyes are supposed to be and our keys and everything. But like I said, there are a lot of talented guys in the NFL. They’re going to make plays as well, but we just got to be out here playing fast and physical and I think that’ll take care of us.”
Is it more of like a mental aspect? How do you approach in tackling?
“Yeah, it’s definitely mental. You got to want to tackle and come up and make a play, but yeah, it’s also technique as well. Just coming in controlled and not out of control and being able to wrap up and get guys on the ground. ”
So you knew that the Myles (Garrett) box jump was dialed up? You think it was going to work?
“Yeah, I think it was going to work. I mean, you guys know Myles is a freak, so I mean, just to see it, have the game plan before the game and then go in and see him actually do it and get the block, it was a freaky play. It was crazy.”
Were you close to getting it too?
“I think I was close. I’m glad he got it, though. I tried to scoop it and score. I wasn’t able to get away though. I wish I could have got away for the team, but well, I think we get another one and be able to do it again.”
Do you feel you’re getting closer with the field goal against the other team two weeks ago?
“I think we’re getting close. Trying to keep coming off the edge and put as much pressure on the kicker as I can and affect them.”
Obviously, you guys saw something on film going into that game where you felt like that might work this particular week. Just what’s it say about the attention to detail that Bubba (Ventrone) has brought to that particular unit this year where it feels like while you guys might not be explosive in the return games, you’re finding ways to get points on the board and finding ways to make plays in other ways on special teams.
“Yeah, I think that’s the biggest thing, just Bubba’s attention to detail. I mean, he’s the one that’s putting in all the work in the film room and studying those guys and seeing where we could attack these teams at. And he’s putting the right guys in the right positions to go out there and make a play, and that just shows that putting Myles (Garrett) in that position to be able to jump over a guy and that’s the right guy for the position to get the block for the team and help us win. So, it’s been fun.”
There’s no evidence that any of this happened when you were at Ohio State, but when you hear what’s going on with Michigan right now and the pride that you take in playing in Columbus, what’s your reaction to what you heard about what Michigan’s been doing and your message to Ohio State fans up this way?
“Honestly, I haven’t heard about it. I’m not familiar.”
Michigan’s been accused of stealing signs illegally by sending staffers to games to record sidelines and basically stepping over the line in sort of a gray area. They’ve been accused of cheating and there’s supposedly quite a bit of evidence against
“Yeah, that’s the first time I’m hearing about that, but I’m not too familiar with that. But, yeah, cheating is never good.”
What was it like when you guys saw that block by Myles (Garrett)? When you’re reviewing a film, you guys just erupt or what was that like?
“Yeah, just erupt, like that. It’s just a freaky play, just a crazy play, I don’t think – not everybody can make a play like that, but that’s just big credit to Bubba (Ventrone) getting the right guys in position and Myles just the athlete that he is, able to jump over a whole lineman at his size and speed and get his hands up and block the kick and find a way to affect the game.”
How excited was Bubba (Ventrone) to take that out of the bag of tricks there?
“Oh, man, he was going crazy. He was going crazy.”
You’re going to be hitting Myles (Garrett) up for some Cavs tickets now?
“Oh, yeah, of course. We’re going to be courtside. So, courtside on Myles.”
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