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Derrick Ward News & Rumors

Texans' Tate, Ward, Jackson miss practice
October 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"Running back Ben Tate (groin), cornerback Kareem Jackson (knee) and running back Derrick Ward (ankle, shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday. The coaches are hoping Tate will be ready to back up Arian Foster against Oakland. "Derrick is day-to-day," coach Gary Kubiak said. "Ben's doing pretty well, so we're hopeful there as we move forward. Kareem did some individual (drills). He was brief in practice, and then we shut him down." If Jackson can't start, Jason Allen will step in for the second straight game. "Toward the end of the week, hopefully, they're both healthy," Kubiak said. "I think Jason's obviously earned the right to play more. Who's going to start the game? Let me watch practice"
Ward ready to go if Foster isn't for Texans on Sunday
September 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"Coach Gary Kubiak hasn't ruled out running back Arian Foster starting against Indianapolis on Sunday, but after missing a third consecutive practice Friday, it's looking more and more like Foster won't play in the Texans' season opener against the Colts. Kubiak reiterated it will be a game-time decision. "Arian did not practice today but went extremely hard in his rehab and took a big step forward," Kubiak said. "I'm going to work him out in the morning. He will be a game-time decision. "With what we were doing (Friday), I don't think he missed much. We put him through reps in his own way. He's got a regimen he goes through. I'm not worried about Arian knowing what to do. He can line"
Schefter: Ward, Tate likely to carry the load
September 9
Rotoworld.com
 
"According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, "signs now point to" Derrick Ward and Ben Tate carrying the load in the Texans backfield against the Colts Sunday. The Houston Examiner's Alan Burge also believes the combination of Ward, Tate, and Steve Slaton should be "good enough" to win Sunday. Lance Zierlein of the Houston Chronicle advises "sitting" Arian Foster in fantasy leagues. If Foster indeed fails to suit up, Ward is the safer fantasy play, especially in PPR formats. Tate will offer a higher upside, but comes with the risk of fewer touches. Adjust your lineups according to your risk tolerance."
Backup planning
August 24
Houston Chronicle
 
"When all of the top cogs are healthy, the Texans have a three-headed monster at running back. If the Texans run the ball in the regular season the way they shredded New Orleans on Saturday when rushing for a team preseason-record 208 yards, quarterback Matt Schaub might be fortunate to throw for 3,000 yards rather than 4,000 for a third consecutive season. "If that equates to making a run at a championship, whatever it takes," Schaub said. "It's a good situation to have a multitude of backs that can play at a high level. It's a lot of fun to watch them because it takes a lot of pressure off the passing game." Running behind an offensive line that had an exceptional performance against one"
Derrick Ward rips Bucs, says Houston more committed to winning
October 7
Tampa Tribune
 
"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"
Release of Derrick Ward is latest example of Tampa Bay Buccaneers' bad 2009 offseason
September 1
St. Petersburg Times
 columnist Gary Shelton
"The failure of a football player is an easy thing to discuss. Players will let you down, all right. There is nothing new in it, and nothing rare. It is merely a public acknowledgement that an athlete has been worth 10 cents on the dollar, and soon after he walks away, the world will forget all about him. The failure of a football franchise is a bit more complicated. Yeah, teams will let you down, too. For those who want to believe in their team, that's a harder disappointment. After all, the guys who made the decision about the failed player are busy making others, and nothing makes the customers worry about tomorrow more than yesterday's mistake. And so, Disappointing Derrick Ward is gone"
No other way to say it: Ward was a bust
September 1
Tampa Tribune
 
"He came, he saw, he sulked. Now Derrick Ward is a memory, as if he ever made any here. He turned 30 on Monday and unemployed on Tuesday. Bucs coach Raheem Morris and GM Mark Dominik, who brought Ward here, cut him loose before the second year of a $17 million contract. Good move. When a guy coming off a lousy season reports to camp out of shape, when he is down to guaranteeing to media that he'll have a big game ... in a preseason tilt with Kansas City ... it's time to go. The Bucs cut the cord. But, please, no standing ovations for the brain trust. That the cord needed to be cut sort of explains why the Bucs coaches and brass can't bump chests over Cincinnati releasing receiver Antonio"
Bucs release RB Derrick Ward, 2 others
August 31
Tampa Tribune
 
"Running back Derrick Ward's sluggish preseason has cost him a spot on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster. Ward was among three players released Tuesday as the Bucs reduced their roster to the 75-man limit. Also cut were linebacker John Alston and wide receiver Terrence Nunn. Ward came to the Bucs as a free agent during the 2009 offseason, but never showed the form that made him a 1,000-yard rusher with the New York Giants in 2008. Ward ran 114 times for 409 yards last season with the Bucs, but placed himself on the roster bubble with a lethargic 12-carry, 20-yard effort in the mud against Miami in the preseason opener."
So much for guarantees: Ward ineffective again
August 22
Tampa Tribune
 
"Buccaneers RB Derrick Ward made a bold promise several days ago. Unfortunately for Tampa Bay fans, sometimes promises are meant to be broken. Ward pledged to have a "great" game against Kansas City after a dismal performance the previous week against Miami. He blamed his showing in the preseason opener on muddy conditions in Miami and having to play with Tampa Bay's second-string offensive line. Cadillac Williams started against the Chiefs, but Ward played half of the first quarter, all of the second and part of the third. He finished with five carries for 11 yards before leaving with a head injury. Last week he gained only 20 yards on 12 carries and fumbled twice. "I've been in this"
Bucs running back Derrick Ward says he'll improve
August 17
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Bucs running back Derrick Ward got stuck in the mud Saturday night at Miami and now might be losing traction with the coaching staff. Ward, who was held to 20 yards on 12 carries (1.7-yard average) and fumbled twice, losing one, blamed his poor performance on the soggy conditions at Sun Life Stadium. When Ward played in the second quarter, the Bucs were backed up on the baseball infield. And he played behind the second-team line. But those conditions did not prevent Bucs running back Kareem Huggins from rushing for 55 yards on eight carries. Ward was visibly upset during the game and later apologized for his behavior, coach Raheem Morris said Monday. "I was disappointed in his body"
Bucs' Ward promises 'great' game Saturday
August 17
Tampa Tribune
 
"Derrick Ward might not have had a very good game in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' preseason opener last Saturday against Miami, but he was sure talking a good game on Monday. Promising to bounce back from the ultra-pedestrian 12-carry, 20-yard effort he turned in against the Dolphins, Ward guaranteed he will have a "great" game this week against Kansas City. "I've been in this league for a while and I feel I know what it takes to win and get back on track," Ward said. "That was just a fluke game, but I guarantee you this weekend I'll have a great game." Ward may need to have a great game. Kareem Huggins led all Bucs runners with 55 yards on eight carries and continues to press for not just a"
Derrick Ward of Tampa Bay Buccaneers ready to hit 2010 running
May 19
St. Petersburg Times
 
"RB Derrick Ward sealed his lips as the carnage of the Bucs' 2009 season unfolded, declining to speak with the press. But Ward said Tuesday in his first interview in months that he struggled with the strain of losing consistently for the first time in his career as well as his lack of production. "I was just taken aback by the way we were losing," said Ward, who had success with the Giants before coming to Tampa Bay as a free agent just more than a year ago. "Nobody's used to losing. I came from New York where we were consistent winners every year. So I just had to take a step back and … reevaluate myself. This year, I'm coming back healthier and stronger than ever." The Bucs last season"
Bucs' Ward wants to put disappointing 2009 behind him
May 19
Tampa Tribune
 
"Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Derrick Ward finally broke his silence Tuesday. Ward, a premier offseason signing for Tampa Bay in 2009, failed to meet expectations – personal and team – during his first season with the Bucs. The Bucs expected Ward and Cadillac Williams to be a potent 1-2 combination, much like Ward and Brandon Jacobs were with the New York Giants. Instead, Ward rushed 114 times for 409 yards and one touchdown, choosing early in the 3-13 season not to speak with members of the media. "I was a little bit disappointed in myself, the way I played," Ward said on Tuesday, the second day of voluntary offseason practices on One Buc Place. "It was just a very disappointing"
Ward's silence is heard
October 23
Tampa Tribune
 
"Derrick Ward is no longer conducting interviews with the Tampa Bay media, and he has given no explanation. Ward did not speak with the media after Tampa Bay's 28-21 loss against Carolina in which he carried once for 2 yards and fumbled a toss. "Derrick Ward is fighting his demons and he'll be ready to come back and play," Morris said. "I'm counting on Derrick Ward to go in there, and when it's his turn, he'll go. He should be a little quiet this week. "You fumble your first snap when you go out there, you don't get many opportunities to go out there and redeem yourself. You can't wait for your next opportunity, and that's what he's waiting for, I hope." Down goes Johnson QB Byron Leftwich"
Bryant, Adams and Ward again miss practice for Bucs
October 1
Tampa Tribune
 
"Defensive end Gaines Adams, running back Derrick Ward, wide receiver Antonio Bryant and quarterback Byron Leftwich didn't practice for Tampa Bay on Thursday as the 0-3 Buccaneers prepare for Sunday's game against the struggling Redskins. Bryant, troubled by a bone bruise in his left knee, had limited participation Wednesday. Adams (groin), Ward (knee) and Leftwich, nursing a hip injury, each did not participate for a second consecutive day."
Buccaneers to start running back Derrick Ward
September 26
St. Petersburg Times
 
"RB Derrick Ward said he can't wait to see his former teammates when the Bucs hosts the Giants on Sunday. He won't have to wait long once the game kicks off. Ward was informed this week by coach Raheem Morris that he would start and, depending on the status of Cadillac Williams (knee), he could play more than usual alongside Earnest Graham. "Derrick's going to get the first crack at his old boys," Morris said. Williams had soreness in his left knee this week as a result of the pounding on Buffalo's artificial surface. He had major surgery on the knee in December and has recovered nicely. But the team is being particularly cautious, even if Williams doesn't see reason for alarm. The"
Bucs' Ward to start against Giants, his former team
September 26
Tampa Tribune
 
"With Cadillac Williams and Earnest Graham struggling with injuries, Coach Raheem Morris said running back Derrick Ward will make his first start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday against the Giants. Williams (knee) and Graham (hamstring) are listed as questionable, but both said they expected to play as the 0-2 Buccaneers attempt to upset the 2-0 Giants at Raymond James Stadium. "It's a lot better than it was a few days ago,'' Williams said of a left knee that became swollen and painful two days after a 33-20 loss at Buffalo, where the Bills play on artificial turf. "The way I'm feeling now, I should be good to go.'' Ward, averaging 4.5 yards per carry through two weeks, signed in March"