Derrick Ward Released
August 31st, 2010
Multiple Twitter messages, including those from Anwar Richardson of the Tampa Tribune and dapper Rick Brown of the Lakeland Ledger are reporting the Bucs have released Kardashian-chasing running back Derrick Ward this afternoon.
This is yet more evidence that this nonsense Joe hears that “the Glazers are cheap” is baseless. Ward was a key free agent signed last year by Bucs general manager Mark Dominik to bolster a running back corps that has largely been impotent, as evidenced by one of the NFL’s worst yards-per-attempt figures.
Last year, Ward moped that he was underutilized. This spring, he found more excuses — between chasing a Kardashian — for his lack of productivity, including playing on a baseball infield in Miami in the first preseason game, a field that never hindered Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams.
The fact that Ward and his salary were cut loose tells Joe that Mark Dominik may not be as inclined as Joe once believed to have receiver Michael Clayton finish out his final year of a two-year contract.
This move almost assuredly means Kareem Huggins has made the squad and that perhaps Clifton Smith may also have avoided The Turk, though Smith’s status remains on the bubble with his reported gout and habit of putting the ball on the ground.
August 31st, 2010 at 1:27 pm
also Jon Alston was released!!! now we are waiting for sabby and for a great guy but not so great WR mike clayton
August 31st, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Good riddance….get rid of the malcontents
I agree with Aldo —- let’s hope Sabby is next
August 31st, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Should have shown up to camp in shape FAT BODY!!
August 31st, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Joe-
Better watch out….Drudge might come after you for using the almighty siren
August 31st, 2010 at 1:34 pm
well, with this move im telling you, we pick a RB with the first pick in 2011 Draft!!! who u preffer guys??
August 31st, 2010 at 1:35 pm
we need sabby for depth…I know it sucks, but I’m serious.
August 31st, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Even though I’m all in favor of Ward being released, because he really showed me nothing in either the first two games (didn’t get to see 3rd game), somehow this just doesn’t seem right without Clayton getting the axe, too.
August 31st, 2010 at 1:41 pm
@bucfanjeff
I’m glad someone else here ‘get’s it’ because most people around here forget about depth.
@Everyone
Ward is gone…awesome. I don’t believe Smith will be released…Morris talked to highly of him and even justiffied his fumble to be planning to let him go.
I doubt Clayton will be released…yet. I think the young WRs have shown enough to encourage Raheem to want to look more at them (such as Spurlock), so I expect Clayton to hold on till after this next game at least.
Hope Stovall gets the axe though.
August 31st, 2010 at 1:44 pm
BTW, Terrence Nunn also got the axe.
August 31st, 2010 at 1:49 pm
We may never hear about it, but expect Mark to shop Clifton, Clayton and Sabby. If he gets a bite with something descent, he’ll pull the trigger, depth or not.
That said, Morris can explain Clifton all he wants, but he’s one trick pony. And his one trick isn’t so special anymore. His health has become a concern and he can’t hang on to the football. Spurlock, Huggins and Stroughter can field punts and kicks.
Sabby will stick around for depth and spot play, but expect him to be replaced next year. Unless Mark can swindle somebody for a good draft pick now.
Clayton should be cut. It is an outside possibility they hang onto him for veteran depth and possible trade bait a few games in to the season.
August 31st, 2010 at 1:52 pm
why don’t you like Stovall? guys one of the hardest workers on our team and a great asset on special teams and he’s just starting to hit his stride in his career to be a legitimate receiver in the nfl
August 31st, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Kardashianed!
August 31st, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Clayton should be cut, but I can see him being retained because unlike Ward, Clayton is at least a hardworker.
August 31st, 2010 at 1:58 pm
@ Aldo … Noel Devine would be my running back of choice to draft in 2011, although I would much rather see Huggins have a breakout year.
August 31st, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Posey99:
LOTS of good running backs coming out next year.
August 31st, 2010 at 2:04 pm
wow didnt think we would cut him..but ok c-ya
August 31st, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Wow! Strong move. The best player plays.
August 31st, 2010 at 2:23 pm
FINALLY! It’s about damn time!
It’s your time to shine Huggy Bear!
August 31st, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Excellent. Caddy, Huggins and Graham!!
This does NOT tell me Smith is safe. Carlos Brown has looked good and hangs onto the ball. Smith is a great return guy, but they have Spurlock, Stroughter, Benn….
I think Smith probably is safe, with Brown on the practice Squad, but if he fumbles once…. look out.
August 31st, 2010 at 2:31 pm
A resounding failure and “bust” for manchild GM Dom.
Resounding GM failure number two, Mr. Clayton, may be next.
As for whether the Glazer’s are cheap, check out the bucs payroll/salary ranking and a gaze at the coaching staff – it answers the question.
August 31st, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Clayton is going to be cut.
HAS TO! The best thing for him and the Bucs.
WRs: WIlliams, Stroughter, Benn, Brown, Stovall, (Spurlock if they go with 6)
August 31st, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Sabby for depth!? PEH we are good wit Tjax, Jones, Grimm, Lynch sabby can sob his way to the free agent pool
August 31st, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Too bad for him….
But he did not show much of anything. The new Mr. August showed more.
August 31st, 2010 at 2:45 pm
I really can’t believe that Dominik was able to admit his mistake that he total failed the Buccaneers community with the free agents he brought in. I have to give credit to Dominik for this move.
August 31st, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Fixed.
August 31st, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Disgrace to the #28
August 31st, 2010 at 2:59 pm
@eric
“As for whether the Glazer’s are cheap, check out the bucs payroll/salary ranking and a gaze at the coaching staff – it answers the question.”
I hope you’ll be singing a different tune when we re-sign all of our young year 3,4, and 5 guys next offseason. The low payroll coincides with all the young and developing talent we have. We’ll jump right to the middle of the pack again if not higher next year.
Concerning the coaching staff, if Rah get 6-8 wins I think his job can will be safe enough to shop around for some higher priced assistants. I’m thinking Lovie Smith for DC after he gets fired as Bears head coach.
August 31st, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Sabby has made it past the 1st round of cuts ….Joe is starting to sweat it , LOL.
August 31st, 2010 at 4:10 pm
LOL!!
August 31st, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Spurlock better show us something in game 4. If he does, Clayton is done – that puts it in stone.
If he fails (or another WR gets hurt) Clayton might be here still (as much as I am not in favor of it, it’s a reality.)
August 31st, 2010 at 4:50 pm
I think the pic of Ward in the Pool with Kim sipping drinks tells us a lot. The fat contract made him fat and slow, lazy too. It showed on the field. I was never a supporter of signing him to play for Tampa. Thank God we cut him!
August 31st, 2010 at 5:05 pm
“Barring a shocker of a trade, Joe’s quite certain Ward will be on the Buccaneers come opening day. They need him, assuming there’s more left in his 30-year-old tank.”
https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=34478
I guess I can say I told you so, right?
Next up, Clayton gets cut. Something seems so right about Joe starting the season 0-3 on his player predictions…
August 31st, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Joe here,
Tom – Joe puts out about 3,500 opinions a year. Plenty will be right. Plenty will be wrong. Glad you care enough to try and keep score.
August 31st, 2010 at 6:07 pm
@Eric. I totally agree with you that Ward (and for that matter, Clayton) were definitely bad signings by Dominic. I’m sure if you had a beer with him he would tell you the same thing. However, that happens to even the best GM’s virtually every year. Look at the Bengals this year. Even a team like New England has made mistakes in Free Agency (i.e. Joey Galloway). I think it’s unfair to judge him solely on those 2 signings. At least he has no qualms about admitting a mistake, unlike that son of a famous coach that used to have his job. Dominic appears to draft well, and he should be graded by how this team performs this year and next. If we win 3 or 4 games, I’ll be right there with you.
August 31st, 2010 at 6:19 pm
@Hawaiian Buc,
I agree with you, he lives or dies by his drafting, especially since they have opted out of other methods of improving the team.
But, if you want to give some credit where it is due, the son of the former coach had some pretty nice FA signings.
Seems like we need a cross between Allen and Dom, one for FA’s and the other for the draft.
August 31st, 2010 at 6:30 pm
@Eric,
Agreed 100%
August 31st, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Joe what are you talking about? This proves even more The Glazers are being cheap.
The Bucs avoid paying Ward 3.25 million if he’s not on the opening day roster.
So yeah, ownership is still being cheap.
August 31st, 2010 at 7:24 pm
eric Says:
August 31st, 2010 at 2:31 pm
A resounding failure and “bust” for manchild GM Dom.
Eric, Ward was #1 free agent RB when he was signed. He took his money and got fat. Aren’t you the worlds loudest advocate for free agency?
August 31st, 2010 at 7:32 pm
To be honest, I really don’t care if the ownership is being cheap this year. It’s a good year to “take out the trash”. We’ve got plenty of guys that will need new contracts next year, and that’s when I’ll want to see ownership step up and pay the bills.
As for the HUGE mistakes by Dom… I don’t think it was a huge mistake. They needed a guy in case Caddy’s knees didn’t allow him to perform well. They got Ward. I never expected much from him, other than being adequate for a year or so. Caddy came back pretty strong last year, Ward seems to have given up, Huggins and Graham are better options.
What I will say about the front office is this. They aren’t afraid to correct mistakes. Every team makes mistakes, it’s just a matter of which ones correct them and do it quickly. This FO moves quickly. The coordinator “fiasco” of last year was recognizing a mistake and fixing it. The “kicking carousel” was fixing a weakness. Letting Bryant go (no mistake, just not wanting to pay top dollar for an injured guy), letting Ward go (no mistake, just not needed anymore).
They could have kept Jagz or Bates last year, just like we kept Mike Shula in the late 90’s. Would we be better for it this year? Not even close. Could we be even more improved with better guys than what we have? Maybe, but who’s to say they won’t be another Jagz or Bates, and right now Freeman and the young guys need consistency, the young D needs to have a direction. They have that because the front office has moved quickly to fix mistakes.
August 31st, 2010 at 7:37 pm
JimBuc,
Don’t worry, only the “failures” will be pointed out. If Jones plays well (like he did Saturday, Meyers commented he, Black and Hayes were in on almost every play through the first Qtr)… Jones is just a hack that’s only slightly better than Sabby… Yeah, well… better is better, you can’t always get the biggest, best that’s out there. If Vincent is only slightly better than Zuttah, I’ll take it. But that’s not good enough for some people. Improving the team a little bit isn’t good enough for them. Even though we have a limited number of draft choices, and have to fix some areas with “slightly better” free agents instead of draft choices.
August 31st, 2010 at 8:23 pm
What a waste. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass Derrick Ward. The guy did nothing while he was here. The best thing he did was complain. I truly hope this doesn’t prevent the Bucs from dipping their toes in the free agent waters next year. It’s one player. I am 100% behind the move. Why keep a guy who is a malcontent and a crappy player? You don’t. Adios Derrick. Good luck finding work. The NFL just loves RBs once they reach 30.
August 31st, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Let Carlos Brown & Clifton Smith play this last game and see who drops the ball as a RB. Already C. Brown has more carries than Smith without a Fumble… Later D. Ward hope you got a 90 day return policy on that 800k car…
August 31st, 2010 at 10:51 pm
Be honest Joe and admit you were wrong once in a while might help. On this case you can dive right into that crow, but instead you try to rationalize your foolishness.
You certainly have opinions, but lets be real. It generally comes down to only a few opinions which are thematic in which you have spent countless posts on them as a way to pump up your content and remind me you’d be the worst GM ever;
Your top Bucs roster themes: Sabby sucks (few disagree with you there) Zuttah should start unless Vincent is a Pro Bowler (a lot of people disagree with this), the Glazers ARENT cheap when it comes to players (mixed bag but boy does it bring the attention), Ward was underutilized, Clayton is a nice guy who should make the roster (just like Bobby Bowden was a nice guy who should’ve coached forever, both make me sick), and Antonio Bryant should’ve been re-signed (oops).
You throw opinions out there, but you love to repeat some more than others.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Joe here,
Tom – Not sure what your point is. …The majority of readers on JoeBucsFan.com are here once a week. “Themes,” as you call them, are repeated because Joe doesn’t expect anyone to pay as much attention as you do. And each post has to stand on its own.
Regarding the Glazers being cheap about players, that’s a very tough thing to define. The fans know the team has spent the least on players over several years. If you define cheap as spending the least amount of money in a time period, then the Glazers are cheap. If you want to broaden the look at their body of work, then it gets harder to call them cheap. Joe’s put out all angles.
Never once wrote that Clayton should make the roster. Joe would have cut him long, long ago. …Wrote that Dominik likely would keep him. Big difference.
September 1st, 2010 at 7:37 am
Tom , how could you forget these:
1: Byron Leftwich is the best back-up QB in history , and the perfect mentor
2: Brian Price has already punched his ticket to Canton.
🙂