Pyramid Hill lights up
Women of Excellence Awards
16th Annual Music Festival
Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > March > 01 > Entry
Ex-Giants TB Derrick Ward visits Cincy
IF BENGALS REALLY WANT HIM,
THEN DON’T LET HIM LEAVE
WITHOUT A SIGNED CONTRACT
The Cincinnati Bengals entertained New York Giants free agent tailback Derrick Ward, who wants to be an NFL starter. Whether or not they’ll sign him is open to speculation.
And why not?
It’s the NFL’s offseason … the season of speculation.
Let’s face it: Cedric Benson is looking, so the Bengals are looking, too. They have their sights set on Ward. But is the feeling mutual? Tampa, St. Louis and Detroit also express strong interest.
Memo to the Bengals: Sign Derrick Ward, even if you have to over-pay the dude.
SIRIUS NFL Radio hosts Adam Schein and John Riggins spoke with Ward on “The SIRIUS Blitz” prior to his trip to the Nati. Here’s the exchange:
Derrick Ward: “I’m about to take a trip out to Cincinnati and see what they have to offer and then just keep my options open for a little bit.”
Adam Schein: “Is it a situation where you see (Cincinnati) as an excellent fit where you can get some extra carries, maybe even starter money? And if it is right in Cincinnati will it be the first and only trip that you take?”
Ward: “I mean, if it were to work out that I way, then I would have no other choice. Like I said, I’m just going to keep my options open right now and go about it that way.”
IN DERRICK WARD’S WORDS
ON THE CINCINNATI BENGALS:
“They have great leadership in Carson Palmer. They have great talent. They have a lot of stuff going for them. Every team needs a couple of pieces to reach that next level. I remember when I came into the league with the Giants we were just a couple of pieces away from being a great team and we showed that throughout the years. It just depends on the situation, depends on the coaching staff.
“Coach (Marvin) Lewis, he’s done a heck of a job out there in Cincinnati. Granted, they had a down year last year and the year before but I think that had a lot to do with injuries and stuff like that. But I’m pretty sure everybody is healthy and ready to go, and it’s a league where anybody can win — anybody can go to the Super Bowl. The last two years has proved that. I really feel that they are an up-and-coming team and big things should happen for them this year.”
MORE FROM WARD:
“My mindset is (that of) a starter. I’ve proved this year I can get the job done as a backup. So now it’s just seeing that I know in my heart that I can be a quality starter in this league and produce for a team. It’s just all about what the team needs and wants and I’ll be able to hopefully be that spark for them.
“I’ve got the carries of a second-year player. I’ve only gotten 350 carries in my career, so I’m still fresh as far as touches go in the NFL. I feel I can bring to the table a lot of veteran leadership. I came from a great program with the Giants and they did a real nice job of teaching us how to be professionals on and off the field. It doesn’t matter if I’ve been in the league for 5 years or been in the league for 10 years. As long as I’m able to provide veteran leadership to the team that I’m going to go to, then I think that’ll be the perfect situation for me.”
MIKE BROWN TO DERRICK WARD:
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Brian
March 1, 2009 11:27 PM | Link to this
Ward would be in for a rude awakening going from The Giants offensive line to the Bengals.By Mike
March 2, 2009 8:33 AM | Link to this
Let Ward go. He is asking for Michael Turner type money and he is no where near that type of running back.By Homer Simpson
March 3, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this
Ward “They have great talent.” No, not really. Ward “They have a lot of stuff going for them.” Yeah, and it’s all bad. Ward “Every team needs a couple of pieces to reach that next level.” Yeah, but the Bengals need like 20 pieces. This guy does not have a clue how bad it is in Cincinnati. Maybe MB should sign him before he figures it out.