Derrick Ward is set to be a FA after the end of this season and surely will attract some addition around the league, especially after rushing for 215 yards tonight against the Panthers. He one of the three backs in NY that run the ball extremely well. He might be considered a back-up in NY but he has the ability to take the bulk of the load in games and be the difference maker.

At first glance you'd say that the Giants would be stupid to let him go, however, they also have Brandon Jacobs as a FA at the end of the season. I highly doubt they'll be able to keep Ward around, especially since he'll be able to go else where and make starter money.

With all of that said, does TT go after Ward to strengthen our backfield? Personally I'd be all for us but I think our money would be better spent elsewhere.

Thoughts?

I believe the Packers already signed a Giants back-up to a bug bucks contract. Signing another one would be redundant. The Packers OL has to learn to run block better, especially when the Packers have less than a yard to get a first down or a TD.

Sorry- I pass on this signing.

lolz, the only reason you brought this up was because of today's game. No, I do not want him, he will get overpaid somewhere to be a number two, Chargers maybe.

Assumptions is a bad thing.

I've brought up the idea of other backs (Darren Sproles from the Chargers) being brought in this off-season who might allow us to strengthen our running game. Every strong team out there that has the ability to run the ball with confidence has a tandem of running backs, something we don't have. Sure, his performance tonight was noteworthy, who can deny that, but making such an ASSUMPTION that the only reason I brought this was up was ONLY because of his performance tonight was, well, wrong.

Now, back onto the topic.... "lolz"

Ward has proven that he can play play in such a position at a high level, along with backs like Sproles and Correll Buckhalter. We need to be able to run the ball better and an addition to our backfield might just be what we are looking for. We have Lumpkin on IR and might be able to assist in this area but that's a question left unanswered at this point in time.

Just because we've already signed a back from the Giant doesn't exclude someone like Ward or even Brandon Jacobs doesn't cancel them out. What it comes down to, at least in my opinion, is does the said individual(s) improve the team.

Ricky, you defiantly bring up a good point with the OL's ability to run block. This has to improve next season for us to be successful...

We also have to keep in mind that the WCO is based around short yardage / high % passes. TE's and RB's play a large role in this. With that said, looking at this season we really have failed to get our backs involved in the passing game, mainly B.Jackson. We either need to get Jackson more involved or look at other options in FA / Draft. ....

One last thing to think about-

Last season when TT was in talks with the Giants he was originally trying to go after Ward but instead received Grant. Is TT happy with Grants performance? Could he trade him away and pick Ward up, someone he wanted from the start?

All things to think about....

I am going to respectfully disagree with you and B. Jackson not getting involved. He has 30 catches this year according to the Pack's website. However, I don't think there have been many attempts to get him in the open field in the passing game (which might have something to do with his seemingly low yds. per catch avg.) . It seems that most of his catches only come when he is a hot read or a check down. I'm not saying design plays to make him the main target on a pass play but have him run some swing routes or have him run a route down the middle just to get him in the open field, he has some shake and bake let him use it.

I think another important aspect is that we don't get Ryan Grant involved in the passing game, he's only got like 12 catches this year. For a starting RB that isn't that great. Granted, he doesn't look very fluid or comfortable on pass plays, but we have to get him involved because I think that would add another dimension to this offense and make it less predictable.

I hate to bring up the pass but when we had Bennett and Levens a decade a go they both had their strengths but both of them were complete backs they were both very effective receivers when called upon. That element seems to be missing from this team, as I think right now Brandon Jackson is the most complete back we have, he's making good progress I think but he is still a work in progress.

That is what I like about Derrick Ward, he can run, he can catch, he is a complete back I think this team could use a guy like that.

That's where I'm coming from. We need someone who can 'do it all' and right now we don't seem to have anyone who fits that. I think Jackson could but we don't utilize him enough even to run the ball, which is a tad disappointing.

Hmmm- what is your evidence that TT wanted Ward? Not "calling you out", just curious. Besides, would Grant really have any value in the draft? He was a 6th round pick for the Packers- would any team give even that up this year for Grant?

God I wish we would have signed Burner Turner :/