Jacobs' Franchising Means Ward Probably Gone
Over the past couple seasons the New York Giants have used a three-headed rushing attack to steamroll their opponents. But with Brandon Jacobs receiving the franchise tag recently, it looks like the trio of he, Derrick Ward, and Ahmad Bradshaw are soon to be separated. With Ward a free agent as well and in search of starter money following a season in which he posted more than 1,000 yards on the ground in a platoon role, most likely he'll be moving on.
As Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News pointed out Sunday, Ward has made it clear he wants a starting job, which isn't going to happen with Jacobs getting tagged. Vacchiano also cites a source saying Bradshaw is looking for "upwards of $4 million per year". With Bradshaw already in position to spell Jacobs, I can't imagine the Giants would want to invest that type of money at the running back position for a guy who won't even start and would be sharing carries with two other guys.
So, unless there simply isn't much of a market for Ward's services once the free-agent signing period opens, he's probably worn a Giants' uniform for the last time.
Among the teams that could potentially be interested in Ward and offer him a shot at a starting job are the Cardinals, Bengals, Patriots, and Seahawks.
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I’ve watched Ward over the last three seasons with the Giants and do not buy into him as a full-time workhorse. The situation in Cincinnati could offer an interesting duo of Benson and Ward, or joining Mangini and an aging Jamal Lewis in Cleveland. Never too early start talking Football.
I was wondering why you are running this story about Jacobs and Ward now… Ward is already with Tampa Bay, and he has been there for some time now, to the best of my knowledge. It is now alost mid-July and you have this topic listed as a “Rumor”? why?