Breaking down what Ward means for Bucs

BasX · Mar 2, 2009

As mentioned in our last post, the Bucs have signed free agent running back Derrick Ward to a four-year contract worth $17 million.

Five random thoughts on what this move means for the Bucs:

1. Officially, it will go down in history as the first unrestricted free agent in the era of coach Raheem Morris and general manager Mark Dominik. Don't underestimate the importance of that. General managers and coaches like to make sure "their guys'' work out.

2. The Bucs won't say it for months, but Ward has just jumped ahead of Earnest Graham on the depth chart. Graham's a very nice back, but Ward's better and he's making more money. Still, look for a fairly even split on the carries, with Ward getting a slight edge.

3. Anybody else notice the Bucs have been methodical about putting their skill-position players together. They've traded for Kellen Winslow, re-signed receiver Antonio Bryant, signed Ward and throw in the fact they've re-signed receiver Michael Clayton. Throw in the fact they've already put a very good offensive line and this group, plus a speed receiver to play ahead of Clayton, and this offense suddenly could start looking a lot more attractive to a quarterback on the trading block and looking for a new team. For the heck of it, let's just say a quarterback like, um, Jay Cutler? Starting to make sense. When this is all sorted out, Tampa Bay fans might realize Morris and Dominik had a clue and a master plan all along.

4. Ward's a power back, who ran for 1,000 yards as part of the Giants' three-headed backfield last year. Give this guy the bulk of the carries and he might give you 1,500 yards.

5. Believe it or not, Tampa Bay's defense, even it got severely gutted last week, just got a lot better. A combination of Ward and Graham has the potential to control the clock and help keep a defense fresh. That's one possible way to avoid a four-game collapse at the end of the season.
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http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcsouth/0-9-14/Breaking-down-what-Ward-means-for-Bucs.html

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Breaking down what Ward means for Bucs

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Breaking down what Ward means for Bucs

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