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Steve Wilks sees plenty of potential from Browns DB Denzel Ward

New coordinator Steve Wilks sees plenty of potential from Cleveland Browns rookie cornerback Denzel Ward.
Credit: Matt Florjancic
Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Steve Wilks believes the Rooney Rule is working in the NFL.

CLEVELAND — New Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Steve Wilks believes a team can never have enough pass rushers or cornerbacks to cover wide receivers down the field when pressure does not get to opposing quarterbacks.

Fortunately, Wilks, the Browns have a key cog in the secondary, cornerback Denzel Ward, who was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 2018 season, and the veteran coordinator believes that with Ward, there is plenty of potential for growth in the defensive backfield.

“Denzel Ward, a Pro Bowl player, a rookie, a young guy who still has a lot of things to learn and grow into as far as understanding the game and really trying to perfect his craft at this level,” Wilks said. “I am excited about those guys, along with some of the other guys we have in place.”

Credit: Joe Robbins
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) blocks a field goal in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio on October 7, 2018.

A two-time Pepsi Rookie of the Week Award winner (Weeks 1 and 5) and one-time AFC Special Teams Player of the Week (Week 5), Ward was among the AFC’s leaders with three interceptions.

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of The Ohio State University, Ward ranked among first-year players tied for second in interceptions and passes defended, tied for ninth in forced fumbles and tied for first with two fumble recoveries.

In 13 games with the Browns this past season, Ward registered 53 total tackles, 41 solo stops and 12 assists along with 11 passes defended, one forced fumble, two recoveries and three interceptions, which he returned for 26 yards.

“It is disruptive,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said of having a shutdown cornerback. “That is where we talked about balance before. It is not nearly as disruptive if you have other pieces. It is much more disruptive if you don’t. The fewer pieces that you have, the more disruptive one player on the defensive side can be, the same as an edge rusher.

“When you are talking about building a defense, it starts with rushers and corners. That is where it starts. Offensively, it starts with your tackles and your quarterback. That is where you kind of work from those ends.”

Credit: Ken Blaze
Cleveland Browns rookie defensive back Denzel Ward blocked the Baltimore Ravens' field goal try at the end of the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Although there were achievements, Ward struggled to stay on the field, especially late in the regular season, as the Browns played without him in the 2018 finale against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on December 30.

For the second time in a month, Ward missed game action while working his way through the NFL Concussion Protocol after suffering a head injury in a 26-18 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland on December 23.

Ward suffered his second concussion in as many games played when he tried to tackle Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah late in the fourth quarter. As Ward prepared to make the tackle, he lowered his head and hit Uzomah’s left shoulder and stumbled awkwardly on the sideline until teammates and medical personnel could tend to him.

During training camp, former interim coach/defensive coordinator Gregg Williams got on Ward for his tackling techniques after he suffered a back injury while trying to tackle Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz during an exhibition game at FirstEnergy Stadium last August.

“I believe in being aggressive and setting the tone on the defensive side of the ball, but we have to make sure that he is doing it to where he can make sure he can maintain 16-plus games throughout the year, so we have to teach him the right way,” Wilks said.

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