Browns Rookie CB Denzel Ward 'Playing Lights Out'

Oct 12, 2018 at 08:05 AM

Chris Hayre

TEAM REPORTER

Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) reacts during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Cleveland. The Browns won 12-9. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot was a guest on Thursday's episode of Chargers Weekly, the official podcast of the team.

Cabot discussed the Browns' 12-9 overtime win over the Ravens last Sunday, what rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield has brought to the locker room and the city, and more. Highlights from the interview are below.

Cabot on rookie cornerback Denzel Ward:

"He's just been tremendous. Now, he was the number four overall pick and a lot of people wanted the Browns to draft (Broncos defensive end) Bradley Chubb there, the NC State pass rusher. People kind of scratched their head a little bit about what (General Manger) John Dorsey was doing there at number four. Well boy, has Denzel and John Dorsey proved everybody wrong there. Denzel has been amazing, starting with the very first game when he picked off (Steelers quarterback) Ben Roethlisberger twice. Then in this past game, he picks off (Ravens quarterback) Joe Flacco, had three pass break-ups, a blocked field goal. He's just playing lights out."

Defensive end Myles Garrett's improvement from his rookie season to present:

"Well, he's gotten a lot better. He studied a lot of Julius Peppers film in the offseason, and he's definitely gotten a lot better. But I also do firmly believe that it has a lot to do with his health. He suffered a high ankle sprain last year right before the season opener. He missed the first four games – kind of rushed himself back. He felt bad the team had gone 0-4, he (felt he) needed to get back out there and he hurried back. So, he played the rest of the year kind of hurt on that ankle. He spent most of the offseason rehabbing, getting himself together. Also, playing -- getting his conditioning together so he could play more snaps, which he has done this year. So, all of those things have added up to a really, really great Myles Garrett. Now, he's aiming for Defensive Player of the Year. It'll be tough. There's an amazing amount of great pass rushers out there, but he's really committed to that."

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