Signing Ward In '09 Was the Right Move

Hindsight is 20/20

Flashback to the 2009 offseason, and the Halfback position was filled with uncertainty. Ernest Graham came off his amazing feel good story of the 2007 season, and followed that up with decent success in '08 but only played in 10 games. Carnell Williams was coming back from his second severe knee injury, and Michael Bennett proved to be a wasted FA signing. After 5 games, Bennett was now a San Deigo Charger.

The Halfback cupboard was bare, and the Free Agent pool was slim pickings. The lone bright spot was Derrick Ward. Ward was a proven runner in the NFL. A successful 1000 yard back in a very crowded backfield, Ward was the "Wind" in the Giants now famous Earth, Wind and Fire backfield. The Giants were only one season removed from the remarkable upset of the 16-0 New England Patriots in the SuperBowl, and Ward had a large hand in the Giants' success the previous 2 seasons.

Ward was signed by Tampa and at the time it was a brilliant move. Unfortunately Ward got his 1st big pay day, and forgot that you actually have to play football in the NFL. He started off '09 by not showing up for offseason voluntary workouts, and followed that up with slow adaption to the new OC and playbook. His 2009 regular season was very disappointing and unproductive. With the re-emergence of Cadillac Williams, and Ward's apparent lack of focus, Williams reclaimed the starting Halfback job and held on to it the entire season. Ward became an after thought by the latter part of the season. He barely touched the ball, and when he did he didn't give the coaching staff any reasons to feed him the ball more. 

Now we reach the present and Ward shows his team and fans just how dedicated he is to right the wrongs of '09 by showing up to camp overweight and out of shape. His performances in the preseason games are horrible, unproductive and show no signs of fire. So the Buccs front office does the right thing and cuts him. Of course the front office and coaching detractors will use this as ammunition to bash them and cry aloud from the roof tops, "THAT WAS A HORRIBLE FREE AGENT SIGNING!" When in reality, given the team's severe need at HB, the shallow pool of free agent HB's and the production and success Ward had with the Giants at the time it was a brilliant signing. Who knew Ward would fall prey to Fat Cat Syndrome and throw his career away? You can't fault the Buccs front office for trying to make the team better.

Go Buccs!!!
ABuccsFan/JJC