RoanokeFan
07-03-2012, 05:08 PM
DERRICK WARD CALLS IT A CAREER AFTER EIGHT SEASONS (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82a4e611/article/derrick-ward-calling-it-a-career-after-eight-seasons-)
"After eight seasons spent with three teams, running back Derrick Ward (/players/derrickward/profile?id=WAR147534)
said Tuesday that his NFL career has come to an end.<div id="yui_3_5_0_1_1341349601953_979" class="articleText">
</p>
<div id="twitter-widget-0" class="twitter-tweet-rendered" lang="en">
<div class="twt-border">
<blockquote class="twt-o twt-tweet hentry
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<div class="vcard author"><a id="yui_3_5_0_1_1341349601953_1314" class="screen-name url" href="https://twitter.com/DerrickWard32" data-screen-name="DerrickWard32"><span class="avatar">https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/1982654142/Photo1_normal.jpg</span>
<span class="fn">Derrick Ward</span></a>
<span class="nickname">@DerrickWard32</span> (https://twitter.com/DerrickWard32)</div>
<div class="entry-content">
<p class="entry-title">To all my fans just wanted to let u know its been a great
ride the last 9yrs but I'm calling it a career. I thank u all for believing in
me!</p></div>
<div class="footer"><span class="updated " title="3 Jul 2012, 6:46:59 PM (UTC)"><span class="value-title" title="2012-07-03T18:46:59+0000"></span>3 Jul 12 </span> (https://twitter.com/DerrickWard32/statuses/220227154485579777)
</div></blockquote></div></div>
Ward spent the past two seasons with the Houston Texans (/teams/houstontexans/profile?team=HOU), but
made it clear last month (http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=09000d5d82991e9e) his run with the team is over. The rise
of Arian Foster (/players/arianfoster/profile?id=FOS107404)
and Ben Tate didn't help Ward's cause in a crowded backfield.</p>
His most productive years were spent with the New York Giants (/teams/newyorkgiants/profile?team=NYG), who snagged Ward in the seventh round of the
2004 NFL Draft. He and <a id="yui_3_5_0_1_1341349601953_1323" class="player-flyout" href="/players/brandonjacobs/profile?id=JAC705688">Brandon
Jacobs</a> both topped 1,000 yards in New York in 2008, but Ward hasn't rushed
for more than 500 yards in a season since. He spent the 2009 season with the <a id="yui_3_5_0_1_1341349601953_1324" href="/teams/tampabaybuccaneers/profile?team=TB">Tampa Bay
Buccaneers</a> before heading to Houston.</p>
The league-wide demand for 31-year-old running backs is at an all-time low,
but this might not be the end for Ward.</p>
Nobody's calling today, but a rash of injuries could make Ward a candidate
for work later this summer. If he does receive another shot, Ward will remain a
supporting character, and nothing more. It might not be enough to lure him
back."</p></div>
"After eight seasons spent with three teams, running back Derrick Ward (/players/derrickward/profile?id=WAR147534)
said Tuesday that his NFL career has come to an end.<div id="yui_3_5_0_1_1341349601953_979" class="articleText">
</p>
<div id="twitter-widget-0" class="twitter-tweet-rendered" lang="en">
<div class="twt-border">
<blockquote class="twt-o twt-tweet hentry
twt-always-show-actions
twt-pinned
twt-standard
" data-twt-product="tweetembed" data-twt-intents="false" data-twt-id="220227154485579777">
<div class="vcard author"><a id="yui_3_5_0_1_1341349601953_1314" class="screen-name url" href="https://twitter.com/DerrickWard32" data-screen-name="DerrickWard32"><span class="avatar">https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/1982654142/Photo1_normal.jpg</span>
<span class="fn">Derrick Ward</span></a>
<span class="nickname">@DerrickWard32</span> (https://twitter.com/DerrickWard32)</div>
<div class="entry-content">
<p class="entry-title">To all my fans just wanted to let u know its been a great
ride the last 9yrs but I'm calling it a career. I thank u all for believing in
me!</p></div>
<div class="footer"><span class="updated " title="3 Jul 2012, 6:46:59 PM (UTC)"><span class="value-title" title="2012-07-03T18:46:59+0000"></span>3 Jul 12 </span> (https://twitter.com/DerrickWard32/statuses/220227154485579777)
</div></blockquote></div></div>
Ward spent the past two seasons with the Houston Texans (/teams/houstontexans/profile?team=HOU), but
made it clear last month (http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=09000d5d82991e9e) his run with the team is over. The rise
of Arian Foster (/players/arianfoster/profile?id=FOS107404)
and Ben Tate didn't help Ward's cause in a crowded backfield.</p>
His most productive years were spent with the New York Giants (/teams/newyorkgiants/profile?team=NYG), who snagged Ward in the seventh round of the
2004 NFL Draft. He and <a id="yui_3_5_0_1_1341349601953_1323" class="player-flyout" href="/players/brandonjacobs/profile?id=JAC705688">Brandon
Jacobs</a> both topped 1,000 yards in New York in 2008, but Ward hasn't rushed
for more than 500 yards in a season since. He spent the 2009 season with the <a id="yui_3_5_0_1_1341349601953_1324" href="/teams/tampabaybuccaneers/profile?team=TB">Tampa Bay
Buccaneers</a> before heading to Houston.</p>
The league-wide demand for 31-year-old running backs is at an all-time low,
but this might not be the end for Ward.</p>
Nobody's calling today, but a rash of injuries could make Ward a candidate
for work later this summer. If he does receive another shot, Ward will remain a
supporting character, and nothing more. It might not be enough to lure him
back."</p></div>