This document provides statistics and contract details to compare safety T.J. Ward's recent performance to other safeties like Dashon Goldson, Eric Weddle, Antrel Rolle, Michael Griffin, and Tyvon Branch when they signed new contracts. It shows Ward has produced similarly to these players in terms of tackles, interceptions, and other defensive metrics. Advanced metrics like EPA and WPA that measure overall playmaking ability also rank Ward highly compared to the others. This analysis suggests Ward deserves a multi-year contract in the $7-9 million per year range similar to the deals the other players received.

1. T.J. Ward
Age: 26
Height: 5-10
Weight: 200
College: Oregon

2. Similar Contracts
• TJ Ward’s recent seasons are most similar to
the performances the following players had in
the years preceding their contract.
- Dashon Goldson ($8,666,667.00 3APY)
- Eric Weddle ($8,333,333.00 3APY)
- Antrel Rolle ($7,500,000.00 3APY)
- Michael Griffin ($7,400,000.00 3APY)
- Tyvon Branch ($6,700,000.00 3APY)

3. Similar Contracts
• The following comparisons will feature the
player’s performance during his 3 years prior
to the latest contract date.

4. Ward vs. Goldson (‘10-’12)
Dashon Goldson, San Francisco 49ers
Contract: 3/14/2013
3-year APY
$8,666,667.00
APY
$8,250,000.00
Signing Bonus
$0.00
Total Guarantee
$22,000,000.00
Player (GS)
Forced TOs
Pass Def.
Stuffs
Sacks
Solos
Assists
Goldson (46)
12
25
3
1
172
44
Ward (38)
8
17
8
2
173
57

5. Ward vs. Weddle (‘08-’10)
Eric Weddle, San Diego Charges
Contract: 7/29/2011
3-year APY
$8,333,333.00
APY
$8,000,000.00
Signing Bonus
$13,000,000.00
Total Guarantee
$19,000,000.00
Player (GS)
Forced TOs
Pass Def.
Stuffs
Sacks
Solos
Assists
Weddle (45)
5
22
11
3
253
52
Ward (38)
8
17
8
2
173
57

6. Ward vs. Rolle (‘08-’10)
Antrel Rolle, New York Giants
Contract: 8/05/2011
3-year APY
$7,500,000.00
APY
$7,400,000.00
Signing Bonus
$4,000,000.00
Total Guarantee
$15,000,000.00
Player (GS)
Forced TOs
Pass Def.
Stuffs
Sacks
Solos
Assists
Rolle (47)
8
17
8
2
214
34
Ward (38)
8
17
8
2
173
57

7. Ward vs. Griffin (‘09-’11)
Michael Griffin, Tennessee Titans
Contract: 6/09/2012
3-year APY
$7,400,000.00
APY
$7,000,000.00
Signing Bonus
$9,000,000.00
Total Guarantee
$15,000,000.00
Player (GS)
Forced TOs
Pass Def.
Stuffs
Sacks
Solos
Assists
Griffin (47)
12
26
7
1
202
58
Ward (38)
8
17
8
2
173
57

8. Ward vs. Branch (‘10-’12)
Tyvon Branch, Oakland Raiders
Contract: 3/06/2013
3-year APY
$6,700,000.00
APY
$6,650,000.00
Signing Bonus
$0.00
Total Guarantee
$17,600,000.00
Player (GS)
Forced TOs
Pass Def.
Stuffs
Sacks
Solos
Assists
Branch (46)
4
10
11
5
235
72
Ward (38)
8
17
8
2
173
57

9. Similar Contracts (Per Game Started)
• The previous stats are now adjusted to reflect
averages per start.

10. Ward vs. Goldson (‘10-’12)
Dashon Goldson, San Francisco 49ers
Contract: 3/14/2013
3-year APY
$8,666,667.00
APY
$8,250,000.00
Signing Bonus
$0.00
Total Guarantee
$22,000,000.00
Player
Forced TOs
Pass Def.
Stuffs
Sacks
Solos
Assists
Goldson
0.2
0.54
0.06
0.02
3.73
0.95
Ward
0.2
0.48
0.21
0.05
4.55
1.5

11. Ward vs. Weddle (‘08-’10)
Eric Weddle, San Diego Charges
Contract: 7/29/2011
3-year APY
$8,333,333.00
APY
$8,000,000.00
Signing Bonus
$13,000,000.00
Total Guarantee
$19,000,000.00
Player
Forced TOs
Pass Def.
Stuffs
Sacks
Solos
Assists
Weddle
0.11
0.48
0.2
0.1
5.62
1.15
Ward
0.21
0.48
0.2
0.05
4.55
1.5

12. Ward vs. Rolle (‘08-’10)
Antrel Rolle, New York Giants
Contract: 8/05/2011
3-year APY
$7,500,000.00
APY
$7,400,000.00
Signing Bonus
$4,000,000.00
Total Guarantee
$15,000,000.00
Player
Forced TOs
Pass Def.
Stuffs
Sacks
Solos
Assists
Rolle
0.17
0.36
0.02
0.04
4.55
0.7
Ward
0.21
0.48
0.21
0.05
4.55
1.5

13. Ward vs. Griffin (‘09-’11)
Michael Griffin, Tennessee Titans
Contract: 6/09/2012
3-year APY
$7,400,000.00
APY
$7,000,000.00
Signing Bonus
$9,000,000.00
Total Guarantee
$15,000,000.00
Player (GS)
Forced TOs
Pass Def.
Stuffs
Sacks
Solos
Assists
Griffin (47)
0.2
0.55
0.01
0.02
4.29
1.2
Ward
0.2
0.48
0.21
0.05
4.55
1.5

14. Ward vs. Branch (‘10-’12)
Tyvon Branch, Oakland Raiders
Contract: 3/06/2013
3-year APY
$6,700,000.00
APY
$6,650,000.00
Signing Bonus
$0.00
Total Guarantee
$17,600,000.00
Player
Forced TOs
Pass Def.
Stuffs
Sacks
Solos
Assists
Branch
0.08
0.21
0.2
0.10
5.10
1.5
Ward
0.21
0.48
0.2
0.05
4.55
1.5

15. Advanced Metrics
• +WPA and +EPA add up the value of every sack,
interception, pass defense, forced fumble or
recovery, and every tackle or assist that results in a
setback for the offense.
• “What these stats measure is "playmaking" ability.
Simply stated, +WPA and +EPA put a number on
playmaking.”
• Brian Burke, noted NFL researcher & analyst,
founder of AdvancedNFLStats.com

16. +EPA/G
Positive Expected Points Added per Game
Player (Contract Year)
+EPA/G
3 YR APY
Goldson (2012)
2.69
$8,666,667
Ward (2012)
2.28
Weddle (2010)
1.78
$8,333,333
Griffin (2011)
1.74
$7,400,000
Chancellor (2012)
1.26
$6,959,000
Branch (2012)
1.26
$6,700,000

17. +WPA
Positive Win Probability Added
Player (Contract Year)
+WPA
3 YR APY
Ward (2012)
1.07
Goldson (2012)
0.89
$8,666,667
Weddle (2010)
0.82
$8,333,333
Chancellor (2012)
0.73
$6,959,000
Branch (2012)
0.62
$6,700,000
Griffin (2011)
0.49
$7,400,000