Titans QB Cam Ward insists footwork is not to blame for his continued struggles
· Yahoo Sports
Beleaguered Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward defended his footwork in the pocket, insisting it has improved despite continued scrutiny.
HIs play in new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's system has been inconsistent. His footwork issues emerge when the pocket collapses.
Visit michezonews.co.za for more information.
Ward's completion rate (38.9%) and yards per attempt (3.8) under pressure rank 27th among 29 NFL quarterbacks with at least 50 dropbacks this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Whatever problems Ward is facing, he seems determined not to blame his footwork as the Titans (1-6) prepare to visit the Cincinnati Bengals (4-2) on Nov. 1 (noon CT, CBS).
"I think I'm very good with footwork right now," Ward said Oct. 28, coming off a 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns. "I've grown in that aspect from, not only last year, but in previous years. That's something that's going to continue to get better throughout my career."
Cam Ward trying to stay 'balanced' on his throws
Ward acknowledged the challenges of improving his footwork in the pocket and admitted he still has work to do.
"It's something that's not going to change overnight. It's never going to be perfected in the game because stuff happens in the game that you can't predict in practice," he said. "It's more of just continuing to stay balanced, of staying flat through my throws, and as I do that, continue getting my wide receivers and those guys make plays."
In September, coach Robert Saleh said the level of Ward’s comfort in the pocket may have regressed after taking 55 sacks as a rookie.
After Ward was sacked once and threw one interception against the Browns, Saleh said on Oct. 28 that he spotted improvement in the footwork, but it has not been consistent.
"There's times where his footwork looks really, really good. He throws very accurate balls, he puts it where it needs to be," Saleh said. "And then there's times where he might rush it a little bit. It's all part of the growth and maturation. I wish I had a magic wand I could tap him on the shoulder and all of it would be fixed, but it's time on task, it's reps, it's continuing to work with him."
Why Cam Ward overthrew Daniel Bellinger against the Browns
Ward's pass to a wide-open Daniel Bellinger in the fourth quarter against the Browns sailed over Bellinger's head at the Cleveland 15-yard line. Ward never got his feet set on the throw.
"I think it was pretty good," Ward said when asked about his footwork on that play. "I think I just got happy on the throw. I think I could have thrown with more air instead of just trying to drive it to him."
Ward also refused to blame his footwork for a throw intended for Elic Ayomanor, which was intercepted by Browns cornerback Denzel Ward and ignited the Cleveland comeback after the Titans had taken a 14-0 lead.
"The interception was just a bad ball," he said. "Footwork was fine. I've just got to throw in front of Elic."
Saleh credited Ward for continuing to work on his footwork.
"He recognizes it," Saleh said. "I wish it was as easy as everybody wants it to be, but Cam's working . . . at it and I know the coaching staff is doing the same."
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Titans QB Cam Ward insists footwork is not to blame for his continued struggles