Buccaneers fans trying to account for Derrick Ward's sluggish start in Tampa have a new factor to consider now that according to his head coach, Ward is out of shape. Ward, who turns 30 on Monday, hasn't run effectively since the Bucs signed the ex-Giant to a lucrative free agent deal March 3, 2009. "When you get a bit older in this league, especially as a running back, you have to realize that you need to come into camp at a lighter weight, not heavier," Coach Raheem Morris said. "I still have a lot of confidence in Derrick Ward that he'll be ready and in shape to help us this season." The Bucs list the 5-foot-11 Ward at 228 pounds, the same weight assigned to him since 2007, when he ran for 602 yards in spot duty with the Giants. Ward was an infrequent participant in Tampa Bay's voluntary offseason workouts, but he reported to training camp on time July 30, saying he is approaching the upcoming year with a "new mentality." According to General Manager Mark Dominik, the Bucs have not fined Ward this summer for failing to meet the club's weight requirements. "Ask my teammates - I'm not huffing or puffing, I'm not asking to be taken out of games," said Ward, whose average yards per carry plunged from 5.6 to 3.6 in his first year with the Bucs. "My weight is good and I'm ready to go. If the first game of the season was this Sunday, I'd be ready." Source: Tampa Tribune
