CB Denzel Ward (9.14.20)
CB Denzel Ward:
On if it is good that this is a short week after yesterday’s game:
“If you look at it that way, yeah, I think so. We get a chance to go out, play another game, get this last game out our minds, focus on the Bengals and see what we can do to pull out a win and get our first win of the season.”
On what the Browns defense needs to be clean up most from yesterday’s game:
“We still have to come in and watch film. We have not all gotten together as a group yet and analyze everything specifically. Once we do that, I am sure we will figure it out.”
On his relationship with Bengals QB Joe Burrow and if he has watched Burrow’s film from yesterday’s game:
“Joe, he is a great player. He is a great quarterback, a great person. I enjoyed being around Joe back when he was at Ohio State. I have not had a chance to watch any of the Bengals’ film yet. Like I said, we still have to get with the team, watch last game and do the scouting for this next week.”
On if he and Burrow developed a friendship at Ohio State:
“Yeah, Joe is definitely my friend. Definitely. I look forward to going and playing against him. Definitely looking forward to that game.”
On what the Browns defense needs to do to turn it around this week:
“It is about us. We just have to get together, watch the film and see exactly where we went wrong. That could have been mental issues. I do not think it is physical. We are all physically capable and able to get our jobs done. We just have to look at the film and see what we have to do to get better and change things looks for next time.”
On if missing S Grant Delpit and CB Greedy Williams yesterday due to injury was really tough on the Browns defense:
“We are missing those guys, but guys have to step up and we have to be able to do our jobs when guys go down. That is the National Football League. It is the next man up.”
On if he played against Burrow on the scout team at Ohio State and what sticks out from that time:
“Nothing specific. Like I said, Joe is a great player, a great quarterback, makes great throws and great decision making. Looking forward to going against him, but nothing specifically I have in mind back at Ohio State.”
On if Burrow as the scout team quarterback tested the Ohio State defense and if Burrow talked a lot of trash:
“No, he did not talk too much trash. He definitely tested us. He was a starting quarterback even back then. That is just not how it went at the moment where he was the starter at the time, but everyone knew that he was a starting quarterback.”
On Head Coach Kevin Stefanski’s message to the team after yesterday’s loss:
“Come in and see what we have to fix and get done. That was the first game so we have another game coming up quick and see what we have to do to get this win.”
On if yesterday’s loss can set the team back and how the team can stop that from happening:
“No, not me personally. A loss is a loss. It shows up the same way on the stat sheet. We just have to come in, do we have to do to see where things went wrong and change it for next time we play those guys.”
On how S Ronnie Harrison Jr. can contribute on defense:
“I see him being a big contributor, especially as he continues to learn the defense and everything. You saw as soon as he came in, like one of his first days of practice, he got an interception on the one of the first or second days out at practice. He is just out there making plays. I definitely see him having more of a role as the games go along.”
On if the Browns are closing the gap between the Ravens or if it wider than before:
“Like I said, we just have to fix things. It is about us and about what we do. We have to fix things, go in and look at the film and see what we can do to change it for next time.”
On Bengals WR A.J. Green:
“I have to watch some more film on him. I know he is a great player, though. He has been one of those high main guys in the league for a long time. I am looking forward to getting in the playbook, watching film and seeing what he does and what makes him the player that he is.”
On if this season opener felt different than last year and if the team feels better equipped to move forward after a tough opening loss than last season:
“I think so. I think that we have a good staff and we have the right players in. We are going to go in and do what we have to do to get the job done next time.”
On if Burrow was a runner on the scout team at Ohio State, given Burrow’s rushing TD yesterday:
“No, not really, but he is definitely capable. He is definitely a capable runner, but he was more of a thrower back then.”
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