WFNY Top 10 Cleveland Sports Stories of 2011: #9 – Key Cavalier Wins
December 22, 2011Byron Scott: Starting Point Guard Spot Still Up For Grabs
December 22, 2011To the surprise of few but disappointment of many, the Cleveland Browns placed second-year strong safety TJ Ward on the injured reserve this afternoon, ending his season due to a foot injury.
Recall, Ward injured his foot in a game which he re-entered after suffering a hand injury early on in the contest. The team was holding out hope that he could return from the injury, but with two weeks left and the former second-round pick’s health still clouded with uncertainty, and other teammates sustaining injuries which required the team to add to staff, the team felt it would be best to chalk up their losses and focus on having Ward back, full strength, for the 2012 season.
“I thought [Ward] was playing well – he was playing at a very high level,” coach Pat Shurmur said of his player’s status pre-injury. “It seems like just yesterday he got hurt and it was in the Houston Texans game, but he was playing very well. I’m sure it’s been frustrating for him not to be able to make it back, but I know he’ll have renewed energy here to get read for next year.”
After an excellent rookie campaign wherein Ward led the team in tackles, he will finish his sophomore campaign with 39 tackles and one sack. Usama Young will continue to fill in at strong safety with Mike Adams playing the majority of the snaps at free safety.
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(AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
12 Comments
Getting increasingly difficult to conjure up reasons to watch the last losses of this dismal season. Is it draft time yet?
@ Harv 21: Are you kidding? I can’t wait to see what bizarre stupidity that passes for Shurmur’s offense will come next! They’ve done 9 guys on the field already…maybe now they’ll try 8! Or perhaps we’ll hand it off to Jordan Cameron? Who knows, perhaps Colt will score a first quarter touchdown. Only time will tell.
Ever hear the phrase “a beautiful disaster?” That’s what this team has become. It’s almost a parody of itself. That’s when you know you’re going places.
get well for next year TJ.
Bud Shaw made a good point in this morning’s Plain Dealer regarding the folly of the late and unlamented idea of an 18-game season.
This year, teams have had plenty of trouble just getting through 12 games.
More Usama Young!!!
I have a feeling all three of our teams’ lack of depth creates this illusion, but damn if it doesn’t seem like Cleveland teams’ decent/good players get injured at a far greater clip than other teams’.
I think our defense held up pretty well this year. Imagine if Rubin, Taylor or Sheard got hurt. Our lack of DL depth is appalling and we should be counting our blessings it did not get exposed (well, outside from possible exhaustion from the starters)
The injuries hurt mote because of the lack of depth. The drop in skill from guys like Haden, Ward, DQ and Hillis to their back-ups is huuuuuge.
Shamrock makes a good point. They need to add some depth to the team badly.
Agree with adding depth, need a starting WR to compliment Little (give the rook some credit, just hardly any other threats; not using Moore more often hurts). Give McCoy a chance w/ some play-makers. Losing Ward on our D is like the Rats losing Reed or the Squealers losing Prickamalu (anyone else have other suggestions? but division comparison here works best)
I’m glad they didn’t rush him back for pointless games. Give him the rest, I hope he comes back next year to lay some punishment on the steelers
JM I’m pretty sure the FO would love to be in the position to add depth. Unfortunately, you have to concentrate on adding front line talent first. They are not quite done with that part yet.