BEREA, OHIO– Mike Ford Jr.’s career has been built on moments like this.
As the Browns prepare to travel to Denver to face the Broncos, who are on a four-game winning streak, they will be without their star cornerback Denzel Ward, who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.
That means Ford will almost certainly get more defensive snaps. And, as a former undrafted player who has made his way in the NFL primarily through special teams contributions, he said he’s prepared for unexpected moments like this, when a backup must step up.
“I’ve always been that guy that has to step in, if anything happens, keep everything calm and be able to be as productive as the first guy,” Ford was quoted as saying on Friday.
In fact, at this point in his career, it’s probably the easiest part of his job.
“[F]or the simple fact that we’re all professionals, so we all have to prepare every week and we all have a role,” he went on to say. “So my role has always been that next man up on defense, so I have to prepare for that regardless, as well as being the guy on special teams.” So I’m going to brag about being prepared for that. So it doesn’t change my weekly preparation; it’s just a bigger role that I need to complete for my team.
“When a guy comes out there, you kind of just look that guy in his eye and tell him, come on, let’s do what you do.”
The Browns and Ford have previously been in this situation together, and Ford did what he does best.
Ward left the Ravens’ 33-31 win over them two weeks ago with a neck injury. Ford played 28 defensive snaps that game, recording two tackles, two pass breakups, and his first career interception.
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