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| D. Ward | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 21 2009, 02:50 PM (131 Views) | |
| 27Hampton | Jan 21 2009, 02:50 PM Post #1 |
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Hall of Famer
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Not a guy who sounds like he'll be in NY next year. He wants to be "the guy". Can't blame him. Good luck. Giants RB Derrick Ward preparing to "start the evaluation process" by Jenny Vrentas/The Star-Ledger Tuesday January 20, 2009, 10:04 PM After the Giants were eliminated from the playoffs last Sunday, Derrick Ward's first priority was taking a physical and mental break from football on the beaches of Miami. But when next week comes, the running back -- who is due to become a free agent this offseason -- will begin to mull his NFL future. "I just wanted to have some 'Me' time, take my mind off the game," Ward said tonight at an autograph signing at SportsPlace in Fanwood. "Then next week, start the evaluation process." Ward said he hasn't yet had any conversations with the Giants and there haven't been any negotiations -- though he added that it is still early. He can't be contacted by any other team until free agency begins at the end of next month. Ward, who rushed for 1,025 yards as the Giants' No. 1-B running back behind Brandon Jacobs, would like the chance to be a featured back -- which may wind up being elsewhere. While Ward said he'd like to return to the Giants for a "fair offer," his best bet could be on the open market, especially with Jacobs' contract with the team also up. As Ward and Jacobs surged toward becoming the NFL's fourth tandem of running backs to top 1,000 yards, Ward was the one who kept track of the stats, so it's not surprising he has also kept on top of which teams in the league could use a new No. 1 rusher. "I pay attention to everything," Ward said. "There are a few teams that could use a featured back. It would be nice to be a part of something I could feel comfortable with and the team could feel comfortable with." |
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| KCGirl | Jan 21 2009, 03:06 PM Post #2 |
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Shaper of Young Minds (aaahhhhhh!)
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He didn't look like he was uncomfortable with his role this year..... |
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| Gene | Jan 21 2009, 04:34 PM Post #3 |
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Down & Out
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We touched on this subject several weeks ago and my feelings remain the same. If he leaves for the huge contract (I have no quarrel with that) to a non-contender good luck to him. But if he's looking for another ring I can't think of one quote/unquote contending team that he would sign with that would give him the opportunity to be the feature RB he wants to be. Indianapolis maybe? Remember that at this time last year he didn't get so much as a sniff from anybody before reupping with the Giants. Will having a 1,025 yard season get him big money? Will other GM's view him as a benefitting from playing behind Jacobs? At 29 years old do the Giants want him back? Going to be an interesting off season round these here parts.............. |
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| 27Hampton | Jan 21 2009, 05:01 PM Post #4 |
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A few contenders I can think of - but who knows what kind of money they would offer. Like you said Gene, he's 29, just had his first injury free year of his career (I believe) and I honestly think a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick can give you as much as a back like Ward can, but obviously much younger. Maybe not every time, but...in theory. It depends on what kind of pay day he's really looking for. Patriots - a contender without anything of substance at the RB Broncos - ditto Bucs - I don't know how much longer Dunn can play and when do you just cut your losses with Cadillac Williams? Chronically injured. Eagles - I don't even want to think about it. "Non-contenders": Bangels: Not sure they're committed to Benson. Chris Perry is less than average. Browns: I'm not sure about Jamal Lewis' contract, but he looked washed up this past season. Chieves: Larry Johnson will be a goner. Jaguars: Fred Taylor was done 3 years ago, I'm shocked the guy is still around. May not be come camp. Ward and Jones-Drew could be a nice combo. Edited by 27Hampton, Jan 21 2009, 05:13 PM.
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| KCGirl | Jan 22 2009, 09:30 AM Post #5 |
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Shaper of Young Minds (aaahhhhhh!)
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I don't think he's going to get the money he thinks he'll get. Than again, we could have another Gibril Wilson here. I think most GMs & PPDs will see him as "the backup," who benefited from playing with/behind Jacobs. Not knocking the guy or saying he's not good - just don't see him as a "feature" back anywhere. I don't know if he'll get many more sniffs this year because people view him as the backup, 2nd in the tandem....
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| leatherhead | Jan 22 2009, 10:24 AM Post #6 |
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Starter
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based on Wards history of injury I don't have the feeling that he could be an every down back. He's a damn good RB and will be an asset wherever he plays but for him right now its all about the money and I can't blame him for that because everybody else is doing it for the same reason...Ward would do fine on a team with a 2 back system.. |
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| 10Giants | Jan 22 2009, 12:54 PM Post #7 |
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Ward could be a modern version of Lewis Tillman, who wore the same number. After a few years of backing up Rodney Hampton, Tillman got 7 starts in 1993 and gained close to 600 yards. He was signed by the Bears for the following season and was their feature back starting 15 games and having 275 carries. However he only averaged 3.3 per carry for 899 yards and the next season lost his job to Salaam and was out of the league after that. There may have been injury issues as well, I just cannot recall. Ward is certainly far more talented than Tillman but may also be best suited as a complimentary back. He did not do as well when there was no Jacobs playing. |
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| BlueHeart | Jan 23 2009, 03:15 AM Post #8 |
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Gifted, But, Twisted Fearless Leader
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The injury history will be the only thing that could hold up some mad money. People view him as a superstar after this year and, for the most part, you're only as good as your last season in the eyes of the majority. He could very well get paid quite a bit... enough to have him going elsewhere. |
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| Hadron | Jan 23 2009, 08:56 AM Post #9 |
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Ward may get a 'decent' contract, but not 'good' money like he probably hopes. Too little too late for him. Not only that, but any value he might have could get inflated by playing behind the Giant's O-Line and slipping in after Jacobs has crushed them for half the game. |
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| BlueHeart | Jan 23 2009, 12:15 PM Post #10 |
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Gifted, But, Twisted Fearless Leader
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No doubt. I said in one of the other threads he'd better hope (or whoever signs him, I should say) that the OL is as good as ours to produce the same results. |
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| Eli_Manning_10 | Jan 26 2009, 03:32 PM Post #11 |
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If your not a New York Giants fan then... what the hell are you?
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Bengals maybe. although benson showed some signs or good running here and there.
Edited by Eli_Manning_10, Jan 28 2009, 03:58 PM.
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I don't know if he'll get many more sniffs this year because people view him as the backup, 2nd in the tandem....

3:33 AM Jul 11