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February 20, 2009WFNY Week in Review – 02/20/09
February 20, 2009Well now. This is certainly interesting.
Reports are beginning to pop up everywhere, (yes, including the Plain Dealer) that Giants RB Derrick Ward is ready to say goodbye to New York and hello to free agency. Now before we get carried away, let’s review some facts about Ward.
He is 28 years old, which in RB circles means he isn’t really a spring chicken. However, Ward has amassed just 342 carries in his 5 year career. By comparison, Jamal Lewis is 29 years old, but is a carry short of 2,400 rushes for his career. In fact Lewis had 387 carries in 2003 alone! Ward has been second fiddle to Tiki Barber and now Brandon Jacobs his entire career. When he was given the opportunity, he certainly took advantage with 600 yards in ‘07 and 1025 last year. What impressed me most watching Ward a few times last year was his explosiveness. He averaged 5.6 yards a carry last season, and his career number is 5.1!
Some might argue that many backs running behind New York’s offensive line would get 100 yards. That’s fair. But look at what Michael Turner was able to do in Atlanta when given the chance to escape Tomlinson’s shadow? The Falcons line was improved, but I can’t imagine they are that much more talented than Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach and Hank Fraley.
But would Ward be willing to come to Cleveland? Pro Football talk must have been listening closely to Jim Rome’s show on Wednesday and reported this from Ward’s own mouth-
“I feel that I accomplished a lot of my goals this year. I feel that I’m a quality starter. I can be a starter on a team. I can help a team win.”
And he knows that he won’t be the starter in New York.
“They just franchised Brandon Jacobs,” Ward said. “He’s the starter there. He’s their workhorse. He’s the one that sets the tone on the team. I was able to come in after him and do my thing. But I think I’m ready to take over that starting role for a team and help a team win.”
As the understudy to Jacobs, Ward rushed for 1,025 yards on only 182 carries, for an average of 5.6 yards per carry.
Ward identified the Cardinals, Browns, and Texans as potential destinations because, as he contended, each of those three teams need a running back.
Yes, Mr. Ward we could use an explosive runner. Yes indeed. Apparently, the feeling is mutual-
“He’s a guy we’d look at,” Mangini said of the 28 year-old, 1,000-yard rusher. “I can tell you there’s a lot of free agents we’re looking at.”
I would hope so Mangini. But would Cleveland have the cap space to make this kind of move? I suppose that depends on what they do with their own free agents. The Orange and Brown report has some thoughts on that.
I’d love to see it happen. Given the choice between Harrison and Ward…give me Ward!
8 Comments
Ward, Lewis, Harrison and Cribbs… Imagine if a coaching staff managed to use multiple guys effectively like they did in Jacksonville?
Or, would Ward signing mean the end of Lewis’ days in Cleveland?
Yeah we need a bigger back than Harrison. Harrison will always be a change of pace back, and Jamal, well Jamal is just old and slow. I’ll take Ward, though I wish we could get a younger back obviously that won’t happen in the draft. We have way other needs to address first.
I think this would be great, because then we can really zero in on defense, and maybe O-line in the draft. Ward, Lewis, Cribbs, and Harrison would look pretty sweet on the O.
“He’s a guy we’d look at,” Mangini said of the 28 year-old, 1,000-yard rusher. “I can tell you there’s a lot of free agents we’re looking at.”, said Mangini.
Don’t look now, but this may be construed as tampering. You are not allowed to discuss players while they are under contract with another team. Ward does not actually become a free agent until February 27th.
If New York complains to the league about this, we’re f#@ked.
Technically it isn’t tampering Chris. I’ve heard all week when guys are being interviewed on NFL Network and the like and when they bring up a free agent every coach says the exact same thing. The thing that saves them all is the second part of the quote, there’s a lot of free agents were looking at. That makes the comment not specific about one player.
Now I think we all know he’ll be bringing in Bowens and Kassell if they are willing to take a dip in their salary.
As for Ward, he’s still not a number one back, but a mix of Lewis, Ward and Harrison could be interesting.
It’s not tampering… he’s a free agent… simple as that
Sounds like he wants to be a starter and get paid starter money…not gonna pay him and Jamal big bucks are we? hate to see Lewis go, but i belive he’s done. He’s a leader though, and with only 1 year on his contract i guess they could coexist…
also sounds like (as we clevelanders do) we might be putting the cart before the horse though…”He’s a guy we’d look at” gets translated by the media into “they’re pursuing him!” gotta love it.
Why should the Browns give this twenty eight year old with one decent year a big contract? Take care of the offensive line and DRAFT running backs-save the cash for infrastructure positions. Don’t want this stiff…….develop our own.