CB Denzel Ward (12.21.23)
Denzel, you would have been a full participant yesterday. Practiced today but is the shoulder back?
“It’s getting there. Yeah, it’s getting there. Feeling good, so, yeah, I’m good.”
Did you feel any limitations?
“It was fine. It’s getting better. I’m out there playing with my guys. I’m just glad to be back. Glad to be out there and trying to get a win each week.”
Greg (Newsome) yesterday talked about still feeling like you guys as a cornerback unit maybe don’t get all the credit you deserve. I assume you feel that way too—that you guys are maybe still underrated a little bit as a group?
“Yeah, I definitely feel that we’re underrated. But I feel if you look at the numbers and the stats—numbers don’t lie. You see that we’re topping the league. A lot of stats and a lot of things man-to-man and just coverage wise. So I think we’re definitely underrated, but I mean, we’re just going out there to keep being the best we can for our team. To help us get a win each week.”
As you watch the tape of the Hail Mary at the end of the game there, I’m sure in real time it’s a little more nerve racking. How did you guys kind of respond and react the second time around, having to kind of relive it?
“Oh, man, that was the longest play ever. So I was just glad that D Bell (D’Anthony Bell) end up picking that ball off and we got the win. So it was a long play. Everybody did a good job of executing their assignment. There’s little things that we could do better to not even let it get in the hands of the [football] God, but the guys did good in making a play and getting a win.”
So you were here with Case Keenum for a couple of years. Looks like he’s going to start for them. So how does it help that you have that familiarity? Just what stands out?
“Yeah, definitely familiar with Case and how he likes to play. So I think that’s a plus in going into the game. But he’s a good quarterback, able to get the ball to his guys and make the throws needed and get an offense moving.”
Defensively and the numbers back it up, you just seem to play much better at home than on the road. So, in fact, you got to finish two of three on the road. If you do make the playoffs, you’re probably going to have to play on the road. How do you guys turn this around on the road so that you play like you do at home?
“Yeah, that’s a challenge for us this week. We know that we have played better at home, but that’s the chance we’re willing to take on this weekend and trying to find a way to get a win on the road I think we are able to do that and go out there and execute that just got to start fast and finish.”
Do you have any idea why there’s such a disparity there? Like when you’re in the meeting with Jim (Schwartz) or your position coach and you’re breaking down film and stuff like that. Are there things that you’re seeing in those games that you can tangibly say, hey, we need to fix this and this? Or is it just more of an attitude?
“Yeah, I think it could be a number of things, but I think one of the biggest things, is we got to start fast and finish the game the game.”
Back to (Case) Keenum. His arm strength compared to C.J. Stroud is obviously different. So do you guys play tighter with him?
“Regardless of who’s going to be a quarterback, we’re going to do what we do, whether that’s man, whether that’s zone. Yeah, it doesn’t matter who’s back there at quarterback. We’re going to do what we do.”
Some of these grading sites that are out there. I know sometimes it’s arbitrary, but you guys have graded out as, I think, like the top five corners in the game, Greg (Newsome) and MJ (Emerson), just how much pride do you guys take in? How effective you guys have been covering a whole unit this year, especially versus last year when there was some sort of miscommunication at times?
“Yeah, I think we take a lot of pride in it. I mean, since the beginning of the season, you’ve been hearing us talk about how we want to be the best in the world. And I think we’ve been consistent in showing that we’re the best corners out there and the best defense out there. And we’re just trying to continue to show that, continue to execute plays out there and lock our guys down and make plays for this team and find a way to get a win. So we take a lot of pride in it.”
It sounded like yesterday Nico Collins is back for them. Receiver that big and has as many yards as he does this year. What kind of challenge does that present for their passing game that you guys kind of have to be aware of?
“Yeah, that’s a big plus for their passing game. He’s a big receiver capable of making catches. So that’s a plus for them. And I think we’re up for the challenge and looking forward to the matchup.”
How cool is it to be, whatever, almost Christmas and know that the playoffs are possible. Know that these are all big games you’re playing. You could even clinch it this weekend.
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool. I mean, that’s the goal. And making it to the playoffs and getting into that next level. But I think the focus has always been on the week at hand. So got to focus on this week, find a way to get a win and everything at the end of the year, take care of itself if we keep doing what we’re supposed to do.”
There’s been so many injuries this year. You guys don’t change what you do, regardless of who’s on the field. Stick with the team scheme. Why has that been so effective?
“Yeah, I think it’s a testament one to AB (Andrew Berry) and those guys and getting the right guys in here, able to just plug in and play and execute their assignment. And coach Schwartz and just the scheme he has in place and then the guys that are here, I mean, guys are able to come in and play regardless of who’s in there. The goal is for level of play, not to drop who’s ever in there. So we take a lot of pride in that and guys have been doing that—going out there making plays regardless of who’s in and we’re going to continue to do that.”
Regarding the shoulder injury, just how do you balance wanting to come back and play and help the team kind of get to that finish line and get a playoff berth but also try not to, I guess, play too early or too soon where it might be more damage that could be prolonged?
“Yeah, these guys have been doing a great job of kind of holding me back a little bit. As you seen last week, I kind of got some plays and then they took me out a little bit. I’m just trying to do as much as I can for this team to help them get a win and do my part. So when I’m out there, I’m going as hard as I can and then at the end of the year take care of itself. So just trying to stay out there for my guys and make plays.”
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