Cleveland’s second baseman has been his best player over the past month.
You might not have noticed on Sunday, thanks to Martin Emerson and Greg Newsome’s piece.
The best high school player in Cleveland this year and the past five years has been Denzel Ward.
Ward sticks to receivers like glue, but he’s been known to miss a game or two throughout the season, and 2023 was no exception.
Ward’s last game was on November 19 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland.
In that game, he accomplished something that no other quarterback in the NFL has accomplished.
He is in his 10th season in the game, becoming the only defensive back to have at least two interceptions and 10 or more PBUs in each of his first seven seasons.
Immediately after the match, he felt discomfort in his shoulder and had to miss the next three matches.
Without Ward, every member of the sophomore class would have to step up.
The first two games without No. 21 were a bit of a shock, and on Sunday the group stepped up to the plate, especially Martin Emerson Jr. and Greg Nelson.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) intercepts a pass from Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jay Jones (7) during the first quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The duo has been a joy to watch in Cleveland’s secondary over the past two seasons.
They grew up before our eyes and 2023 was a career season for all of them.
The pair had nine tackles, three interceptions and three passes lost on Sunday.
They forced Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence into a 23.8 passer rating when targeting the two. Elite products from Emerson and Newsom.
Browns fans have come to expect such performances from this group, and they delivered very well on Sunday.
With four games remaining, the Browns hope to bring Ward back to further improve the secondary and make it more difficult for teams to throw.
If he can’t go, have Emerson and Newsome serve as servers.
Anthony Moglin is a Northeast Ohio native and referee at John Carroll University, after defeating the No. 1 in the nation twice in four weeks in the 2016 NCAA DIII National Semifinals Contributes articles and video/podcast content to Browns Digest and is the lead football analyst for BuckeyesNow on the FanNation Network.
