CB Denzel Ward (9.21.23)
Denzel, neither the Bengals nor the Steelers have had an offensive play inside your 30. So how much pride you take in the way you guys are starting off this season?
“Yeah, I think we’ve taken a lot of pride in it. We want to be the best. We want to be a top five defense, and we want to do anything that we can to help this team win. So I think we’re on the right track and headed in the right direction, but we still got a long ways to go.”
Just because it was unusual for two games. The touchdown. How did that happen?
“Yeah, we just left them open in the middle. We just got to all work together, all get to our drops, all key in on where the ball is being thrown and rally to it and find a way to get the ball down.”
You’ve never shied away from contact. So what does it take to bring down Derrick Henry?
“Oh, yeah, he just got a gang tackle. He’s a big guy. Real physical runner, great back for their team, and it’s going to take all of us. So we all just got to rally for the ball and get him down.”
What’s (DeAndre) Hopkins like in their passing game along with (Treylon) Burks and the other guys they have?
“We already know Hopkins is a dominant receiver–top guy in the league. He’s going to be another challenge on the outside, opposite of Henry in the run game. So we’re going to have a work ahead of us.”
With (DeAndre)Hopkins, is it physicality that separates him from other guys?
“Yeah, Physicality. Got great hands, good route runner, and, he’s a competitive player. Going to go out there, compete, and I think we’re going to be good for the matchup, though.”
What did you think of Minkah’s (Fitzpatrick) hit on Nick (Chubb)? Did you think that was okay? Is it unavoidable sometimes for those type of things to happen or what were thoughts?
“Yeah, honestly, I didn’t see the hit. I didn’t see the hit. I had looked up, I saw that Chubb was down on the play, but yeah l didn’t look at the replay or look at the hit. I just seen that our guy was hurt and down. We’re just praying and wishing the best for Chubb.”
Denzel you guys haven’t had much time to regroup after the loss and losing Nick (Chubb). How do you think this team is bouncing back?
“Yeah, I think we’re gonna bounce back. Well, we’re gonna play for Chubb and try to rally together and find a way to get a win.”
Third down has been such a point of emphasis. I know for Coach (Jim) Schwartz. What has been the key to that? Is it just everybody kind of working in sync?
“Like I was saying earlier, I think a lot of it’s been a camaraderie just getting together even after we’re done here with the coaches and everything, getting the whole defense together, focusing on third down, watching tape together and just getting on the same page and being able to work together. I feel we got that continuity out there on the field where we’re able to play fast and know what each other’s doing.”
You mentioned playing for (Nick) Chubb. Is that a conversation taking place even now this week?
“Yeah, I think so. I think it’s kind of a conversation that doesn’t even need to be had. Like, it’s already understood that’s one of our brothers and he went down and just want to play for him because we know how bad he wants to be out there on the field and just sad about the fact that he got hurt, but just trying to win for him and win for the city.”
Have you guys seen him at all?
“Yeah, I think he just came in today, so we got to see him.”
With the loss of Nick (Chubb). Does it feel like everyone has to kind of pick up something? The defense has to, the passing has to, it can’t just be Jerome (Ford).
“Yeah, no question. I mean, you guys know what type of player Chubb is. He’s a dominant player, able to score at will out there. So it definitely hurt us with him being out. But guys like myself and the rest of the team, we got to step up, make plays and try to help fill that void.”
When you say he came in. Was it the trainer’s room? As a teammate?
“I just seen him in passing.”
What about (Ryan) Tannehill?
“He’s able to control the game. I mean, they got a good run game. I think it’s going to help with (Derrick) Henry, but able to make all the passes on the field and get his playmakers the ball. Like I said, it’s going to be a good challenge for us.”
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