Denzel Ward

[bronko]

Poor tackling techniques have long been one of my pet peeves about the way football is played in today's NFL. College, too. Tacklers throw themselves at the runner, hoping for a big hit or a cut. Runners bounce off and small gains become long ones. Today, DC Gregg is ripping Ward for not cutting and instead trying to wrap up a TE.
It makes sense for a little guy like Ward to cut a bigger runner to avoid injury, but I hate it when they use this technique against like-sized opponents. Too often I see big safeties throwing themselves against a runner who hasn't gained sufficient momentum to be brought down this way, or plays against a WR who couldn't break a solid tackle if his life depended on it. Same wideout will bounce off or hurdle a flying defender.
With CB's or punters, it makes sense. For the rest of the team, I'd like to see them wrap up unless they are situations where they are obviously overmatched physically. I guess they are being coached differently

 

[Ohio]

Poor tackling techniques have long been one of my pet peeves about the way football is played in today's NFL. College, too. Tacklers throw themselves at the runner, hoping for a big hit or a cut. Runners bounce off and small gains become long ones. Today, DC Gregg is ripping Ward for not cutting and instead trying to wrap up a TE.
It makes sense for a little guy like Ward to cut a bigger runner to avoid injury, but I hate it when they use this technique against like-sized opponents. Too often I see big safeties throwing themselves against a runner who hasn't gained sufficient momentum to be brought down this way, or plays against a WR who couldn't break a solid tackle if his life depended on it. Same wideout will bounce off or hurdle a flying defender.
With CB's or punters, it makes sense. For the rest of the team, I'd like to see them wrap up unless they are situations where they are obviously overmatched physically. I guess they are being coached differently

I agree. It's a situational basis thing IMO.

Here's a great example of why you don't cut like-sized WRs:


But I understand and agree with the idea of cutting a much bigger opponent. To me, it's like the difference between a QB sliding, or getting crushed just to get another yard or two. You should probably just silde. Or in this case, if you are going to tackle someone 6 inches taller and 100 pounds heavier, you should probably just cut.

 

[MGMT]

Funny thing is that other defensive back could have had a shot at bringing him down had the intial tackler not come in like a total dumbass. But instead he almost ended up on the turf trying to avoid his own guy barreling into him.

Good god I know we’ve sucked for a long time but imagine how infuriating that must have been to see as a Saints fan.

 

[Ohio]

Funny thing is that other defensive back could have had a shot at bringing him down had the intial tackler not come in like a total dumbass. But instead he almost ended up on the turf trying to avoid his own guy barreling into him.

Good god I know we’ve sucked for a long time but imagine how infuriating that must have been to see as a Saints fan.

Oh yea. That's as devastating as it gets. Pretty sure they would have given the Eagles a game in the NFC CG, too.

 

[billmac91]

Issue with cutting these days is it can be interpreted as using your helmet as a weapon.....even if it's not aimed at a players head. Cutting often times is launching yourself at the lower legs of bigger opponents, in a manner where you absolutely are not "seeing what you hit".....

Which leads to what is going to happen throughout this seaosn and beyond as the NFL tries to dictate how defenders tackle. Defenders are going to tackle in positions where they get bent over backwards because their heads are forced to be in an unnatural position.

I don't hate the "see what you hit" saying, as much as I hate the commentators who really do a disservice to its actual meaning. "See what you hit" makes a great deal of sense when you're the aggressor and running downhill to make a stop, or closing in on the QB in the pocket, etc.

"See what you hit" doesn't make a great deal on sense when you're a CB about to take on a 260 lb TE or 245 lb RB. I've had this conversation with friends before, but the greatest tackling CB I've ever seen was Antoine Winfield. At 5'10" and 185 lbs, the dude tackled as well as anyone I've seen. And he was a master at cutting bigger players down, but he launched with his head out of protection for his body, and it was the most effective way to get guys down. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm going to feel terrible when some 185 lb CB comes up and cuts a RB in the open field and gets called for using his head as a weapon. It's insane to think a tackler shouldn't be allowed to lead with his head in specific circumstances.....it's asking defenders to get absolutely trucked.

 

[dark2332]

Having seen proper form tackling all my life, I don’t like Gregg Williams coaching that out of a kid.

Sure, there are situations where it’s smart to cut and that’s probably one. However, I like that Ward is a fearless tackler.

Had another defender not hit high at the same time, Denzel doesn’t get bent backward and it’s all a moot point.

 

[MGMT]

Is there any data illustrating how he’s been in coverage thus far? Just curious. Difficult to watch corners I detail on television when they’re not targeted.

 

[Pick6]

Is there any data illustrating how he’s been in coverage thus far? Just curious. Difficult to watch corners I detail on television when they’re not targeted.

I don't have any data, but he's seemed pretty damn solid to me. I've only noticed him giving up a few yards and coming up and making sure tackles. He's going to be a really good one, IMO, but that tackle and his reaction scared the hell out of me. I agree with Rob that how to tackle should be assessed on a situational basis, and I imagine Gregg feels the same (though i didn't listen to what he said). Shazier is a guy I loved at OSU and was bummed he went to Pitt because of how much I liked him. He was a fun player to watch, but a reckless tackler, unfortunately it caught up with him. I saw a video of him walking across the field in training camp and there is no way he will ever play again. I bet his case is a main reason why we have all these new rules this year, especially when coupled with all the CTE lawsuits and what not. Now the players are crying about the new rules that are designed to protect players. You can't have it both ways.

 

[Jordan]

Is there any data illustrating how he’s been in coverage thus far? Just curious. Difficult to watch corners I detail on television when they’re not targeted.

Ward has played 34 snaps this preseason, with 21 in coverage. Out of those 21, he allowed five catches on six targets, but limited those catches to 36 total yards and only one first down.

What is more impressive is that, on all 34 snaps, Ward has covered the other team's primary corner. So out of 21 passing plays, the #1 opposing wide receiver has only caught five passes, and averaged a little over seven yards per catch.

Ward definitely looks like a rookie. He has struggled when he gets beat on short-yard pass attempts. Nonetheless, even on those attempts, he recovers well, and he has been elite at defending intermediate- and long-range passes.

 

[Ohio]

Ward has played 34 snaps this preseason, with 21 in coverage. Out of those 21, he allowed five catches on six targets, but limited those catches to 36 total yards and only one first down.

What is more impressive is that, on all 34 snaps, Ward has covered the other team's primary corner. So out of 21 passing plays, the #1 opposing wide receiver has only caught five passes, and averaged a little over seven yards per catch.

Ward definitely looks like a rookie. He has struggled when he gets beat on short-yard pass attempts. Nonetheless, even on those attempts, he recovers well, and he has been elite at defending intermediate- and long-range passes.

Awesome info. Certainly backs up the eye test.

Looking forward to seeing him against Antonio Brown & Michael Thomas the first two games...welcome to the NFL...

 

[Hurl Bruce]

I didn't draft Antonio Brown because I didn't want a goose egg week 1.

 

[The Wizard of Moz]

Lmao Brad Chubb literally only has 0.5 sacks at half

Ward had 2 picks at half what a joke people thought Chubb was the pick

 

[Triplethreat]

This man is NASTY

 

[Randolphkeys]

Best first game in the NFL from a rookie cornerback I've ever seen period. Almost flawless.

 

[Ohio]

View: https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/1038856771501207552


Amazing. He was locking down all day. Had a couple fantastic tackles as well.

That TD on him was absolutely perfect coverage and even defended well with his arm...just a 1st ballot HoF QB making a perfect throw to one of the best WRs ever.

Kid is absolutely special.