Cornerbacks Coach Brandon Lynch (1.2.25)
I guess we can start with Denzel (Ward) making the Pro Bowl and just what kind of season he has had?
“We were talking earlier today. We talked about the best ability is dependability and availability. And I think that that is something that he really strived in the offseason to make sure he was available for the team and not just in a mental, playmaking fashion but also physically. And he did a really great job at that this year.”
Can you talk about the way he has continued to be disruptive with leading the league in passes defensed. And I know he has the couple of interceptions but even though those haven’t come as often as he would like, the way he is still able to impact the games that way.
“I think that this year for Denzel, fundamentals and techniques have been outstanding. And it’s one of those things that is really rooted in doing it for the team. And I think that in years past, that’s something, seeing his maturity in that level. As a teacher, I’ve been very proud of him in that.”
Along those lines, the fact that he sounded like yesterday he wants to try to fight through and play in this game. I mean, the fact that you have a guy like that doing that at 3-13 in the last week, when he is kind of beat up, what kind of message does that send to the rest of the defense?
“That the team is always first. And that’s something that being a Cleveland guy and being one of our leaders on the team, it’s great to see our leaders lead. We talk about leaders lead from the front, and we’re talking about you’re either a faucet or a drain. And he’s certainly a faucet. He gives, he serves on the football field, in the community, and we’re seeing that on tape.”
How, I guess, unusual, maybe, to see a guy play his best football this far into his career. And you mentioned some of the reasons, the availability, but what else did you see him kind of make a jump in this year?
“Attention to detail. Denzel is a smart player with rare traits. But attention to detail, he’s really applied those things. And the team has always been important to him but being catapulted in a position of leadership, you’ve really seen him take ownership and that amongst the group. Jim (Schwartz) talks about our D-line being the engine, our second-level players, linebackers and our safeties, being the nerve center and us being the tip of the spear, he’s really taken ownership of that, legitimately, and you’re seeing it in his play.”
What do you want to see Martin (Emerson Jr.) focus on this off season?
“You know what, I’d say being Martin. He’s a guy that continues to have arrow up. He continues to improve his press, his off, his tackling. We want to make sure that we keep the focus on that. And then we talk about not growing weary, right? So, when we are successful in that, remaining fundamentally sound and staying grounded.”
When you talk about Denzel, he kind of turned a corner on dependability this year. I mean, did you think he could lay to rest the criticism that he isn’t dependable? He’s always missing a few games. You think this is a turning point in his career in this kind of season?
“You know, he always has leveraged all of the resources in the building, from Larry (Jackson, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach) to Joe (Sheehan, Senior Vice President, Player Health and Development) to Ron (Brewer, Director, Player Engagement), all of these guys in the building. So, I know he’s going to continuously put his best foot forward in that manner.”
Is that a suggestion by anyone, for him to focus on that this year?
“It’s always ownership, right? Like great players. Jim always talks about great teams being player led. These are goals that we’ll talk about in the off season. But these are also personal goals that he’s always had. And to see his maturity and dependability to rely on those resources this year has been great.”
I know Cam (Mitchell) played mostly in the slot, but it feels like he’s had to play more outside lately with some of the injuries you guys have been dealing with. Do you think he can play inside and outside?
“Absolutely. Versatile player. I know that when Andrew (Berry) and Coach (Kevin) Stefanski got him here, we talked about that versatility amongst positions and he’s a player that speed, length, athleticism, he plays press well. He also has really good ball skills and he’s a good tackler. So being able to be inside and outside, but also being a good communicator to keep us ahead. That adds value in him.”
On that one Cincinnati play late … did he just stop because it felt like everybody stopped?
“We have to do a better job finishing on that, just period. And I’ll be the very first person to say that that reflects myself. We made sure that we got that corrected.”
As you move forward with Martin, and obviously you guys play a lot of man coverage, is he what he needs to be or does he need to really work on the technique in one-on-one outside man coverage?
“Great question, Ms. Mary (Kay Cabot). I think that to a man, to a player and a student and teacher, we’re never really at our final process. So, us always working on what’s important for us. I know that we talk a lot about who we play, what they play, what we play, best personnel in our two-deep reference to injuries. So, the things that we play and who we play, we want to make sure that our press, our off, our zone instincts as well as our tackling are always at the forefront of things.”
Have you ever seen Lamar (Jackson) play any better than he is right now?
“Oh, man, he is definitely arrow up. Continuously improves. He’s a better pocket passer. He’s seeing the field more confidently. Very impressive to see.”