CB Denzel Ward (8.11.20)
CB Denzel Ward:
On how things will be different in defensive coordinator Joe Woods’ defensive scheme:
“Just definitely a change of the playbook so far and learning a new system with new coaches. They are going to teach new things. That is one thing. One thing specifically that I like is they are critiquing my technique, actually. Right now, I am kind of trying to learn a new technique that I played in press coverage a little differently than the years past. I have been working on that. That is one thing that I appreciate so far from Coach Woods and the rest of the staff.”
On if it is tough to change technique at this point in his career:
“Yeah, a little bit, just because I have not really worked that technique before. It has been a fun process so far and learning the new technique. Just trying new things out and not really being one dimensional.”
On areas he focused on most to improve during the offseason:
“Just working my craft. Just staying up on my technique and change of direction, making sure I am staying conditioned, running and everything and prepare [for] when I get back and we start running again getting back to full-speed.”
On describing Woods’ defensive scheme:
“I think it is kind of similar to where he came from in San Francisco and what those guys run over there – a lot of Cover 3, run some Cover 4 and just a little mixture of things.”
On if he has contemplated the potential that Ohio State football may not play this fall:
“It upsets me, but I know it upsets those guys a lot more. They are out there trying to prove themselves, if they have dreams of playing in the NFL and taking it to the next level. They wanted to show themselves this year, play with their guys and be out there on the field and making plays. I know that it is real difficult for those guys. I heard that the season [may come] to an end early. Wish the best for those guys, and hopefully, they can come up with something, but I know it is tough.”
On if he is excited to compete against a healthy WR Odell Beckham Jr. in practice:
“I am excited to go against him, (WR) Jarvis (Landry) and all those guys. All those guys can play, but him specifically, you guys know what type of player he is. I do not even know how to explain it. You know what type of player he is. Just looking forward to getting to go against him and working my craft against him because he is going to help get me better, and I am going to help get him better. We are going to compete in practice and go back and forth.”
On his confidence that Browns players will closely adhere to health and safety protocols when they are not in the facility:
“I am very confident. I feel like we have some smart guys on the team, guys that are going to take care of their business. Already being here, the organization, they are doing a good job of just going through protocols, keeping us sanitized, making sure we keep our masks on and everything. I feel like guys are going to do good, as well, once they get off the field and go home.”
On his biggest concern related to COVID-19 heading into the contact portion of camp:
“No really big concerns right now at the moment.”
On evaluating his 2019 season:
“I feel that I had a decent season, not the season that I have in my mind when I set my goals and everything that I want to accomplish throughout the year, but I feel that I definitely produced throughout the season and did my job when I was out there on the field, made plays and helped my team. I feel that I still have a lot more that I could do, prove and still give to this team to help this team win.”
On potential for his pairing with CB Greedy Williams in their second year together:
“The sky is the limit for both of us. We go out there and do our job, play within the defense and make plays, and everything else is going to take care of itself.”
On challenges building camaraderie with teammates, given limitations and protocols related to COVID-19:
“I feel that actually (Head) Coach (Kevin) Stefanski, he has done a great job, especially on our Zoom meetings. We have team meetings and he kind of has a way for [building] camaraderie. We have what is called the four H’s (history, hero, heartbreak and hope) and just kind of getting to know guys, explaining our history and things about ourselves that we may have not known about our teammates before. Just a way to get to know each other and talk to our teammates.”
On what Stefanski asks individual players to share from a personal standpoint in the team meetings:
“It is kind of an open table. For me personally, he asked me, ‘Would you be willing to speak to the team tonight?’ so I talked to the team. He gives us a base of what he wants us to talk about. From there, we just expand on maybe our history, our heroes or whatever it is that we have on our heart at the moment.”
On Stefanski not coming across like a first-year head coach and if he is impressed with Stefanski’s demeanor and approach:
“Yeah, I am. Definitely organization wise, just how everything is set up, everything is running pretty smoothly and how he approaches the team, I appreciate that and definitely look forward to continuing to work with him.”
On S Grant Delpit:
“You guys already saw what he did on the field at LSU. He is definitely a fluid player, and he is definitely tough. You saw that last year at LSU. He had a hurt ankle that I feel a lot of people probably didn’t even know about, but he played through it. He is a tough player. He is going to bring that toughness here. He is just a fun guy to be around, too, in the locker room and everywhere else on the field.”
On the potential for the Browns secondary:
“I feel like we could be special. We just have to play within the defense, play within ourselves, make plays and do what we are supposed to do, and everything else will take care of itself.”
On DE Myles Garrett and Garrett’s potential this year after returning from suspension:
“Myles, he has big goals. If I am speaking for him, big goals ahead of him. He is planning to put up big numbers, like a lot of us are. He is going to go out there and I am sure he is going to get that done.”
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