Giants re-sign running back Ware
Giants running back D.J. Ware tries to find a hole in the defensive front as he is surrounded by defenders Chase Blackburn, left, and Jay Alford, right, during 2010 training camp at the University at Albany. (Aug. 3, 2010) Credit: Jon Winslow
The Giants signed one of their running backs who was about to become a free agent . . . but not the most important one.
D.J. Ware, who has been the team's third or fourth running back for the last three seasons and one of their better kickoff returners, has signed a deal that could be worth $2 million over two years, according to reports. The maneuver - made just as the CBA is about to expire Thursday night at midnight - seems to break with the Giants' philosophy of not signing free agents-to-be until the labor situation is resolved, but the team has signed other lower-profile players such as Adam Koets and Zak DeOssie in the last few months.
The Giants have long had high hopes for Ware, who was picked up from the Jets' practice squad late in the 2007 season. But he's had only 35 carries over three seasons. A much more significant re-signing will be if the Giants can keep free-agent-to-be Ahmad Bradshaw, whom they placed a second-round tender on earlier this week in case he becomes a restricted free agent under any new labor agreement or extension of 2010 rules. Ware then likely would be limited to third stringer in 2011 behind Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, and in that case he'd be unlikely to earn the incentives that would max out his contract.
If the Giants are unable to re-sign Bradshaw, Ware could be asked to split carries with Jacobs in the backfield.
Ware has a history of injuries, including a dislocated elbow suffered on the opening kickoff of the 2009 season and two concussions. He's also spent time sidelined in Tom Coughlin's doghouse due to lack of effort in practices. But overall the Giants always have maintained that Ware, 26, has strong potential. In 2009 running backs coach Jerald Ingram cited Ware's absence with injury for the lack of production in the running game.
Barden recovering. WR Ramses Barden underwent surgery on Tuesday to "clean out" his leg after suffering a broken ankle and ligament damage during the season. Wednesday he was tweeting about it. "The scope-surgery went great!" he wrote. "Everything is clean n natural again, but I will be laid up for a few days. FTR it was my 1st ever surgery."
