Pass Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach Jeff Howard (8.6.22)

 

On CB A.J. Green:

“A.J. has done well for us. He came in as an undrafted free agent. The thing that really sticks out to me with A.J. is really his ability to go in learn, and the situation is never too big for him. There have been a couple of times when we have had DBs down, and he jumps into the game and does it at a high level and plays against top level guys. He is very diligent and very coachable. Normally, if you tell somebody else something, he is going to learn it. You coach him, and you only have to tell him something once and he is going to be able to go out and get it done, and he is able to compete at a high level. We have been giving him snaps outside and inside, and he has handled those pretty well.”

 

On the Browns having to use multiple combinations in the secondary last season and how the experience for those players will benefit the Browns this season:

“I think last year we ended up having 13 DBs play – I went back and looked at that – which you do not normally see that year in and year out. That is something that I think is going to benefit us, that experience and having those guys who have been in critical situations who have been able to perform at a high level. It is really dynamic of the room and kind of our culture in our room is we are trying to get everybody prepared and we believe in the guys we have in the room. They are there for a reason, and we will try to coach them up so that they can go out there and be successful. It has been positive for us.”

 

On the Browns’ depth at DB, including Green and S Ronnie Harrison Jr.:

“I like our room. You mentioned those two guys are good players for us who have played significant snaps for us. I think that is just really who we want to be on defense. I think the DB bodies kind of afford you having speed on the field, and that is what (defensive coordinator) Coach (Joe) Woods wants, and we try to design those personnel packages where we can get those guys out on the field. That is something we have done with Harrison last year. We played two or three-safety systems and been able to do that. Those guys who are fast, we take a high priority in them.”

 

On CB Greg Newsome II entering his second year and if Newsome has improved his preparation:

“Absolutely. I have told him this, as a rookie, I have been around really good players – (former Cowboys and Vikings and Panthers S) Xavier Woods as a rookie, (former Vikings and Bengals CB) Trae Waynes and (former Vikings and Chiefs and Lions CB) Mike Hughes – these are all first-round picks. He really stands out to me and his ability to learn. He learned multiple positions for us last year at corner and nickel. I think that is something that I have not been able to see a lot of corners do. He is extremely intelligent and very focused, and football is very important to him so spent a lot of time with it. Him being able to do that and do it at a high level as a rookie is to his credit because I have not seen a lot of people be able to do that. Moving on, kind of my message to him was, ‘Where is the next step?’ He aspires to a lot, and I think he can get there. He is a very diligent worker, and you see the same type of work ethic this year that you have seen last year.”

 

On Newsome’s dedication to improving on and off the field:

“He is very active in the room. Asks a lot of good questions. As you can see, anytime he is always looking for an opportunity to get better. He is always with (assistant defensive backs) Coach (Brandon) Lynch. Any downtime, we are trying to use that opportunity to benefit his game. He has really bought into that and really has seen a lot of success from that.”

 

On if CB Denzel Ward can reach an even higher level after strong performances during his career:

“Denzel aspires to a lot. He can get there. Like you said, last year he put a lot of good stuff on tape. I think coming into this year, we are going to see another level of confidence and step in his game. Although he has been injured, he is just another one in the room who is very focused. When he comes out here, he is always stacking where he would be. We are trying to use that negative and turn it into a positive. I think he had a really good offseason. He was here every single day and made a lot of productive plays for us. I know he aspires to be one of the bests in the game, and we will probably see another jump in his play. I am really excited for Denzel this year.”

 

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