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

[PlaygroundLegend]

When his name was called on draft day I was pissed. I was like TJ WHO? I wanted Taylor Mays really bad at that spot. I hated the pick even more afterwards. This guy was the anti-Mays, he is undersized and doesnt have elite speed (although he had a great shuttle) Heckert even had the balls to say something to the tune of "we think he can cover....." I was really pissed. After we did some video research I thought he was pretty badass the way he recklessly launches his body into other players, that was quite admirable.

I was still really pissed though because how badly our safeties suck in coverage and how Eric Berry didn't fall to us. I read that he was a up on the line guy, who was great in run defense, but there was nothing on his coverage skills. I looked at his stats and he only had 2 picks in college. It made me even more mad.

However..... I'm feeling alot better about it now, and I actually think this guys has some really amazing potential. I think we may have gotten a steal. Almost every note I read from OTA's had him with an Interception or two on the day. I read about him breaking up passes as well. I also had stumbled onto an article saying that he was mostly asked to play up on the line in college and was rarely asked to cover, and with Eric Mangini favoring DB's over most other positions (he really does) and being such a great DB coach (Revis anyone?) I think Ward may have really been a fantastic choice.....

Oh btw, I also found a video that actually has his 2 picks in it (seeing as how none of the ones Ive seen up to this point have them), it also showcases his physically dominating play from start to finish, theres a few hits in this one we haven't seen towards the end (or at least I hadn't)

YouTube - T.J. Ward Highlights

[Vegasdogg]

Originally Posted by PlaygroundLegend

Oh btw, I also found a video that actually has his 2 picks in it

I saw three picks. Good find. He has a hammer that's for sure. And those picks were all hands, and some nifty footwork in the EZ on one of them.

[King of Kings]

You're not alone PGL, I underestimated him prior to the draft, mainly because there were alot of Safeties this year and I admittedly only looked at about 6 of them. When we picked him I went "oh, him? Isn't that kind of a reach though?" I truthfully didn't care for the pick, but he has looked good and his highlights online look like one badass Safety. I guess he's grown on me and it does look like he has coverage skills.

Hopefully we all WAY WAYYY underrated him and he becomes the best safety out of that draft class. That's my hope, anyways!

[PlaygroundLegend]

Battering Ram, T.J. Ward, Strives To Be a Starter For Cleveland Browns Defense
by J Gatskie
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Browns rookie safety T.J. Ward was the 38th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and has his eyes locked on the starting free safety position.

T.J., whose first name is Terrell, is a product of the famed De La Salle (Calif.) high school program where he didn't start until his senior year, and then suffered a season-ending knee injury.

During his career at Oregon he struggled with knee and ankle injuries, but scouts loved his toughness, big hitting, and support against the run when he was in the lineup.

He was a bone-crunching, helmet-busting hitter who went full-speed all the time, and several of his big hits are memorialized here on YouTube.

Ward is a former cornerback who has been praised for having fantastic football instincts and the ability to diagnose plays.

The major knock on Ward coming out of college, aside from his injury history, was his inability to cover receivers.

He quickly impressed the Browns coaches with his pass coverage ability, including an interception of Jake Delhomme during the May 27 OTA practice, that Cleveland's The Plain Dealer reporter Tony Grossi noted.

"I think they [Browns] consider him [Ward] capable of covering NFL tight ends and receivers," wrote Grossi.

That's a big-time statement from a veteran reporter who has the inside scoop on the Browns.

Ward continued his quality coverage work with an interception return for a score and a pass defensed during the June 7th OTA.

If Ward continues this play in training camp, then Michael Adams may have a difficult time holding him off.

Head coach Eric Mangini has no problem starting a rookie at safety, or both safeties for that matter.

"If they’re the best guys, you may take some lumps early because they are rookies, but typically those guys continue to move up and excel as they play and gain experience,” said Magini.

Very few coaches have the self-assurance to make such a statement and mean it. Ward's only real opposition seems to be Adams, who is a solid player. The competition should be a spirited battle.

Ward had been running with the first team defense when he recently came down with tightness in his leg. That injury put Ward on the dreaded stationary bike during the recent mini-camp. This is likely just a minor setback, and Ward will probably be full go when training camp starts.

The Browns backfield has been revamped with the additions of corner backs Sheldon Brown, Joe Haden, and fellow rookie safety Larry Asante. With the addition of Ward, the secondary should have a completely different tenor this season, and last season's macabre pass defense performances will be a distant memory.

[Inspecta]

Aside from his extremely hard hits (he attacks the ball carrier with the tenacity of Ronnie Lott), from the clips I've seen of him I am also impressed with his run of the mill tackles. He breaks down in front of the ball carrier, and has great technique in wrapping up. You don't see this kid with half assed arm tackles.

[NW Ohio Brownie]

Here's a guy who's had a lot of injuries yet continues to be as hard-nosed as they come. That's toughness, period.

Still, there's no doubt this kid has to cover people in this league as every down is a passing down. I was like mz on draft day with the who's-that reaction, but there's no question we needed an impact safety in this draft. Let's hope Ward fits the bill.

[Enigmatic Evil]

Originally Posted by NW Ohio Brownie

Here's a guy who's had a lot of injuries yet continues to be as hard-nosed as they come. That's toughness, period.

Still, there's no doubt this kid has to cover people in this league as every down is a passing down. I was like mz on draft day with the who's-that reaction, but there's no question we needed an impact safety in this draft. Let's hope Ward fits the bill.

I was definitely scratching my head going "Huh?" when we drafted TJ Ward."

Any negativity was quickly washed away by those who posted videos and all the good buzz I could find surrounding Ward. The only real knock I found against him was that he was injured through his college playing days.

I'm hopeful for him but I don't want to get my hopes too high just yet. I think he could emerge into a force for our secondary that we've never had. He's the kind of player that it's easy to get excited about.

[DeadWombat]

I went through my own epiphany about TJ back in april when I decided to look up some of his hits in college. I just -really- hope he can stay healthy. I was pissed when we drafted him at first. I remember shuffling through my papers on the Plain Dealer's list of top 300 players on draft day frantically searching for his name.... just hoping he was rated highly.

My attitude changed when I saw him play. If he can refrain from getting injured, then I'll be really happy. I was really impressed by his tackling ability. It takes a lot more than to run at the other guy like a wrecking ball... I'm no scout but he looks like he has great tackling instincts. I've wanted a hard hitting saftey for a while now..... a Browns version of Polamalu only without the gay hair and douchebag attitude.

[YtownBacker]

T.J. Ward was a surprise pick. but, not because of his questionable talent, becaue of his injury histroy. I think a lot of GM liked his skill set but were reluctant to pull the trigger because of the injury history. Hopefully the Brown's went above and beyond and were satisfied he was healthy and could play and stay healthy.

The guy isn't just a SS. He played FS and some corner before stepping in as a SS. He has cover skills and is a big hitter. If he can stay healthy he could be a premier player in this league.

Hopefully the Browns gambled a bit but got it right.

[Shep]

I was flummoxed, too. In a league where safeties are become more and more deep cornerbacks... TJ Ward? But the truth is, I don't think the Browns are morons. I think they see a guy who CAN cover, a guy who maybe got caught up in some overstatement about being one-dimensional.

They saw a special, intense athlete who could be a Pro Bowler if he can stay on the field. Which we'll find out.

[faninthehammer]

I can't wait for the first time someone comes over the middle with their head turned. Watching some of the highlights of this kid made me very excited.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by faninthehammer

I can't wait for the first time someone comes over the middle with their head turned. Watching some of the highlights of this kid made me very excited.

I think Elam may be on the outside looking in because Ward should take one spot and they aren't going to pair him and Elam together. I see Ward and Adams. Elam's play last year and his holdout makes him a highly paid special teamer.

I'm waiting for both Ward and Haden to light a few guys up. The defense might be really fun to watch.