Buccaneers release Derrick Ward, Terrence Nunn; Jon Alston to IR
This means the Buccaneers now have met today's 75-man roster limit.
Derrick Ward hasn't been performing well during the preseason but looked better in his last game. He was the Bucs' biggest free agency signing in 2009, and can now be labeled a free agency bust.
This move opens the door to keep Clifton Smith, as the team has just two RBs on the roster: Cadillac Williams and Kareem Huggins. Another option would be keeping an extra fullback and using Earnest Graham as a backup running back.
Update: the Buccaneers website now says Alston was placed on IR, not released.
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I'm surprised Alston was cut
I really thought he’d make the team, as I’d been hearing some positives about him and Koutouvides has been disappointing this offseason.
Can't wait to see what Kareem does this season.
He will most likely be our featured back next year.
Alright
Now we get down to business. All we have to do is cut Clayton and we are back in the driver seat.
Josh Freeman will be better than Matt Ryan, not so sure about Drew Brees!!
Speaking of E. Graham
I would like to see him stay as the lead Fullback. He is actually a great blocker as I watched him open wholes for Caddy during the preseason.
This will allow him to stay on the field and get more touches and or have a consistent impact on the game, through pass catching short yardage dive plays etc.
Josh Freeman will be better than Matt Ryan, not so sure about Drew Brees!!
Yeah, I agree with this
And the fact that they’ve been using Hayward and Miller as fullbacks makes it even more likely that we won’t keep extra fullbacks on the roster.
Isn't EG kind of undersized to be a great "blocking" back?
I know he’s mad stout and maybe that’s all that matters, but shouldn’t a blockin’ back be big framed?
You'd think so
But Graham performed well as a blocker last year and this preseason.
It’s not that important to be big, it’s much more important to hit big and keep your pads low. Graham’s looked the best of the fullbacks this offseason, really.
It's not so much that they need to be big in order to block well.
It’s that they need to be bigger framed to sustain the type of punishment they take week in and week out. Graham is too small to play fullback in my opinion. He will probably end up injured for a significant portion of the season if he sees all the snaps at that position. I wish they would keep Pressley just to spell Graham every now and then.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
+1
or Purvis to do the same.
5 picks out of the first 100 in a draft saturated with talent. Yes, I'm optimistic.
by chuckyforpres on Sep 1, 2010 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions
I am glad they decided to keep Kareem
But has anyone else keep hearing they keep referring to him as a rookie running back???
Raheem Morris + 2010 = Buccaneer in the playoffs
How long has he been in the league.
I know atleast 2 years. But he was hurt last year maybe he isnt technically a rookie but based on game time and experience he is.
Josh Freeman will be better than Matt Ryan, not so sure about Drew Brees!!
Last year was his 1st, but yeah
He spent the year on the practice squad until being activated late in the season for 3 games
i meant to say this is his 2nd year and last year was his 1st
Raheem Morris + 2010 = Buccaneer in the playoffs
Options
Ward bounced back and ran a little better on a couple of carries in the Bucs’ third preseason game against Jacksonville, but the team likely decided Kareem Huggins was a better option behind starter Cadillac Williams.
Huggins has 19 carries for 97 yards and two receptions for 16 yards this preseason. He has not been named the backup to Williams, according to Bucs coach Raheem Morris.
Tampa bay is expected to use the final preseason game Thursday at Houston and the early regular season to determine Williams’ backup.
I guess they are leaving room for possibly naming Ernest Graham as a back up
Raheem Morris + 2010 = Buccaneer in the playoffs
I dont see how
you even consider Clifton Smith as a primary back-up when you have Kareem Huggins who is faster and tougher and doesnt have a problem holding onto the ball. Id be very disapointed if that were the case, regardless of the last preseason game.
Clifton Smith shouldnt touch the ball on offense.
Josh Freeman will be better than Matt Ryan, not so sure about Drew Brees!!
I expect them to get the ball in Peanut's hands a lot this last preseason game
And hope he doesn’t fumble then.
I don’t think he really has a shot to be the backup, though, but I do think he’ll get a few looks throughout the year unless he keeps fumbling in the last preseason game. But I don’t think EG’s going to be the backup either.
We dont know
We really do not know if Huggy will be a fumbler or not either because if my memory serves me right Peanut didn’t start fumbling till he got the ball during the season not preseason
Raheem Morris + 2010 = Buccaneer in the playoffs
I don't think Smith makes the cut.
If an optimist had his left arm chewed off by an alligator, he might say in a pleasant and hopeful voice, "Well this isn't to bad, I don't have a left arm anymore but at least nobody will ever ask me if I'm left-handed or right-handed" but most of us would say something more along the lines of "Aaaaaa! My arm! My arm!" DANIEL HANDLER (as Lemony Snicket)
I don't either
But that leaves us with Caddy and Huggins and Carlos Brown, unless we pick up someone off waivers.
+1000000000000000000000000
Josh Freeman will be better than Matt Ryan, not so sure about Drew Brees!!
wow huge mistake in my mind letting ward go.
i know you all are big on huggins but he will show us very soon that running against starters is not the same as running against 2nd string and preseason football players. i hope caddy makes it all season.
Ward didn't do anything to deserve a spot on this team.
Prove me wrong.
Totally agreeable.
He fumled twice, got a concussion and probably never got near a 1st down marker.
In truth, we shouldn’t of played him in the preseason and traded him while his poor performance was seen only in house. We coulda hustled something outta him.
I think the word was already out on Ward.
I doubt anyone wanted him.
nobody they really want.
dont see Ward fitting there though
Josh Freeman will be better than Matt Ryan, not so sure about Drew Brees!!
They're deep with very mediocre to bad RBs
They’ve been giving them a chance all offseasons, I’d think there’s a chance they’d give Ward a shot too. Though maybe not with these roster limits now.
Plain and Simple
He shouldn’t of dragged ass in preseason thinking he gets a free ride to regular.
(Please don’t gimme a warning, its the truth man)
I think it might be over for him.
This is one of the weaker teams at the running back position in the NFL. If he can’t make the 75 man roster here, he is gonna have a hard time landing somewhere else. Unless he was cut for salary reasons, then that is a different story. But all indications point towards the fact he was released for underperformance.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
Well, there are a lot of running backs you could say that of
The guy got a lot of interest just a little over a year ago. Usually they’ll get another chance somewhere, be a third-down back, and then sputter around doing nothing for another two years or so.
Or maybe this release taught him something and he’s fired up. That’s happened before, too.
He might get a shot somewhere because of an injury
but such a dramatic fall from grace is likely to scare people away.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
by LeeCaz on Sep 1, 2010 11:53 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Leon Washington, Justin Forsett and Julius Jones might have something to say about that.
Carol already told Lendale White to take a walk, doubt he’s eager to pick up our scraps.
If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
White took a walk
because 1 he is a certified pot head and 2 because he was out of shape and had a low word ethic…
Raheem Morris + 2010 = Buccaneer in the playoffs
Their Mediocre to Bad RB's
are caused by their mediocre to average o-line.
So you can keep knocking but won't knock me down
No love lost, no love found
Of course he won't do it as well as he did
But Ward did jack-all in preseason, so Kareem’s surely a better option than that.
Wow!
I thought there was a good chance that Ward would be cut when they went down to 53, but definitely wasnt expecting this today
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
by LeeCaz on Aug 31, 2010 2:07 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I just said this exact thing
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
I must admit
Though I have been a constructive supporter of Raheem, I was impressed by the press conference he gave regarding the cuts.
Very constructive, skill based conference where he didnt shy away from why they made this decision.
Josh Freeman will be better than Matt Ryan, not so sure about Drew Brees!!
I'm not too surprised by this, just the timing of it.
In all honesty, money aside, I’m a little baffled that they kept Smith over Ward. Granted Ward may be gone, Graham may be moved to RB, or we may pick up another, but it perplexes me just a bit. Not that I think either guy is worthy of a spot right now.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
There's also a tiny, tiny chance they keep Carlos Brown
Though that’s really a tiny chance.
I think their emergency plan (if Caddy goes down) is to use Graham more and bring whoever they put on the practice squad in at fullback.
maybe they will keep
Carlos and put him on the practice squad
Raheem Morris + 2010 = Buccaneer in the playoffs
I would be hard pressed to jump on a Huggins for starter bandwaggon as of now.
If Williams went down. I have to believe that Graham would get the starter job. However, that would also be a huge blow to the offense.
"I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault." ~ Jack Tatum
HUGGY
I do not think he is starter material YET … but if he continues to learn and step up as he has been then I believe he could be… Honestly I think Caddy has 1 – 2 good year in him
I would push for EG to start too if something happened to Caddy … however if Huggy has very solid games you never know
Raheem Morris + 2010 = Buccaneer in the playoffs
I hear ya
Smith is purely a return specialist, atleast Spurlock can catch. Smith can’t catch or run, he gets tore up. Ward sucks but smith will probably get the axe here soon. ya know what i mean?
ESPN reportig that Peanut is the primary backup.
Too bad they are 100000% wrong. Clifton Smith isn’t even a lock to make the team at this point.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
I think he's a lock with this move
I doubt they go into the season with just 2 running backs.
But yeah, there’s no way he’s the primary backup now. He didn’t even carry the ball this preseason.
I can see them scanning the wire for someone else. His fumbling problem still exists, he is redundant to Huggins
He provides nothing we don’t have. I can see them grabbing Parker or LJ or some other 29-31 year old back to hang around and get 2-3 touches a game.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
He doesn't provide 'nothing' we don't have
He’s certainly the best kick returner on this team.
You may be right about grabbing another RB on waivers, though.
I don't think he brings anything to the team.
He can’t hang onto the ball. He had a fumbling problem last year and his first touch this preseason he coughs it up. He’s a liability anytime he touches the ball. The chance to take 1 kick back a year vs the 3 fumbles he is due for isn’t worth it. I can live with 2.3 yards less in field position and 1 less TD all year (even though I think Spurlock can give us that). I can’t live with turning the ball over inside our own 25 yard line
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
I don't think he's a liability in the kicking game as far as fumbles go
That’s not historically been a problem for him. Yeah, he coughed it up saturday – but that was his first kickoff return in what, 9 months?
Still, when you have a reputation of fumbling the ball....
"I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault." ~ Jack Tatum
Can someone explain to me
How Kareem Huggins is not the primary running back???
From everything ive seen its not even close
Am I missing something?
Josh Freeman will be better than Matt Ryan, not so sure about Drew Brees!!
He is. ESPN is wrong.
As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.
Limbo
I just think the Bucs want to keep Huggy in suspense
Raheem Morris + 2010 = Buccaneer in the playoffs
I don't know...
Huggy is fast, hits the hole and takes off.
But Graham stiffarms the crap outta people. And he runs em over. I think maybe Huggy does pull it off, given myself a quick reality check.
He's also put on weight...
Given, it’s probably mostly muscle mass. He’s listed at 225, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he was playing closer to 235-240 to start the season. While this isn’t a deal-break for him at HB, probably won’t help any quick burst or speed problems he has.
"I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault." ~ Jack Tatum
Ha, now ya'll agree with me that EG shouldn't be playing fullback
Cuz he should be primary, not Huggy or SMITH
Why not Huggins?
If Graham plays fullback he can be on the field 2-3 times as much as if he were the back up. Getting many more touches and have many more opportunities to impact games.
Kareem should get 10 touches a game and Graham should be in on almost every play which the full back position allows.
Josh Freeman will be better than Matt Ryan, not so sure about Drew Brees!!
Not Mike Alstott touches, but also not BJ Askew touches.
"I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault." ~ Jack Tatum
I absolutely think he should be playing fullback.
I called for it before they made the move. He’s an above average blocker, very strong and physical and will take more touches than Pressley or Taylor would in this offense. It adds a completely different dimension to the offense.
"I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault." ~ Jack Tatum
Well hopefully
Greg will use him alot more than last year. Touches wise
"You have to play this game like somebody just hit your mother with a two-by-four."
-Dan Birdwell
by TheOneInRed on Aug 31, 2010 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Are we going to sign someone from another team, like WIllie Parker?
If not him, do you think that we’ll just replace Ward with someone else that gets cut? Makes sense to me.
I really beleive they wanted Desean Jackson and when he go picked the panic and along came dexter
Raheem Morris + 2010 = Buccaneer in the playoffs
Shocked.
Ward didn’t look that good in preseason but that doesn’t erase what he’s done during gameday. I’m very surprised they didn’t keep him on for a couple of games to see if he could make an impact. On top of that, with the pressure on, he did preform much better in last week’s game. Management must know something they’re not telling like they did with Bryant. That’s the only explanation I can see.
5 picks out of the first 100 in a draft saturated with talent. Yes, I'm optimistic.
He had his moments.
Mostly catching the ball, but he also had 1000+ yd year. Looking at it relatively, Huggins and Peanut have done zip. If we had better options I would be nonplussed but as it is, we are very shallow for experience. Graham is an awesome backup but it’s hard to play FB and RB at the same time.
5 picks out of the first 100 in a draft saturated with talent. Yes, I'm optimistic.
by chuckyforpres on Aug 31, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
He's had two preseasons and a full season to show he belonged
Instead, he showed that he didn’t belong at all. His performance was really bad last year, rushing the ball. And Huggins has shown a lot more in preseason than him. They also have Earnest Graham to run the ball if they need too.
On Earnest
Just cause you are listed as FB doesn’t mean you don’t get the carries. Look at Alstott. And no I am not comparing him to Alstott
This could be the case.
With a young team, a poor influence might not be worth keeping no matter how much it costs you.
5 picks out of the first 100 in a draft saturated with talent. Yes, I'm optimistic.
by chuckyforpres on Aug 31, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't think the Lambo will have done him any favours
Fans weren’t impressed and I guess Rah wasn’t either – embodied his attitude, got the cash, no need to dash.
The front office is starting to win my trust.
This does show that they are willing to admit a mistake and move on. Now if they release Clayton.
Amen Brother
When youngsters see that dropping balls is rewarding with a nice lofty contract, its gonna affect the “lets build the draft” typa thing. Kids might not try as hard. He’s a cancer that needs to be removed.
I doubt it
There’s a possibility, though.
More likely we’ll see 3 backup linebackers: Hayward, Koutouvides, Watson.
Kouts is probably next in line.
"I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault." ~ Jack Tatum
He's proved to be an elite Special Teams player.
"I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault." ~ Jack Tatum
Christmas in September
O GOD, when the next cut comes around PLEASE let Michael Clayton’s name be on the list!!
Slightly surprised that they had seen enough out of Ward but still haven't made their decision on Clayton.
Could be they are seeing how Stovall’s ankle does.
"I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault." ~ Jack Tatum
I don't think Brown is even in consideration for getting cut.
"I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault." ~ Jack Tatum
He should be after those drops the last game.
I understand everybody has a bad game here and there, but those two drops were very Claytonesque.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
Yeah, Reggie Brown's been a disappointment this offseason
Still, I don’t think he’s going to be cut. If they cut him, they keep Clayton, and from all accounts they like Clayton a lot less. At least Brown has elite speed.
D-Ward was terrible.
D Ward had a terrible year last year. 400yards and only 1 TD? SO he got about 1 million dollars per 100 yards. (4 yrs/ 17 mil). Everyone keeps talking about the past. The NY Days are OVER. He is 30 , over weight , obviously on a ego trip (pulling up in a lambo? ) . He was visually gripping during the Miami game . He was the one running into his linemens backs. Huggy had no problems .
Michael clayton is next (DNP in most important preseason game – Writing is on the wall) and Clifton smith better show something or he is on the chopping block to. Rah has said that he is looking for guys who can do multiple things. Peanut is ONLY a KR AND PR. He lost 1 game last year because he fumbled late in the game & he also has GOUT and a fumbling problem.
Stovall, Williams , stroughter, Benn, Reggie Brown, Spurlock and Longshot Preston Parker make Clayton Expendable and Spurlock, Stroughter and Parker can all KR AND pR but what seperaters them is that they can also be receivers.
Clifton smith had a great year 2 years ago, he did nothing last year but fumble and stay injured. 2 concussions. Clifton had his shot to prove he can be versitile but he just blew that because he caughted it up when hit. Time to move aside for HUGGY!
Huh?
Injuries are not a condemnation of a player. I was at the Carolina game when Peanut took the most vicious and ugly hit I’ve ever seen. Munnerlyn should of been suspended more that one game for what could of been a career ending kill shot. I’m 100% positive he wasn’t quite the same after that the rest of the year. His fumbling is a problem, but it is one many other players in NFL history have been able to fix. I would hold out on judgment until he gets a real chance to prove himself.
Also, Clayton may failed to deliver on many opportunities so far, but he still has more experience than 5 of those receivers named combined. I’m not saying he should be starting at all, but his knowledge alone could prove very valuable to such a young receiving core. I haven’t noticed if he has this preseason, but Clayton can cover punts and kickoffs. I can see him as 4th or 5th on the depth chart for those two reasons alone.
5 picks out of the first 100 in a draft saturated with talent. Yes, I'm optimistic.
by chuckyforpres on Sep 1, 2010 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions
At some point money has to come into play.
Clayton’s contract is ridiculous. Is a guy worth 5M a year because he provides a veteran prescence and covers kickoffs? I’m gonna guess no.
"Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." ~ Mark Twain
by LeeCaz on Sep 1, 2010 8:48 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I agree on the contract.
It was a terrible deal but it’s already been done and a large chunk already paid. If Clayton can provide some knowledge and share his experience to help develop our young guys while still providing some depth, I think he’s worth keeping around. The second he takes a lazy attitude toward practice or tries to become a distraction, cut him. This gives the benefit of providing a no tolerance example. If he shows up to work hard every day and does what he’s asked, he could be a valuable member of the team.
5 picks out of the first 100 in a draft saturated with talent. Yes, I'm optimistic.
by chuckyforpres on Sep 1, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Totally agree with chuckyforpres.
Clayton has been just as unproductive as Ward last year and this preseason, but at least he hasn’t showed the same attitude problem. To the contrary, he’s always been a honest worker and a tough blocker, which sets a good example for the younger receiver.
I am not saying we should keep Clayton in the last 53, because we already have two other WRs in Benn and Stovall who are good blockers/ST contributors/tough guys — and at a much more reasonable price. And oh… maybe they can also catch the ball too.
But IMO Ward clearly was the guy who had to go first, and keeping Clayton wouldn’t hurt all that much.
That wasn't Munnerlyn hitting Peanut.
That was Dante Wesley.
I think Clayton was in for some special teams plays in the 3rd preseason game – he wasn’t listed as “did not play” in the official gamebook, and I never saw him on the field so that’s probably where he came in – but the fact that he got no looks whatsoever in that game is pretty damning.
My apologies to Munnerlyn.
You’re right it was Wesley and he deserves all the credit for that cheap shot.
5 picks out of the first 100 in a draft saturated with talent. Yes, I'm optimistic.
by chuckyforpres on Sep 1, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
what???
The NFL is 100% about production. Clayton has had 4 YEARS to get the job done and his time is OVER. Leaders lead by example. TALK IS CHEAP! The young receivers will get there knowledge from reggie brown. He has had a good season in the NFL, he is a veteran, contributed on winning teams and has played in playoff games with the eagles. That is more than Clayton can or ever will say. The bucs gave Clayton the benefit of the doubt last year when they gave him that contract even tho he has had 2 subpar seasons after his rookie year. If ward was let go, what makes you think clayton will stay? and he has way more competition than ward had a rb.
The bucs are going young, clayton is washed up , like ward. If you don’t know by now, the bucs are rebuilding . Morris isn’t even looking at clayton anymore and he has openly said it in numerous interviews. I think you need to open ya eyes and detach your emotional ties.
The bucs don’t need to pay a guy 5mil to play special teams who can’t even return Kicks or punts. This is why they have Stroughter, spurlock, brown, and benn.
Browns job isn't safe either, he hasn't played all that well.
If an optimist had his left arm chewed off by an alligator, he might say in a pleasant and hopeful voice, "Well this isn't to bad, I don't have a left arm anymore but at least nobody will ever ask me if I'm left-handed or right-handed" but most of us would say something more along the lines of "Aaaaaa! My arm! My arm!" DANIEL HANDLER (as Lemony Snicket)
You are right tbbuc4
Morris has said in numerous interviews " We know what Clayton can do." = Not much besides blocking.
Sounds like you need to detach your emotions.
He has had a good season in the NFL, he is a veteran, contributed on winning teams and has played in playoff games with the
…Bucs. As you can see that same statement could also describe Clayton. Brown has done as little as Clayton to earn a roster spot in preseason so far. The big difference is Clayton has been with the team much longer, and has, at least, proven a good work ethic and great blocking. He also knows the offense better.
I understand how frustrating his drops and sometimes ineffective route running have been and if I could build a team from scratch I wouldn’t even consider his name. As it is, we have to use the ingredients on the roster. Williams, Stroughter, and Benn are already one the final roster. Stovall and Spurlock are really good bets. If you’re going to take 6 wideouts, which most teams do, I’d still rather have Clayton. I know he’s going to bring something to the team in the locker room and in the development of the young guys while uncertain of how much he can bring to field himself. I’m totally uncertain about what Parker and Brown can give us on or off the field and they both are less physically talented. Seems like our hands tied and the guy’s contract is gauranteed this year anyway.
5 picks out of the first 100 in a draft saturated with talent. Yes, I'm optimistic.
by chuckyforpres on Sep 2, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I really don't know about Clayton's leadership
I agree that he’s a hard worker on the field and a willing blocker, but his major problem for a while at least seemed to be laziness. Besides that, he also constantly blames his lack of production on other people, his situation, his coaches, opportunities – whatever, everyone but himself. I don’t think that’s a good attitude to have in a locker room – accountability is what you want. When a wideout drops a ball you want him to say “My fault.” When he isn’t getting playing time you want him to say “I’ve just got to work harder to prove to the coaches I’m worth the playing time”. What you don’t want him to say is “Well, it’s not my fault”.
You’re right, though, that Brown has done very little to get on this team so far. However, there is one thing that he has that Clayton doesn’t have: speed. In terms of straight line speed he may be the fastest player on the roster.
Does anyone know how much Ward was guaranteed?
Is Huggins/Brown/Smith good enough backup for Cadillac?
by TheUltimateBucFan on Sep 1, 2010 1:23 AM EDT reply actions
I think a Caddy/ Huggy/ Graham (with Purvis blocking)
makes more sense. Purvis could play FB and go into the flat for balls.
I'd rather we stick with Pressley and develop Taylor.
Then move Purvis to FB. Unless Purvis is still too small for TE.
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