Browns CB Denzel Ward Accuses Ravens’ Stanley of Dirty Hit
The Cleveland Browns defense is as good as any defense in the NFL, giving the unit and its leaders a variety of ways to target.
The most reckless manifestation of this phenomenon comes in the form of cheap shots.
Star cornerback Denzel Ward claimed he was scapegoated during the Browns’ win over the rival Baltimore Ravens last weekend. Ward spoke to reporters on Thursday, Nov. 16 and criticized Ronnie Stanley for the foul that sent him off the field.
Ward told reporters, per Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot , “I thought it was a little bit of a cheap shot. “He caught me. I thought it was an unnecessary goal and it could have been a penalty in the game.
But I mean, this is football. An event is taking place. You see, everything is fine. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
Just because the officials decided not to throw the flag doesn’t mean Stanley won’t. The NFL can still fine offensive linemen for their actions. If the league does so, an announcement regarding the financial penalties will come on Saturday.
Fortunately for the Browns, Ward appears to be taking advantage of the opportunity he has against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, as he’s been a full participant in practice every day the past two days.
The same cannot be said for quarterback Deshaun Watson, who will miss the rest of the year with shoulder surgery.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson will start in place of Watson. Cleveland is giving the rookie a second chance after a disastrous performance in Week 4 against Baltimore, where he allowed just 121 yards and three touchdowns.
Thompson-Robinson spoke to reporters Thursday and explained why the second game will be different. “Now I know what to expect. Like most people, I’ve been to NFL games before, so this isn’t my first time attending a game.
So I don’t go out in the snow anymore,” Thompson-Robinson said.
“It happens day and night. My progress, my growth, how I spent the weeks leading up to this point. There’s just the opportunity to learn from that first experience.”
General manager Andrew Berry has publicly announced the team’s intention to add a quarterback soon, and the Browns have held workouts for former Ravens quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco.
The Browns are expected to enter the playoffs favored over the Steelers.
Despite Watson’s injury and the loss of Nick Chubb to the Pro-Bowl earlier in the season, the organization made its way to the playoffs.
According to Draft Kings Sportsbook, the Browns are 1.5-point favorites to beat the Steelers on Sunday in Cleveland.
The ESPN Football Power Index (FPI) projects the Browns to win 10.3 games this season (10 or 11, with 10 more likely).
According to FPI, Cleveland has a 73.1 percent chance to advance heading into this weekend’s matchup with Pittsburgh.
That calculus will depend on wins and losses, and Thompson-Robinson’s performance will likely dictate how the rest of the Browns’ season plays out.
