Jordan Shipley On T.J. Ward Hit: Those Kind Of Things Happen

by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 16, 2010 2:08 PM EST in Game Previews

On Wednesday Jason wrote that T.J. Ward, Cleveland Browns' rookie safety, will try to reach out to Jordan Shipley during Sunday's pregame to reiterate that he had no intention to hurt him on this vicious hit.

"We've still got to be focused and ready warming up, but if I get the opportunity, I might shout at him for a little bit,'' said Ward. "I might just tell him it wasn't my intent to hurt him or do anything like that, I was just playing the game. I hope he understands that. If not, I don't know, I tried.''

Along with Jordan Shipley suffering a concussion that forced him to miss the following week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ward was fined $15,000 on a hit that's often being cited as an example of what the league wants to prevent.

Shipley, according to Geoff Hobson, believes that it's just part of the game and has "shrugged ever since it happened".

"I understand it's a tough thing for a defensive player," Shipley said. "Our guys see their point of view, too. They feel like sometimes they have to be so careful and it's a very short window of time before they decide what they have to do. Those kind of things happen. All you can do is learn from it and move on."

So for those of you hoping that Shipley ziplines from the scoreboard in a ninja outfit to duel Ward like the ending of an epic Kung Fu movie, you, like me, will be totally disappointed.

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This is a bit of a change of tone from his previous position from Ward

He said at the time that he would do it again, if I remember correctly. I will give the man the benefit of the doubt and assume he is sincere. He hasn’t been a repeat offender. It also shows the class and toughness of Shipley. If every player on the team had his grit and skill we would not be where we are He, Leonard, Peko and Kyle Cook have become my favorite Bengals. All three give it all they got on every play. I guess I should put Whit in there too. You might question my mention of Cook, but that guy fights hard. I don’t see any center in the league give more effort or show more toughness.

"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by JUNGLEJOHN on Dec 17, 2010 11:24 AM EST reply actions