Tampa Bay Buccaneers Have Signed RB Derrick Ward
by Dave the Falconer on Mar 2, 2009 10:20 PM EST
47 comments
...UPDATE...
Giants fans sound off on the Derrick Ward signing:
"In an ideal world, the Giants would have kept him. Derrick is a tough, shifty yet big back with decent power who can catch the ball out of the backfield. The problem is he’s 29 and this was the first year he played a full slate of 16 games. He’s been battling with injuries since the beginning of the year. He is wind of Earth wind and fire. With Earnest Graham being the bruising back, Ward would compliment him well." – Giants Fan hoyasdetroya85 from Big Blue View our New York Giants Blog
Hat tip to Pro Football Talk.
To an outside like me, this seems to be the likely end of Cadillac Williams in Tampa Bay. With Earnest Graham already in hand, you guys should have a pretty potent rushing attack. Might this also mean a young quarterback taking the helm, with a quality ground game to take some pressure off of him?
Good signing, I gotta say. And because I gotta say 75 words in total, I'm also going to say that I'm looking forward to playing you guys twice next year.
Added by JScott:
Per a league source the deal is four years for a total of $17 million ($6 million guaranteed). Could the Bucs have succeeded without Ward next season? I think so, but with the releasing of Warrick Dunn he takes over the pass catching responsibilities of the backfield. In Tampa he will not be expected to carry the load much like his role in New York and he excelled last season while playing in such a role. His acquisition allows the Bucs to keep Return man Clifton Smith in that role and avoid possible injury to the only positive in their return game.
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Red Dave breaking the
BIG NEWS!!!! appreciate the post brother!!!
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by JScott on Mar 2, 2009 9:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
by the way
i hate front paging a rival like this GRRRR
Buc 'Em Your SBNation Tampa Bay Bucs Blog where Dull Boys are not allowed!!
by JScott on Mar 2, 2009 9:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Bwahaha!
Then it was all worth it.
I was bored as hell at work and saw they had signed Ward, so I figured I’d throw something up. Kind of like what I do when I watch you guys play!
by Dave the Falconer on Mar 2, 2009 9:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the good news for us Dave.
I like this signing. Gives us another option at running back and hopefully someone to add a little consistency to the up and down running game.
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by The Bull Gator on Mar 2, 2009 9:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
No problem
As much as I hate to see you guys making intelligent, rational moves, I gotta give you props. Ward ought to be a good value.
by Dave the Falconer on Mar 2, 2009 9:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey...
…I’m all for intelligent, rational football talk with rivals as well. I don’t necessarily wish the Falcons good luck, but you’re a decent individual, so it’s all good. At least I think so…you could be some 12-year old in his basement laughing at his hoards of internet followers for all we know. But let’s hope not.
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by The Bull Gator on Mar 2, 2009 9:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
24 year-old in an apartment
But otherwise you’re remarkably close!
by Dave the Falconer on Mar 2, 2009 10:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Haha.
Like I said, it’s all good! I’m a 29-year-old in an office being told to turn off the computer. YES DEAR!
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by The Bull Gator on Mar 2, 2009 10:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ditto here
Cannons... fire them.
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by Craig T on Mar 2, 2009 10:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
For sure....
we got him at a good price. Didn’t over pay
"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"
by UNFNOLE on Mar 3, 2009 6:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i'm kind of shocked
we didnt overpay even though RB’s lately have been getting pedestrian type deals compared to other positions around the NFL (dline, cb’s)
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by JScott on Mar 3, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
the funny part
is they were supposed to meet tomorrow, heh
Buc 'Em Your SBNation Tampa Bay Bucs Blog where Dull Boys are not allowed!!
by JScott on Mar 2, 2009 9:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
thanks
for the update
now i think we are fillin some of our gaps
i said earlier alot of good teams have the two back tandem
like carolina and i guess sometimes with atlanta wit turner and norwood
now we join the group of two backs =]
Go Bucs... Time to Re-Build
by ohswarrior0812 on Mar 2, 2009 9:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Good signing...
…and for decent money I think. Something for us all to be happy about. Behind an improving line, Ward can do some damage.
And for you all out there, Ward’s 2008 stats: 182 carries, 1,025 yards, 5.6 yards per carry (GOO!!!), 2 TDs, 41 catches, 384 yards. He has a 5.1 carry yards per carry average and returned punts earlier in his career. Not that we need him to return kicks, but nice to know we have good depth there if needed.
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by The Bull Gator on Mar 2, 2009 10:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
hoooray
Go Bucs... Time to Re-Build
by ohswarrior0812 on Mar 2, 2009 10:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i like this a lot 1 2 punch with graham and ward behind our line should be great !!
by the420bucsfan on Mar 2, 2009 10:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
agreed
an maybe throw in clifton and caddy a few times
could make it difficult to plan against
Go Bucs... Time to Re-Build
by ohswarrior0812 on Mar 2, 2009 10:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i think cadis gone .. sad to say !!!
by the420bucsfan on Mar 2, 2009 10:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
maybe
does anyone know how many yrs he has left on his contract?
Go Bucs... Time to Re-Build
by ohswarrior0812 on Mar 2, 2009 10:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
believe it or not
this is his contract year. He signed a 5 year deal as a rookie after the ’05 draft…
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by JScott on Mar 3, 2009 6:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, put a dress on me and punch me in the face,
Like I’ve stated before, I’m uncertain about Ward as a #1 featured back, but he and Graham could really pound it out as a 1-2 punch, like Jacobs and Ward did in NY. I thought the team might have been looking for a 3rd down/change of pace back after releasing Dunn, but it could be that the Bucs are comfortable with Clifton Smith in that role. Regardless, Ward improves the RB corps and is a good pickup overall and shows the Bucs are trying to make some moves.
Cannons... fire them.
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by Craig T on Mar 2, 2009 10:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
so craig
who do you think should start?
Go Bucs... Time to Re-Build
by ohswarrior0812 on Mar 2, 2009 10:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Graham
I would like to start Caddy if he were available and healthy, but clearly he won’t be for some time.
Cannons... fire them.
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by Craig T on Mar 2, 2009 10:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i think Caddy is safe for the time being
if anything he and Earnest show that injuries can rear their ugly head… I hope Caddy can prove he’s healthy in camp prior to getting dropped
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by JScott on Mar 2, 2009 10:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
agreed
ive always like caddy
i wish he could play a big role again…
Go Bucs... Time to Re-Build
by ohswarrior0812 on Mar 2, 2009 10:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That's one of the great things about the Ward signing
another pretty decent back in the rotation to either start or back up Graham and Caddy, however training camp shakes out the depth chart.
Cannons... fire them.
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by Craig T on Mar 2, 2009 10:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If this is a true 1-2 punch we're looking at...
…the starter really doesn’t matter. The carries would be split to who’s ever most effective against any given defense. Either way, Ward will work in nicely.
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by The Bull Gator on Mar 2, 2009 10:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Lord has looked our way.....Amen brothers....
Derrick Ward #1 featured back….with Earnest Graham very good #2…..with Carnell Williams and Clifton Smith adding depth……beautiful…..thank you Raheem and Mark…..now one more receiver……likes of Devery Henderson……then start filling some defensive gap…….
by twrestlinga on Mar 2, 2009 10:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
AGREED
lets get it started…
Go Bucs... Time to Re-Build
by ohswarrior0812 on Mar 2, 2009 10:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
.
I dont want to be that guy but look how happy everyone is on this site compared to earlier today when numerous people were casting off Dominik and Morris. Sometimes you have to be patient and let it come to you.
by zakattackthe on Mar 2, 2009 10:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Well said, brother
that’s why I asked for a little bit of patience last night. Something some folks might be forgetting is that Dominik made a huge offer for Haynesworth and attempted to swing a trade for Cutler…. of course after acquiring a solid tight end. Am I lauding this group so far? Heck no, certainly not, but I’m not going to bash them until free agency plays out a little further.
Cannons... fire them.
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by Craig T on Mar 2, 2009 10:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You're absolutely right
I think if the Bucs can sign D. Henderson and Igor (DE from SD) they will be making huge strides.
"We couldn't tackle today, but we made up for it by not blocking"
-- John McKay
by CrazyCarl139 on Mar 2, 2009 10:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i agree
if we grab someone to help out at dline or lb an draft for needs and draft then everyone will be looking back at those other blogs an say why were we hatin on morris and dominik??
i think they are doin what they can
the only thing i disagree with is the release of brooks and june
Go Bucs... Time to Re-Build
by ohswarrior0812 on Mar 2, 2009 10:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I never wanted to cast them off.....
I was just asking why…..confusion and frustration…..I like Raheem and I want to see what he can do….i know he will do a great job but a coach is only as good as his players….as far as mark goes…..he has been with the team a long time and has plenty of experience……he tried like hell to make a “WOW” move but couldn’t sell the team…..he should know…..you can’t throw all of your eggs in one basket…..he needed to concentrate on all and not just one…..they will get it…..and I hope they are around for many years…..
by twrestlinga on Mar 2, 2009 10:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
.
Jabari Greer reportedly visited today. Any news on that?
by zakattackthe on Mar 2, 2009 10:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Not yet
running down a link. Also looking for report on Buchanon’s visit to Detroit. Looks like Bucs and Lions kicking tires on some of the same players.
Cannons... fire them.
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by Craig T on Mar 2, 2009 10:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
.
Anyone visiting tomorrow? Was supposed to be Ward but now that weve signed him he will probably just do his PC. Any word on Angelo Crowell?
by zakattackthe on Mar 2, 2009 10:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Finally
Some real progress. Looking forward to the next signings.
by Bucs on Mar 2, 2009 11:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Poor Caddy
I think with signing Ward, will mean that Caddy will either get cut or start the season on the PUP at least. If he starts on the PUP he can heal and maybe come in after someone is hurt like last season. Let’s go get Jason Taylor for 2yrs, Buchanon and/or Greer(what became of his visit), and Phillips or Sean Jones. The off season football Gods owe us Jay Cutler. All the talks have gotten my hopes up. Or draft Freeman if you like.
by cowatkins78 on Mar 3, 2009 5:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm
What about CB Justin Miller? Great special teams player. What happen to Stovall? Witness protection?
by cowatkins78 on Mar 3, 2009 5:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Good Pick Up
But I am still pissed about Derrick.
That one will take years for me to recover from. I guess I have to go buy a Barret Ruud jersey and retire my Brooks jersey that I have been wearing every game day for the last 12 years.
by PewterPirate55 on Mar 3, 2009 7:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
i'd hold off on the Ruud jersey
until they extend his contract, this is his contract year and they should certainly bring him back, but who knows… do what your heart tells you, ha
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by JScott on Mar 3, 2009 7:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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