An awful start hasn’t lessened Cam Ward’s confidence.
The struggling No. 1 pick — who now has a new head coach — made a bold proclamation about his future just days before the franchise fired coach Brian Callahan.
“I’m not playing how I want to play right now,” Ward told The Athletic. “So, once I play how I want to play, I think the league will be f–ked.”
Six games is a small sample size and perhaps some poor coaching held him back, but the former Miami star has not looked the part of a franchise-changer through one-third of the season.
The Titans are 1-5 with one miracle victory, and Ward has thrown for 1,101 yards and three touchdowns while hurling four interceptions.
He’s completing just 55 percent of his passes, and has been sacked the most times (25) in the NFL.
In Sunday’s 20-10 loss to the Raiders, Ward completed 26 of 38 passes for 222 yards with one touchdown and one interception while losing two fumbles.
Ward has only rushed 14 times for 36 yards despite possessing dual-threat skills.
The 23-year-old gave himself an “F” grade in his chat before the Raiders loss.
“I think that’s the biggest adjustment from college: There’s more on my plate,” Ward told the outlet. “A lot of stuff is reaction to the post-snap. … You can continue to learn it, but you’re still gonna mess it up. That’s the frustrating part for all of the rookies. It’s all new to us. That’s where it just messes with your mind.”
As the results have not been there, Ward reportedly has also caused some issues with his honesty.
After the team’s 26-0 loss to the Texans in Week 4, Ward said, “We ass,” while also being critical of his own play.
Titans star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons did not love that comment, and general manager Mike Borgonzi spoke to Ward afterward, per The Athletic.
Ward, though, didn’t have any issues with his words.
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“I didn’t care,” he told the publication about the blowback. “It was true. And that’s how we played those previous weeks. But I think the biggest thing is that nobody in the locker room pointed fingers; we just kept working.
“(My teammates) knew where I was coming from. Now, I could have helped out some people in regards of just (giving them a heads-up that) they’re gonna get asked the question. I could’ve helped them out that way. But they knew what I meant, and they knew how we were playing. So, they knew we were ass.”
Ward will have a chance for a fresh start under new interim coach Mike McCoy after the ex-Chargers coach received the nod to replace Callahan.
Many knocked Callahan, an offensive-minded coach, for not overseeing a functioning offense and eliciting week-over-week improvement from Ward.
Ward noted how he’s a film junkie, reportedly watching Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Peyton Manning, in hopes of becoming that franchise-changing talent.
“I can’t step away from it, honestly,” Ward told The Athletic of his video sessions. “There’s so much tape I watch, whether it’s of myself, other quarterbacks or the opponent we’re playing. I think about it, really, at all times. If it’s quiet, I’m probably thinking about a play I messed up or something that I’ve seen (on film). So, yeah, I really don’t stop thinking about it.
“A lot of times, it’s (about) the bad plays. It’s frustrating for me because I’m not playing how I want to play. I can’t play no damn worse. I can, but s–t, I ain’t trying to. The only way is up.”
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