CB Denzel Ward (5.31.23)

How much of a difference is it for you guys, defensive backs in the Jim Schwartz system, compared to what you’ve been running with Joe Woods? 

Yeah, it’s a little different. Little different systems, but similarities within. Just learned a new playbook right now and getting ahold of that, but definitely have his differences, but definitely also got similarities.

 

How different is Schwartz during practice than maybe what you experienced with Joe Woods? 

I don’t want to compare and contrast too much, but he’s a great coach. I’m looking forward to learning his system some more and continuing to run it and running up against the offense with his system, though. So looking forward to it.

 

What’s it like when you guys are out there and you’re hearing him hold you guys accountable, getting you guys fired up? What’s that like as a player out there? 

Yeah, that’s good. That’s what we need. We need to be coached up, whether that’s in a hard way or not. I mean, it’s good criticism. Just guys got to be out here knowing what they’re supposed to do and doing our job, and he’s making sure that he’s holding us to that standard.

 

I know it’s just a couple of plays with OTAs, but I did see you in the slot a little with Greg Newsome and MJ Emerson on the outside. Could we expect maybe a little more slot out of you? 

Oh, yeah. So you can definitely expect me inside, outside, wherever, so just trying to be anywhere I can to make plays and help this team out.

 

What’s that like to have, like, obviously with MJ having the great year that he did. We know how good Greg is, and obviously you, to have the three of you and really be able to blanket some guys out there?

Yeah, that’s huge. Just guys having the versatility to play different positions, whether that’s corner nickel or safety, and just being able to move guys around, create matchups against the offense. I think it’ll be helpful for us this year.

 

What does Juan Thornhill bring to the secondary? 

Versatility. I mean, he’s able to play the post. He’s able to come down into the box and cover, so he brings that versatility leadership to the scene.

 

When you see the additions that have been made with up front, obviously that helps you guys in the back. How excited does that make you in the backend? 

Yeah, it’s very exciting, but at the end of the day, we all got to do our job, so we got to make sure that we’re helping those guys up front and locking our guys down on the backend. So, I mean, we work together, but definitely excited about those guys on the front and looking forward to getting everybody together and competing and going against offenses.

 

Denzel, why did you guys go down to Puerto Rico with some of the offensive guys and sort of what did you get out of that trap? 

Yeah, it was just to build camaraderie just a time to get away a little bit. The rookies and everything were here. So we’re just trying to just continue to build that relationship with the team and just have a good time, get away, still do a little football out there, but still just have a good time.

 

You mentioned it’s good to be coached up. Do you think that was maybe lacking during last season? 

No, I don’t think that was lacking last year. I mean, coaches got on last year the same way they did this year. But like I said, it’s a good thing to have, that criticism or that opportunity to be coached up and know what you’re supposed to do.

 

There were some communication breakdowns last year. We asked Juan about that because it’s hard to say, hey, here’s a new guy, fix all these communication problems from last year.

Yeah, we talked about it, but I think with this new system that coach is bringing in, it’s kind of going to take out all those if, ands and those questionings. So you pretty much, you know what you’re doing and you just go do it. You don’t have to read too much out.

 

Would you say that’s the biggest difference? I know you don’t want to compare, but is that one of the biggest difference between last year? 

Yeah, I would say so.

 

Denzel, you were inside quite a bit today. Is that going to be more of that the season goes on? 

Yeah, you can definitely say that. So I may be inside, outside, safety, so wherever I can to be to make a play and help this team out.

 

This stage of your career, you enjoy that? It’s kind of expanding your horizons? 

Yeah, I just want to be out there on the field and best play to make a play. That’s what I’m trying. My focus is lock my man down and out there and make plays. So wherever I’m at, I’m cool.

 

Do you like the idea of maybe possibly following a guy around all game?

Yeah, definitely. Like I said, I’m here to help this team win. So wherever the coach got planned for me, I’m ready to take it on.

 

Jim just said he likes to stand in the middle of the field and part of the reason is he likes you guys to feel his presence. Do you get that out of him? Do you feel this kind of guy looking over everything you guys do? 

Yeah, I do. And I like that. It keeps us on our toes and focused on our assignment, our job, and what we’re supposed to do. Guys don’t want to be out there messing up and get creamed at or called out on. So it just kind of gets you to lock in and do your job.

 

I don’t know if you’ve been matched up with Marquise Goodwin, but we were talking to him today and he’s so fast. When you see him run around on the field, what do you think? 

Yeah, he’s a burner. He’s a fast guy, a guy that could take the top off defenses. So looking forward to going against him some more and just getting better.

 

How about DeAndre Hopkins? Would he be a welcome addition to this team and how good is he and what would he add if they bring him in? 

No question. I mean, you guys see the resume that D-Hop has in this league. He’s a premier receiver, and we’ll definitely welcome him with open arms if he were to come here. So if he comes, cool, but we’re going to continue to take a day at a time and do we’re supposed to do, get better and get ready for the season.

 

Goodwin is 33 years old. When you saw him on the field and the speed, did it surprise you at all? 

Yeah, I didn’t even know he’s 33. So for you to say that, yeah, he’s fast, though, for that age, but yeah, he’s a burner.

 

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