QUARTERBACK CAM WARD
How good was it to take the team on a long drive in that second series?
It is real good. Especially for us to get the— just going. Especially when we start backed up. It's really about having a good first play, getting the drive going, ending up ending off with a Julius (Chestnut) touchdown run. So, we had a good little drive there.
What are seeing from training camp to now and how are you improving?
Well, I think my biggest improvement so far was just the tempo, getting in and out of the huddle. And then off of that, just playing, every day I think I play at a faster pace than what I played at the day before. That's through practice, Coach (Brian) Callahan getting me right, Coach Bo (Hardegree) getting me right. And then really just trying to put the ball in my playmaker's hands like I did tonight and let those guys go make plays.
What's your confidence level on how this team can be Week 1?
I think the biggest thing is trying to keep guys healthy going into Week 1, and then also making sure guys have confidence in what they're doing. Whether it's defensively, offensively, scheme-wise. And then, I'm real confident in our group. Both sides of the ball, we can score the ball. I think at a high pace if we need to. In defense, I know we can get a stop whenever we need to. So, both sides of ball, I think will be ready to play Week 1.
What'd you think of the home atmosphere?
It is real good, especially for a preseason game. I wish everybody had stayed the whole time, but I don't blame them, I wouldn't have stayed the whole time. So, I'm ready to get back here after, hopefully we get a win Week 1, get here for our home opener Week 2. So, hopefully we sold out.
How is your focus on footwork transferring from practice to games?
I just think I'm more on time in my back foot when I need to hitch or double hitch and then getting the ball out. And this came a long way since high school to this point, constantly working on my footwork throughout college. And then, Coach Bo (Hardegree) getting me right here. And the biggest thing was the footwork on certain plays. And then— because you never know how if you have to move in the pocket, you never how good the d-tackle, the defensive end is. So, you've got to be a reaction player as a quarterback. I think the biggest thing that got better was just being on time and with certain routes.
How good was it to get some connections with Van Jefferson tonight?
Oh yeah, I think Van (Jefferson) had himself a day. He does that, really, every day in practice. It's all about putting the ball in his hands and letting him make a play. That's something that I want to do every chance I get the opportunity to. I did tonight. BA (Brandon Allen) did tonight, and I think I'm excited for Van. I'm glad that I have him on my team. He's a team player, so I'm ready to throw him the football some more.
How important was it for you to show that the NFL isn't too big for you this preseason?
That was never important for me to show something to somebody. I'm trying to prove myself to my teammates every time I step on the field. That's a big reason why I do it, for the people in the building. And so, I just think we're focused on the next play mentality. And then we're also focused on Week 1. But I know what I'm capable of doing on the football field. Coach (Brian) Callahan knows that. So, I'm excited. He's going to put the ball in my hand. I'm glad he's doing it.
How much do you think you still have to show that you didn't show in the preseason?
I just think I really got to show that gunslinger and it's with playing a full game And then, it's also just Coach (Brian) Callahan having the trust in me like he does. So, I'm going to put a lot on tape on this year. My teammates are going to put on a lot of tape on it this year. So, we're excited every week we get opportunity.
How important is it to get reps with receivers other than Calvin Ridley?
It's real important. We get reps after practice all the time. Because especially you never know when your number is going to get called. So you've got to at least have timing with all the receivers. I think the whole group, we have that. I think we're a dynamic group. Each one of our guys run routes differently. I think that's an attribute of ours. And so even the second, third string guys, they come along, they make plays for me, as well as the other quarterbacks. So, they're going to be throughout the season, if we have a guy who ends up getting injured, those are going to be the guys that we end up count on.
Did you say anything to some of the guys who it may be the last time you play with them?
Not really. I just don't think like that. I just think God has a plan for everybody. So, whether they end up being on this journey with us throughout the whole year or not I know God will make sure he has his hand on them.
What do you hope you've shown your teammates about who you are at this point?
I just hope I show them that I'm about them, I'm about those guys in the locker room. That I'm willing to do anything to win. We were a three and fourteen team last year, so we've got nothing to lose. Everything to prove to ourselves. I'm ready for opportunity every week. The NFL, it's a place that you want to play here. It's the one percent of the world. Everybody in that locker room when it comes to Week 1 when we play Denver, we're going to try and go out there and get a win.
How do you think your leadership has had an affect on this team during the preseason?
I just think it has an effect on knowing that we're able to win every game. And that's just how I think as a quarterback. I think every time I step on the field, I can be a difference maker. And so, they surround me with a lot of talent, especially up front. Those five guys up there who are always the standpoint of our offense, the O-line. And then just the running backs and the receiver core. I think those are going to be the guys who help make me do my job, make my job easier, and they also got to make their job easier.
What was the pregame movie today?
I'm watching Prison Break.
