A source told FOXSports.com that the New York Giants running back has agreed to a four-year, $17 million contract with Tampa Bay. Ward will earn $6 million guaranteed in 2009 and salaries over the next two seasons that would raise the three-year value to $13 million.

That's a great payday for a running back with only eight career starts in five seasons with the Giants. Tampa Bay could afford it, having entered the signing period with $61 million in cap space available.

Ward blossomed on the Super Bowl-champion 2007 Giants as part of the "Earth, Wind and Fire" running-back rotation with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. Ward and Jacobs were the workhorses in 2008. Ward rushed for 1,025 yards and two touchdowns with a gaudy 5.6-yard average.

Ward had drawn strong free-agent interest from Cincinnati and Denver. Despite a low number of career carries, Ward's age may have tempered their contract offers. He turns 29 in August, an age when the performance of many running backs begins to slip.

With the Bucs, Ward is likely to form a one-two running back combination with Earnest Graham, who is coming off an injury-shortened 2008 season. It's uncertain when Cadillac Williams will rejoin the running back corps after having suffered a second major knee injury late last season.

Ward wasn't expected to stay with the Giants. New York recently signed Jacobs to a four-year contract extension and still has Bradshaw on the roster.

The Ward acquisition is yet another Bucs offseason move to bolster an anemic offense under former coach Jon Gruden, who was replaced by assistant Raheem Morris in mid-January following a surprise firing. The Bucs have acquired tight end Kellen Winslow in a trade with Cleveland and re-signed wide receiver Michael Clayton and quarterback Luke McCown.