by Ray Glier

Filed under: Buccaneers, NFC South

I saw Derrick Ward run the ball Saturday night for the Buccaneers. On a couple of runs, he was all knee pads and shoulder pads, not alibis and promises. There was something there with this guy, finally. Ward had four carries for 19 yards, but there was one 12-yard run where the pad level was dominant and defenders bounced off him.

The Bucs were not impressed. They cut him Tuesday.

This is a guy the Bucs signed to a four-year, $17-million contract, and he ended up as a bust. The 1,025-yard season with the New York Giants, we would have to say, was a result of 1) the Giants offensive line 2) a motivated guy after a contract 3) some skill.

The Bucs also owed Ward $3.25-million in base salary this season, according to the Tampa Tribune, which also reported the Bucs tried to trade him.