Derrick Ward (1 Viewer)

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Last reports I read was that Caddy would be 100% after the start of the season. Going into Week 1 with Graham as RB1 and little to no depth (Clifton Smith?), they needed a RB to add to the roster. Graham was a nice surprise early, but he is 29 yr old as an undrafted player. He does not have the heavy wear & tear like most RB's (only 400 carries in 5 seasons at TB).

TB needed RB help. I see RBBC growing again in RB. Graham could be the Short Yardage / Goal Line RB with Ward getting 65% of the touches. If Ward does not "excel", I think you will see more Caddy mid-season.

I would not be surprised to see them draft a RB late Day 1.

I see that this signing hurts them all (Graham, Caddy & Ward).

This is my take as well though I'm not convincd that Ward gets 65% of the touches.To me, Ward and Graham are almost the same guy with very similar skills. Neither is flashy in the moves, quickness or top speed sense but they run hard, they run fast enough to break a long one when given the chance, they read their blocks well and they can catch the ball out of the backfield. Both guys are capable of being 3 down backs and produce yoeman-like numbers.

I just don't see either one as special enough to knock the other out of the lineup. I think it's going to be one of those situations where you hang onto them to capitalize on an injury but both guys do enough to frustate he owners of the other one.

As for Caddy, I'm not expecting much. I admire his desire to come back, but I just don't see it.

This is actually a great posting and analyzes the 2 guys very well. I've liked what I've seen from Ward and I think this is still one of the better landing spots for him, but there is definitely the potential for a full, even RBBC.My only argument to the above and why I'd gamble on Ward is the following. WHY would TB bring in a guy that is almost exactly like the primary ball carrier for the last 2 yrs? If they planned on going with Graham, wouldn't they have brought in a complimentary RB instead? I think this might be suggesting that Graham may NOT be there at the start of the season for whatever reason. Anyone know implications of sending Graham elsewhere? I think we see one of the following:

1. They use the 2 as described above in a true 50/50 split

2. They use 1 as the lead carrier and the other as a more 3rd down/COP back.

3. They send Graham elsewhere and Ward becomes the lead carrier.

#1 above just doesn't make much sense to me. #2 would not bode well for Ward as I think he would be more likely to be the #2 guy. #3 seems to make the most sense but I haven't heard a thing about this and it's purely speculation on my part.

I think you will see a RBBC here. Following the money TB paid, Ward will be 1a and Graham will be 1b. They both have similar skills with Ward owning an edge by being a better receiver. They will complement one another in a rotation, not with one being a third down back. Fantasy-wise, we'll have to wait and see, but I would have to give Ward the greater value in a dynasty league right now.

Again, though, I ask why? Why would TB want to have 2 RB's with almost identical skillsets? Is there any other team in the NFL that does this? I guess Miami would be the closest, but Ronnie got the larger share due to his current talent level vs. Ricky. Has TB ever done this? Last year, they brought in another RB to share carries, but that guy was W. Dunn who is a different runner than Graham. I guess I just don't understand bringing in a guy who functions very similarly to what you already have. Maybe I'm off in comparing these 2 like this or maybe I'm off in thinking we don't see this, but something just doesn't make sense to me to give Graham and Ward a 50/50 share. Again, I have a feeling Graham may be headed elsewhere at some point.

I think it makes some sense if you like your main Rb to be of that skill set and you have an older RB coming off IR. So you get a young replacement than may end up being better, but fills the same roles. Not to mention that you've already seen that the older RB is a team player and will play some FB if necessary. I think they go with both and phase out Graham as the year goes on if Ward is better/as good and can handle the load.

You do realize that D. Ward is turning 29 this August right? He's only 8 months younger than Graham.

Less wear and tear is younger too.

are Ward/Grahams wear and tear that much different? I mena they have to be close on career carries/touches, no?

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Last reports I read was that Caddy would be 100% after the start of the season. Going into Week 1 with Graham as RB1 and little to no depth (Clifton Smith?), they needed a RB to add to the roster. Graham was a nice surprise early, but he is 29 yr old as an undrafted player. He does not have the heavy wear & tear like most RB's (only 400 carries in 5 seasons at TB).

TB needed RB help. I see RBBC growing again in RB. Graham could be the Short Yardage / Goal Line RB with Ward getting 65% of the touches. If Ward does not "excel", I think you will see more Caddy mid-season.

I would not be surprised to see them draft a RB late Day 1.

I see that this signing hurts them all (Graham, Caddy & Ward).

This is my take as well though I'm not convincd that Ward gets 65% of the touches.To me, Ward and Graham are almost the same guy with very similar skills. Neither is flashy in the moves, quickness or top speed sense but they run hard, they run fast enough to break a long one when given the chance, they read their blocks well and they can catch the ball out of the backfield. Both guys are capable of being 3 down backs and produce yoeman-like numbers.

I just don't see either one as special enough to knock the other out of the lineup. I think it's going to be one of those situations where you hang onto them to capitalize on an injury but both guys do enough to frustate he owners of the other one.

As for Caddy, I'm not expecting much. I admire his desire to come back, but I just don't see it.

This is actually a great posting and analyzes the 2 guys very well. I've liked what I've seen from Ward and I think this is still one of the better landing spots for him, but there is definitely the potential for a full, even RBBC.My only argument to the above and why I'd gamble on Ward is the following. WHY would TB bring in a guy that is almost exactly like the primary ball carrier for the last 2 yrs? If they planned on going with Graham, wouldn't they have brought in a complimentary RB instead? I think this might be suggesting that Graham may NOT be there at the start of the season for whatever reason. Anyone know implications of sending Graham elsewhere? I think we see one of the following:

1. They use the 2 as described above in a true 50/50 split

2. They use 1 as the lead carrier and the other as a more 3rd down/COP back.

3. They send Graham elsewhere and Ward becomes the lead carrier.

#1 above just doesn't make much sense to me. #2 would not bode well for Ward as I think he would be more likely to be the #2 guy. #3 seems to make the most sense but I haven't heard a thing about this and it's purely speculation on my part.

I think you will see a RBBC here. Following the money TB paid, Ward will be 1a and Graham will be 1b. They both have similar skills with Ward owning an edge by being a better receiver. They will complement one another in a rotation, not with one being a third down back. Fantasy-wise, we'll have to wait and see, but I would have to give Ward the greater value in a dynasty league right now.

Again, though, I ask why? Why would TB want to have 2 RB's with almost identical skillsets? Is there any other team in the NFL that does this? I guess Miami would be the closest, but Ronnie got the larger share due to his current talent level vs. Ricky. Has TB ever done this? Last year, they brought in another RB to share carries, but that guy was W. Dunn who is a different runner than Graham. I guess I just don't understand bringing in a guy who functions very similarly to what you already have. Maybe I'm off in comparing these 2 like this or maybe I'm off in thinking we don't see this, but something just doesn't make sense to me to give Graham and Ward a 50/50 share. Again, I have a feeling Graham may be headed elsewhere at some point.

I think it makes some sense if you like your main Rb to be of that skill set and you have an older RB coming off IR. So you get a young replacement than may end up being better, but fills the same roles. Not to mention that you've already seen that the older RB is a team player and will play some FB if necessary. I think they go with both and phase out Graham as the year goes on if Ward is better/as good and can handle the load.

You do realize that D. Ward is turning 29 this August right? He's only 8 months younger than Graham.

Less wear and tear is younger too.

are Ward/Grahams wear and tear that much different? I mena they have to be close on career carries/touches, no?

I would think that Graham had much more the last 3 years or so. I'll do some research.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Graham:

NFL Rushes - 406

NFL Catches - 73

College Rushes - 486

College Catches - 53

Total - 1018 Touches

Ward:

NFL Rushes - 342

NFL Catches - 69

College Rushes - 42 (Only from Fresno State, not Ottawa(KS))

College Catches - 6 (Only from Fresno State, not Ottawa(KS))

Total - 459

Hard to really compare without Ward's stats from Ottawa. Graham has more work in the NFL and I was also thinking of his Fullback work last season. Add in the fact that he was on IR last season and I think it's reasonable to say that Ward is "fresher" but not by as much as I would have thought and I shouldn't have said "Younger".

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Don't underestimate this signing FFL guys, the Bucs have a very good YOUNG offensive line. I would say this is similar to the situation that Chester Taylor came into MN prior to AP's arrival. It would not surprise me at all to see 1400 combined with 40 catches and maybe 8TDs.

Did Graham die?

Not funny but even moreso considering the news today in the Gulf.

Didnt even think of that but if you're that easily offended so be it.

Good one. Question whether I should or shouldn't be offended and deflect the attention off your lack of class. This response says more about you than the first response, IMO. Have a nice season.

Everything offends you.

Right. Making a joke about an NFL player dying on the day that two of them most likely died is hilarious. What was I thinking? This place is quickly becoming FFToday2.

Lighten up.....it's not like he said "did Graham go fishing"....but thanks for being our moral compass

If you think it's funny, that's your right. Just as it's my right to state how classless that comment is. If you have a problem with that then report me. I wonder how funny Joe would find "Did Graham die?" on the same day two players did die. Let me know how that works out for you.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Graham:NFL Rushes - 406NFL Catches - 73College Rushes - 486College Catches - 53Total - 1018 TouchesWard:NFL Rushes - 342NFL Catches - 69College Rushes - 42 (Only from Fresno State, not Ottawa(KS))College Catches - 6 (Only from Fresno State, not Ottawa(KS))Total - 459Hard to really compare without Ward's stats from Ottawa. Graham has more work in the NFL and I was also thinking of his Fullback work last season. Add in the fact that he was on IR last season and I think it's reasonable to say that Ward is "fresher" but not by as much as I would have thought and I shouldn't have said "Younger".

so NFL wise they are with like what 80 touches? true the FB part of Grahams game must be taken into account.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Graham:NFL Rushes - 406NFL Catches - 73College Rushes - 486College Catches - 53Total - 1018 TouchesWard:NFL Rushes - 342NFL Catches - 69College Rushes - 42 (Only from Fresno State, not Ottawa(KS))College Catches - 6 (Only from Fresno State, not Ottawa(KS))Total - 459Hard to really compare without Ward's stats from Ottawa. Graham has more work in the NFL and I was also thinking of his Fullback work last season. Add in the fact that he was on IR last season and I think it's reasonable to say that Ward is "fresher" but not by as much as I would have thought and I shouldn't have said "Younger".

so NFL wise they are with like what 80 touches? true the FB part of Grahams game must be taken into account.

Yeah, that surprised me. Ward got much more work that I thought.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Don't underestimate this signing FFL guys, the Bucs have a very good YOUNG offensive line. I would say this is similar to the situation that Chester Taylor came into MN prior to AP's arrival. It would not surprise me at all to see 1400 combined with 40 catches and maybe 8TDs.

Did Graham die?

Not funny but even moreso considering the news today in the Gulf.

Didnt even think of that but if you're that easily offended so be it.

Good one. Question whether I should or shouldn't be offended and deflect the attention off your lack of class. This response says more about you than the first response, IMO. Have a nice season.

Everything offends you.

Right. Making a joke about an NFL player dying on the day that two of them most likely died is hilarious. What was I thinking? This place is quickly becoming FFToday2.

Lighten up.....it's not like he said "did Graham go fishing"....but thanks for being our moral compass

If you think it's funny, that's your right. Just as it's my right to state how classless that comment is. If you have a problem with that then report me. I wonder how funny Joe would find "Did Graham die?" on the same day two players did die. Let me know how that works out for you.

I think Joe does a really great job keeping the forum in check. He needs all of our support to keep things running smoothly. What he doesn't need are budget wanna-bes looking for any instance to bring down their non-existent hammer on everyone. No matter how many times I read it, it doesn't look like the guy was referencing what happened in the gulf. Sensitive time to mention dying when the search has been called off? Sure, but the context is something that would be said any day of the year and was unrelated to those events. Rapping your little ruler on someone's knuckles looks pretty silly, too. I don't think we're helping Joe by pretending we're him at every turn. Let's try to look for authentically-inappropriate comments instead and just report them rather than make it worse.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Don't underestimate this signing FFL guys, the Bucs have a very good YOUNG offensive line. I would say this is similar to the situation that Chester Taylor came into MN prior to AP's arrival. It would not surprise me at all to see 1400 combined with 40 catches and maybe 8TDs.

Did Graham die?

Not funny but even moreso considering the news today in the Gulf.

Didnt even think of that but if you're that easily offended so be it.

Good one. Question whether I should or shouldn't be offended and deflect the attention off your lack of class. This response says more about you than the first response, IMO. Have a nice season.

Everything offends you.

Right. Making a joke about an NFL player dying on the day that two of them most likely died is hilarious. What was I thinking? This place is quickly becoming FFToday2.

Lighten up.....it's not like he said "did Graham go fishing"....but thanks for being our moral compass

If you think it's funny, that's your right. Just as it's my right to state how classless that comment is. If you have a problem with that then report me. I wonder how funny Joe would find "Did Graham die?" on the same day two players did die. Let me know how that works out for you.

I think Joe does a really great job keeping the forum in check. He needs all of our support to keep things running smoothly. What he doesn't need are budget wanna-bes looking for any instance to bring down their non-existent hammer on everyone. No matter how many times I read it, it doesn't look like the guy was referencing what happened in the gulf. Sensitive time to mention dying when the search has been called off? Sure, but the context is something that would be said any day of the year and was unrelated to those events. Rapping your little ruler on someone's knuckles looks pretty silly, too. I don't think we're helping Joe by pretending we're him at every turn. Let's try to look for authentically-inappropriate comments instead and just report them rather than make it worse.

Never attempted to be Joe. Just stating my opinion that something wasn't very funny considering the circumstances. Responses to it are what I'd expect to see at FFToday and not here. I guess I need a better sense of humor for not finding a comment funny about a player dying on that day.I know Chase banned someone for joking in the other thread about the boat accident. I'm not reporting anyone. Plenty of mods read this board enough to take action on me for my response or anyone else if they feel the need. It was old news anyway until AKA had to put his 2 cents in and bump it to the top, which all of us keep doing by responding to it.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Holy freaking cow, just let it go man, he didn't mean it like that.

 

[H.K.]

Free Agent Rush: Bucs Land Ward

Mar 03, 2009 - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are determined to add firepower in 2009.

Four days after a dramatic trade for tight end Kellen Winslow, the Buccaneers have added another offensive threat in former New York Giants running back Derrick Ward.

Ward arrived at Buccaneers headquarters on Tuesday to officially sign his contract. As is team policy, terms of the deal were not announced.

Ward, an unrestricted free agent, is coming off a career-best season in which he cracked the 1,000-yard mark despite getting less than 200 carries. He set personal single-season bests in rushes (182), rushing yards (1,025), receptions (41) and receiving yards (384). Ward's average of 5.6 yards per carry was the best in the NFL among all players with at least 600 rushing yards.

Ward piled up over 1,400 combined yards despite sharing time in a three-man backfield with starter Brandon Jacobs and fellow reserve Ahmad Bradshaw. With Jacobs posting 1,089 yards and Bradshaw adding 355, the Giants and their "Earth, Wind and Fire" backfield led the NFL with 157.4 rushing yards per game. The 5-11, 228-pound Ward thus appears to be an outstanding complement for returning Buccaneer starter Earnest Graham, who had 563 yards in 10 games in 2009 before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.

The speedy and shifty Ward was the "Wind" in that Giants trio, a constant big-play threat. That was never more evident than in New York's critical Week 16 victory over the Carolina Panthers, when he ran for a career-high 215 yards on just 15 carries.

Ward is 28 but has very little mileage on his NFL odometer, with just 342 career carries, more than half of those coming last season. He has played in 51 games over the past five seasons, starting eight in 2007 and 2008 combined. Ward first emerged as a part of the Giants' backfield rotation in 2007, when he ran for 602 yards on 125 carries, finishing second on the team and averaging 4.8 yards per tote.

Ward is also a proven return man, though he ran back just one kickoff for 21 yards in 2008. In fact, he first got his foot in the door with the Giants as a rookie in 2004 by taking over the kickoff return job and averaging 27.3 yards per runback on 16 tries, including a 92-yard return for a touchdown. His resume also includes 28 tackles on special teams, including 16 in 2005 to finish fifth among Giants players.

Ward entered the NFL that season as a seventh-round draft pick of the New York Jets. He opened the season on the Jets' practice squad but was plucked off that unit by the neighboring Giants and ended up playing in five games. He made the Giants' roster again in 2005 and saw his first action out of the backfield, rushing 35 times for 123 yards and catching two passes for 13 yards.

Foot injuries in training camp and in December limited Ward to eight games in 2006 and he spent most of his time returning kickoffs. He also missed the Giants' run to the Super Bowl title in 2007 after suffering a fractured fibula in December.

The Buccaneers had the NFL's 11th-ranked rushing attack in 2008, though it suffered in the second half of the season after injuries to Graham and fullbacks B.J. Askew and Byron Storer. Running back Cadillac Williams completed a grueling 14-month rehabilitation from a severe 2007 knee injury to re-emerge in December, only to injure his other knee in the season finale. Williams begins 2009 at the front end of another significant rehab process and is thus something of an unknown commodity for the upcoming season.

link

 

[massraider]

Free Agent Rush: Bucs Land Ward

The 5-11, 228-pound Ward thus appears to be an outstanding complement for returning Buccaneer starter Earnest Graham, who had 563 yards in 10 games in 2009 before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.

.

link

Unless the head coach wrote that press release, not really buying that as anything other than stating a fact, Graham is the returning starter.

 

[cstu]

Free Agent Rush: Bucs Land Ward

The 5-11, 228-pound Ward thus appears to be an outstanding complement for returning Buccaneer starter Earnest Graham, who had 563 yards in 10 games in 2009 before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.

.

link

Unless the head coach wrote that press release, not really buying that as anything other than stating a fact, Graham is the returning starter.

That's normally how these things go - the returning starter retains the title until training camp.

 

[H.K.]

Free Agent Rush: Bucs Land Ward

The 5-11, 228-pound Ward thus appears to be an outstanding complement for returning Buccaneer starter Earnest Graham, who had 563 yards in 10 games in 2009 before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.

.

link

Unless the head coach wrote that press release, not really buying that as anything other than stating a fact, Graham is the returning starter.

That's normally how these things go - the returning starter retains the title until training camp.

I don't disagree with you guys, but the release is direct from the team's web site. They control what they put there and according to them, they signed him as a complement to Graham. I don't see any reason for the team to not say he would compete for the starting job with Graham in the press release...Are they that worried about Graham's ego (an undrafted player promoted from the practice squad who has run fro about 1600 yards in five seasons) that they couldn't publicly declare it an open competition?

Ward may or may not turn his role into something else when he starts playing for them, but until I see any other indications coming from the Bucs I wouldn't expect Ward to get the lion's share of the work.

 

[Loan Sharks]

Free Agent Rush: Bucs Land Ward

The 5-11, 228-pound Ward thus appears to be an outstanding complement for returning Buccaneer starter Earnest Graham, who had 563 yards in 10 games in 2009 before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.

.

link

Unless the head coach wrote that press release, not really buying that as anything other than stating a fact, Graham is the returning starter.

That's normally how these things go - the returning starter retains the title until training camp.

I am sure that the outstanding 56.3 yards per game from a returning from injury Graham is a insurmountable obstacle to Wards taking over the starting job.

 

[QUEZILLA]

Free Agent Rush: Bucs Land Ward

The 5-11, 228-pound Ward thus appears to be an outstanding complement for returning Buccaneer starter Earnest Graham, who had 563 yards in 10 games in 2009 before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.

.

link

Unless the head coach wrote that press release, not really buying that as anything other than stating a fact, Graham is the returning starter.

That's normally how these things go - the returning starter retains the title until training camp.

I am sure that the outstanding 56.3 yards per game from a returning from injury Graham is a insurmountable obstacle to Wards taking over the starting job.

Stop being a stat and read the thread.

 

[H.K.]

Free Agent Rush: Bucs Land Ward

The 5-11, 228-pound Ward thus appears to be an outstanding complement for returning Buccaneer starter Earnest Graham, who had 563 yards in 10 games in 2009 before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.

.

link

Unless the head coach wrote that press release, not really buying that as anything other than stating a fact, Graham is the returning starter.

That's normally how these things go - the returning starter retains the title until training camp.

I am sure that the outstanding 56.3 yards per game from a returning from injury Graham is a insurmountable obstacle to Wards taking over the starting job.

Stop being a stat and read the thread.

FTR, Graham averaged 73.7 yards per game, 56.3 of it were rushing.

 

[Loan Sharks]

Free Agent Rush: Bucs Land Ward

The 5-11, 228-pound Ward thus appears to be an outstanding complement for returning Buccaneer starter Earnest Graham, who had 563 yards in 10 games in 2009 before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.

.

link

Unless the head coach wrote that press release, not really buying that as anything other than stating a fact, Graham is the returning starter.

That's normally how these things go - the returning starter retains the title until training camp.

I am sure that the outstanding 56.3 yards per game from a returning from injury Graham is a insurmountable obstacle to Wards taking over the starting job.

Stop being a stat and read the thread.

FTR, Graham averaged 73.7 yards per game, 56.3 of it were rushing.

Wooooo weeeee 73 yards a game. Graham is a stud.

 

[cstu]

Free Agent Rush: Bucs Land Ward

The 5-11, 228-pound Ward thus appears to be an outstanding complement for returning Buccaneer starter Earnest Graham, who had 563 yards in 10 games in 2009 before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.

.

link

Unless the head coach wrote that press release, not really buying that as anything other than stating a fact, Graham is the returning starter.

That's normally how these things go - the returning starter retains the title until training camp.

I am sure that the outstanding 56.3 yards per game from a returning from injury Graham is a insurmountable obstacle to Wards taking over the starting job.

Key word is "title". They've gotta respect Graham even if they expect Ward to win the training camp battle.

 

[massraider]

Free Agent Rush: Bucs Land Ward

The 5-11, 228-pound Ward thus appears to be an outstanding complement for returning Buccaneer starter Earnest Graham, who had 563 yards in 10 games in 2009 before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.

.

link

Unless the head coach wrote that press release, not really buying that as anything other than stating a fact, Graham is the returning starter.

That's normally how these things go - the returning starter retains the title until training camp.

I don't disagree with you guys, but the release is direct from the team's web site. They control what they put there and according to them, they signed him as a complement to Graham. I don't see any reason for the team to not say he would compete for the starting job with Graham in the press release...Are they that worried about Graham's ego (an undrafted player promoted from the practice squad who has run fro about 1600 yards in five seasons) that they couldn't publicly declare it an open competition?

Ward may or may not turn his role into something else when he starts playing for them, but until I see any other indications coming from the Bucs I wouldn't expect Ward to get the lion's share of the work.

It's laughable how much you are reading into a harmless release form some PR dweeb in Tampa.

 

[eefflrat]

well, I always look at the guy that makes the most, as it is a general indicator of the starter. If i am not mistaken, Ward will make twice as much as graham this year, and Graham has nothing guaranteed unless he actually makes the team.

 

[H.K.]

well, I always look at the guy that makes the most, as it is a general indicator of the starter. If i am not mistaken, Ward will make twice as much as graham this year, and Graham has nothing guaranteed unless he actually makes the team.

That's what rotoworld says, too:

Derrick Ward-RB- Buccaneers Mar. 3 - 11:44 am et Derrick Ward will make $9.25 million over the first two years of his contract, including $6 million in the first year and $13 million over three.That's starter money. Ward didn't get Michael Turner coin, but he's getting $4.625 million-per-year for the only two seasons he's sure to be in Tampa. That compares favorably with most second-tier starters and is nearly double what Earnest Graham makes. Ward is the early favorite to be the lead part of Tampa's committee.

 

[QUEZILLA]

well, I always look at the guy that makes the most, as it is a general indicator of the starter. If i am not mistaken, Ward will make twice as much as graham this year, and Graham has nothing guaranteed unless he actually makes the team.

That's what rotoworld says, too:

Derrick Ward-RB- Buccaneers Mar. 3 - 11:44 am et Derrick Ward will make $9.25 million over the first two years of his contract, including $6 million in the first year and $13 million over three.That's starter money. Ward didn't get Michael Turner coin, but he's getting $4.625 million-per-year for the only two seasons he's sure to be in Tampa. That compares favorably with most second-tier starters and is nearly double what Earnest Graham makes. Ward is the early favorite to be the lead part of Tampa's committee.

Under that logic you would also think that Reggie Bush & LT would be the primary ball carriers on their teams. I still think it's a RBBC, and that they will head into training camp with Graham 1, and Ward 2, unless Graham isn't 100%. It could change though if Ward picks up the new system quicker.

 

[QUEZILLA]

Free Agent Rush: Bucs Land Ward

The 5-11, 228-pound Ward thus appears to be an outstanding complement for returning Buccaneer starter Earnest Graham, who had 563 yards in 10 games in 2009 before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.

.

link

Unless the head coach wrote that press release, not really buying that as anything other than stating a fact, Graham is the returning starter.

That's normally how these things go - the returning starter retains the title until training camp.

I am sure that the outstanding 56.3 yards per game from a returning from injury Graham is a insurmountable obstacle to Wards taking over the starting job.

Stop being a stat and read the thread.

FTR, Graham averaged 73.7 yards per game, 56.3 of it were rushing.

Wooooo weeeee 73 yards a game. Graham is a stud.

I guess you can't comprehend the fact that he was asked to play FB for several games. Have you ever watched a RL football game? It's nothing like Yahoo Sports Stat-Tracker.

 

[H.K.]

well, I always look at the guy that makes the most, as it is a general indicator of the starter. If i am not mistaken, Ward will make twice as much as graham this year, and Graham has nothing guaranteed unless he actually makes the team.

That's what rotoworld says, too:

Derrick Ward-RB- Buccaneers Mar. 3 - 11:44 am et Derrick Ward will make $9.25 million over the first two years of his contract, including $6 million in the first year and $13 million over three.That's starter money. Ward didn't get Michael Turner coin, but he's getting $4.625 million-per-year for the only two seasons he's sure to be in Tampa. That compares favorably with most second-tier starters and is nearly double what Earnest Graham makes. Ward is the early favorite to be the lead part of Tampa's committee.

Under that logic you would also think that Reggie Bush & LT would be the primary ball carriers on their teams. I still think it's a RBBC, and that they will head into training camp with Graham 1, and Ward 2, unless Graham isn't 100%. It could change though is Ward picks up the new system quicker.

I certainly agree with you on the RBBC portion, and IMHO it doesn't even matter who is the "starter" in determining workload (i.e.- Jones/Barber in 2007).In trying to take a swing at early projections, I look at the personnel in TB and the new OC, and expect the team to run the ball a little more in '09.Considering Dunn/Graham/Williams/Bennett combined for 388 rushes and 78 recepts, I'll round up to 400 RB attempts and 80 RB recepts as a baseline for 2009 (when Jagodzinski was OC in GB in 2006, Packer RB's had over 90 recepts not sure how much that will matter in TB though).Out of those 480 or so touches, Ward is probably looking at 180-200 carries and 30-40 recepts. This puts him in the 1,000 - 1,300 total yard range depending on his averages and TD's are a mystery at the moment depending on the GL role.190 Carries 855 yards4.5 avg35 recepts2457.0 YPCTD's 4Thoughts?

 

[QUEZILLA]

well, I always look at the guy that makes the most, as it is a general indicator of the starter. If i am not mistaken, Ward will make twice as much as graham this year, and Graham has nothing guaranteed unless he actually makes the team.

That's what rotoworld says, too:

Derrick Ward-RB- Buccaneers Mar. 3 - 11:44 am et Derrick Ward will make $9.25 million over the first two years of his contract, including $6 million in the first year and $13 million over three.That's starter money. Ward didn't get Michael Turner coin, but he's getting $4.625 million-per-year for the only two seasons he's sure to be in Tampa. That compares favorably with most second-tier starters and is nearly double what Earnest Graham makes. Ward is the early favorite to be the lead part of Tampa's committee.

Under that logic you would also think that Reggie Bush & LT would be the primary ball carriers on their teams. I still think it's a RBBC, and that they will head into training camp with Graham 1, and Ward 2, unless Graham isn't 100%. It could change though is Ward picks up the new system quicker.

I certainly agree with you on the RBBC portion, and IMHO it doesn't even matter who is the "starter" in determining workload (i.e.- Jones/Barber in 2007).In trying to take a swing at early projections, I look at the personnel in TB and the new OC, and expect the team to run the ball a little more in '09.Considering Dunn/Graham/Williams/Bennett combined for 388 rushes and 78 recepts, I'll round up to 400 RB attempts and 80 RB recepts as a baseline for 2009 (when Jagodzinski was OC in GB in 2006, Packer RB's had over 90 recepts not sure how much that will matter in TB though).Out of those 480 or so touches, Ward is probably looking at 180-200 carries and 30-40 recepts. This puts him in the 1,000 - 1,300 total yard range depending on his averages and TD's are a mystery at the moment depending on the GL role.190 Carries 855 yards4.5 avg35 recepts2457.0 YPCTD's 4Thoughts?

I agree that the OC may run the ball more, since Gruden would "throw to set up the run." I would also expect more because the offense has improved, and not lost anyone besides Garcia. The O-line was one of the best and youngest units in the league last season. They should only get better playing together, and adding Winslow takes pressure off Luke.

 

[Loan Sharks]

Free Agent Rush: Bucs Land Ward

The 5-11, 228-pound Ward thus appears to be an outstanding complement for returning Buccaneer starter Earnest Graham, who had 563 yards in 10 games in 2009 before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.

.

link

Unless the head coach wrote that press release, not really buying that as anything other than stating a fact, Graham is the returning starter.

That's normally how these things go - the returning starter retains the title until training camp.

I am sure that the outstanding 56.3 yards per game from a returning from injury Graham is a insurmountable obstacle to Wards taking over the starting job.

Stop being a stat and read the thread.

FTR, Graham averaged 73.7 yards per game, 56.3 of it were rushing.

Wooooo weeeee 73 yards a game. Graham is a stud.

I guess you can't comprehend the fact that he was asked to play FB for several games. Have you ever watched a RL football game? It's nothing like Yahoo Sports Stat-Tracker.

I guess you can't comprehend that they brought in the number one free agent running back and they are going to be asking him to play FB a LOOOOOOOOT more now.

 

[H.K.]

I guess you can't comprehend that they brought in the number one free agent running back and they are going to be asking him to play FB a LOOOOOOOOT more now.

Care to share your expectations for him this season?

 

[QUEZILLA]

Free Agent Rush: Bucs Land Ward

The 5-11, 228-pound Ward thus appears to be an outstanding complement for returning Buccaneer starter Earnest Graham, who had 563 yards in 10 games in 2009 before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.

.

link

Unless the head coach wrote that press release, not really buying that as anything other than stating a fact, Graham is the returning starter.

That's normally how these things go - the returning starter retains the title until training camp.

I am sure that the outstanding 56.3 yards per game from a returning from injury Graham is a insurmountable obstacle to Wards taking over the starting job.

Stop being a stat :( and read the thread.

FTR, Graham averaged 73.7 yards per game, 56.3 of it were rushing.

Wooooo weeeee 73 yards a game. Graham is a stud.

I guess you can't comprehend the fact that he was asked to play FB for several games. Have you ever watched a RL football game? It's nothing like Yahoo Sports Stat-Tracker.

I guess you can't comprehend that they brought in the number one free agent running back and they are going to be asking him to play FB a LOOOOOOOOT more now.

Askew is the FB.

 

[the branded hand]

Free Agent Rush: Bucs Land Ward

The 5-11, 228-pound Ward thus appears to be an outstanding complement for returning Buccaneer starter Earnest Graham, who had 563 yards in 10 games in 2009 before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.

.

link

Unless the head coach wrote that press release, not really buying that as anything other than stating a fact, Graham is the returning starter.

That's normally how these things go - the returning starter retains the title until training camp.

I am sure that the outstanding 56.3 yards per game from a returning from injury Graham is a insurmountable obstacle to Wards taking over the starting job.

Stop being a stat and read the thread.

FTR, Graham averaged 73.7 yards per game, 56.3 of it were rushing.

Wooooo weeeee 73 yards a game. Graham is a stud.

I guess you can't comprehend the fact that he was asked to play FB for several games. Have you ever watched a RL football game? It's nothing like Yahoo Sports Stat-Tracker.

I guess you can't comprehend that they brought in the number one free agent running back and they are going to be asking him to play FB a LOOOOOOOOT more now.