CB Denzel Ward (10.5.20)
CB Denzel Ward:
On the impact of losing a teammate as valuable as RB Nick Chubb:
“That hurts a lot. I hate that happened to Nick. You obviously see what Nick has done for this football team, and he is a big reason why we got some of the wins that we got now. Guys have to step up, and they did tha. Once Nick went down, (RB) D’Ernest (Johnson) had a good running game yesterday; (RB) Kareem (Hunt) and (RB) Dontrell (Hilliard), all those guys ran very well. It definitely hurt having him out and looking forward to getting him back as soon as we can.”
On what the win yesterday can do for the Browns’ confidence:
“It meant a lot. The Cowboys, they are a good team. They fought hard until the last play of the game. They are a good team, and I am glad we got to come out with the win on top.”
On what was learned from the Cowboys mounting a comeback and the Browns maintaining the lead in the fourth quarter:
“We just have to make sure that we finish. Once we got those guys up, we just have to do a better job of executing our play calls and doing what we have to do to keep them away, keep them down and do not let them get any hope back and to get back into the game. We just have to finish next time. The end result, all that matters is that we got the win.”
On if he was able to prove anything with his interception to seal the win after playing through injury:
“I am good. I am not injured. If I am out there on that field, I am 100 percent. It definitely meant a lot. I try to do whatever I can to help my team win. I try to be that playmaker that they need and that I know that I am. Whatever I can do to help my team win, that is the biggest thing, and glad that we finished it that way.”
On if it his mentality to play through injury and not think about it if he is on the field:
“No, I feel great. I feel good. Like I said, if I am out there, then I am pretty sure that I feel good. I am able to still run, cut and do everything I need to do. These off days, I felt more hurt than the usual and just the soreness from the game and everything, but I am out there pushing through it with all those guys. Everybody has something that is nicked up and bruised up so we are all fighting and doing what we can to help this team.”
On the Browns’ potential:
“This team can be special. It could be as special as we want to be. It is up to us. We just have to execute what we do, go in and take it one game at a time.”
On if it dangerous for the defense to rely on takeaways or if the Browns defense needs to clean up other areas:
“We still have to clean up other areas, but that is definitely the focus going into every game is getting takeaways and getting our offense out there to have more opportunities to make plays and score touchdowns.”
On what gives him the feeling that the Browns can be special, compared to last season:
“I just feel it is a totally different team compared to last year or years past I have been here so far, just the coaching staff, the players and everything. We are just trying to take it a game at a time, take it from there and not look too far ahead.”
On if he has a lot of game balls at home and if yesterday’s interception was a special one:
“I gave that one to my mom. That interception from yesterday’s game, I gave it to my mom. I know she enjoyed that watching the game.”
On the play where he recorded his interception:
“The coaches, they got us in a great call on that play and put me in position to seal the win and come away with the ball.”
On if it is nice to see the Browns’ key contributors step up and make big plays when needed:
“Definitely. That is what it is all about. Guys with a lot of potential, you want to see that potential out there on the field, and it shows. It has been showing the past few weeks, and definitely yesterday it showed. Guys going out there, making plays and doing what they are supposed to do.”
On what needs to improve in the Browns passing defense:
“It is just all about execution and everybody being on the same pages – DBs, linebackers, everything. We are going to get things sorted out coming into this week and practice and everything. Everything else will take care of itself.”
On how much having different players in different places contributes to the Browns defense not potentially being on the same page in pass defense:
“We are going to get that all sorted out and everything. I am not too concerned about it. I know these guys are going to come in ready to work.”
On how long DE Myles Garrett can keep his strip-sack streak going:
“Myles can keep this up as long as long as he wants to. Myles is in control of what he does. He is obviously a great player, and the sky is the limit for him. He could do whatever he wants to do – he could go do it out there on that field.”
On seeing Garrett elevate his game this season and regularly producing game-changing plays:
“Yeah, it is exciting. I am glad he is on my team, for sure. You just see him detailed in his work out there. It is not just about going for the tackle but he is going for the ball, as well, and trying to change the game.”
On if the recent coronavirus news around the league has made him more vigilant about protecting himself and the team, given he is currently wearing his face mask:
“Definitely. Our coaching staff and (Head) Coach (Kevin) Stefanski does a great job of just keeping us aware that this thing is still out there and the virus is still out there. We have to continue to wear a mask and continue to stay safe if we want to have a season. I know all of us on the Browns, we want to play football, and if wearing our masks is what we have to do to keep that going, that is what we are going to do.”
On WR Odell Beckham Jr.’s performance yesterday and big plays:
“It was very cool. This was definitely a breakout game for him this season, just showing obviously what everyone know he can do. I am glad he went out there and executed. He helped this team win. He was a big reason we won the game yesterday.”
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