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- [00:00]
Erin Andrews / Karissa Thompson
This is an iHeart podcast, Guaranteed Human.
- [00:05]
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- [00:35]
Toyota Advertiser / UberEats Advertiser
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- [01:16]
Erin Andrews / Karissa Thompson
Hey guys, it's Erin Andrews. Breasts get so much attention, but they're still so ignored when it matters most. Everything these days is fighting for your attention. We've got work, family, social media, making it tough to figure out what to prioritize. I got something that should always be at the very top of the list. Your breast health. If you're 40 and over, you should be getting screened once a year. And if you're under 40, it's never too soon to visit YourAttentionPlease.com to learn about breast cancer risk. Trust me, your future self will thank you.
- [01:49]
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- [02:22]
Interviewer Matt Jones
Jones and Drew Franklin is a production of the NFL and iHeart podcast.
- [02:35]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
Welcome in to a new edition of NFL Cover 0. Drew Franklin here with Billy Rutledge as we keep bringing you more from our trip to San Francisco for the Super Bowl. We did a ton of interviews out there. We are just trickling out releases of each one as the off season goes on. Billy and today we're excited. Another one, Denzel Ward from the Cleveland Browns cornerback. We got a chance to talk with him on our last day out there in San Francisco. I can't remember, is he one of the people that were picking on your quarter zip or was he one that played it pretty cool?
- [03:05]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
He was the one that was a little bit nicer than most. He was the one that had diamonds in his hair. So he was very fashionable, but, you know, didn't throw me under the bus like Green Bay packers wide receivers did that week. I do like how we're just continuing to live through that super bowl week and get as much content in as possible. But Denzel was, I mean, a high rated draft pick and a really good class in 2018 with all those quarterbacks and he's been pretty good for the Browns lately.
- [03:30]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
And it was a great interview. We're excited to bring that for you. Coming up, it is almost April and we're still bringing you things from that trip. That's how awesome the trip was. But we're not done there. We'll have more with Erik Kendricks on down the road. We got other interviews coming, but for today, today we're setting up the one with Denzel Ward. I loved hearing about just behind the scenes of the Cleveland Browns. You know, they've gone through a few coaches, they've gone through a few quarterbacks. And what I found most fascinating in the interview is what it's like sharing a locker room with a monster named Mouse Garrett. Yeah.
- [03:58]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Broke the sack record this year. I mean, the guy is just a beast of a human being when it comes to how big he is. Drew, I mean, can you imagine standing next to somebody like that? You'd look like a dwarf.
- [04:08]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
Absolutely. We had fun hearing from him about what it's like playing with Miles Garrett on the same side of the ball. Lots of good conversations with Denzel Ward. But before we throw to that, Billy, there's. It has been a busy off season. I mean, we had a bunch of free agency signings we talked about last week. I haven't checked in on the latest on Donna Kelsey's renovation. Maybe we're putting a new sconce in the bathroom. I don't know where we are on that, but that's been a big topic. A few news points that I wrote down that we could run through and maybe you could add to them. But you know, there's been some been some wild stuff going on, including I think we need to start with a name that we all kind of fell in love with last year coming back. Joe flacco, at age 41, wants more football. I thought last year was going to be Flacco's last ride. It was already crazy. He's out there with a gray beard and winning games for the Bengals. And you know what he said? I want to run it back one more time. At least one more time. We'll see. But Cincinnati, you're getting more. Flacco behind Burrow.
- [05:03]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Last season seemed too good to be true, didn't it? Like he came in, didn't even know the playbook. He's telling receivers to just go straight and then left and he's going to throw it to him. And then he was really good. Like Cincinnati did pretty well with them. So that seemed like such a magical story. I don't know if there's enough magic to repeat that for old man Flacco, but I guess he's given all the older guys hope coming back, right?
- [05:22]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
Yeah. And it's a good look for Cincinnati. That's an organization that's been criticized a little bit for maybe some things behind the scenes, how they run it. Maybe not the top of the line in luxury behind the scenes. But Flacco, the reason he's coming back, he said, I love the building, I love the franchise. He wants to be a part of it another year. So good for the Bengals. That says a lot about them. And you know, sitting behind Joe Burrow and throwing a jamar chase if you're, if you're called upon is probably a fun gig as you're winding down your career.
- [05:48]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Yeah, that'd be a fun quarterback room, wouldn't it? I mean, Joe, and Joe, you got to think that, that a Hall of Famer, a future hall of Famer, you put Joe Flacco in the hall of Fame, right, Drew? I mean, he's a Super bowl winning quarterback.
- [05:59]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
Got to guy. Heck, he might be playing another 10 years too. We don't know what's next for him. Or maybe he just. He's into fossils and swords like Burrow and they've got a little buddy system going on in the QB room. But that's. That's. Of all the things that have come out from the NFL that maybe surprised me the most. I didn't even consider a Joe Flacco comeback.
- [06:16]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Well, you know, Todd Monken with former offensive coordinator for the Ravens. Maybe there was a history there when Joe was back with Baltimore. Who knows? But should be interesting in that division this year. With all the new head coach that
- [06:28]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
and one more quarterback news I wanted to get. It's more college, but it is an NFL name. Did you see Matt Leinert in usc, what they were going through this week?
- [06:37]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Oh, I did see this.
- [06:37]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
It's another one I wanted to make sure we talk about. Matt Leinert's number 11 is retired in LA. You know, great career, obviously. Reggie Bush, probably the best they've ever been. Pete Carroll, we all know the story, but his Jersey's retired, number 11, as it should be. And I guess this week Coach Raleigh was like, hey, we got a recruit, he wants to wear number 11. Hey Matt, think maybe we could unretire a little bit? And he basically was like, hell no, you can't. We're leaving that up there forever. I'm not just going to give it away to some kid I don't know and who could transfer a year from now. So I thought it was more in how firm he was in saying he wasn't giving it up, but I thought that was interesting. Of the alum that could maybe throw the university a bone in recruiting by letting somebody wear number 11, Leonard said no, nay. Mile 11 is staying sacred and won't be worn again.
- [07:21]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Well, yeah, I mean, if you're just going to unretire the greats numbers because every five star wants to wear it, it loses its significance. And that number 11 jersey for USC should be remembered as Matt Liners, the lefty quarterback winning national championships. So I mean, I would understand like the Yankees where they don't have a single single digit available because they've retired so many, but I mean, come on, you gotta, you gotta keep the history there, right?
- [07:48]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
He said, that kid probably chance of him staying at USC after two years is slim anyway, so it ain't happening, bro. I'm keeping mine up there forever. You can call me selfish. I don't give a bleep.
- [07:59]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Wow, I didn't know it was that. A quick Google search tells me that our 163 players have had their jerseys numbers retired. And the Bears and giants both have 14 numbers each.
- [08:12]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
I understand. You get to a point where it's like, hey man, we've had a lot of greats, but we do need some available numbers for our future. I get that. Clearly Matt Leinert's staying firm and leaving his retired at usc. Let's say Billy Rutledge was just a football sensation. Western Kentucky, we'll say you're you're alma mater. Let's say you're their all Time, leading pass. And you led them to back to back Music City Bowls. And your number, what number would you have been?
- [08:38]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Oh, man, back in the day, I think I was seven, Drew. I was lucky number seven.
- [08:42]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
Billy's number seven is up there in the stadium. And they come to you 20 years later. Hey, Billy, we got this recruit. We need him bad. And it seems like not being able to wear the number seven is a deal breaker in the recruitment. Can you throw us a bone and let us pull that down from the hall of Fame and let him wear it? Are you budging or are you more Matt Leiner?
- [09:01]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Well, the Music City Bulls didn't. Weren't very profitable for me before NIL existed and I didn't really turn it into an NFL career. So I need the money. So are you going to pay me to retire my jersey? Because you might have my attention as a failed professional athlete, but Matt Leinert, who's on TV and things like that, I mean, he's got a legacy to live up to. So I think I'm taking the money, Drew. But at the same time, I could see why Matt's standing strong.
- [09:24]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
You know, the story says Carson Palmer gave up his number three for Jordan Addison, who went to usc. So there's been precedent there, but Matt Leinert's not. Not giving it up. I would probably selfish like Matt Leiner.
- [09:36]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
You would. Listen, that's my number. Yeah.
- [09:38]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
You put it up there for a reason. We retired it. It's going to stay retired.
- [09:41]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
And what's to say the kid's not going to transfer one year later in
- [09:44]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
today's climate, or if he plays and he's just awful, then you sully the jersey. Yes. You stained my jersey. So I thought he was a little too firm in saying, I don't give a blank, but I get what he was going for.
- [09:58]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Yeah, well, hopefully maybe Matt Leinert's son will come up and maybe he'll unretire it for now.
- [10:02]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
We do have some concerns before we get to the Denzel Ward interview.
- [10:05]
Denzel Ward
What?
- [10:07]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
Worried? You know, we're excited to keep this cover zero thing going. Our first year was so great. I mean, we're still, as I said, we're still talking about the Super Bowl. It's been. It's been over. It's been almost two months and we're still riding high. But I think we might have competition next year.
- [10:19]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Oh, we do another podcast.
- [10:21]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
Mike Tomlin has hired media agents. He's not going away quietly. I didn't have Mike Tomlin as a guy we'd see on the set before any of these games. But it looks like things are lining up for the and it's, you know, he doesn't even want to be retired at all. He wants to get right back to work. It's looking like Mike Tomlin might be trying to do our job.
- [10:40]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Maybe a little gap year for him as he waits one year before he probably takes another coaching job, as many would expect. You think he's going to be making the circuit soon, doing the pre game shows and things like that?
- [10:50]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
You know, I don't know that he's going to just push us out of the way and take over Cover 0. But it is looking like things are lining up or Mike Tomlin will be part of all the big the experience, the conversations before and after. I mean there's a million networks that cover the NFL now. I don't know which direction he's leaning, but for a guy that that kind of had that stoic look on the sideline all the time, doesn't seem that outgoing. A little surprise he might be dipping a toe in the media right away.
- [11:12]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Well, if he becomes a part of the NFL family, I will reach out. We'll have him on the show. I mean we already had Brown Spider and first lady on the show after their parking lot wedding at the Browns tailgate earlier this year. So why not have Mike Tomlin on And you know, he's a former Buck. He was on Those teams back in 02 and the good defenses, Jon Gruden winning Super Bowls. So I'd have a lot to talk to him about. But he's going to take a year off and do the media thing.
- [11:37]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
It sounds like completely forgot about the Bucks connection and this wasn't on my list, but I saw. Is it Levante David that retired?
- [11:43]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Oh yeah.
- [11:43]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
My goodness, he did. For everyone that hasn't seen it, his retirement press conference, he starts talking about his parents. They both passed away. I think most most recent was just a few years ago and he's going on about all the sacrifices they made for him. I believe he's from Miami. Growing up to the point they had one family car and mom would take it to work and he rode on his dad's handlebars on his bike to get to practice. And he is just. And I completely understand and I'll admit I got a little emotional watching him. So as a Bucks guy, tell me more about Levante David and clearly that that's a dude that's highly respected. The response to that was big. But a Big emotional moment for him as he retires after several years in Tampa.
- [12:23]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
For Mike Evans to leave for San Francisco and then Levante David to retire. I mean, the team will be a shell of itself than what it has been over the last 10, 14 years that Levante has been a buck. You don't see a lot of players stay with one team for the entire time. So he did really mean a lot. And he talked about seeing the paper bags in the stands when the lost decade of the Bucks, when they were pretty bad, like Greg Shiano years and things like that, and that's what motivated him to get them back to the top. And, you know, he was able to win a Super bowl with Tom Brady. That's a guy that embodies his community and has been a really good player. I mean, I think he's a first ballot hall of Famer. Drew, I'm a little biased, but this is a guy that is compared to Luke Kikley with the modern linebacker, one of the best. And. And you're right, man, that story about both of his parents have passed. But like, talking about riding on the
- [13:10]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
handle part, just the sacrifices his family made for him to go on and have the career he did, and then just. Just watching him be emotional, I think touched a lot of people. I wanted to ask you about that. I'm not as ingrained in the Bucks as you are, but thank you for
- [13:23]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
my Levante David David moment.
- [13:24]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
Yes, of course he's going away, but one thing that's not going away. Did you see the Tush push will be coming back? Yes. They don't want to hear about it. We're not going to talk about it. We're not going to meet about it. We're not going to debate it. Y' all shut up if you don't like it. The Tush push is here to day.
- [13:39]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Yeah. And it feels like that's kind of the natural thing that was going to happen after a year of complaining about it. And it kind of got stopped, though, a few times. It wasn't as effective, but it's just. It's not pleasing to the eye. Right. It feels like a different sport. It's like we're playing rugby for one play and it kind of takes away from the goal line moments. But, you know, I think it has a lot to do with the owners and I guess they didn't want to vote on it here.
- [14:04]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
And last year we saw some teams get creative and trying to stop it. We'll probably just see more of that next year. Worked a little Bit, as you said, the. The percentage success went down quite a bit, but it's not going anywhere and they don't want to hear about it. Not even going to debate it in the league offices.
- [14:18]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Well, you know, the UFL is starting soon, and I guess they have a lot of rules that they're trying to implement that maybe you could see in the NFL in the future. And so they don't have tush pushes and you can't punt after the 50 yard line. I kind of like that one, Drew.
- [14:31]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
Yeah, I kind of like that, too. That almost seems like some video game stuff. They're going to work in. Maybe. Well, I'm sure we'll get to talk about that more as they get more into it, but that's been rumored as something that could be popping up soon.
- [14:40]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Yeah, I mean, cowardly punting on the other side of the 50. Please. Let's. Let's go for it here.
- [14:45]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
We're just going to have NFL Blitz rules soon. Go for it on 4th and 20. You know, they're going to make it as wild as possible. Start doing things like that.
- [14:53]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
I would love it. Yeah.
- [14:54]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
And I know the league. I mentioned the league offices that they didn't talk about the tush push, and I know they're listening to Cover zero right now.
- [14:58]
Lowe's Advertiser
Sure.
- [14:59]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
So to everyone in the league offices, we love you, and we want to let you know that. Coming up, Denzel Ward from the Cleveland Browns. Next, an Ohio State legend. Great conversation about the changes that have happened in Cleveland. Even better conversation about what it's like just even playing near Myles Garrett, the most superhuman person in the NFL. So we've got that coming up for you now. Check it out. Denzel Warren will be back next week with more from our trip to San Francisco. I know it feels like forever ago, but to us, that will live in our brains forever.
- [15:32]
Interviewer Matt Jones
All right. Of all the players we've had here, I'm not sure we got one with more sort of star power than Denzel Ward. The whole fit here is immaculate.
- [15:43]
Denzel Ward
Appreciate it.
- [15:44]
Interviewer Matt Jones
Even in the hair. You've got the diamond. You got some detail.
- [15:47]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
See the detail?
- [15:47]
Denzel Ward
I got a few details.
- [15:48]
Lowe's Advertiser
I mean, that is detail.
- [15:49]
Interviewer Matt Jones
How long does it take to put. You didn't just throw that on, this whole look.
- [15:54]
Denzel Ward
Nah, you know, it takes a little time. But, you know, I get some help from my stylist. My girlfriend's my stylist, so.
- [16:00]
Toyota Advertiser / UberEats Advertiser
So.
- [16:00]
Denzel Ward
So she held style. So. It's not just the problem, though.
- [16:03]
Interviewer Matt Jones
You can't break up because then everything's going to get worse. You do that.
- [16:08]
Denzel Ward
Exactly.
- [16:09]
Interviewer Matt Jones
Defense back for the Browns. Five time Pro Bowler here for EA Sports and Madden. I want to talk to you about Madden in a second, but let's talk about the Browns going to be new era in Cleveland. You got. Are you looking forward to the changes and what's ahead?
- [16:24]
Denzel Ward
Yeah, I'm definitely looking forward to it. You know, we just got offensive minded coach and Todd Monkin and just looking forward to what he could bring to our offense and to our team. You know, I heard a lot of great things about him. Able to elevate Lamar Jackson's game and Derrick Henry's game and you know, looking for that to happen here in Cleveland
- [16:40]
Interviewer Matt Jones
because y' all in the defense are like, we're good, just don't screw it up. Now you lost your coordinator there, but you think you'll be able to keep it up even in, in this new era?
- [16:50]
Denzel Ward
Yeah, I believe so. You know, we got a lot of great players, got a lot of great talent as a core on the team, so. So definitely looking forward to seeing who our new DC will be. You know, I'm heard that we lost Coach Schwartz, but I think we're still gonna be able to play at a high level.
- [17:04]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
How many podcasters do you think it would take to beat up Miles Garrett? Just we're like the average podcaster. How many of us would it be?
- [17:09]
Interviewer Matt Jones
Let's say there's the three of us and then there's another version of each of us. So it's six of us. Could we take out Miles Garrett?
- [17:19]
Denzel Ward
I think you're gonna need a few more people. You're gonna need a few more people, Miles.
- [17:22]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
It.
- [17:23]
Denzel Ward
Miles Garrett is, is a, is a metahuman. He's like a different type of human being. I don't know. I think you guys will need a couple more people though.
- [17:29]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
So he is the freak of nature that we, we all see on tv. Just a superhuman.
- [17:34]
Denzel Ward
Just a superhuman. Exactly.
- [17:35]
Interviewer Matt Jones
What makes him so. I mean obviously he's massive. I've stood next to him. But what makes him so effective? Why is he. He's now the all time single season sack leader?
- [17:44]
Denzel Ward
Yeah, I think for him being as big as he is, what is he, six five to something? But he's explosive and fast. Like he has quick twitch like a DV at the D line position. So I think that's what helps separate him. And I mean just the, the moves he's able to do to get around a defender or offensive player and his speed I think kind of separates him from other guys.
- [18:06]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Man, I grew up on Madden. I developed my love of the sport playing the game. And so, I mean, I still play it today sometimes. What were you playing on initially, like as a kid? Like, how did you grow. Would you grow up gaming? Like, what was your first system and what were you playing back then?
- [18:19]
Denzel Ward
Question. That's a great question. So I think my first system, I was playing the game. I had a Nintendo. Had a Nintendo and then end up the original Nintendo.
- [18:28]
Interviewer Matt Jones
All right. I had the little eight bit.
- [18:29]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
Was.
- [18:30]
Interviewer Matt Jones
Yes.
- [18:31]
Denzel Ward
So I end up. I think I started. That was it. It was like NFL 2K or something like that. What was that?
- [18:38]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
It was 2K 5 OG. Madden T shirt here while we're doing.
- [18:41]
Denzel Ward
Oh, look at this.
- [18:42]
Interviewer Matt Jones
I was wondering. Drew just started taking his clothes off in the middle.
- [18:46]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
Talk about the goat.
- [18:47]
Denzel Ward
I will also represent. That's a real throwback. That's a real throwback. But yeah, started out on there and man, loved it ever since.
- [18:53]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
Yeah, I was wondering what you were doing. You're just talking. I'm like, let me just take my shirt off.
- [18:58]
Denzel Ward
Interview.
- [18:58]
Interviewer Matt Jones
No, I'm wearing.
- [19:00]
Denzel Ward
I need that shirt. That's a nice shirt.
- [19:01]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
94.
- [19:02]
Denzel Ward
That's crazy.
- [19:02]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
One of my favorites. If we're going to talk mad and I just wanted to be dressed for the occasion.
- [19:12]
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- [20:09]
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- [21:49]
Erin Andrews / Karissa Thompson
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- [22:59]
Interviewer Matt Jones
You were in the 2018 draft class, which of course had all those quarterbacks. Lamar, Josh, Allen. But Sam Darnold's the first one to go to the Super Bowl. What do you think about that?
- [23:10]
Denzel Ward
That's crazy. I didn't expect it, honestly. But I mean, like I said, we definitely had a great draft class, A lot of high powered quarterbacks. And yeah, he was the one to make it out. You know, he's looking forward to seeing what he does in the Super Bowl.
- [23:23]
Interviewer Matt Jones
One thing about playing in your division though, you see Burrow and Lamar twice a year. We're Kentucky guys, so we watch Lamar in college. Yeah, it has to be. I mean, he's just a different freak of nature. Right.
- [23:37]
Lowe's Advertiser
How do you.
- [23:38]
Interviewer Matt Jones
How do you adjust to playing him twice year?
- [23:40]
Denzel Ward
Yeah, it's tough, honestly. That's one of the games is like, ah, okay, we got Lamar Jackson this week. It's tough because his ability to be able to just continue the play. So, like, usually a play lasts four to six seconds, but he's still running back there. So we having to cover guys like Z flowers just across the field, just cutting and running. So it's like, it's not your traditional just route. Like they just running around like backyard football pretty much. And we just chasing guys around. So knowing that you got to cover, I think that's what makes it a little bit more difficult going against that.
- [24:09]
Interviewer Matt Jones
There's a story that Deion Sanders apparently used to say to his coaches, you give me so and so and then you worry about the other 10. Are you. You give me so and so and then you can worry about the other 10.
- [24:23]
Denzel Ward
So I'm more so like I'm gonna be on this side of the field. You could double coverage, everything over there. And I'm gonna be man. I'm be man coverage on it. So this side of the field shut down and worry about the other side of the field.
- [24:33]
Interviewer Matt Jones
See, I love that confidence. But dbs, that you're the ones that do that, like dbs talk the most trash. Right?
- [24:39]
Denzel Ward
I don't really talk too much trash,
- [24:40]
Interviewer Matt Jones
but yeah, give me the top three trash talkers in the NFL.
- [24:44]
Denzel Ward
In the NFL, it might be offense
- [24:46]
Interviewer Matt Jones
because you're the one receiving theirs, whereas you don't get to see the defensive ones.
- [24:50]
Denzel Ward
Yeah, just from the outside looking in. I mean, I think it used to be Jalen Ramsey, like the biggest trap won the biggest trash talkers. I think Devin Witherspoon, he's a guy that kind of, I think talking trash. I'm gonna go Greg Newson. Greg Newson. He's a. He's a big.
- [25:07]
Interviewer Matt Jones
Well, I'll tell you, next time somebody talks trash to you, just show them that the, the, the braids with the thing. Like nobody's gonna be able to handle that. Do you Cleveland, okay. Takes a lot of, takes a lot of crap as a city. Fans love it. We, we, we, we interviewed two people to today, two people this year who got married in the parking lot of a tailgate Brown spider at the game. What is it like playing in Cleveland and with those fans that have been long suffering?
- [25:33]
Denzel Ward
Yeah, I love it, man. That's my hometown. Like I'm from Cleveland, so, you know, I grew up, grew up watching the Browns, went to Browns games. Growing up was with the dog pound in the city. So I mean it's a great fan base, great city and they just want to win, you know, but regardless, as if we're not winning, losing, they always there in the stand supporting us.
- [25:52]
Interviewer Matt Jones
But imagine what it's going to be like when you do win.
- [25:54]
Denzel Ward
Definitely, definitely. It's going to be crazy. The city is going to explode. It's going to be crazy being from
- [25:59]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
there and in a place with not as much tradition as a lot of other teams. Like, does it just make you want it to be a part of it that much more when they do figure it out, having those roots and being as a fan, lifelong fan, as you said.
- [26:09]
Denzel Ward
Yeah, definitely. I mean, I just know the, the moment that we make it to the playoffs, make it to the super bowl, the city's going to be on fire. So, so wait on the moment it's coming. You know it's coming, so just wait for it.
- [26:19]
Interviewer Matt Jones
Now tell me about Madden. I hear you got a pretty good rating. Am I correct about that?
- [26:25]
Denzel Ward
Not a good enough rating. The rating is okay. I think I'm like a 92 right now.
- [26:29]
Interviewer Matt Jones
You need to be higher than 92.
- [26:31]
Denzel Ward
I'm glad y' all said that's all, that's all I'm saying. I feel I've been disrespected in Madden. I don't even think I have an X factor in Madden.
- [26:37]
Interviewer Matt Jones
But you're wearing the mad.
- [26:38]
Denzel Ward
Oh yeah. I'm a great supporter of Madden. I love Madden.
- [26:41]
Interviewer Matt Jones
I'm gonna get guess. This is just a guess. I'm gonna guess your rating tire next year.
- [26:45]
Denzel Ward
I hope so. I, I hope so. You know, coming on. I got five pro Bowls, you know, coming up.
- [26:49]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
What else you supposed to.
- [26:50]
Denzel Ward
I don't, I don't know what else I got to do. So I'm, I'm good to get on call with man and put you guys on the phone and, you know, hopefully you guys could tell who is the.
- [26:57]
Interviewer Matt Jones
Who Is the best Madden player in on your team.
- [27:00]
Denzel Ward
All right, team, I'm gonna have to go myself. I'm, I'm. I feel I'm an extreme level Madden player.
- [27:05]
Interviewer Matt Jones
You know, I saw Cam scatter boo over there a minute ago. He was. Well, I don't know. He was celebrating. They were giving him some award. I think the two of you should go at it.
- [27:13]
Denzel Ward
That'd be a good matchup. That'd be a good matchup. We. We gonna set that up. I got set that up.
- [27:16]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
I gotta ask him. We won't make it weird for Browns fans, but do you play with the Browns or do you play with another team? See, you gotta tell on yourself here.
- [27:23]
Denzel Ward
No, actually I do. Usually I do a franchise mode, though. So you could pick different teams, but I still pick the Browns. And then you could drive any players that you want in the league.
- [27:31]
Interviewer Matt Jones
Yeah, you don't want to be. You don't want to be. Be stuck with your. What was it like, the Shador experience? I mean, obviously, you know, had some ups and downs as a player, but there's. There's just so much else that came along with that. Did the team get used to it or is it like, you know, you just. It's just one of those things.
- [27:47]
Denzel Ward
No, it was good. I. I don't think it was as bad as people might have made it seem from outside in like Shador. He comes in and it locks in, works hard and just tries to get better each day. So, I mean, wasn't nothing out the ordinary that he was doing when he came to work.
- [28:02]
Interviewer Matt Jones
I mean, practicing against you every day probably helps him a little bit, right?
- [28:06]
Denzel Ward
Yeah, I believe so. Like I said before, I. I picked him off a few times in practice, so, you know, trying to help him learn and grow and know he's helping me as well. Making good throws.
- [28:15]
Interviewer Matt Jones
Going in the draft this year, what do you think the team needs to. To add?
- [28:19]
Denzel Ward
I would say, personally, I think that we need to go offense. Offense heavy and this draft, you know, get some more old lineman, get some receivers, get a lot of just offensive positions and help grow there in that.
- [28:31]
Interviewer Matt Jones
All right, well, Denzel, before you go, you obviously have the. The fashion sense as well as anybody. I want you to look at the guy next to you.
- [28:39]
Denzel Ward
Okay.
- [28:40]
Interviewer Matt Jones
This is Bill.
- [28:41]
Denzel Ward
Yeah.
- [28:41]
Interviewer Matt Jones
All right. Billy has these quarter zips. He is big on the reversible quarter zip. He can wear it. He can reverse it on the other side. Christian Watson said it was a terrible look. And it was like five in one head and shoulder shampoo Right. I like Christian Watson. I think you're dressed even better than Christian Watson. What do you think of the reversible quarter zip is?
- [29:03]
Denzel Ward
I don't think it's. It's not bad. I think it. And also it's not the clothes. Like, it's you that make the clothes. So it's like if you comfortable in that and that's what you like to wear, that like, that's what gives off the aura, gives off the, the vibe. Vibe. So I like it. That's your style. That's good. You know, I see you got the watch timepiece like I like it.
- [29:22]
Interviewer Matt Jones
What about the NFL logo hat?
- [29:24]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
NFL logo.
- [29:25]
Denzel Ward
I'm not mad at it. I'm not mad at it. You know, we had the super bowl. Like, it's a great moment to wear the hat.
- [29:30]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
I got the ultra confidence that a DB has to have.
- [29:32]
Denzel Ward
Right.
- [29:33]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
You gotta have that short term memory.
- [29:34]
Denzel Ward
Exactly.
- [29:34]
Interviewer Matt Jones
He looks a little bit like a DV did sound war a different db. Ward here for EA Sports and Madden for Cleveland Browns. Thank you very much.
- [29:46]
Denzel Ward
Appreciate it.
- [29:46]
Interviewer Matt Jones
Appreciate it.
- [29:48]
Interviewer Drew Franklin
All right, that was NFL Cover zero's interview with Cleveland Brown. Denzel Ward. We enjoyed talking to him. We'll have more for you coming up soon. We'll. We'll hit the latest news in the NFL News. We don't know yet, but it's a busy offseason with the draft approaching. And we'll have our interview with 49ers linebacker Eric Kendricks, who made a huge play for the 49ers in the postseason. He was part of that team they had to throw together when they battled so many injur. A guy whose career looked like it might have been over and he stepped up for them in a big way. So it was great talking to him, learning what it was like being on a team that was just riddled with injuries. And we'll have that coming up soon. For now, thank you for listening to NFL Cover Zero, Billy, thank you for doing another one with me. And we'll be back next week.
- [30:27]
Interviewer Billy Rutledge
Let's do it.
- [30:36]
Interviewer Matt Jones
NFL Cover 0 with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin is a production of the NFL and iHeart podcast. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHear Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.
- [30:48]
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- [31:58]
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- [33:00]
Erin Andrews / Karissa Thompson
This is an Iheart Podcast. Guaranteed human.