S Rodney McLeod (9.4.23)
How do you think the defense is ready for this big first game?
“I think we’re ready. We’re very excited about the challenge that’s ahead of us. Division winners, great all-around team, good skill group, and great quarterback. So, you know, we have to bring our best, but I think we’ve been working hard for this moment. This moment in time to really go out this week one and establish our identity for the season.”
What has made Joe Burrow so good as a young quarterback in this league? Seems like he’s really elevated himself amongst the elites already.
“Yeah, I think you see him show up every single game for his team. Great leader, has great command of the offense, makes good decisions and understands his playmakers’ strengths, and he does a good job at getting them the ball and runs the offense very well. So, he’s established himself and is highly regarded and respected in this league.”
We just talked to Kevin (Stefanski). He said that you can call the routes before they happen. So where do you get that from and how will you do this Sunday against a team you didn’t play a lot?
“Yeah, it’s all about tendencies. Watching film, understanding who they are and allowing us to put us in a better position. So, I think what Kevin is talking about is just applying our film study over into the field. So, every team has indicators and tendencies that tend to come alive on Sunday, so it’s on us to take advantage of them.”
Ronnie, how concerned have you been about Denzel Ward? Have you kind of talked to him a little bit and what’s it like for you guys as the secondary to head into this Bengals week without him here on Monday?
“Yeah, I think we’re encouraged that he will be available for us. You know, we’re allowing Denzel to take the time necessary, doctors to do their job and hoping that he’s there when we need him. When he’s on the field, he’s a weapon for us, somebody who we need come Sunday in order for us to have great success. But if he’s not, it’s next man up. We hold everybody to the same standard and expect the same results.”
A lot’s been made of the versatility of the secondary, mostly yourself being able to play a couple of spots. If (Denzel) Ward can’t play, is that where the versatility will be tested?
“There’s a lot of guys fully capable and that’s when you know you have a good team, is when you have great depth. And so we’ve established, I think, depth this offseason and over the course of training camp. Having guys play a lot of snaps for us and you’ve seen productivity, so we feel confident about whoever the eleven is that suits up for us come Sunday.”
You guys have to play all three division opponents in the first four weeks of the season. How do you balance, though, not putting or I should say, how do you balance putting the appropriate level of emphasis on a fast start without maybe getting carried away and wrapped up in that, too?
“Yeah. I think for us it’s just really stanying in the moment, taking it one week at a time. We understand what lies ahead to challenge that and the position that we could put ourselves in. But at the end of the day, it’s all about week one. We handle whoever the next opponent is, take it one week at a time, give them our full and undivided attention, put our best work out there and allow things to take its course.”
Bengals are very familiar opponents of Browns. How familiar they are to you. Do you go back and look at Browns-Bengals games this week?
“Yes. Take a look at it all. As much as time, you know, we have a lot of time on our hands. So we’ve had a few extra days to be able to get a head start, prepare and that’s the good part about week one. There are days and it’s up to you, whoever takes advantage of those days normally comes out good on the other side. So been looking at a lot of film us versus last year, their previous games, games that they’ve done well, games that they struggled in, just trying to get anything possible enough for us to win.”
Seems the Browns have matched up well against Burrow. 4-1 or 3-1 against them. Why do you think that is?
“I think it’s just about being in the division. When you have a division opponent, you understand exactly who they are. You see them twice a year. And so in my history in this league, I tend to see a lot of division opponents do fairly well versus each other and so it’s going to be a good challenge for us. It’s a new team on both sides. We all have new additions. No team is ever the same. And so, whoever comes out there week one, we’ll make sure we take care of business.”
Now you’ve been teammates with Myles Garrett for a few months was he as advertised for you?
“Yeah. Myles is a beast. What can’t he do? You know what I’m saying? He’s a superman out here and you’ll see him running sprints with us in the DB group, to being over there at D line. It’s impressive to watch him up close and personal over this time and you really witness just what makes him great and it’s all the little things that he does on a daily basis.”
You know how that collective upfront can really work. How much do you think having guys like Z (Za’Darius Smith) and the other additions that they made will free Myles (Garrett) up to do even more?
“It’s huge having those guys, and I know Myles will agree to that. Being able to take some of the attention off of him and now the offense has to game plan for not only one person but everybody on the D line and everybody deserves that respect and demands that attention. So, I’m glad that we have a very versatile D line group and one with good depth as well. We’re going to need those guys from start to finish every week. Like Jim (Schwartz) said, you know, they’re our engine.”
What impact do you think it will have on this game that Joe (Burrow) hasn’t really been able to practice because of this calf injury for much of training camp? Will you guys kind of try to take advantage of that, be a little bit more aggressive or what do you think?
“I expect Joe to be exactly who we think he is, be that elite quarterback, be that leader for them and still go out there and run the offense efficiently. And so regardless of how many snaps he’s got, I know he’ll be fully prepared for week one, and that’s how we’re approaching it.”
So you’ve seen the (Jim) Schwartz defense evolve here since you’ve been here. Is it where it needs to be for game one against one of the best offensive teams in football?
“Yeah, fully confident in where the defense has gone from start to finish, how we’ve been able to really take command of the defense, and now you see it just all coming together. And the way – the signs of seeing it come together, guys making plays, consistently. And so that’s been good to watch and fun to watch, and we’ve been embracing it. And obviously with making plays comes a lot of celebrations, able to showcase our personality. So, it’s been fun.”
How much did having played for him help you to help these younger guys in this defense?
“Yeah, it’s helped tremendously. Me being in the defense for five years of my career and winning the Super Bowl, just having a lot of experience on tape, able to come in and just be an extra set of eyes and able to share my experience and help guys get up to speed a little quicker.”
How do those three receivers kind of compliment each other?
“They all do something very different, but all dynamic. When you look at T. Higgins, he’s a guy that can sky and get the ball, a lot of those 50-50 balls. Burrow likes him in that situation, and he has the ability to just outreach a lot of defenders. Then a guy like Ja’Marr Chase, he can do it all. Really, what can’t he do? And then (Tyler) Boyd is very good in the slot just underneath, taking command of the middle of the field. So, we got our hands full, man. Everywhere you look, it’s a weapon. You got to bring your A game.”
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