RB Derrick Ward Interested in Texans [Signs with Bucs]

[Keith]

Originally Posted by nero THE zero

Keith, as the capologist could you kind of put what Ward wants into some perspective?

He wants $4M per year; does that mean $4M total or $4M guaranteed? And who (RB or otherwise) is that kind of contract comparable to?

I think he means he wants a contract that averages $4M per year, i.e. 3 years, $12M total.

This is the sort of range that a high-end backup would get (outside of Darren Sproles' and his F-tag, of course). There's probably other examples, but Chester Taylor at around 26 in 2006 signed a 4-year, $14.1M contract. It averages less that what Ward is asking for, but considering the cap growth in the last three years, it probably compares. That sort of contract came with a $3M signing bonus and probably another $2M or so guaranteed somehow.

I think $4M/yr. is too high for Ward. Draft a complementary back for Slaton in the draft instead. Much more affordable, younger, etc.

The other problem yet unsaid with signing a backup at $4M/yr is that it really highlights for Slaton how underpaid he'll be this year. Second year player, comes with the territory, but Slaton is going to maybe be the best bargain going in 2009... tough to blame him if he wants more money now.