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https://923thefan.radio.com/articles/gregg-williams-says-denzel-ward-needs-be-tougher-healthier


Browns Notes: Gregg Williams criticizes Denzel Ward's "stupid" tackle that led to back injury

Defensive coordinator says Ward needs to be tougher, stay on the field

Daryl Ruiter
August 26, 2018 - 2:13 pm

Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) tackles Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Ward was injured on the play.

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Categories:
NFL
Browns

Berea, OH (92.3 The Fan) – As teammates knelt around rookie cornerback Denzel Ward Thursday night, Gregg Williams wasn’t too concerned.

He was frustrated.

Williams did not like the way Ward tried to tackle Eagles tight end Zach Ertz, which led to a back injury later diagnosed as back spasms.

“I was glad to hear that and maybe he’ll finally listen to me and stop doing those stupid things the way he’s trying to tackle and tackle the way I tell him to tackle and he won’t get hurt,” Williams said.

After catching a short pass from quarterback Nick Foles, Ertz went airborne as Ward ducked his shoulders to try and bring him down. As the two collides, Ward twisted awkwardly on the ground while trying to wrap the 6-5, 250-pound tight end up.

“I'm not worried as much about the wrap-up part of it. It's about getting the guy to the ground,” Williams said. “A lot of times what you do is you cut the guy. He should have cut the guy at that time right there instead of a 290-pound man running over his face.”

Like head coach Hue Jackson, Williams has grown tired of Ward’s nagging injuries and he made it known on several occasions while answering questions about the No. 4 pick in the draft from Ohio State.

“At this level, you have to stay healthy every day. As a pro, you have to understand there are so many things you have to do in a 24-hour day that it's your job to stay healthy,” Williams said echoing comments made by Jackson on Friday. “And I tell them all the time, there's two words that begin with the letter A they have to own to be a professional football player. One's accountable. The next one's available. When you're not available, you're working on your training room internships.”

Ward had a hip flexor injury on May 4 during rookie minicamp that caused him to miss 2 of the 3 practices and an ankle injury during training camp caused him to leave a practice on Aug 13 before retuning the next day. He’s been limited during practice on several occasions.

“Rookies have to understand this is not a scholarship league. You have to stay healthy and be on the field. If you're not on the field, then you're not helping us, and that's what you have to do. You have to be on the field and play.”

Ward is clearly in Williams' doghouse.

“He needs to make sure he's doing all the things he needs to do to stay on the field,” Williams said. “Otherwise, hey, he's not a football player.”





It seems like Williams is trying to make Ward tougher ... maybe growing tired of the bumps and bruises that aren't really injuries.

Ward has a TON to live up to ... if he's just average (or even above average) it's a big waste for us

I didn't like this pick at four. He most likely would've been available later.

but he would not have been there when the Browns picked next .. the first pick of the second round.

i think he means we should have taken Denver's offer to slide back (or any other offer)

I think this pick wasnt warrented in the first round, BUT, he will be fine as a CB. He has to grow into the role.

Please reiterate this when we are calling him an island the next several seasons.

You guys are nuts, this kid is a great player. The way he tackled the guy is what hurt him. He went at him like he was his size. That is being tough. He needs to learn that he is smaller, I get that, but he is fearless and IMO anybody questioning his play is a fool.

I wish some of the other bigger guys would watch the way he tackles, maybe they could learn something.

Every bit worth the 4Th overall. Time will show I am right about this.

I hope you're correct! I'll buy you a dinner if he's ever an All-Pro selection ... if he's not, you can do it for me

I'd rather have taken that defensive end, don't remember if he was there or not but...

If he does like Jabaal Sheard and outshines his highlight reel, I'm not gonna complain. I'm an OSU fan, but not a homer.

I wanted Chubb too.

We better hope:
A. Ward shines
B. Ogbah shines

This thread is mind-boggling.

First of all, Williams is criticizing Ward for wrapping guys up? Seriously?

Secondly, did Hue criticize Ward? I missed it.

Finally, are some of you nuts? Ward was the one pick that made sense and he has flashed on the screen.

Exactly. Right again Vers

Thats how I understand it.

Genard Avery helps to even the score imo.

Ward will come around with experience.

Ogbah/Nassib are going to see alot more snaps inside on rushing downs.

With Williams new look defense ... the
name of which escapes me at the moment.

So we will still be able to maximize our talent their.

He doesn't want a small DB to take on a big TE straight up, wants him to tackle low when it's an option. Smart IMO.

And yeah so far so good with Ward.

Browns DC Gregg Williams After Denzel Ward's Injury: He Needs to Tackle Better

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2792...o-tackle-better




Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams believes poor tackling contributed to cornerback Denzel Ward's recent back injury.

"Maybe he will finally listen to me and stop doing those stupid things the ways he is trying to tackle and maybe tackle the way I tell him to tackle and he will not get hurt," Williams said, per ESPN.com.

Ward was forced to leave Thursday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles early because of back spasms after trying to tackle tight end Zach Ertz.

The rookie was able to return to practice Saturday, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal, but there is apparently still some concern about his tackling technique.

"What you do is you cut the guy," Williams explained. "He should have cut the guy that time right there instead of a 290-pound man running over his face."

Ward was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft thanks mostly to his ability in coverage, although there are some concerns about his size at 5'11", 190 pounds. He only had 37 total tackles last season at Ohio State and has never made much of an impact in the run game.

As his coach sees it, the problem is less to do with his size and more about poor technique on the field.

Considering Williams has been a coach in the NFL since 1990 and is in his 17th year as a defensive coordinator, he likely knows what he is talking about on this topic.

I have often seen players go for the cut and thought why dont they tackle correctly and wrap them up? Well apparently its how they are coached for their safety I had no idea.

The first couple pre-season games, I thought Ward looked like a beast. He wasn't timid, he got right in there and tackled, played great. That may sound weird, but in the past we've had players that just stand there and wait for the guy to come to them, hence giving them an extra 5 yards plus.

jc...

j/c

I think taking this thing out in public was stupid. It should have been kept in house. Berating your players in public is a stupid thing to do.

Loved Ward, I was actually worried that the FO was going to think like posters on this board "not worth the #4".


Literally no one would say that about Marshawn Lattimore right now. Ward was faster, better hips and just as athletic as Lattimore and Ward never had a history of injuries like Lattimore did.

Not worth the 4 is arguable but I wouldn't agree with it. Not worth a 1st round is absolute nonsense. I am far more critical of taking Baker at #1 than I am Ward at #4.

Berating? He said he needs to tackle better. This is the NFL, if a certain player can’t take a little public criticism, maybe they’re in the wrong profession.

It's not about "taking it". There's just no need or call to take it public. None.

No, he's criticizing him for going low like he did, getting himself into an awkward position and THEN trying to wrap him up.

If you are going for the midsection and driving through him, then wrap him up.. if you are going down around the knees, then just cut him but don't wrap him up.

A. Not berating
B. He's a rookie and needs to stay humble... and listen to coaching.

No big deal in my eyes.

If you are hoping for a "by the book", PC kind of coach, you aren't going to like Williams very much.

I'm not looking for a PC coach. Just looking for one to keep comments on players in house. There's a difference between PC and having a little class. There was no need for a public statement about it.

It's funny how fans blow a gasket when players talk to the press about things that happen within the team and then go to bat for a coach doing the same thing.

Yeah, he isn't the sort to care too much about someone's feelings.

Also, we don't know just how many times it has already been addressed in-house.... but, we do know that it has. So, it started off in-house, then he got himself injured, now it's public because his injury made it public.

Yeah, the injury forced the coach to criticize the player publicly. That's it.

The phrase "play stupid games, win stupid prizes" comes to mind.

and yes, I'd say that the player being dumb enough to hurt himself doing exactly what he has been getting coached to NOT do and the coach then getting openly asked about that by the media most DEFINITELY is opening the door for the coach to send a very loud and clear message - publicly - to said stupid player. Maybe THIS TIME he will take the coaching.

j/c:

I'm not worried about Williams making it public. What I am worried about is if Williams is out of his mind. Despite what DC said, wrapping up is not a "bad" thing. Do you know how many tackles are missed due to guys not "wrapping up?" Furthermore, w/the new helmet rule, guys just "cutting" players will be much more prone to being called for penalties.

I really think Williams is misguided on this one.

Yeah, coaching. That's what talking to the media about what's going on in the locker room is called, coaching.

Ward went from Urban’s penthouse with plenty of safe spaces to Williams World ... talk about a culture change ... *L* ...

DBs are taught to cut players who are much larger than them . You dont want your 185 lb cover corner squaring up with a 235 lb RB . What Williams has said is 100% correct.

I disagree. You can go low, but you should still wrap. Dudes can't run w/out their feet. I think Williams is wrong on this one. Think about how many times announcers and fans have complained about poor tackling in the modern game. Launching your body like a missile only to bounce of the guy you are tackling is not sound, fundamental tackling.

I agree. Of all the guys to criticize.

OPn the video clip - around 44 seconds, Williams says exactly that. "It depends on the players size" ... and he referred to the same thing elsewhere talking about Ward taking on a 290 lb TE ... I don't have an issue. I don't think Williams is telling Ward not to wrap up tackle .... I think he's saying the #1 thing is protect yourself and instead of a head on wrap up - you 'cut' from the side. . . you can still wrap up but you avoid the guys momentum hitting you.