Bucs Sign Derrick Ward

[RyanLeaf16]

4 years $17 million, $6.5 million in guarantees this season. No word if it's a signing bonus or a roster bonus, workout bonus, LTBE incentive, etc.


Leaf

[AJay]

Jacobs - Ward combo is similar to a Graham - Ward combo so I could see this working out well for Ward and the Bucs.

[RyanLeaf16]

Decent signing on their choice. Cadillac always seems to get injured.

Earnest Graham is the starter. Caddy/Dunn were the backups. Graham is the power, always moving forward and pumping his legs, etc. It will be a nice duo in the backfield of Graham and Ward. I am really excited about this signing.

With Clifton Smith about to get some reps at running back, Caddy is likely done in Tampa.


Leaf

[dave]

Good move by the Bucs.

[Point Blank]

Good move by the Bucs.

[Tailback U]

So who do you pick fantasy wise?

[steeljake]

this is a smart move by the bucs and for a lot less $$$ than i thought ward would be looking for.

[f16harm]

Earnest Graham is the starter. Caddy/Dunn were the backups. Graham is the power, always moving forward and pumping his legs, etc. It will be a nice duo in the backfield of Graham and Ward. I am really excited about this signing.

With Clifton Smith about to get some reps at running back, Caddy is likely done in Tampa.


Leaf

I'd guess Caddy is finally done for good. If he isn't, I give the guy credit for not giving up, after a 4th knee injury in my college/pro career I wouldn't have the strength to go at it a 5th time.

Good signing for the Bucs.

[-Ray27Rice-]

This is a great signing by the Bucs, but I think he could've been a starter with someone else. By signing with the Bucs, he would be in the same role he would've been with the Giants.

[f16harm]

This is a great signing by the Bucs, but I think he could've been a starter with someone else. By signing with the Bucs, he would be in the same role he would've been with the Giants.

IMO, until the next new "in" thing to do on offense comes along, I think the days as a true #1 RB with a majority of the carries is over. I believe that NFL teams have realized the strain and durability concerns with the old system now that defensive players are getting bigger and faster each year. I see most teams going with a 1(a) and 1(b) system.

[Mit]

Pretty good deal, I think. A Graham-Ward combo seems pretty nice, as most teams run the 2 RB offensive system.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Ward is a pretty good back...not sure if last year's explosion was a direct result of a very good OL (probably was), but Ward, after being a 1,000 yard back (over 5yds/car), was had on the cheap. I figured he'd get close to Burner Turner money ($15M in guaranteed money).