There are many elements of the Bucs’ 2017 season that made it a disappointment. One is certainly the signing of defensive tackle Chris Baker to a three-year, $15.75 million deal and then cutting him a year later. Another is the whole lost bye week thanks to Hurricane Irma.

And another example would likely be the lack of production from safety T.J. Ward, whom the team signed after he was cut from Denver in August of 2017. The team was hopeful that Ward was going to come in and be an upgrade to their strong safety spot, but that didn’t happen. Instead, Ward started just five games for the Buccaneers and recorded just 30 tackles with no forced fumbles and no interceptions. That lack of fit and production led to the Buccaneers not offering Ward a contract, making him a free agent in 2018, where he currently remains unsigned.

On Wednesday, Ward was a guest on Sirius XM radio where he said he was misused by the Buccaneers and appears to blame the team and the coaching staff for one of the worst statistical years of his career.

"I wasn't allowed to be the player I wanted to be last year and it hurt me. I've been a top tier safety in this league since I entered & I'm continue to be till I exit. I'm ready to get back on the field and go" Free Agent S @BossWard43 pic.twitter.com/qYvEEHvUvJ — SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) June 20, 2018

There was plenty of criticism for Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith in 2017, so you buy that from Ward? Or is there more blame on him for his poor stint in Tampa Bay than he’s admitting?