He became the first top-10 pick in the common draft era with multiple interceptions in his NFL debut, according to Elias Sports Bureau research. -- Johnson
Just wanted to say, man oh man, guys. do yall realize that we haven't had a rookie CB play like this for the Browns since Anthony Henry got 10 picks in 2001?
I'm super excited about his potential right now. obviously its just one game, and there's gonna be some bump in the roads. but as far as overall performance, you couldnt ask for a better individual start to a season than that.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
I feel a certain level of responsibility to try to dampen everyone's enthusiasm a little bit. He's a rookie CB, he's not going to get 2 picks/game for the rest of the year. He's gonna struggle at some point.
That said, he was drafted high because Dorsey and Co. liked him, and so far he's looked the part. As many have pointed out, even when AB scored that TD on him, Ward had good position. The guy definitely passes the eye test so far.
Him playing at least decent this year, and Garrett studding out will be very VERY fun to watch.
There is no level of sucking we haven't seen; in fact, I'm pretty sure we hold the patents on a few levels of sucking NOBODY had seen until the past few years.
Versatile, I voted for him as well and your description is accurate. Full disclosure, when we took baker at 1 I threw my slipper at the tv (I wanted darnold or Rosen). When we took Denzel at 4 I threw the other slipper (I wanted Chubb). We have not seen baker yet but they hit the jackpot with Denzel. I do not think any other defensive player we drafted there would have improved our defense as much as Denzel has. I’ll bet Gregg Williams loved this choice. Congrats brown’s mgmt team. Great choice !!!
I was exaggerating. My point is I don't want to have fans seesawing on him as we go through the season. He has a ton of talent, which can result in games like this past Sunday... and he's an undersized rookie, which can result in less than stellar games.
There is no level of sucking we haven't seen; in fact, I'm pretty sure we hold the patents on a few levels of sucking NOBODY had seen until the past few years.
What I hope this past week helps to dispel is that Wards size is a hindrance. He matches up well with larger WR's and gets very good position on them. I am admittedly and OSU fan. But when it comes to the draft I'm certainly not an OSU homer. I know it may not be the popular opinion, but Ward may end up an even better selection than Myles Garret.
The pressure of Garret combined with the coverage of Ward may be the best one/two punch in the NFL over time.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Ward's closing speed flashes on the screen. He is also a very physical tackler. Did you see that hit he put on Conner?
I most certainly did! See, we come from a time that those are the type of hits that mean a lot. When you impose your will on your opponents by being physical that way, it can swing the momentum in a game on a dime. It's not just a single hit as some may see it. It's a statement about attitude. An attitude this team has sorely been lacking. It's an ingredient that helps turn teams from a loser into a winner. A mountain this team has to climb.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Good point. I thought our team in general played w/more physicality than we have in the past. I think guys like Landry and Ward can help set an attitude. I thought we also pounded the Steelers D on our first TD drive. That was fun to watch.
This team has a ways to go, but this is the most positive I have been about the Browns in a decade.
The same goes for me. I think we agree that attitude helps set the tone for a team. And we have drafted and signed players who help bring that attitude.
That doesn't turn a losing team into a winning team all on its own. But it is one of they key ingredients it takes to accomplish that. I believe we're seeing the beginning of a turn around here. It will take more players and some time. But I truly believe we're headed in the right direction. That's more than I've been feeling for a very long time.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Yeah pumped about Ward. Loved his two picks but that only tells part of the story. AS already mentioned above... great closing speed, smart, tough, and a football player! We've drafted many a great athlete before, look no further than Justin Gilbert and Corey Coleman, but they were missing the mental fortitude and the "want to". Loved the pick on draft day and love the pick now!
Versatile, I voted for him as well and your description is accurate. Full disclosure, when we took baker at 1 I threw my slipper at the tv (I wanted darnold or Rosen). When we took Denzel at 4 I threw the other slipper (I wanted Chubb). We have not seen baker yet but they hit the jackpot with Denzel. I do not think any other defensive player we drafted there would have improved our defense as much as Denzel has. I’ll bet Gregg Williams loved this choice. Congrats brown’s mgmt team. Great choice !!!
What’d u throw wehn we took Corbett and Chubb dawg ...
What I hope this past week helps to dispel is that Wards size is a hindrance. He matches up well with larger WR's and gets very good position on them. I am admittedly and OSU fan. But when it comes to the draft I'm certainly not an OSU homer. I know it may not be the popular opinion, but Ward may end up an even better selection than Myles Garret.
The pressure of Garret combined with the coverage of Ward may be the best one/two punch in the NFL over time.
Its funny u should say that about MG/Ward ...
As i was watching the game last night at some point there was a shot of Goff/Gurley .. and i thought ... man ... those two together for years ... how cool is that for Lambs fans ,... and then i thought of MG/Ward as our version of that on D ... that thought put an ear to ear smile on my face ...
The same goes for me. I think we agree that attitude helps set the tone for a team. And we have drafted and signed players who help bring that attitude.
That doesn't turn a losing team into a winning team all on its own. But it is one of they key ingredients it takes to accomplish that. I believe we're seeing the beginning of a turn around here. It will take more players and some time. But I truly believe we're headed in the right direction. That's more than I've been feeling for a very long time.
U know what i’m Gonna do for u and VERS ... when your ready to join us on the Isle ... i’m Gonna come pick u two up myself ... *L* ...
We’ve been the REALISTS on this board forever ... personally picking u two up is the least i can do and it would be my honor to bring u two to the Isle ...
U and i are gonna go below decks and have it out over the classless thing ... then we’ll depart for the Isle with smiles on our faces and nuttin but good thoughts ...
He is very good and I am a huge fan of him, but I want to clue you guys in on something. In the Steeler Breakdown thread that Swish started, I said we should have Ward cover JJ a lot and put Mitchell on AB and then roll our coverage towards AB. That happened a lot. Mitchell was on AB a lot and Randall helped.
Now, that wasn't always the case and Ward did a great job on AB when he covered him. However, he did not follow AB all over the field. I think Mitchell was on him [w/help] more often than Ward was.
I will say that Ward did not get the extra help when he covered AB. Well, I can't go that far. I'll just say that on the plays I noticed. Sometimes, it is hard to tell on TV.
I have a question for you guys. I keep hearing the "drag routes" being brought up. What is a drag route in your eyes. Don't freaking google it. What number is it on the route tree?
Ward is very sudden and has some pop to him, that's for sure. He's looked better than I hoped.
Let's hope it continues with Michael Thomas.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
I know he exceeded my expectations. He is gonna struggle at times but the speed and reaction he has when in coverage looked noticable on TV. He seemed to always be in the right place. I love this pick !
You dont have to win every game just the next one!
I know he exceeded my expectations. He is gonna struggle at times but the speed and reaction he has when in coverage looked noticable on TV. He seemed to always be in the right place. I love this pick !
Yeah, even on the AB TD catch, he was in perfect position and the arm was right in there. Just the best WR made a play. Ward just needs to grow his intelligence and etc more and he'll rely less on his speed and reaction and he'll be true lock down.
We've definitely got some "real" football players on the team now - ballers. Ward instantly and obviously fits into that category. I'm uber impressed with everything he's done so far. He's sort of the Anti-Peppers. He (allegedly) lacks the ideal physical tools but excels at his craft. Peppers apparently is physically exceptional - but can't tackle and takes poor angles to the ball when in open space. . . . I haven't given up on Peppers and realize he was wayyyy out of his ideal position last year - and I didn't notice him much on D last week which is a good thing. But the contrast between the 2 players and their natural balling instincts to me is stark.
The more things change the more they stay the same.
I know he exceeded my expectations. He is gonna struggle at times but the speed and reaction he has when in coverage looked noticable on TV. He seemed to always be in the right place. I love this pick !
Yeah, even on the AB TD catch, he was in perfect position and the arm was right in there. Just the best WR made a play. Ward just needs to grow his intelligence and etc more and he'll rely less on his speed and reaction and he'll be true lock down.
Any DB would have given up that TD, unless they went with DPI. As you said, perfect position on that play.
After watching Hard Knocks it became clear that the vibe in this team was different.
The roster has turned over 59%. That is a big change. So over half the guys are just going about there business without any baggage or hang over from last year.
The majority of the team have under 4 years in the league. So the stage is being set for long term improvement.
We have some playmakers. Guys with bonafide talent. Garrett, Landry, Gordon, Ward. We have some solid starters Bitonio, Kirksey, Schobert, Ogunjobi, Ogbah, Mitchell, Randall, Zeitler. And we have better depth at some positions.
For this year Tyrod has to play better. We shall see if that actually happens. It is a good thing that he can run. At the same time it is not good. Yes he can take off and gain some valuable yards. However, he risks injury. In addition if he doesn't learn to anticipate better and get rid of the ball the whole passing game suffers.
The OL will need time to develop into a true unit. In order for the run game and pass game to succeed it has to happen.
It was clear in the pre-season that the defense is for real.
If the defense can stay healthy they should keep us in games. That will define this season.
The first player taken in the draft sits. That is a good thing for now. My hope is that he remains sitting until at least half the season is over. Best case scenario he remains there for the year. That would be because Tyrod is having success and we are winning.
However, Baker is the future. He has been impressive both on and off the field. Overall he has handled himself as good as can be asked. He plays with confidence and decisiveness. He displays accuracy, excellent ball placement, and touch. The team responds to him and he has earned their confidence.
So as much as I want Tyrod to succeed I am anxious to see Baker play.
Time will tell how that all plays out this year. Next year it will be the Baker show.
You said it. I do agree with most of what you said bone. I'm in the same boat with Tyrod as well. I'm all for giving him the reins right now ... but IMO he was bad last game. He's gotta be better for us ... if he's not, Baker legit gives us a better chance to win.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Isn't this a thread about Ward? The guy is looking great. There are threads where we can talk about Baker, but Ward deserves his due.
my apologies once again to you
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
I remember we lost both Lattimore and Conley at corners and Hooker at FS. All three went in the first round of the draft. I'm thinking we were screwed and in the very first game of the year, Ward just jumped off the screen to me.
I love corners w/good closing speed and his is excellent. I think he is an intelligent player and is fundamentally sound. He's probably going to take some lumps because of the crazy NFL rules, but I am almost positive that he is going to be a top corner in this league.
I replied to the wrong poster. Sorry.
Last edited by Versatile Dog; 09/12/1801:33 PM. Reason: Replied to wrong poster.
I remember we lost both Lattimore and Conley at corners and Hooker at FS. All three went in the first round of the draft. I'm thinking we were screwed and in the very first game of the year, Ward just jumped off the screen to me.
I love corners w/good closing speed and his is excellent. I think he is an intelligent player and is fundamentally sound. He's probably going to take some lumps because of the crazy NFL rules, but I am almost positive that he is going to be a top corner in this league.
Actually I "hate" Ohio State...I'm a Weatherhead - Case Western alumni....
But i have no problems with Ohio players in the NFL, would love to have taken Bosa or Zeke in 2016 ,and Malik in 2017. Would love to see Urban has the Browns HC...
Ward, I was not a great fan because of his size, but the kid can ball.
He played against the greatest, and he came out more than all right.
So time for me to shut up and admit I was wrong and that Dorsey was right... 2nd time because I was not a Mahomes fan either...
No problem here, I love to be wrong on this stuff (well with the Ward pick, the Mahomes I couldn't care less).....
I have a question for you guys. I keep hearing the "drag routes" being brought up. What is a drag route in your eyes. Don't freaking google it. What number is it on the route tree?
Drag route is usually a 5-ish yard underneath route that's supposed to go just behind where the Dline, but in front of the linebackers that are usually backing up into passing zones.
If I remember right, it's not even on the standard 9-digit route tree, because the short inside route (#2) is a slant and not a drag. I never played pro though, so I'd assume they'd give it a hexadecimal designation or something to get some extra routes in there.
He is very good and I am a huge fan of him, but I want to clue you guys in on something. In the Steeler Breakdown thread that Swish started, I said we should have Ward cover JJ a lot and put Mitchell on AB and then roll our coverage towards AB. That happened a lot. Mitchell was on AB a lot and Randall helped.
Now, that wasn't always the case and Ward did a great job on AB when he covered him. However, he did not follow AB all over the field. I think Mitchell was on him [w/help] more often than Ward was.
I will say that Ward did not get the extra help when he covered AB. Well, I can't go that far. I'll just say that on the plays I noticed. Sometimes, it is hard to tell on TV.
I have a question for you guys. I keep hearing the "drag routes" being brought up. What is a drag route in your eyes. Don't freaking google it. What number is it on the route tree?
Click on the receiver and flick down on the right stick, duh.
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