Ward Lifts Self-Imposed Gag Order
May 18th, 2010
Heeee’s baaaaack.
Welcome back, Derrick Ward, who stopped talking to the media midway through last season, after seemingly pouting through the tough times of the 3-13 Buccaneers.
When the going gets tough ….
Ward made his way to One Buc Palace today for his personal opening day on Day 2 of the first voluntary OTA sessions of the 2010 season.
Ironically, Ward was talking about being a leader, so chronicled The Tampa Tribune.
“I need to be more of a team leader,” Ward said. “I kind of took a step back and looked at it from an outside perspective. I need to be more vocal in the locker room, more vocal on the field, and hopefully the guys will see how hard I work and just follow my lead.”
Joe’s not holding his breath on Ward becoming a leader. Frankly, he’s not going to be a leader on the 2010 Bucs.
Joe would be very satisfied if Ward just didn’t pout and brought his A game, which is quite good and is what he had going through training camp and early in the 2009 campaign before seemingly not caring quite as much. (Joe did NOT say quit.)
From where Joe sits, the pressure is on Greg Olson to figure out how to get the best out of three talented running backs.
Welcome back, Mr. Ward. The Bucs need you.
Meanwhile, the St. Petersburg Times caught Ward’s full session with the pen and mic club on video.
May 18th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
I think it’s naive for people to bash Ward. The guy got the shaft on carries last year. And quite frankly, no one flourished under Greg “Beady Eyes” Olson. Ward is a better back than Cadillac, when used right… They each have one 1,000 yard season a piece, but Ward did it on 290 carries while Ward did it on 182, as a back up. Not to mention, Caddy’s 1,000 yard season was his rookie season; Ward’s was two years ago. If you’re gonna label Raheem/Olson as inept, Ward shouldn’t have to answer for an unproductive year….
May 18th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
just big talk from a guy who isnt living up to his contract….a la clayhands…..granted he didnt get the opportunities, but still is talking big for now since he got all that dough….if his season is a flop again, he will cry and stop his “im a leader mantra”…..all huge contracts require initial big talk that later turns to crying, pouting, and tossing others under the bus so they still can hold there head up while cashing huge checks….ward was a system back in new york who worked off jacobs heavy hardnose style…it worked well…but not in tampa while he is pool partying it and ass kardashing it….adam from ny
May 18th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
eg clearly should be the guy
May 18th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
Good point at hosstyle anybody should be macking escuses it should be Ward Jaqz offensive cordinator did everything Ward did for the giants but Olsens offense ( which we still have no idea the direction) is more desinged around Caddiliac not only should Ward get more Carries so does Graham or even huggins dont depn on 5 to sling it 30 times a game like the Jets game.
May 18th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
self imposted? or is it self imposed….there we goo..
May 18th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
@adam from ny,
You act like Derrick Ward held a press conference and wanted the world to know what a leader he is. The guy said “I need to be more of a team leader”. Adam, are you illiterate? You do realize that it’s part of these guys’ job to answer dumb ass questions from the media? You don’t even know the context of his statement and you want to rake him over the coals for it. More ignorant fans bitching and moaning about athletes. Don’t you think the question was “Hey, Derrick, coming off a disappointing 09 season, what can you do to have a better season this year?” Hence the answer, “I need to be more of a leader”
God, it’s annoying that people will just read whatever they want into athletes’ quotes…
May 18th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Look, those of you that are criticizing Ward, just stop talking. How on earth is he supposed to be productive if the coaches don’t give him the ball??!! That’s not his fault! Maybe Derrick Ward does need to be more of a leader, but him along with many other players, are getting screwed of course playing for the Bucs. He comes from the Giants, a team that actually treats their players properly, and where he had a productive season along with a productive team.
May 18th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
I really hope Ward has a great year this year, but I don’t buy the fact that he wasn’t given enough opportunities last year. How many times should you give the ball to a back that falls backward when he gets hit. We give him the ball on 1st and 10, which becomes 2nd and 13, forcing us to pass on second and third down. I can’t remember one play last year that Ward either ran over somebody, or ran past them. Just because he had 1000 yards with another team (with a far better OL), does not mean he is a great back. Say what you want about Cadillac not having explosiveness, he is caught up in the backfield far less than Ward. I think with the addition of some playmakers (hopefully), Ward has the opportunity to have a much better season this year.
May 18th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Oh and as for Earnest Graham, get him involved in the rushing attack this year!! He’s not a fullback. We signed Chris Pressley for a reason right?? Let him be the man at fullback.
As for Cadillac, I think he’ll continue to do great. He had a great comeback year last year after suffering two serious knee injuries. But despite his great play, i been wondering lately if he should be carrying the load of a #1 back. That sure is a lot of pressure on two repaired knees. I know he’s playing great and all, but I think we need to be more careful with him. He may have made a full recovery, but still…. two serious knee injuries. Now if Raheem decides to keep him at the #1 tailback, i’m fine with that. Just sayin…. we need to be careful. Graham/ Ward can be our #1 and Cadillac can still get a lot of playing time in as the #2 back.
May 18th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Oh and as for Earnest Graham, get him involved in the rushing attack this year!! He’s not a fullback. We signed Chris Pressley for a reason right?? Let him be the man at fullback.
As for Cadillac, I think he’ll continue to do great. He had a great comeback year last year after suffering two serious knee injuries. But despite his great play, i been wondering lately if he should be carrying the load of a #1 back. That sure is a lot of pressure on two repaired knees. I know he’s playing great and all, but I think we need to be more careful with him. He may have made a full recovery, but still…. two serious knee injuries. Now if Raheem decides to keep him at the #1 tailback, i’m fine with that. Just sayin…. we need to be careful. Graham/ Ward can be our #1 and Cadillac can still get a lot of playing time in as the #2 back.
May 18th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
I’m glad Ward is here, and that he decided to be a Buc. He could have went a number of places last season, but he chose Tampa. I think Cadi is better, and Graham is the ultimate 3’rd down back, but we need all 3, because someone always gets hurt. I think Ward will have a better season along with the rest of the offense. He needs to become a leader and I wish him all the best. I like our team right now. I like them a lot, and if they get on a roll they may just roll over some teams. Go Bucs !
May 18th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
@Patrick,
Do you get royalties every time you characterize Cadillac’s performance as “Great”. He only had 823 yards on 211 carries last year!!! He only had 1, 100 yard game!!! WTF are you talking about??
Derrick Ward by comparison only got 409 yards on 114 carries…Earnest Graham got 14…
Ward got half the carries that Cadillac did and produced half the yards…how come Cadillac is “GREAT” and Ward “Isn’t living up to expectations”??
Cadillac Williams, though a feel good story, is a BUST by NFL terms…get over yourself, Caddy apologists…
May 18th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
It would help Caddy if we lighten his workload name Bucas are in a fortunate position to have 3 or maybe 4 capable RB’s. Coaches need to realize Caddy is playing on 2 bum knees, lastly Look at the highlights Ward is sprinkeled in there he made some plays unlike some other people
May 18th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
@ Clayton’s Moving Van
When i said “GREAT”, i meant “great for last year”. Coming off two injured knees, Cadillac had a pretty good year in my opinion. Plus if you remember, we were always having to pass the football due to trailing in every game. If our team had been in a more stable and normal situation last year, Cadillac would’ve gotten more carries. 211 is not that many. Same for Derrick Ward. I think he only got around 100. He got half the amount of carries Cadillac did, which translates to half the amount of yards that Cadillac had.
I can’t think of any player that has made a more remarkable comeback from an injury than Cadillac has. Two serious knee injuries would most likely end a players career immediately.
Cadillac managed to make it through the season last year healthy. So that’s a sign that things are working out for him. I think he’ll be even better this next year. That is if we’re not in another crisis mode like we were last year.
May 19th, 2010 at 12:54 am
I would rather he not talk at all. He was the anti-leader last year. The guy pouted and moaned the whole season. Why should he get more carries because he sure didn’t do anything with the carries last season? He was one of the worst free agent pickups in the league. Hopefully this will be his last season with the Bucs. I got real tired booing him from the stands with his lackluster play and crappy attitude.
I personally am hoping for more carries for Ernest Graham. The guy can get the job done.
May 19th, 2010 at 1:35 am
@Patrick
It’s hilarious how you just repeated exactly what Clayton’s Moving Van said and pawned it off as your own. You just talked yourself in a circle.
May 19th, 2010 at 1:36 am
hes no sabby and btw all seriousness ward is a piece of sh!t F@ggot A$$hole Cun^ thats all I have to say about him
May 19th, 2010 at 9:12 am
Is it just me or do Mr. Ward’s remarks seems a little forced and not very genuine?
May 19th, 2010 at 10:12 am
I’d rather talk myself into a triangle! Circles are scary!
May 19th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Hosstyle, You do realize who Ward backed up in NY and why he was running over tired defenses don’t you?