T.J. Ward brings attitude to Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not been to the playoffs since 2007. In their entire history dating back to 1976, the team has been to and won a single Super Bowl, but most of the identity has been losing and creamsicle uniforms.

This year, many believe the Buccaneers are ready to take flight. Third-year quarterback Jameis Winston looks as though he’s ready for primetime (if he stops turning the damn ball over), surrounded by a supporting cast that includes Doug Martin, Mike Evans and the newly-acquired DeSean Jackson.

However, it’s the defense which drives this bus. Gerald McCoy is one of the best defenders in the game, and he’s flanked Noah Spence, along with Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David in the linebackers group. In the secondary, Tampa Bay is rolling with the veteran Brent Grimes one on corner and Vernon Hargreaves III on the other. Now, they have T.J. Ward watching their backs.

Ward, 30, was released by the Denver Broncos to free up some cap space. It didn’t take long for him to find new employment, signing a one-year, $5 million deal with the Buccaneers. While Ward isn’t a ranging, sideline-to-sideline safety, he provided help against the run game. He can also cover tight ends in man-to-man schemes. But most importantly, Ward brings some juice to a team that has desperately been in need of some on the defensive side of the ball.

Example of said juice? Ward talking to the local media on Monday about what happened in Denver, per NFL.com:

“It’s unfortunate the way they handled that situation,” Ward told a gaggle of Bucs reporters after signing with the team shortly after being cut by the Broncos on Saturday.

“But it is what it is. And they got live with it. I got to live with it. And we’ll see what happens,” Ward said. “But I’m going to make sure that I land on my feet. That’s just me. And whatever happens to them, happens to them. That’s on them.”

Ward won’t put the Buccaneers over the top with his on-field talent, but a change in mindset with a former All-Pro and Super Bowl champ leading the charge can’t hurt. Tampa Bay had endured a losing culture for years before going 9-7 last year under first-time head coach Dirk Koetter. In 2017, the next step needs to be taken, something Ward can help with.

Give Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht credit, he’s not waiting around hoping the pieces fall in place. He’s being aggressive, hoping to make the Buccaneers a winner once again.

Signing Ward was another positive step in that direction.