Cleveland Browns Rookie Report: Who's the Real TJ Ward?

In the second round of the 2010 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns surprised most fans by selecting Oregon safety TJ Ward with the 38th pick. 

Ward was considered by most a reach in the second round because of his injury issues and lack of experience in coverage during his time at Oregon. Ward missed five games in '09 and three games in '07 due to injuries. But in '08, his lone complete season, he led the Ducks in tackles with 98 and forced four fumbles. He also registered one sack and an interception. 

Despite the injuries the Browns front office loved what they saw in Ward and thought he could be the type of play making safety the divisional counterparts, Pittsburgh and Baltimore, feature in their defenses. Although Ward has a long way to go in becoming anything close to a Troy Polamalu or Ed Reed he will be in the starting lineup for his first NFL game Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  

But how will Ward play? 

After most Cleveland fans were shocked at the selection of Ward, the feeling of uncertainty was quickly replaced with a high amount of optimism after the first preseason game. Ward led the team in tackles with nine against the Green Bay Packers in about three quarters of action. 

After playing like a Polamalu clone, Ward finished the preseason on a much quieter note.

When the preseason was all said and done Ward lead the team in solo tackles with 14. But after a great first game the bar was set high by the media and the coaching staff so it's important for Ward to be a play maker on the Browns defense this year. 

Maybe it is a victory in itself that Ward made it through the preseason without suffering an injury, unlike the other injury risk draft pick Montario Hardesty, but if the Browns want to have a better defense this season Ward will have to play much more like he did in game one then he did in the final three preseason games.