Pritchard: Broncos need to ‘let it go,’ put TJ Ward in ‘rear-view’

Comments from Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. on the affect T.J. Ward’s departure had on the locker room caused a bit of a stir on Tuesday.

A “No Fly Zone” founding member, Harris told 104.3 The Fan’s “Stokley & Zach” on Tuesday during the 20th annual Drive for Life blood drive that he believes the departure of Ward has had an effect on the chemistry of the Broncos locker room, specifically the defense.

“You can see it in the play, really,” Harris said. “We’re still Top 10, but I think having T.J. back there, he’s more of an enforcer. He could strike fear. When you have two guys that can hit you and strike that fear in you, I think that’s something that we’re missing.”

On Wednesday, The Fan’s Sandy Clough expanded on Harris’ comments, saying the starring members of the Broncos secondary “admired” Ward.

“I think T.J. Ward brought out the best, and perhaps concealed the more unattractive instincts, of Aqib Talib. Chris Harris, Bradley Roby, Darian Stewart, all close to T.J. Ward,” Clough said. “All admired him.”

However, former Broncos wide receiver and “Pritchard & Cecil” co-host Mike Pritchard said the comment could be construed as “borderline disrespectful,” that he and others of the same thinking are “not playing together.”

“You’re not playing for the person in this locker room,” Pritchard said. “And that’s a big part of being successful in the National Football League.”

“I don’t want to hear about T.J., ‘we really miss T.J. Ward,’” said Pritchard’s co-host, Cecil Lammey. “I get that. I understand why. But in Week 10, when you’re fighting for your season …”

Pritchard said it’s something the Broncos need to let go of and move down the road.

“That’s rear-view stuff,” he said.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.