"Veteran running back Derrick Ward has ripped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization five weeks after his release, saying his new team, the Houston Texans, is more committed to winning.

The Bucs signed Ward as a free agent from the New York Giants in 2009 and he lasted only one disappointing season in Tampa. Bucs coach Raheem Morris said Ward reported to training camp out of shape this year and he was cut on the brink of the 2010 season opener.

Ward was signed by the Texans, and with Houston set to play host to the Giants on Sunday, Ward blasted the Buccaneers in remarks made to the Newark Star-Ledger.

"I didn't play against them the way I wanted to,'' Ward said of last year's effort against the Giants, who limited Ward to two yards in five carries during a 24-0 victory in Tampa. "This year, I'm on a better team, a team that actually wants to win, compete and get to that next level.''"