S Juan Thornhill (11.6.23)
Juan, what does it say about your defense that not only were you able to get this first shutout in a long time for the NFL, but to do it while holding that offense to just 58 total yards?
“I mean, it’s huge. Like, we came off probably not one of our best games, but [the] guys responded very well, guys clicked together, just did that one-11. And that’s what I think played a huge role in us being able to shut this offense down and allow only like 58 yards, and that’s unheard of.”
Juan, the impact that front is having, they had seven sacks yesterday, but I want to ask you about the creation of the turnovers. What impact are they having in helping you guys in the secondary start to pile up the turnovers, which is something early in the season you guys weren’t able to do because you kept getting off the field so fast?
“I mean, the guys are putting pressure on the quarterback. When you get those guys that are getting back there fast, making a quarterback uncomfortable, quarterbacks start to make bad decisions, like just throwing the ball up, hoping their receivers can make a play. And I believe in our guys that we’ll come down with that ball. So, our front’s been doing a heck of a job by getting back to that quarterback, making them uncomfortable.”
Juan, what was it like in that huddle as the defense just kept getting better and better? What were you guys saying to each other?
“I mean, we’ve been talking all week. We’ll start slow, then we’ll finish strong. But the thing is, this week we wanted to start fast and finish strong. So every time we got together, one thing we always said was just like, we got to finish, continue to do what we’ve been doing. That’s pretty much all we said, like, everybody doing that 1 11 not trying to do too much to make a play. The plays would just come to us.”
But how cool was it then? I mean, the fans, they were into it. Every stop you guys got, it seemed to get louder.
“Oh, yeah. When the fans get engaged, it always makes it so much better. Like, when your fans are quiet, it’s just not as fun. When your fans make a lot of noise, you can engage with them, pump them up a little bit, and they just make us play a lot better. So I really enjoy being out there and being in that environment.”
Hey, Juan. Denzel (Ward) had another interception yesterday. It seems like from our vantage point, he’s having one of his best seasons. What have you seen from him this year?
“The best cornerback in the league. I can simply say that the ball is going his way, [the] guy is not catching the ball. I mean, Denzel’s been preparing hard each and every day, perfecting his craft, and it’s starting to show guys can’t get open if the quarterback throws it his way, you don’t know if you’re going to complete it or if he’s going to come down with the ball, you know. So, Denzel, he’s been doing a heck of a job with everything, and I just hope he continue to do what he’s been doing and leading us.”
And then I know obviously you guys have played a handful of division games, but now you’re getting into a big stretch here with Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Are you excited to kind of get that next taste of AFC North football here?
“Oh, yeah, I’m excited. I mean, we beat Cincinnati, lost to Baltimore, so this is a rematch. I’m super excited about it. I feel like we’ll come in with a different swag about us, you know, a little bit more energy and we’ll play some better Cleveland Brown football for you.”
Hey, Juan, I know when the takeaways weren’t coming for you guys, Jim (Schwartz) talked about, like he still thought it was important that you don’t overly press to get them because that can make you prone to giving up explosive plays, making mistakes, and it seems like you guys didn’t do that. So, what do you think was key in doing that? And how do you stay levelheaded and say, okay, it’s not because we’re doing something wrong, it’s maybe just because the right opportunity is not there yet?
“Yeah, coach he was telling us don’t chase it because they’ll come. Like the front was getting back there. We were getting off the field a lot and guys were doing their job. And if you start chasing plays, that’s when bad things start to happen. So, we just wanted to stay consistent, let the front keep on rushing and then once the opportunity presents itself, we just make the play. And that’s what happened. We’re starting to get a lot more opportunities. We’re not doing anything different.”
And I’m curious because some of the linebackers and other DBs have talked about it. Like, you guys obviously have the best view, I think, in the house of what that defensive line is doing. So, can you describe what it’s like when you’re out there and what you’re seeing them do?
“I would say I got the best view in the house out of everyone. The linebackers are right behind them, but I’m usually the furthest guy back and just watching those guys eat up front is incredible. Like with me, I sit there, I pedal two times and they’re in the backfield. That makes our job so much more easy. And just watching all those guys get after the quarterback and it looked like they were really enjoying themselves doing it. If you’re not playing uptight and just actually going out there and having fun with it and that’s what it seemed like they’re doing.”
Yeah. Juan, it just seems like Lamar (Jackson) has taken his game to a whole new level this season. So, what challenges await you with him when you guys go into Baltimore?
“You know, a lot of people used to talk about Lamar not really being a quarterback. And I used to see those and I just, I would think it was kind of crazy that they were saying that. I mean, he can make every single throw that all these other quarterbacks are making and he’s really showing it this year. He’s sitting in that pocket; he’s delivering the passes. He’s showing the whole world that he’s a quarterback. And I think it’s going to be a good matchup because Lamar, he can throw the football, he can also add the running aspect to the game. So, we got our hands full this week, but we’re definitely prepared for it.”
And now they have Odell (Beckham Jr.) back. They didn’t have him the first time you played him. So, what does he bring?
“I mean, the guy everyone knows Odell, he can make those spectacular catches. So, we don’t plan on doing anything different, just playing our brand of football and just possibly getting our hands on those guys and not allowing them to make those catches.”
What’s the key to the defense? Finding that consistency that Jim Schwartz is looking for. He talked about not being feast and famine. Feast or famine. So how do you get that consistency?
“I mean, just working each and every day, like not chasing those plays, because when you chase plays, bad things happen. It just constantly just playing together, not just playing for yourself. So that’s the main thing. We just have to stay consistent with that. That’s all I can really say about it.”
And is there any kind of motivation factor going against a Ravens defense that leads the league in points while you guys lead it in yardage?
“Like, we always see the top defenses and we see the Ravens defense up there. So, we’re going to be competing with those guys as well. If they get a takeaway, we’re going to try to get one as well. So that’s what we’re going to try to do. We’re going to compete with them as we’re competing with the Ravens offense as well.”
You had those AFC matchups early in the season and then you guys have been playing really good defense throughout a couple games that you maybe weren’t so happy with, not against those divisional rivals. Now that they’re coming back on the schedule, how much do you think those games where you didn’t play the best defensive football that you guys wanted to can benefit you entering these games? How much do you think you’ve learned from those moments?
“We’ve learned a lot, honestly. We were riding on the high at one point, thinking like were unstoppable. But then these teams came out and they hit us in the mouth a couple of times and showed us that we can be beat. And I feel like we needed that. And I just feel like this is a perfect opportunity just to continue to climb, to get to where we want to be.”
Juan, just could you touch on the resiliency of this team? A lot has happened to you guys in these eight games. You’ve had a lot of injuries. You guys have had to deal with shuffling lineups and that, yet here you guys sit at five and three and everyone in this division right now would be in the playoffs. Just what does it say about this team and how have you guys been able to overcome everything that you’ve had to deal with here?
“I mean, guys constantly preparing each and every day. Even if you’re not a starter, you’re viewed as a starter in this defense because you’re literally one player away. A guy can go down, you’re expected to step in and produce just like everyone else. So, I would say that’s the main thing, just guys taking their job seriously and preparing hard each and every day.”
Real quickly, Juan. So, when are you going to get your first pick? I know you have some with the Chiefs, when you get one here.
“I’ve been waiting. Honestly, people look at interceptions and think that’s everything. But with me, I just have to do my job and not chase these opportunities and they’ll come to me, and I just haven’t been presented with that opportunity yet. But when that chance comes, I’m going to make it, but I’m not going to chase anything.”
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