'LittlePhatty said:
T.J. Ward - why the slow start?
I haven't watched either of the Cleveland games.
What's the deal?
Is the hamstring bothering him?
Or just a couple of bad matchups?
This could be the reason.The Browns swtiched to a 4-3 base defense.
They had DT Ahtyba Rubin and drafted DT Phil Tailor.
Tailor and Rubin have DOMINATED. Tailor leads all rookie D-Linemen in tackles. Fellow rookie D-Lineman Jabaal Sheard is ranked fourth of all rookie D-Linemen and has switched back to his natural left end position and he got his first. sack, strip, and fumble recovery Sunday.
Looks like an excellent draft class yet again for GM Tom Heckertt and President Mike Holmgren.
Ward's job may have changed due to the unexpected and quick delivery from the defensive switch and strong showing from this rookie class.
He says he doesn't feel the need to come up into the box as much so he's focusing on coverage.
Not good for IDP fantasy crowd but good NFL play.
My link
... During Sunday's 27-19 victory over the Colts, Ward effectively shut down two-time All-Pro tight end Dallas Clark, helping to hold him to 32 yards on four catches. He caught a 6-yard TD against Ward with 24 seconds remaining, but the Browns had the game in hand by then.
"I just tried to focus in," said Ward. "I knew he was going to be one of the main targets. I tried to keep him with no catches. He got that one at the end, but overall, I think we played him as a team pretty well."
... Ward praises rookies: Ward paid compliments to rookie defensive linemen Jabaal Sheard and Phil Taylor.
"I think they're going to have good careers," said Ward. "They're focused, and they work really hard. They'll be two future Hall of Famers and All-Pros."
Ward said the two remind him of himself and cornerback Joe Haden as rookies last year.
Ward also praised the defensive line in general.
"They played outstanding," he said. "Big Phil and Rub [Ahtyba Rubin] in the middle, and Jabaal, he played his butt off, and so did [Jayme] Mitchell. I think those two in the middle are going to make this defense really good.
"It makes me feel like I don't have to come up for any run at all because they have it handled. It lets the corners and safeties play pass and get those interceptions."