 Ward Ready to Seize Moment Try as they might, the Giants just don't seem able to put the ghost of Tiki Barber completely in their rear view mirror. It just so happens his latest caper may prove to help resuscitate them. In the two years Barber and Derrick Ward spent as teammates on the Giants roster, they grew to become quite close, almost “like brothers” as Ward puts it. And in the days since the man who began this season with just 35 career carries has been thrust into the Giants starting backfield, it has been Barber he has most turned to for guidance. “Tiki and I have talked pretty much every day since training camp,” Ward says of a scenario that surely must not play out as music to the ears of team management. “Just because we're not teammates anymore doesn't mean we're not friends.” And after Ward's performance in Dallas on Sunday, Coach Tom Coughlin might not be in such a hurry to curve the relationship. After being called on to replace Brandon Jacobs who went down with a first-quarter knee injury, Ward ran circles around Dallas defenders, picking up 89 yards on just 13 carries. With Jacobs expected to be out at least four weeks, the load of the one-time special teams ace figures to get a lot heavier. And its Barber that's been there every step of the way, imploring him to take full advantage of his rare moment. “He mentioned that he was a third down back like I was this year and said he got his opportunity when somebody went down,” Ward told the New York Daily News. “He told me my opportunity would come,” he added. “ It's my contract year, so I want to play well and see what happens after that.” If Sunday in Dallas was any indication, things may soon be looking up for both Ward and the Giants. “It made me more a believer in myself,” Ward said of the Texas two step. “I have to take advantage of all the opportunities I have.” The Giants can live with that, even if it means Tiki Barber will still have a place in their world.
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