Now that the great Antoine Winfield has retired, Ward has taken the title of the NFL’s best run-stopping defensive back. For the second straight season his run defense grade led all safeties. His 20 run stops were also the most of any defensive back, and he continually showed the ability to thwart bigger blockers at the point of attack. A good example came in Week 2 against the Ravens with 7:06 left in the third quarter, when Ward undercut a pulling Marshall Yanda to bring both him and Ray Rice down for a loss. The Browns’ strong safety is excellent at slipping around blockers near the edge, yet also unafraid to meet them head-on to muddy up the point of attack.
If Thomas is renowned for his ability to cover ground in coverage, Ward is equally rangy against the run. On multiple occasions we’ve noticed him start more than 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage at the snap, only to quickly read the handoff and stop it for a short gain. That same speed also serves him well as a blitzer, where his five quarterback pressures on just 20 pass rushes earned one of the top
Pass Rushing Productivity marks by a safety this season.
Some players’ focus on the run comes at a detriment to their pass coverage, but Ward certainly holds his own there. His only passing touchdown allowed all season was on a tough back-shoulder throw to Joseph Fauria. He was solid in zone coverage underneath, as his game-sealing pick-six against the Bills can attest. But he was also capable in slot man coverage, exemplified by his tipped pass in the end zone versus Brandon Marshall to cause an interception in Week 15.
You rarely hear Ward’s named as the best safety in the league, but his top-notch run defense and solid coverage certainly earns him a place in the discussion. His grade and impact have only improved with each season, making him a safe bet to continue his production. The Browns’ new coaching staff is taking over a quietly talented roster, and a difference-maker like Ward should be part of their future.
The Case Against WardBy Gordon McGuinness
Ward is obviously a fantastic player and he adds a physicality that no other Browns defensive back brings to the table, but if there is one aspect of his game that gave you cause for concern in 2013, it was how many tackles he missed. With 13 he was tied for the 15th most by a safety in the entire league, missing a tackle once every 9.4 attempted. Missed tackles are an underrated stat in my opinion, with every miss a potential touchdown – especially when it comes from the last line of defense.
It was the first time since his rookie year in 2010 that he missed more than four tackles in a single season, but it happened at enough frequency to give you pause for thought. There’s no doubting how important he has been to the Browns’ defense in recent times, but coming off another losing season they are a team with plenty of needs. While they would certainly be losing out in terms of overall quality, a player like James Ihedigbo or Bernard Pollard could maintain that physical presence at a fraction of the cost.