Denzel Ward isn't a vocal leader, but in his media availability on Wednesday, he explained his style of leadership. It's a factor in why the Cleveland Browns corners are so good.
The Cleveland Browns have one of the best groups of corners in the NFL. A key reason for that is the talent of Denzel Ward. Another important factor is his leadership. In his media availability at the team's minicamp on Wednesday, Ward provided a look into his servant leadership.
Ward is entering his seventh season. He has the stature and security. The three Pro Bowls give him credibility. If Ward skipped Organized Team Activities, no one would give it a second thought. But he was at every OTA session this offseason as was every single corner on the Browns roster.
The full attendance is a reflection of the talent the Browns have at that position. It's one of the most competitive position groups on the team and players are seeking every gain an edge and earn themselves an increased role. It's also out of deference for Ward and the respect his teammates have for him
"They drafted me to be a leader on this team and that's the way that I show my leadership," Ward said. He continued, "coming to OTAs, regardless of if I'm here, I'm a rookie, or if I'm a veteran in the league, I just try to come in and help show the guys what it's supposed to look like and how it's supposed to go and if they got questions. But I'm still out here working on my game as well, and I mean, what better way than to come out here and do that with your guys and your coaches and everything? So just out here learning, out here trying to get better, but just trying to set a great example."
Ward being at OTAs raises the bar. Young players and particularly rookies might be a little more focused on the details because they don't want to look stupid in front of someone they have been looking up to dating back to high school. They want to see how a player of Ward's caliber trains, eats, thinks because they want to have the same success he has. And when Ward speaks, those guys are more inclined to listen.
Ward credited it to helping them become one of the top defenses in the league, saying "We got a saying in the locker room that everything affects everything. And so, like, even coming out here for OTAs and minicamp, that all makes a difference, and so we definitely don't take none of this lightly. Come out here, get better, and, like I said, got a tough road ahead, but I think we'll be prepared for it."
Part of the reason that Ward's teammates follow him is he invests in them. In this case, Ward is giving them his time. As he says himself, he's working to try to improve himself, work on his own game, but he's leading by example with his work ethic. He's also actively helping them try to improve.
The result is that players want to prove themselves to Ward. Simultaneously, they don't want to let him down. It's an effective way to build a winning culture in that room.
Ward didn't stop at just being there for OTAs. He opened his home to his teammates. Martin Emerson Jr. took him on it.
"Yes, actually. Yeah, Martin, he's been following me everywhere this offseason, so he actually came out and trained and stayed with me. He lived with me out in Florida, and we worked out every single day together, and we're just working our techniques and everything, lifting and getting better. So, he's been on my hip."
Emerson has had two strong seasons. He didn't get much attention in terms of postseason awards, which has prompted prognosticators to bet on him having a breakout season. Not surprisingly, Ward believes Emerson can take a leap this year.
"Yeah, he's a special player," Ward said. "Got high talent, physical player, tall. I mean, he got the capability of achieving a lot of things in his league. Being an All-Pro type of player and a number one corner."
That advocacy extends to his feelings on Greg Newsome. Ward has been outspoken in his desire for the Browns to keep Greg Newsome II on the team when he was the subject of trade rumors. Ward didn't want to see him get traded. He wanted to see the Browns keep the corner trio together.
"I'm so excited to have Greg back, and Greg's a special player. I call Greg my brain out there on the field. Like, he gets us in position, makes a lot of calls, communicates out there. And, I mean, not only that, he's a talented player. He's a number one corner, I believe, as well able to lock guys down on his respective side of the field. And just having all three of us and being able to rotate or put guys in different positions, play inside or outside is a great availability that we got for this team."
Newsome's value is often understated. He primarily operates in the slot, but when the Browns suffered injuries, Newsome was able to move to the outside and play at a high enough level that the defense didn't falter. That rings true for Ward in no small part because he tends to miss time, around four games per season.
The Browns defense is undeniably better when Ward is on the field, because at his best, he's one of the top cover corners in the NFL. But he understands the Browns need as many players that can contribute as possible and teams simply cannot have enough good corners. And over the last few seasons, the Browns have gotten contributions from unlikely sources at corner. Last year, Mike Ford Jr. not only decked Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, but he then caught an interception on the next play. Rookie Cam Mitchell's fourth-down swipe of the foot of Justin Fields was perhaps the turning point in the game against the Chicago Bears.
Onlookers often derive leadership from what they can see. A player or coach barking, being demonstrative at a key point in a game. As a result, it can be easy to dismiss Ward's impact because that's not who he is. However, his servant leadership is valid in no small part because it's not performative. It's not for an audience. It's about building relationships and showing his teammates he cares about them, so they want to buy into him and play for each other. It's working.
