Derrick Ward has left the band. The only current free agent member of "Earth, Wind, and Fire," the Giants' trio of running backs, signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last night, inking a deal that is reported to be worth four years and $17 million ($6 million guaranteed).Ward joins a running back corps that now includes Earnest Graham and a broken down Cadillac Williams, the latter of whom dealt with two serious injuries in 2008. The signing by the Bucs is another interesting move in what has been an already "bizarre" offseason in Tampa Bay.
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The Bucs already declined to re-sign quarterback Jeff Garcia, cut Joey Galloway and Derrick Brooks. Then they promptly traded for tight end Kellen Winslow, while franchising Antonio Bryant and re-signing Luke McCown and Michael Clayton.Perhaps Raheem Morris -- the new first year coach in Tampa -- has grander plans than any of us can fully understand (quarterbacks often materialize out of thin air in the NFL, after all) but at the moment, the 2009 edition of the Buccaneers seem like an odd bunch.
For Ward's part, expect him to continue to split carries, only now they'll be not only shared with Graham, but slightly more expensive per tote. Cadillac could be the big loser here; Ward's signing may make him utterly expendable in Tampa's eyes.
