Cleveland Browns rookie T.J. Ward will have a height disadvantage when he goes against tight end Kellen Winslow when the Browns host the Tampa Bay Bucs in the season opener. Overcoming a height disadvantage is nothing new to the 5-10 Ward, but he won't let that slow him down . Reporter Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald writes how the coaching...
Cleveland Browns rookie T.J. Ward. Cleveland Browns rookie T.J. Ward will have a height disadvantage when he goes against tight end Kellen Winslow when the Browns host the Tampa Bay Bucs in the season opener.
Overcoming a height disadvantage is nothing new to the 5-10 Ward, but he won't let that slow him down .
Reporter Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald writes how the coaching staff has faith in Ward, because he has been lining up with the first-team defense next to veteran safety Abe Elam from the beginning.
"I'm quicker than them, so I have to use that to my advantage," Ward said after practice Thursday. "Just because they're that much taller doesn't mean they can jump that much higher. I can jump higher, but I'm shorter. I have to play their hands. Even if they catch it, I have to rip it out when they're coming down."
Ward, picked 38th overall in the draft, is one of the most active and visible players in training camp. Some of that visibility has been good, some of it not so good.
Once during camp, Ward stripped the ball away from Jerome Harrison. Then there are the not so good plays. There was the easy touchdown catch tight end Robert Royal got on Ward.
During practice Thursday, the offense used a flea flicker. Delhomme took the snap and handed the ball to the running back, who took a step forward then turned and flipped the ball back to Delhomme. Ward took two or three steps toward the line to defend the run. By then Brian Robiskie was running by him. Robiskie dropped the pass, but that was no solace for Ward.
Visit
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell visited Cleveland Browns training camp on Thursday. He answered questions from the media, players and fans. Here's Tony Grossi's story on the visit.
Here's the transcript from Goodell's visit.