PHILADELPHIA — After the Browns’ first joint practice against the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday, Denzel Ward walked to the corner of the far practice field at the NovaCare Complex, helmet in hand, towel over his head to shade himself from the sun.
Instead of setting up for his interview in front of the pre-set background and microphone stand, Ward requested to do his media availability under a small tent where Browns in-house radio had been set up, seeking any respite he could get from the 90-degree temperatures and blaring sun.
It was well earned, after a hard fought afternoon by the Cleveland defense — in particular Ward, and the Browns defensive line.
From the jump, it was clear the unit came to Philly ready to go against the defending Super Bowl champs -- and even amid a four-man QB battle that has commanded national attention, the Browns’ defense was the thing to remember from Wednesday.
“We’re trying to take it to ‘em and trying to work hard and get better out here regardless (of) whether it was hot or not,” Ward said. “They’re a great group of guys, going against the Super Bowl champs, so we just wanted to come out and show that we are here to work too.”
The effort was evident as the Browns’ defensive front got to Jalen Hurts, last year’s Super Bowl MVP, for would-be sacks (there’s no tackling to the ground or hitting the QB in this kind of practice setting) at least six times during team drills.
Myles Garrett led the defensive effort with 2.5 sacks, showcasing his versatility by rushing effectively from both sides of the line.
“Any time you can go against maybe one of the best guys maybe ever on the edge, you have your work cut out,” Eagles All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson said. “But it was a good day of practice.”
Mason Graham contributed two sacks, while Cameron Thomas added one, and Carson Schwesinger shared a half-sack with Garrett.
The pressure peaked during red zone drills, where Graham’s disruption forced Hurts into throwing an interception to Browns safety Ronnie Hickman, marking Cleveland’s only interception during team periods. Devin Bush had one during 7-on-7s and Myles Harden had one during individual drills.
Veteran defensive tackle Shelby Harris also made an impact, drawing a crucial holding penalty during the high red zone period.
In the secondary, Ward proved to be a highlight. He got a breakup on the very first snap of 1-on-1s and had another going against DeVonta Smith in 11-on-11s using the late hands technique to avoid a penalty.
But the Pro Bowl corner who led the league in pass breakups with 17 last year knows better than most that any plays he makes will be helped along by what goes on in the front half of the defense.
“I loved it,” Ward said. “I love seeing those guys in the backfield causing havoc. Rush and coverage work together. So it’s just fun seeing those guys work and they’re going to help us out. We’re going to help them out.”
While it was a good day, it was still by no means perfect.
The dominant D-line performance came without Eagles Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson, who is out after undergoing a procedure for a meniscus.
Beyond Ward, and with Greg Newsome II still somewhat limited due to a shoulder injury, the corner depth behind him looked a bit shaky against the Eagles pass catchers as Cameron Mitchell and Harden were both left chasing at times.
But this was still a promising start, especially for the guys on the line who still have even more depth to add as Mike Hall Jr. continues to rehab from the knee injury he suffered during last year’s season finale against the Ravens.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s M.O. is to rotate roughly nine D-linemen to keep everyone fresh, and this performance showed just how formidable the unit could be — more akin to the 2023 version of the line that helped contribute to the league’s No. 1-ranked overall defense that year.
“It definitely feels deep,” Ward said. “I feel once that new wave of fresh guys come in on the D line, we’re still capable of getting in the backfield, so that’s been fun to see and looking forward to that still improving.”
This practice session also provided a glimpse into how exactly this Browns team would be able to surprise some people.
It’s going to start with performances like Wednesday’s by this D-line: production from Garrett, but also with other pass rushers managing to get to the QB.
Ward will have to be at his best, and the players behind him will need to step up with Martin Emerson Jr. out for the year with a ruptured Achilles.
The Browns D will have to force takeaways, and give their offense good field position, and extra chances to score.
Ward wrapped up his makeshift presser on Wednesday with little fanfare, heading to the team bus.
After he left, more cameras and reporters appeared to hear two of Cleveland’s quarterbacks — Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel — talk about practice. Everyone was also engrossed with the news that Shedeur Sanders didn’t take team reps due to an oblique injury, throwing another wrench into the QB competition.
It was in many ways, a fitting scene. While the four-man QB battle has been such a focus of camp, it has shifted focus away from a defense that is looking to get back to its 2023 ways.
The attention may not be there for the unit right now.
But if the Browns pull off any surprises this year? It’s certainly coming.
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