CB Denzel Ward (12.7.23)
Well, it’s a good sign you’re back to practice.
“Yeah. Great sign.”
How’s everything feeling?
“Feeling good. Just excited to be around the guys, excited to be with the team. So that’s the best part. That’s what I enjoy, just the camaraderie and being around my guys.”
How hard was it for you to be out these two games? Especially knowing they were at both losses?
“Man, it was tough. We definitely wanted those wins and needed those wins but hey, we got to continue to push forward and find a way to get a win each week.”
There was a news item just a few minutes ago that Trevor Lawrence, practiced today. So are you guys prepared if he plays?
“Yeah, I think we’re preparing for him to play. He’s a great quarterback, great for that team and their entire team brings a challenge to us and we just got to be ready to face that.”
Do you know how you got hurt? Was it that one tackle when you came up and your helmet came off?
“No, it wasn’t that. It was earlier in the game.”
But you were able to finish.
“Yeah, it was kind of bugging me throughout the game but it was bearable. I was able to push through it, but yes it was earlier.”
Seems to be the year of the shoulder injury inside this room, doesn’t it?
“Man, I know it’s crazy. Wish that wasn’t the case, but I mean that’s his game. Injuries happen. Every year it’s going to happen. That’s the worst part of this game. But stuff happens. Got to fight through it, find a way to still get a win each week.”
Is it on an attempted tackle?
“Yes.”
What makes Trevor (Lawrence) so good?
“Oh man, he’s able to make any pass on the field. Got a very strong arm, goes through his progressions. You got playmakers on that side of the ball but he’s just a high-caliber quarterback in this league, able to make every throw and he’s a good quarterback back there.”
What stands out about (Calvin) Ridley?
“Yeah, got quick twitch, great route runner, good hands, a playmaker for those guys. So, he’s going to present a threat for us that we are up for the challenge and able to take care of him.”
What does this defense have to do to get back on track?
“Yeah, we don’t have to do nothing out of the ordinary, just be us. Like I said, we put a lot of great tape out there on film. We have the ability to be an elite defense in this league and we just got to play to who we are, got to play fast, got to play with that swag out there and play complimentary ball. So, I think we’ll get back to who we are and help our offense, help special teams to help the team with this win.”
Obviously, December, it’s the make-or-break time of the year for teams that are competing for playoff spots. How much can you draw from the 2020 season? I know it was real abnormal with the COVID protocols and stuff like that, but can that experience of what you guys went through help you this time around as you go through another playoff chase here?
“Yeah, to a certain extent. I mean, every year you’re going to be faced with a lot of adversity and just got to try to find ways to overcome it and ultimately find a way to get a win. That’s always the goal each week, is to go 1-0 and get a win. But yeah, just find a way to overcome that adversity. I think we’re capable of doing that.”
Last thing that I saw, PFF had you as the number one ranked single coverage at like a 26.3 passer rating. Again. Do you feel like you’re having your best season in single coverage like that?
“I do. Honestly, I feel like I am having one of my better seasons. Definitely in man-to-man coverage, but I credit that to coach (Jim) Shwartz, my position coaches and the D line being able to get a lot of pressure on the quarterbacks and the back end. We’ve been playing a great complimentary ball when I’ve been out there and they’ve been doing a great job helping me out and putting me in great positions to make plays on the ball and just be in great position, really. So, I thought I have been doing pretty well in that aspect, but a lot goes into that and how I’m able to get necessarily one of the best man-to-man coverages that rushes, they’re putting a lot of pressure on that quarterback, making them get that ball out pretty quick so I don’t have to cover too long back there.”
Obviously, this is all team game but back-to-back losses with you out, defense having a little bit of struggle. How much pride do you take in being able to give them a boost when you get back out there?
“Yeah, I take a lot of pride in that. I try to be that spark and be that big energy and playmaking guy out there as best as I can and doing whatever I can to help my team win. So, it’s been hard for me and hurting just being out for my guys. I want to be there. So just feeling like I’ve been kind of letting them down, but just trying to fight to get back out there with those guys. That’s the goal. But just try to do my best I can and be myself and help this team win.”
You’ve had a few concussions, you had a shoulder injury. Just at this stage of your career. What is your attitude about the way you play? You’re not going to change anything way you play, the way you tackle?
“I’m a playmaking corner. I feel like my team needs me and I need this game. I love playing this game. Injuries are going to happen. Stuff is going to happen. Like I said, I had a few concussions, but I’m not too worried about that. I did my research and everything on that and overcame those and hurt my shoulder a little bit, but that’s just how the game goes. Sometimes you have to try to find a way to continue to stay on top of my body and everything. And once maybe I do go out, get back as fast as I can and get back out there, but it’s definitely not going to affect the way I play the game. I feel like when I’m out there I just do what I can to help my team win, and that’s playing fast and physical, being who I am.”
When you say you feel like you’ve been holding the team down, why would you feel that way when you’re obviously out with a shoulder injury that you can’t do anything about it and you have been fighting so hard to get back?
“Yeah, I just want to be out there with my guys. That’s it. I know the team needs me and I just want to be out there with them. Out there fighting with them and trying to fight for the playoffs. So that’s the biggest thing right there. I feel like I’m kind of letting them down. Stuff happens. That’s life. Things are going to happen and you’re going to be faced with situations where you may be out and may not be able to do certain things, but just trying to be the best me I can be and if I’m out being a great coach on the sideline and helping those guys out as best as I can, but I know for me, personally, in this situation it was best for me to be out on that field than on the sideline as a coach.”
I’ll follow up on what you said about dealing with injuries throughout your career. When you’re out there, we know that you play at a Pro Bowl level, but it has been something you have to repeatedly overcome and come back. What keeps you going? What keeps your head up when you’re dealing with that over and over?
“Yeah, I mean I understand that injuries are going to happen. Something’s going to happen, that’s football. I think I just compare it to life. Everything’s not going to be perfect in life. Things are going to happen but it’s about how you respond and how you overcome it. So, I take a lot of pride in being able to fight back and regardless of the circumstance being able to come back and execute at a high level of play and still doing my job. So, I said that’s life. Stuff is going to happen in life but just being able to overcome.”
I heard in the beginning that it may have been something to do with your labrum. Was it something sort of structural that you’ve been dealing with?
“I’m not going to disclose any sort of injuries or that stuff, but I’m feeling a lot better and just looking forward to getting back with the guys.”
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