Tag: Denzel Ward

Denzel Ward rewarded for his off-the-field work

Star Cleveland Browns’ cornerback Denzel Ward was named the Week 7 NFLPA Community MVP for his foundation’s work in preventing cardiac arrest

Star Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward was named the Week 7 NFLPA Community MVP. Ward through his charity, Make Them Know Your Name Foundation, placed 100 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) throughout Cleveland. Cardiac health has been vital to Ward since his father passed from a cardiac arrest in 2016.

Ward hosted a CPR training class in October as part of the Browns’ official launch announcement of their new facilities. Ward was one of 11 NFL players to serve in the American Heart Association’s 2024 Nation of Lifesavers Player Ambassador class.

For winning the award, the NFLPA will donate $10,000 to Ward’s foundation or charity of choice. Ward is also eligible for the Alan Page Community Award, the NFLPA’s highest player honor, including an additional $100,000 donation.

Ward has given his all to Cleveland since returning home in 2018. On the field, he’s been one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. He’s been an even better leader off the field. The Browns are lucky to have a high-character player who is easy to root for while the team struggles.

Browns have four players exit Commanders’ game

Cleveland Browns starters Denzel Ward and Charlie Hughlett are ruled out against the Washington Commanders. Defensive starters Grant Delpit and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah are questionable to return.

Cleveland Browns lost a rash of starters during the third quarter against the Washington Commanders. Two two longtime starters were ruled out. Franchise cornerback Denzel Ward exited the game with a hamstring injury.  The Browns also lost their longest tenured player, long snapper, Charlie Hughlett with a rib injury.

Defensive stars Grant Delpit and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah walked to the locker room with medical trainers during the third quarter. They are questionable to return. The Browns have struggled to stay healthy during the start of the season.

Denzel Ward had a rough game against the Commanders. Ward was beat one time on a deep ball after Ward failed to gauge the ball’s distance and tried undercutting the long pass. Ward wasn’t aware of how good Jayden Daniels is. Daniels tested Ward during the second quarter and Ward almost intercepted the pass. A Commanders’ receiver broke up the pass at the catch point.

Hughlett has battled injuries all season. The Browns brought in long snapper Rex Sunahara during the preseason to give Hughlett time to recover. The Browns might bring back the local standout if Hughlett doesn’t recover.

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3 reasons for optimism for Raiders as they face the Browns Sunday

All may not be lost for the Raiders. There are reasons for hope this week.

All isn’t lost for the Raiders this week. They may have lost to a bad Panthers team in Week three, but they get another shot against another struggling team in Week four. Neither team should feel confident going into this one. And here are a few reasons for optimism if you’re the Raiders.

Both Browns starting tackles out

The Raiders may be without both their starting edge rushers – Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce – but the Browns are without their starting tackles – Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills. Granted Crosby and Koonce are bigger losses for the Raiders than Conklin and Wills are to the Browns, but perhaps it evens the playing field a bit.

The Raiders have been looking for former seventh overall pick Tyree Wilson to start showing his draft potential and there’s no time like the present. He figures to get the bulk of the snaps at edge in his game, with the Janarius Robinson, Charles Snowden and former top pick K’Lavon Chaisson rotating in and splitting time at the other end spot.

Deshaun Watson is terrible

No amount of massaging can make Deshaun Watson’s stats look anything but terrible. He’s just plain bad. He has yet to crack 200 yards passing this season and the offense’s best game was when they scored 18 points without him throwing a touchdown. His season passer rating is a pathetic 71.4. And he hasn’t been making up for it on the ground either. He has 14 carries for 85 yards this season.

Then there’s this gem.

Oh, and did I mention he’s already been sacked 16 times this season?!

Zero interceptions

The Browns defense is one of just five teams in the NFL without an interception on the season. The Raiders do tend to have a way of ending such futility streaks, but it’s at least a sign of hope that they aren’t facing an opportunistic defense.

That doesn’t mean Gardner Minshew should just be throwing it all over the yard willy-nilly. The Browns still have one of the better cornerbacks in the league in Denzel Ward, even if Ward hasn’t gotten his hands on one yet.

Also see: 3 causes for concern for Raiders vs Browns

There is no better cornerback in the NFL than Denzel Ward right now

Denzel Ward is the best cornerback so far in the 2024 NFL season according to advanced statistics

Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward is playing some of the best football in the league as he plays through his seventh season in the NFL.

Ward is locking down his third of the field and making it impossible for quarterbacks to throw it his way. He ranks at the top of most cornerback statistics. Ward has the second highest coverage grade, according to PFF, and the third highest forced incompletion rate in the league. NFL’s Next Gen Stats ranks him first in tight windows forced.

Ward has been sticky in man coverage. Ward followed Malik Nabers in the second half and shut down the rookie’s fantastic first half. The Browns must decide if they want Ward shadowing the opposing number one receiver or if the team wants him to shut down the left side of the field.

The Browns won’t make the choice on Sunday when they take on the Las Vegas Raiders. Star wide receiver Devante Adams has been ruled out of the game. Ward should have a solid outing against one of the league’s worst passing attacks.

Denzel Ward’s pitch count vs. Jaguars was not part of the plan

You may have noticed Denzel Ward didn’t play a lot against the Jaguars. Here is why:

Cleveland Browns premier starting corner back Denzel Ward has been cleared to play against the New York Giants this Sunday, but was not a big part of the game plan that won the teams first game last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Ward was nursing a shoulder injury that was serious enough that the team planned to give him a pitch count during the game. However, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz revealed that Ward only getting 11 snaps was not a part of the plan but that he came off the field early unable to tackle.

Ward’s stats so far signify that, as he’s recorded four pass breakups but only a single tackle.

Ward was used very sparingly throughout the rest of the game and only played on clear passing downs.

After a few limited practices this week, Ward has not only been cleared to play but doesn’t carry an injury designation at all.

This is encouraging news for a defense that found its groove against the Jaguars largely without him. He’ll now be expecting to tame the exciting rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers who exploded for 10 receptions, 127 yards, and his first score last week against the Washington Commanders.

Giants’ Daniel Jones says Malik Nabers will bounce back after drop

New York Giants QB Daniel Jones is confident that rookie WR Malik Nabers will overcome his costly drop that led to a Giants loss last week.

New York Giants rookie receiver Malik Nabers knows he “let his team down” with a key drop late in last Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders.

If Nabers reeled in the fourth down pass from quarterback Daniel Jones on the Washington 10-yard-line, the Giants most likely would have gone on to win the game. Instead, they would eventually lose, 21-18, in the final seconds.

“It’s just a moment I’ve got to put behind me and continue to go out there and catch extra passes after practice,” Nabers told reporters on Wednesday. “I’ve been doing it anyway, but just keep on trying to get catches afterward.”

The drop has obviously been on the rookie’s mind but he knows there are better times ahead. He just might use it as motivation to be even better.

“You’ve got to keep your head down, work a little bit harder,” he said. “Stay together with the people in this locker room and stay together as a team.”

Jones doesn’t believe that drop will weigh too heavily on Nabers, who caught 10 passes for 127 yards and his first NFL touchdown in the game.

“He’s a competitor and holds himself to a high standard. I think you realize that pretty quickly spending any time with him. He expects to make every play,” Jones told reporters on Wednesday. “It was a tough one for him, but I know he’ll bounce back. He’s a confident guy, and I think it was pretty clear we wouldn’t have been in that situation without his performance and all he had done throughout the game. He’ll be back, and he’ll continue to be a huge part of what we do.”

Nabers was targeted 18 times in the game. He has 25 targets over the first two games this season; only the Los Angeles Rams’ Cooper Kupp (27) has more. Nabers’ 193 receiving yards are currently the fourth-highest in the NFL.

Jones knows his success will be directly tied to Nabers’. He likes what he’s seen so far.

“He’s done a really good job. Come in and played well,” Jones said. “I think in matchup situations where he’s one-on-one with a guy, he’s won and made explosive plays for us time and time again. He’s done a good job and been a big help to us so far.”

This week, Nabers will face off against Cleveland’s three-time Pro Bowl cornerback, Denzel Ward, who is second in passes defensed through the first two weeks of this season.

Although Ward is a very capable corner, he could get some help from teammates to ensure Nabers doesn’t break their backs. Jones said the Giants are fully aware that Nabers has become a focus for opposing defenses this early in his career.

“I think guys can get doubled in different ways. In zone coverage, in man coverage and how you scheme or how you respond to that depends on that. But we’re confident he can beat double coverage,” he said.

If Nabers is truly the Giants’ next superstar, he can continue to forge that legacy this week with a bounce-back performance.

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Gimme Him: One player Giants would steal from Browns

The New York Giants have increasingly desperate needs at cornerback, so this player would be an obvious choice to steal from the Browns.

The New York Giants (0-2) will visit the Cleveland Browns (1-1) at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio this Sunday.

That, of course, provides those of us here at Giants Wire the opportunity to hypothetically steal from the Browns’ roster in search of depth and/or talent upgrades for Big Blue.

Immediately, our eyes are drawn to defensive end Myles Garrett and how could they not be? Garrett is a game-changing edge rusher who provides a consistent weekly presence, which is something the Giants do not have with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns. However, given the numbers at the position and financial allocation, Garrett is really more of a want than a need.

Tight end David Njoku is another extremely tempting option and likely would have been our choice if the Giants didn’t have much more pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Ultimately, we settled on cornerback Denzel Ward as our theft of choice.

A former first-round draft pick (No. 4 overall), Ward has carved out a nice career for himself since 2018. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team that year and has been named to three Pro Bowls, including last season when he allowed a reception percentage of just 51.5%.

In 81 career games (78 starts), Ward has recorded 274 tackles (10 for a loss), five QB hits, 0.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 80 passes defensed, 15 interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns.

Although Ward is a little weak against the run, he’s stout in coverage and would be an immediate upgrade over Cor’Dale Flott and Nick McCloud on the outside.

What are your thoughts, Giants fans? Would you pick Denzel Ward or would you steal an entirely different player from the Cleveland Browns?

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Key matchups for Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns

Key matchups for Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns

Coming off a tough loss in South Florida, the Jacksonville Jaguars are set for their home opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday as both teams look to avoid an 0-2 start. 

This week Jacksonville looks to be more consistent with its offensive production while Cleveland is again forced to deal with quarterback Deshaun Watson and his off-field issues as the Browns await the return of all-world running back Nick Chubb.

Week 2 will give both teams a better picture of what and who they are moving forward into the 2024 campaign. The Jaguars hope for better execution in their offensive approach following their blown lead to the Miami Dolphins.

With that in mind, Jaguars Wire is here to identify some key matchups for Jacksonville’s Week 2 matchup with Cleveland. Here are three matchups the Jaguars must win to avoid a winless start to the season.

Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson vs. Jacksonville’s defense

One of the key takeaways from this past Sunday was the Jaguars’ admirable defensive performance against the explosive Dolphins offense. They mostly limited significant explosive plays and generated four-man pressures through their front four.

Browns head coach and play-caller Kevin Stefanski is known for his offensive creativity and has put Watson in positions to succeed. But since returning from suspension nearly two seasons ago, the former Clemson standout has yet to return to his pre-2021 form.

Watson’s performance against the Dallas Cowboys offered a clear sign of his current abilities.

According to Next Gen Stats, Watson was pressured on 44.6% of dropbacks, finishing 5-of-17 for 22 yards against pressure while being sacked six times. His 23.2 percent dropback success rate was the lowest in a game in the Next Gen Stats era.

Watson has declined, and the Jaguars have the defense to force him off his spot and into bad decisions. Plus, Jacksonville has the athletic defenders necessary to stick with Watson in quarterback contain.

If defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s unit can generate pressures and rattle Watson early, it should be a good day for Jacksonville.

Jacksonville’s offensive line vs. Cleveland’s defensive line

The trenches will be a key matchup in this game but none more crucial than the Jaguars offensive line against the Browns stellar pass rush, led by All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett.

Jacksonville’s front five did a decent job of protecting franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence against the Dolphins, allowing a pressure rate of 32%, ranking No. 14 in the NFL in Week 1.

However, Cleveland defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is arguably the best in the game at his position and finds ways of consistently getting to the QB. Against the Cowboys, most of the Browns’ pressures came from a defensive front featuring three defensive ends and one defensive tackle.

Having an extra edge rusher lined up at the three-technique could prove disadvantageous for Jacksonville’s guards due to the speed and quickness of Cleveland’s rushers. Schwartz will likely deploy this fairly often in passing situations.

The biggest concern will be if the Jaguars can limit Garrett, arguably the best pass rusher in the world. This offensive line will also have to account for defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris, and defensive ends Za’Darius Smith and Alex Wright.

Jacksonville seems up for the challenge considering its Week 1 performance. Right guard Brandon Scherff must have a better game after an up-and-down showing in Miami. However, left guard Ezra Cleveland and center Mitch Morse held their own against the Dolphins and can build upon their performances this week. 

Tackles Cam Robinson and Anton Harrison will have a lot on their plate Sunday, but another solid day from these five linemen could signal success for the Jaguars in Week 2. 

Jacksonville’s skill players vs. Cleveland’s back-seven

Once again, the Jaguars’ group of offensive skill players will face another tough secondary only this time on their home turf.

The Browns have a defensive unit that allowed a negative .20 expected points added (EPA) per play allowed. Their back seven is led by star linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward with more quality defenders roaming the second and third level.

For most teams, including Jacksonville, facing Cleveland’s back seven is a tall task. Nevertheless, the Jaguars have last week’s first-half performance to go off of when it comes to taking on other stout back seven defenders.

Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. must be a focal point Sunday. The offense was humming when he was being targeted and he adds a level of explosiveness and playmaking ability this unit has not had in quite some time. His zero targets in the second half were inexcusable.

This weekend could be a good time for the Jaguars to deploy Evan Engram into the passing game in his new versatile role as the F-move tight end and fullback. He could be the X-factor against a tough Browns secondary.

Finding explosive plays and getting the ball to the team’s best playmakers will be another crucial aspect in their pursuit of a home-opener victory. 

Denzel Ward didn’t consider retiring after last concussion

Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward said he never considered retiring after his fifth concussion.

After clearing the concussion protocol, Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward spoke to the media. Ward said he never considered retiring after his fifth concussion in the NFL. The Cleveland native sounded thankful for the fan’s concerns but reiterated his love and commitment to the sport. Telling reporters, 

“I’ve done a lot of research and met with concussion specialists. They gave me the knowledge I needed, so I’m not too concerned about it. I know people worry about the number and everything, but I can’t let that affect me. I’m still looking forward to getting back out there. I’m glad to be playing again”

The cornerback had a constructive meeting with the neurologist. Ward said he is wearing one of the new position-specific helmets to help reduce the chance of concussion this season. Ward will sport the new helmet for the first time in a game against CeeDee Lamb and the Dallas Cowboys. He put the top receivers on notice when talking about walking away. Ward told reporters, “I can’t let the receivers off that easy in this league. I’m looking forward to giving them a hard time.”

It’s understandable why Ward doesn’t want to leave the game. Ward played his best season last year. The cornerback was a force in the run game and locked down the best receivers. NFL executives noticed his play last season, ranking him as a top cornerback in the NFL. 

Ward’s talent is continuing to mature. His teammates have recognized it too. They voted him a team captain this year for the first time in his career. If he can finish this season healthy, I believe he will be a first-team All-Pro selection.

Ward has been the hometown hero the city needed after he was drafted with the fourth pick overall. He helped revolutionize the Browns from laughable losers into a perennial playoff contender. He is helping many people in the Cleveland area through his charity. The love between him and the city worries about his long-term health. It’s what makes the concern over his concussions such a contentious topic. The fanbase wants the best for him and his health in the short and long term. The talented cornerback will hopefully be a future helmet safety technology success story.

Denzel Ward taking further precaution after his fifth concussion

The Pro Bowl cornerback is looking to take further health precautions by wearing a new piece of equipment

Cleveland Browns star cornerback Denzel Ward has announced that he will wear a more protective helmet this season. Ward was recently welcomed back to practice after being absent for a short time in the concussion protocol. The image of the protective helmet design has not been released nor have we seen Denzel wear it in practice.

This news comes after Ward suffered his fifth concussion since he entered the league in 2018. There were speculations and rumors that the Pro Bowl corner was thinking about forfeiting the remainder of his contract and retiring from football. With around $50 million still on his contract, this would’ve been a shock around the league. The Browns defensive back took to the podium on Thursday to announce that was never the case.

Even though Ward is introducing a new helmet, his playstyle is something he refuses to change. The Browns star appears to be confident, healthy, and ready to take on the challenges of this season as we approach Week 1.