ALAMEDA – A large chip rests on Jihad Ward's shoulder. That's common for athletes, always on the hunt for motivation. Critics, detractors, those of little faith are easy and obvious targets.
The Raiders defensive lineman had options during a rookie season where he was thrust into full-time duty. Mario Edwards Jr. got hurt and never truly recovered, leaving last year's second-round pick to play significant snaps. The heavy workload came earlier than the Raiders had planned, before Ward was ready. When Edwards Jr. returned late in the year, Ward was essentially shut down.
The Illinoise product took some flak for it. He listened, absorbed and was fueled. He's comfortable with that process, and the motivation that comes with it.
"They're just trying to hate (on) people trying to do what they have to do," Ward said Tuesday. "Keep on pushing. That's all. …There will be critics everywhere."
Head coach Jack Del Rio openly criticized Ward's position group. He said after last season that the Raiders had to upgrade their inside pass rush, that they need more quarterback pressure from guys not named Mack or Irvin. He was right. The Raiders had a league-low 25 sacks despite 18 coming from their star edge rushers.
Edwards Jr. got healthy and Eddie Vanderdoes came in the NFL draft's third-round, adding power and speed to that group. Ward, Denico Autry, Treyvon Hester, Justin Ellis and Darius Latham all have a part to play inside, and Del Rio believes that unit will be more impactful this season.
"It definitely is a much deeper group than we've had. More athletic group than we've had," Del Rio said. "I'm very encouraged by the early signs that I've seen in pads, throughout camps against a very good offensive line that we have. Another great test this week to evaluate these guys because we're playing one of the better lines in the league."
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The Raiders play Dallas on Saturday at AT&T Stadium, where starters will play extensive snaps against the vaunted Cowboys offensive line.
"It's a great opportunity to evaluate, develop, continue to push, but we feel like we've strengthened ourselves there," Del Rio said. "It's probably the strength of the defense right now."
That's a vote of confidence for a group that should be more effective if healthy. Edwards Jr. and Vanderdoes should front the effort, though Ward could be an impact player if he builds off a strong offseason program. Del Rio says Ward was "more decisive," this spring, a product of being comfortable playing in this system and this league.
Then Ward suffered a setback. He felt a tweak in his foot during OTAs, one that proved serious and required surgery to repair. He spent training camp on the PUP list, and was finally cleared to practice on Monday. Ward doesn't think the layoff killed offseason momentum. The comfort and confidence hasn't left.
"Your first year coming here, you're thinking too much," Ward said. "Now it's like ‘okay, I get it now.' That's how it is for all rookies. They just have to learn what's going on, so I feel it. Everything is easier now, it's my second years now. It's regular."
