I think we (or maybe just I) really underestimated TJ Ward

[mz.]

Adams? I dunno. I still have this gut feeling that Sheldon Brown will start at FS for us this season.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by mz.

Adams? I dunno. I still have this gut feeling that Sheldon Brown will start at FS for us this season.

I would love to see that and it might depend on how healthy they are coming out of camp. I could see Brown and Ward with Adams coming in for nickle situations and have Brown move inside as the nickle guy and Adams move to FS.

I also could see them taking out the safety and playing 4 corners at times because Brown and Haden have shown to be strong against the run.

Nice to have some flexability for a change. Also nice to have some competition in the defensive backfield. Guys are going to have to go out and win a job.

[Sez.EJ]

I want a guy who knocks the dognsnot out of people.. and cover..

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by Sez.EJ

I want a guy who knocks the dognsnot out of people.. and cover..

I think the Browns took Ward because they think he could be that kind of guy. This guy could be a multiple pro bowler or on injured reserved every year.

This very well could be a defining pick. Haden is the real thing and IMO will be a beast, but Ward could be just as good, if not better. Damn, I hope he can stay healthy.

[Riffer X]

I think the Browns are not committing nor discussing publicly what their intentions are with he secondary for one simple reason----they don't know the rotation either.

I assume they are going to get a good look at everybody in camp and then put the best 4 out there to start. IMO, it will be Wright and Haden at CB with Ward and Brown at safety playing basically interchangeable roles. Things will change up with Bmac, Elam, Adams and Assante all pressing for time given the scheme, down and distance and overall matchups.

I don't buy for a second that Wright could be an odd man out of the starters, no way. Brown will get moved if Haden comes on in camp and has the confidence of the coaches, then it will be a matter of Ward winning the safety job over Adams and Assante. I believe Ward will do that, as long as the injury history doesn't pop up again. There might be a lot of rotating guys to get the rookies time and experience, we will have to see.

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by Riffer X

I think the Browns are not committing nor discussing publicly what their intentions are with he secondary for one simple reason----they don't know the rotation either.

I assume they are going to get a good look at everybody in camp and then put the best 4 out there to start. IMO, it will be Wright and Haden at CB with Ward and Brown at safety playing basically interchangeable roles. Things will change up with Bmac, Elam, Adams and Assante all pressing for time given the scheme, down and distance and overall matchups.

I don't buy for a second that Wright could be an odd man out of the starters, no way. Brown will get moved if Haden comes on in camp and has the confidence of the coaches, then it will be a matter of Ward winning the safety job over Adams and Assante. I believe Ward will do that, as long as the injury history doesn't pop up again. There might be a lot of rotating guys to get the rookies time and experience, we will have to see.

Great points. I also expect to see Ryan using a lot of wild packages and blitz schemes and such that will take advantage of each guys strength early on until the younger guys round out their skill sets.

[PlaygroundLegend]

Reports in that Ward has pretty much sealed up that FS spot like I thought!

Thats pretty awesome, there was a report today when Mangini mentioned that he made a great awareness play and that playing on the first team has really brought him up to speed.

I think he's faster than his 40-time suggests, and from other reports Ive read from camp, he seems like a coverage MACHINE, which is interesting because he was known for his hits in college, not his coverage skills.

that heckert quote still baffles me "we think he can cover..." kind of an underwhelming comment about a top second round safety, but looks like Heckert was right, I think Heckert and Holmgren were EXACTLY what Mangini NEEDED.

Mangini is an ex D-backs coach, he must LOVE this draft, he gets to coach up Haden and Ward and call them his own

[Enigmatic Evil]

I'm glad Ward has being impressive so far in camp. The thing that worried me the most about him was that all his hype was about his hitting. I was thinking, yeah that's great and all but what else does he bring to the table? In OTA's and in camp now, all I keep reading about is how Ward has been making good plays and smart plays. I think he's going to thrive, we've got some solid experience in our defensive backfield now and man, I would love to see Ward lay the big hit down on some unsuspecting WR or TE coming through the middle. I think he will have a lot of teams on notice in 2010.

[Flugel]

WOW! Thank you for the goodies PGL! I woulda changed the video song to the 50s classic "Put your head on my shoulder."

I see why Heckert and Mangini think he's worth the draft slot. Heckert said he was given a thorough health check that they were comfortable with. Just like we did with Kellen Winslow and his injury history - it's SMART to understand his previous injuries/wear and tear when it's a May/June mini-camp (knowing full-well 2-a-days are around the corner).

- Tom F.

[mohican]

Originally Posted by mz.

Adams? I dunno. I still have this gut feeling that Sheldon Brown will start at FS for us this season.

the indication from articles I've read where Browns coaches have commented (vs media speculation) is that unless/until Sheldon Brown has lost a step he will be a starting corner, and that they look for Haden to take Wrights spot. No one the coaching staff, that I've heard of, has been calling for Brown to move to safety.....yet....

I think it's great that we drafted some defensive players fairly high that have a reputation for actually.........tackling?

[Alo]

I'm looking forward to getting a closer look at Ward's cover skills. Unfortunately, the memory that's stuck with me is of him getting faked out badly by Ronald Johnson in the '08 USC game. Also, he has a habit of biting on play-action, which could be an issue. The reports from training camp have been mostly positive, though there have been a few dissenters (including Zac Jackson).

What's interesting is that there hasn't been any talk at all about Larry Asante. After minicamp, some were speculating that the two rookies would battle for a starting job, but it doesn't sound like that's happening.

[hiwaygal]

Originally Posted by PlaygroundLegend

that heckert quote still baffles me "we think he can cover..." kind of an underwhelming comment about a top second round safety, but looks like Heckert was right, I think Heckert and Holmgren were EXACTLY what Mangini NEEDED.

I'm starting to get the impression that Heckert/Holmgren/Mangini are the masters of understatement.