For the first time since he signed with the Broncos in March 2014, T.J. Ward will return to the place his NFL career started when the Broncos play the Browns at Cleveland on Sunday.
But he doesn’t expect a warm welcoming — not as a key piece of Denver’s league-leading defense (278 yards allowed per game).
Ward recently spoke with The Denver Post about his expectations for the game, his “fresh” wardrobe and how he’s helped his younger brother, Terron Ward, a former Oregon State running back who signed with the Falcons as an undrafted rookie this year, get acclimated to the NFL.
Q: You’ve been asked a lot about your acrimonious exit from Cleveland. But what were some of the good memories of your time there?
A: Just getting drafted there. Coming in, being my first experience in the NFL, the guys I came in with from that class — I don’t think too many are left. I think only (cornerback) Joe (Haden) is the only one left from the guys who got drafted with us. But it’s going to be good playing in front of the fans again, seeing how they accept me or not — it doesn’t matter. I’m there to do a job.
Q: Are you expecting boos?
A: I’m definitely expecting boos. For sure. Especially when we play well. What are they going to do, cheer for us when we start making plays? Nah, I’m expecting boos. I’m expecting everything. You don’t really hear too much of that when you’re on the field anyway.
Q: How much does that year difference make for the secondary, just in terms of being more comfortable playing alongside each other?
A: It definitely makes a difference. It’s another year. You should get better with time. It’s your craft. I think that we’ve been playing some pretty good football right now, and it’s because of time put together away from here, as well.
Q: How much planning do you put into selecting your outfits for road games? Especially last weekend.
A: Hey, believe it or not, that was a throw-together. I put that together at the last minute. But I usually do it the night before.
Q: So should we expect something big for your trip back to Cleveland?
A: I’m pretty fresh every week. You can expect that.
Q: What’s it been like having a sibling in the league?
A: I talk to him every week. We’re both very busy because, you know, NFL workdays are pretty hectic. But it’s been great watching him play and seeing what he did after if I don’t get to watch him play, and just talking to him about the week and how he prepared. It’s great. Last year I was watching him on Saturdays, so I was anxious to see what he did. Now he’s playing on the same level as me.
Q: Does he ever seek your advice, from a defensive perspective?
A: Yeah, I try to give him as much advice as I can, not just on the game, but also off the field — things you can expect from other people and just how to go about it as a pro. But I’ve been giving him advice since he started football. Especially with him being a running back and me being a defensive player, I try to give him the mind of a safety or linebacker or whatever.
Nicki Jhabvala: njhabvala@denverpost.com or @NickiJhabvala
About T.J. Ward
Position: safety
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 200 pounds
Age: 28
NFL experience: Sixth season
Acquired: Signed as free agent in 2014
College: Oregon
— Has 26 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles through Week 5 of 2015
— Named the AFC defensive player of the week after Week 4
— Totaled 74 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions in 2014
— Two-time Pro Bowl selection
— Drafted by the Browns in second round (38th) in 2010
