T.J. Ward: “I Should Know Better”
October 25th, 2017
Regrets going public.
Bucs veteran safety T.J. Ward made waves Sunday felt across the National Football League when, after the dog-choking Bucs defense gagged a touchdown lead late, and then the game at Buffalo, he sounded off with frustration over playing time — and it was clear he was firing at defensive coordinator Mike Smith.
Three days later, Ward apologized for being a distraction and potentially embarrassing others with his words.
“I should have kept a lot of my thoughts to myself,” Ward said. “I have been in the league – this is my eighth year. I’m a prideful person. I wear my emotions on my sleeve. This is all brand new to me. It’s a new situation, team. I try to take it as it comes.
“I hope everyone works with me. My teammates know [his comments Sunday] was nothing malicious. Coaches know it. I said what I said. I want to be out there. Yeah.”
Ward essentially let loose Sunday saying he did not understand why he was in a rotation at safety and suggested he may not have signed with the Bucs if he had known his playing time would have been reduced.
Still, Ward, in retrospect, regretted the way he vented his frustrations, saying there were better ways to get his point across.
“I should know better,” Ward said.
Joe doesn’t have a real problem with what he was saying. Hey, if Ward didn’t give a damn, he could easily loaf it, go through the motions, collect his checks and keep his trap shut.
But Ward was clearly miffed and the loss bothered him. That tells Joe that Ward cares and believes he could been used better on the field of play in order for the Bucs to have closed out a win.
Just think what was likely going through his mind on the sidelines, watching a stiff like Tyrod Taylor march the Bills 75 yards — on three plays! — to tie the game late.
Ward had to be thinking to himself, “Geez, you’re telling me I couldn’t have done better than to allow this glorified backup three plays to score from 75 yards out? I can’t do better?”
The other person who had issues with how many snaps he logged — and shot off his mouth typed on a cell phone keypad after the game — was shy, belly shirt-wearing, practice-hating, kicker-heckling, tree-grinding , non-contact-football-loving, chicken wings-grilling, playing-time squawking Swaggy Baker.
He made a rare appearance in the Bucs locker room during media availability today. But Baker wasn’t talking (this afternoon) and he (politely) declined Joe’s request for a brief moment to discuss his Sunday social media grievance about playing time.
Watch Ward’s apology in this Rock Riley video.
October 25th, 2017 at 5:27 pm
Im glad we have a few defensive players who do wana win that bad. Wish it was more. The bigger issue obviously is the man who says he loves to put guys in position to do what they do best, is clearly not doing that. 75 yds and 3 plays sums up the season so far. Smith should be embarrassed. Im hoping he decides to cut em loose this week, or scam is in for a big bounce back game.
October 25th, 2017 at 5:30 pm
Where there is smoke, there is fire. Also, look how a pro-bowl/Super Bowl winning defensive player handles a mistake and how Swaggy handled his. It speaks volumes, even without a word said.
I wish I could know if TJ blew his assignment or if it was someone else who allowed one of those early td’s in the game. Hard to say when you don’t know what the playcall is.
Good to hear Ward owned up to his mistake. Hope there was a come to Jesus meeting 2.0 this week too
October 25th, 2017 at 5:52 pm
Winning solves everything. If we shat the bed at home Sunday this board will explode. Win the next 2 games we are 4-4 and 2-0 in the div.
October 25th, 2017 at 5:58 pm
At least we know the defense has a pulse, even a flame or two, hopefully one of the TEAM CAPTAINS takes a leadership role and continues stoking those flames and lights a fire under the @$$ get this unit back on track. GO BUCS
October 25th, 2017 at 6:34 pm
Joe, it’s clear that mike smith is not using his players to the best of their abilities. LVD and GMC have both said recently that they could have done more but are forced to play what the coach calls. So it’s not just ward and swaggy complaining about being used and playing time. I mean this is year 2 of mike smith’s defense, these problems on defense should no longer be happening even with a non existent pass rush. I think if smith doesn’t turn this defense around by the end of this season, he has to go. The only reason he was re-signed was due to the defense’s play the second half of last season, showing some progress.
October 25th, 2017 at 6:47 pm
Atrain- I said that and was told I have An agenda. It’s so clearly it’s square peg round hole outdated scheme crap. Period
October 25th, 2017 at 6:52 pm
Glorified backup? Tyrod Taylor has a 92.2 rating in 3 less starts than Jameis, who’s rocking the 86.8. Oh, and Taylor has a better winning % too.
October 25th, 2017 at 6:53 pm
Regardless what anyone may think or say I love guys with the “Passion” to say, complain or give a damn about winning and hate any sign of a losing culture so let’s get back to “BUC Business” and break out them Big Mother F******Sticks
October 25th, 2017 at 7:11 pm
I’ll take T.J.’s apology but I still want Baker’s fat lazy annoying ass out of here even if he were to apologize.
October 25th, 2017 at 7:13 pm
I am with you Atrain4047 this defense should be getting better not regressing in year 2 Its very obvious whats going on with this defense when you get GMC and LD starting to make statements about the system and other things. It also shows on the field with the D line and the CBs. Nonetheless, if Smith doesn’t adjust his system to fit his players then maybe he need to be let go this is what the winning teams do adjust the system to fit the players or bring in a new coordinator its much easier to bring in a D coordinator than to bring in 5 or 6 new players
October 25th, 2017 at 7:13 pm
“I should know better,” Ward said. Yup, pretty much says it all. Oh wait, not on JBF. Gotta keep that pot stirred.
October 25th, 2017 at 7:19 pm
I don’t mind seeing players get pizzed but not when it comes to public outcry. Most the time these types of incidents are a prelude to discord in the lockerroom. It’s a delicate situation for a HC to handle. Maybe that’s Dirks specialty since he seems to struggle in the winning dept.
October 25th, 2017 at 7:27 pm
You got your Super Bowl ring. Just enjoy your $5 million dollar vacation. There’s no need to get your blood pressure all out of whack.
October 25th, 2017 at 8:04 pm
(said in a strong Brooklyn accent)
GET OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 25th, 2017 at 9:05 pm
That will be funny if coaches let them do want they want their way (gmc, ward, baker) and we still lose by the sword of the defense. That will be my expectations at this point. No need to be talking about defense struggles now. Did we do this with schiano?
October 25th, 2017 at 9:06 pm
So Ward gets it but Swaggy? This was the first real run in for Ward and as has already been expressed given the frustration of that loss it’s pretty understandable.
Swaggy disturbs me though. His work ethic is literally a joke to his teammates as we saw on HK. When a group of rookies can see who is dogging it practice…that dog should probably be let go!!!!!! And recall while it was the rookies who included that in their humor the entire room of Vets just rolled! Sadly I’m not sure Swaggy’s laziness is funny anymore.
October 25th, 2017 at 9:09 pm
Mike Smiths comments about safeties and different skill sets and a rotation is hogwash. Last year when he was forced to play just Tandy and McDougal without a rotation, the defense flourished. He is just trying to make everyone happy or get the guys you resigned on the field, your second round pick. Ask Seattle about a safety rotation because of skill set or Minnesota, heck or even the Bucs of old. They played the best two and did what they did, I am not sure who are the best two, but I know what we are doing is not working. you either have two starters or none at all, its simple as that.
October 25th, 2017 at 9:15 pm
I think it is telling if the team made him apologize. I would have respected Ward more if he stood his ground. Players shouldn’t be in lockstep with the losing culture that has festered throughout this franchise since Gruden got fired. Koetter brings out the same tired cliches each week and does nothing about anything. The defense is historically horrible and deserves to be called out by players in higher positions than Ward. Even Lovie is laughing at them as he smiles looking at his retirement account.
October 25th, 2017 at 9:37 pm
Can someone explain to me how griping in public about the coaches makes someone care more about winning? It’s not simply refusing to accept responsibility.
A lot will be left to be said about Smitty but one thing I’ll NEVER believe is that Ward knows more about defense than Smith.
I grew up in the 50’s in an area that didn’t have Little League Baseball. We did have Knothole baseball but not enough spots for everybody. Players had to try out for their local teams. Teams were in two year groupings so in the 7th grade when I tried out I had to compete against 7th and 8th graders. 25 kids made the squad…I was number 26.
Now let’s be honest if you’re down around the cut mark even if you made it you probably weren’t going to play a lot. But what galled me was the coach chose his son 25th…also a 7th grader and no better than me. When I griped to my father about the coaches decision to play his son…obvious nepotism and not me my father instantly shut me up. Stop the whining….next time don’t be 23rd or 24th or 25th and you’ll be on the team. Stop BLAMING OTHERS!!!
My father’s words would make just as much sense for Ward. Ward has been repeatedly beaten deep…he sometimes takes bad angles…he was simply playing poorly…maybe in fairness to him his health has yet to return. But Beckwith gets playing time even though he’s a rookie…because he’s EARNED it.
I haven’t seen enough from Ward to believe he has a legitimate gripe…and whining and blaming others is not being a freaking winner who hates to lose.
October 25th, 2017 at 9:48 pm
A Pro Bowler Veteran player should know what damage it would create within the Team going public through the Media. I can’t give him an acceptance of his apology because to me that is what me players do with no regard to what it does to my Teammates. He may want to win but so do 52 other guys. Bet they ere just as pissed as him and only 1 other guy stooped so low and look what people are talking about this week. It’s not the Panthers that are coming to Raymond James this Sunday to kick our ass. What’s Ward going to do if he doesn’t get as many reps this Sunday as he wants??? Or will Kotter and Smith passify him at the Teams expense and play him the entire game. Then we got another problem… Play the 2 best and if that don’t work next Sunday play the other 2. If that don’t work play the best of the first duo with the best of the second duo. If that don’t work we are in trouble again and then you have to throw in the towel!!!! Tired of hearing all this hogwash. Things worked out the last5 games last season with scrubs as everyone seems to think. But really they are pros also, just aren’t paid as much. Who cares I just want to win man!!!!
October 25th, 2017 at 10:15 pm
I don’t like that he said it, but he at least apologized.
Yeah Taylor is a stiff. For all the stats geeks compare him with Winston since they have been starters. Joe always demeans other QB’s, please don’t with him he’s very good not great.
October 25th, 2017 at 10:24 pm
I’m w I’m a tandyman buc fan
Koetter better not play him entire game. Ward gets his way……. Oh boy. And to think GMC made noise also
October 25th, 2017 at 10:31 pm
There’s been multiple accomplished players now come out with remarks about their assignments/roles…LVD I believe said something to the effect of he’s doing what’s he been asked….McCoy now states a similar opinion…Ward is wondering why he’s rotating…same with Baker. It’s a bit odd
October 25th, 2017 at 10:35 pm
Good deal Lemarcus. Let’s hope the right thing is done. Think me and you got it figured out. Let’s keep plugging my man. I enjoy your post as well. A lot of Football left. GO BUCS!!! It ain’t over “Till the Fat Lady sings”!!!!!
October 25th, 2017 at 11:36 pm
I aint worried about Ward, he is a baller. Baker is the second coming of Haynesworth.
October 25th, 2017 at 11:50 pm
Well Jim. Ward may be a Baller but he has gotten beat every game he has played as a Buc for a Touchdown!!! Needs to keep his mouth shut and quit getting beat before I can call him a Baller and not a me guy. Got a lot to prove or I gotta vote for him to get gone. We played pretty well before he was signed with the Bucs. If he was All World Denver wouldn’t have gone with the younger player. You know there’s always a reason things don’t work out when your let go!!! Just sayin
October 26th, 2017 at 2:15 am
Well Tandyman, Ward manned up and apologized realizing he got to emotional and needs to step up his game. Meanwhile Shaggy is at another chinese buffet.
October 26th, 2017 at 7:14 am
Don’t sweat it, T.J. I applaud your passion.
Body language, words, and tone by some guys shows that too many guys just don’t care. They don’t hate losing enough. They don’t love winning enough.
When something is lifeless, bland and dead, any signs of life are welcome in my book, and right now the defense has no pulse.