CB Denzel Ward (9.15.23)
How much does not having Diontae (Johnson) impact their passing game in terms of what they do, what they like to do?
“I think it definitely impacts their game. He’s a great receiver, one of their impactful players they got on their team. So I think it definitely hurt them a little bit. But they still got a great team, still got a lot of capable receivers that are able to make plays that we still got to go out there and cover and great rushing attack. But, yeah, like I said, Diontae is a great player, and I know he’ll definitely be missed out there.”
Mike Tomlin tried buttering you guys up this week. He said that the corners won that game against Cincinnati, but Joe Burrow was complimentary to you guys. What does it mean, getting that type of love from the opposition?
“I mean, this is the greatest team game there is. No one person could win a game. Like I said, the entire defense did a great job. The entire offense did a great job. Special teams did a great job out there, and we played complementary football. So, I mean, it wasn’t just the corners out there that won that game. It was rushing attack (Nick) Chubb, the offensive line, our D line did a great job getting pressure out there, getting the ball out, and we were able to hold up and do our job as well on the back end. But like I said, it’s the greatest team game there is, and we all did our job and executed and found a way to get a win.”
When you see Kenny Pickett getting picked off like he did in the first week, sacked five times, does that get your brain churning about what you guys might be able to do against him on Monday night?
“Yeah, I mean, every game’s a new game, so, I mean, that defense did a great job and they found a way to get a win, and we got to find our own way to go out and get a win as well. So we’re definitely going to try to tackle them as best as we can. And let’s see if we get some takeaways and just do our job.”
Martin (Emerson) was talking about (Jim) Schwartz has loafs for not celebrating with your teammates. Can you expand on that that kind of mindset that he’s trying to instill with that?
“Yeah, just helping build on the camaraderie that we’ve been building on since training camp and getting everybody together. But we’re just having fun out there. We’ve been playing this game since we were little kids and just celebrating the time. Like I said, it’s a game, having fun. So celebrating with your teammates, just enjoying the time out there and making plays.”
What’s it like playing behind that D line? I mean, you don’t have to hold your guys forever with that rush.
“No, it was great. I love those guys, man. Rush and coverage go together. They did a great job of tackling (Joe) Burrow and those guys and getting that ball off fast, helped us out on the back end.
Even when they weren’t getting the sacks, they were at least hitting him or disrupting him in some way. How helpful is that to you guys?
“Yeah, it was very helpful. Like I said, those guys were getting pressure on him. Like I said, we didn’t have to cover too long, so definitely helped us out. And guys like MJ (Emerson) and Greg (Newsome) and Grant (Delpit), everybody on the back end did a great job of playing tight in coverage and making plays.”
Why is Pittsburgh such a tough place to play?
“I mean, just their history, just who they are as a team. They’re a tough team. Like I said, great rushing attack. Always had great receivers, great defense. They’re just a tough team. Just the AFC, they’re going to bring that competitive nature to the game, and we’re going to have to go out there and match that.”
Can you just talk about the magnitude of this game? Monday Night Football, Steelers, a chance for you guys to go 2-0 for the first time since 1993. And they are 20-0 at home on Monday Night Football since 1991. So just so many big storylines in this game.
“Yeah, it’s a lot of big storylines. I think you just got to kind of minimize it a little bit and just focus on what you got to focus on. We’re going out there, trying to find a way to get a win, and that’s all it is. So I think the storylines will take care of itself, but we’ll go out there, execute, do our job, and everything else will take care of itself.”
MJ (Emerson) said last week that he feels like you guys are the best trio in the league. Where do you feel like you stand in terms of your trio?
“Yeah, I’m right there. I feel like we’re the best trio in the league, for sure. I mean, we got to go out there every day, every game and show that. We show that now in practice, and like I said, go out there in the game and do that. We got to back up. We can’t just say that, but we got to go back it up.”
What does Calvin Austin, number 19, maybe. What does he add? I know he didn’t play there last year, but what does he add to their offense?
“Yeah, he’s a speed receiver, speed guy, good vertical threat. And like I said, one of those guys that we’re going to have to try to eliminate out the game.”
Deshaun (Watson) was saying yesterday that this is a chance for you guys to show the world what you can do. Do you sort of look at it like that, too, for this big Monday night game?
“Yeah. I think every opportunity we get to go out there in front of the cameras, in front of the fans, is a chance to showcase what we’re capable of. So I think it’ll be a great opportunity.”
Are you more excited with being on Monday night? The primetime game, the only game on TV? Do you have to manage your emotions and the excitement that playing in a game like that brings?
“Not for myself. I mean, I can play. I’d rather play 1 o’clock, 2 o’clock doesn’t matter me. 8 o’clock. Just going out there, playing a game I love to play. Trying to find a way to get a win regardless of when it is, is fine with me. But it’s going to be a great opportunity and a great game.”
You guys only allow two third downs conversions from Cincinnati. You guys finished 17th in that area last year and you guys are already number one right now, though, we have more games to come. What do you think has been the biggest difference within the third down stop approach from last year to right now?
“I think it all started in training camp, really. And just getting the guys together, just every little detail, just the camaraderie, guys going out to eat, guys hanging out. Just the close-knit, the bond that we build around here. I think has been huge. But just also bringing guys like Coach (Jim) Schwartz and just the defense he set in place and the expectations that he set in place for this team and defense has definitely set us in the right direction.”
I know it’s early, but is this the most fun you’ve had?
“Oh, yeah, it is. I would say so. I’m definitely having a lot of fun out there. Just being with the guys. Like I said, playing a game of football, playing this game I’ve been playing since a little kid. I think you guys see that out there. Just the celebrations and everything guys have been doing. So it’s definitely been fun.”
# # #
***Visit the Browns Media Center for materials provided by the Browns communications department, including media schedules, press releases, quotes, photos, media guides, rosters, depth charts and more.***