Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Derrick Ward is looking to put his sub-par 2009 season behind him, writes Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times.

Ward rushed for 1,025 yards in 2008, his final season with the New York Giants. After signing a four-year, $17 million contract with the Buccaneers, Ward gained just 409 yards, despite only receiving 68 fewer carries.

"You can't have the numbers I had in New York playing from 21 (points) down," Ward said. "We're last in run defense, and teams are running the ball. So I can't get on the field to do the things I did in New York. People last year thought I was a bust. But I just put it to the back of my mind. I know football, and everybody on my team knows football."

Ward is looking forward to teaming with Cadillac Williams as the Buccaneers get back to a power ground game.

"We're going to formulate an immaculate tandem this year," Ward said.

For more from Ward, and Raheem Morris' "emotional bank account", click here.