49ers Ward shares the secret to getting the first two interceptions of his career

 

 

49ers Ward shares the secret to getting the first two interceptions of his career. Cornerback Charvarius Ward speaks to the media after the 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 45-29 to clinch the NFC West title. GLENDALE, Ariz. — after 49ersand#039; Charvarius “Mooney” Ward defeated the Arizona Cardinals 45-29 on Sunday.

He shared the secret to his first career two-interception, six-point performance. Before Sunday’s win, Ward had recorded just two interceptions in Weeks 1 and 7 while leading the league in passing yards per game (PBU). The cornerback has vowed to turn his PBUs into interceptions by working on the JUGS machines, but he may have found an even better way to train. “I got balls from Sam Darnold this week,” Ward said. “Sam is a quarterback who throws the ball hard. It’s different when the quarterback throws the ball to you and your coach doesn’t throw the ball to you.

It’s a different twist. “I got balls from Sam Darnold and I probably do that every week.” Ward had an impressive season with a league-high 22 touchdown passes, but Sunday was a breakthrough for the cornerback. “It means everything, man,” Ward said after the game. “I had a big smile on my face, probably the whole first half after the touchdown. I feel like I made a great play. First, thank God. Two picks for the first time in my career, even high school, college and junior. Totally grateful for that.” The 49ers have an NFC West win against the Cardinals Ward’s first catch was a Kyler Murray pass intended for tight end Trey McBride.

The 49ers linebacker burst between two Cardinals players and saw only green grass with the ball in his hands and raced 66 yards for a score. The undrafted free agent’s sixth is All-Star defensive coordinator Steve Wilks’ first score of the season. It is also the first of Wardand’s football career, even dating back to his Pop-Warner days. “Coach Wilks has emphasized scoring on defense all year,” Ward said. “Thank God, I was the first quarterback to score a touchdown for us this season.

It feels really good. I have to stay humble, keep working and try to get better.” Teammate Deebo Samuel was one of Ward’s first teammates to meet him in the end zone to celebrate the pick-six. Before the play, the linebacker believed the cornerback had made an interception. “Man, this is so crazy,” Samuel said. “Right before the game I was like, ‘Yeah, it’s time for you to pick,’ and I was sick of seeing PBUs. I said, ‘You’re going about 90 yards.'” But it was close to that. “He hit it like he just got a screen and he went into the end zone. I had my helmet on, so obviously I can’t be penalized.

I just ran down there to meet him in the end zone.” Ward caught his second pick late in the game to seal the win for the 49ers with just over six minutes left in the game. 49ersand#039; defense faces an even bigger task in Week 16 when the Baltimore Ravens head to the Bay Area for Monday Night Football. Without a doubt, Ward will be back in prime time with Darnold.