NFL Draft 2010: In a Surprise, Cleveland Browns Draft Safety T.J. Ward at No. 38

by Chris Pokorny on Apr 23, 2010 6:59 PM EDT in 2010 NFL Draft

You know what's funny about the draft? The discussions leading up to it.

For the past month or so, Cleveland Browns fans were praying that S Eric Berry wall fall to them in the first round. We almost began believing he was already going to be a member of our team. The Chiefs put a dagger in that by taking Berry fifth overall.

The discussion regarding the second round involved taking a quarterback, primarily Colt McCoy. With Jimmy Clausen falling yesterday out of the first round, the overnight discussions amongst fans and the media was, "McCoy or Clausen?"

But then, with the 38th pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns drafted Oregon safety T.J. Ward.

This is the type of pick that elicits a "what the ___?" reaction as soon as the name is announced. It might be a reach, but because the pick was not made in the first round, it's the type of deal I think we can live with. Before we criticize Ward, we need to learn more about the kid. I'm not at all surprised that we went for a position of need. Looking up-and-down our roster, we desperately needed a starting safety. Ward is no guarantee to start, but we have our first "candidate."

One thing is known about Ward: he's a hard hitter.

If anyone here has seen Ward play before and would like to comment on his abilities, please do so!

Tweet Comment 31 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

what happened to BAP?

by The Licensed Pessimist on Apr 23, 2010 7:03 PM EDT reply actions

If we were going to go defense I was a little surprised not to see Kindle or Mays..

Brownsyup

by Brownsyup on Apr 23, 2010 7:06 PM EDT reply actions

Ward

As a Duck alum, I can tell you that this guy can play. He is known for his hard hits as referenced by the video above. Believe me that play was not a fluke. The duck’s secondary was known for making big plays, and he was definitely a big part of them.

by Mankerton503 on Apr 23, 2010 7:08 PM EDT reply actions

This sort of made him sound better to me.

"Smokescreen."

by jaws. on Apr 23, 2010 7:10 PM EDT reply actions

Oh yea...

I’m a looking, and I’m a liking!!!

by Bey on Apr 24, 2010 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions

I get to watch Pac-10 games. The kid is good.
But did we have to use our 2nd? Probably yes.

If you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you, you own it. If it doesn’t, you don’t own it. And if it doesn’t, you’re an asshole. Just like you.

by Brownie's Year on Apr 23, 2010 7:18 PM EDT reply actions

After seeing that hit? I think it’s worth it.

by BrownDawg1409 on Apr 23, 2010 7:21 PM EDT reply actions

Would rather have a ball-hawk than a hard hitter

by The Licensed Pessimist on Apr 23, 2010 7:26 PM EDT reply actions

What?! The Browns drafted a player I’ve never heard of before?!? THAT MEANS HE MUST BE TERRIBLE!! BOOOOO! (Total Draft Expert, over here).

by DrewskiC on Apr 23, 2010 7:49 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

- everyone on cleveland.com, probably.

by DrewskiC on Apr 23, 2010 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry but this was a massive reach. He was more of a 4th round prospect.

Scientific research has proven that you lose exactly 5.37 billion brain cells every time you listen to Todd McShay.

by TheRealSlimShady on Apr 23, 2010 7:51 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks, Walter ;)

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Apr 24, 2010 1:08 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

I don’t get it.

Scientific research has proven that you lose exactly 5.37 billion brain cells every time you listen to Todd McShay.

by TheRealSlimShady on Apr 24, 2010 1:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Walterfootball?

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Apr 24, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s what I thought, but I don’t get why what I said is comparable to him.

Scientific research has proven that you lose exactly 5.37 billion brain cells every time you listen to Todd McShay.

by TheRealSlimShady on Apr 24, 2010 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

walterfootball thought that the pick was a massive reach…

and walterfootball has a mancrush on clausen and graded all the picks badly in the first from what i saw b/c teams passed on clausen…sometimes for an equally good player at a similar need (like the cardinals desperately needing a NT and taking the best one at a great value pick)

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

by bross09 on Apr 24, 2010 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Hilarious!

Dawgs By Nature -- where Hitler, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by golanbatrac on Apr 24, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I just made the connection too…it just kinda clicked and I had an epiphany…brilliant.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

by bross09 on Apr 24, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

The funny part is I remember reading a mock draft shortly after the season ended that had the Browns going Haden-Ward with their first two picks. I don’t think it was on this site, but I can’t remember where I saw it. Anyhow, the comments on it were very positive. Fast forward, and the comments seem to be negative. I sorta like the picks, honestly. I don’t have a lot to go on for doing so, but I do…

by Fundamentals on Apr 23, 2010 8:28 PM EDT reply actions

TJ Ward

his ball coverage skills are questionable. But he’ll be beyond fantastic against the run. And he’ll hit the hell out of people

--Dave
Addicted to Quack, SBN's Oregon Ducks blog

by David Piper on Apr 23, 2010 8:32 PM EDT reply actions

Hopefully he hits the hell out of Hines Ward and Chad Johnson.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Apr 24, 2010 1:08 AM EDT up reply actions

ball skills are important but not vital. you can also refine ball skills during TC, and Practice. ball skills IMO are much more easily taught than pure instincts and knowing where to be. that is what ward has.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

by bross09 on Apr 24, 2010 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

don’t like those injuries.

by The Brown Note on Apr 23, 2010 8:47 PM EDT reply actions

Looks like a player if he can stay healthy. I am glad we went for a safety, think this was year to draft a safety.

by Roger Dorn on Apr 23, 2010 10:25 PM EDT reply actions

I like the pick as we needed a Saftey but this guy looks to be a SS and we needed a FS. I dont think Abe Elam is a FS. Also with the pick of Haden I am looking for Sheldon Brown to move to FS as he has lost a step with age. Another possiblity is McDonald at FS which is where he played at Memphis

by deibson84 on Apr 23, 2010 11:16 PM EDT reply actions

True.

I penned Brown as moving to safety as well.

by Bey on Apr 24, 2010 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions

MacDonald at FS? Shouldn’t a FS be able to tackle? (involuntary shudder)

"...maybe this year, there's no gorilla" - YoDaddyWags

by woodsmeister on Apr 24, 2010 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

I have heard rob ryan talk about how we need 2 balanced safeties. Elam is a SS who is better than average for a SS in coverage and Ward would be a FS who has good hitting skills for a FS. both are similar guys who can play either safety position.

and NO on McDonald.

a) he needs to be able to tackle
b) he needs to know how to position himself. he always seemed out of position and never seemed to have good instincts.

I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.

by bross09 on Apr 24, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve got a good feeling about this kid. I don’t know why but i have this Butch-style feeling that he becomes an All-Pro. No idea why. Maybe the name TJ Ward just sounds badass.

"Smokescreen."

by jaws. on Apr 24, 2010 2:55 AM EDT reply actions